Meet the Blakstad team – Sonia Montoya

Sonia’s family hails from Granada but when both her brother and then sister moved to Ibiza, Sonia was convinced to follow. Little did she know it would be a life altering choice. On arrival in Ibiza Sonia studied interior design and worked in fashion retail while obtaining her qualifications. It was her future husband who first introduced her to the work of Rolph Blakstad senior. They were teenage sweethearts and he had watched his father work for Rolph, becoming enamoured with his methods and his way of being. When they finally married he told Sonia that one day they would have a Blakstad house. Eventually, they were able to purchase a plot of land and so began a relationship that would last decades. While constructing their home, Rolph senior invited Sonia to work along side himself and his son, also Rolf, but with a Spanish spelling. Together the three of them occupied a room that sits adjacent to the current Blakstad HQ. Sonia was in charge of converting the hand drawn architectural concepts into a digitised format. A strong bond was formed between the three of them as Sonia was soon absorbed into the Blakstad family. “I had to learn so much, about the style, the history of the architecture of the island,” she remembers. “Rolph was a wonderful teacher. He taught me everything, all sorts of things about architecture but also about other cultures, carpentry and design.”

The process is completely collaborative and the atmosphere at the Blakstad office is that of a collective of people working towards one goal. Sonia’s role as draughtswoman is to transform Rolf’s designs into a format where the architects can prepare the appropriate applications to council. It’s an exacting process that requires patience and a near obsessive mind but the result is always satisfying. “A Blakstad design elevates the everyday and the simple to the extraordinary; the houses are harmonious, light, unpretentious and full of grandeur at the same time,” Sonia explains. “There are so many adjectives to describe them but the best thing is to see and feel them, then you realise the effect they have. I am very proud to be part of this.” The house Sonia and her husband built with Rolph didn’t become her family home until recently. Both she and her husband wake in the morning and can’t quite believe their dream came true. “After all this time, we still can’t believe that it’s ours,” she gushes. The respect for both Rolph and his son are obvious, amongst all of Blakstad’s employees but Sonia has a special place in her heart for those early days when it was just the three of them. “He was so patient with me, I admired him so much. It was so easy to work for him.” Although, Rolph is no longer with us Sonia’s sentiments have changed little, having worked at Blakstad Design Consultants for nine years. “I love my job so much,” she says. “Working here feels like I’ve won the lottery!”

Where winter fire burns bright

Ibiza in summer is a sight to behold. Famous for glamorous beaches, luxury lounging around, yachting across the glittering Med, long lunches and even longer dinners… anyone who’s holidayed here in summer knows all this and more. But those on the inside know Ibiza in winter is pure, unadulterated magic. While the rest of Europe shivers under a blanket of snow topped with a sheet of icy sleet, Ibiza is basking under bright blue skies and crisp clean air. Things may be quieter (no traffic! easy restaurant reservations!) but there is one place where the light has always shone right through the winter: luxury Ibiza Agroturismo Cas Gasi. With year-round direct flights from all over the mainland and Europe including Paris, London, Milan, Geneva, Amsterdam and Eindhoven, it’s now easier than ever to treat yourself to a mid-winter holiday at the island’s premiere boutique hotel.

Surrounded by lush gardens and forests, Cas Gasi has been a beacon of elegant comfort since its inception. Summer sees guests lounging poolside after yoga, sipping freshly pressed juices, taking jaunts over to Formentera and organising their moves from the home base of Cas Gasi, strategically located in the centre of the island. In winter the hotel really takes on a homely feel – which makes sense, as it was once the owners’ beloved family home! The huge fireplace warms the living room’s plush sofas and invites guests to enjoy the hotel’s library – perfect for cosying up with any number of the cool coffee table books or literary classics with a hot drink, cocktail or bottle of wine. Quiet and soothing, Cas Gasi in winter is entirely heart warming, as some guests come and stay a week or more, and others escape for a long weekend. It’s the perfect time of year to connect with oneself or loved ones, to create wonderful memories with each other in this charming yet sophisticated location.

The delicate scent of artisan baking tends to waft out of the home kitchen and fill the main house with mouthwatering hints of shortbreads and cakes. The exclusive in-house restaurant maintains its regular menu throughout the winter with the addition of seasonal delicacies such as locally foraged mushrooms and winter root vegetables plucked directly from the Cas Gasi organic vegetable garden, not to mention game season when local pheasant features as speciality of the house. While eating is obviously a major pastime for most travellers, it’s lucky that the Cas Gasi gym and spa remain fully operational. There is nothing like a long soak in the Jacuzzi followed by a sauna session and a pre-booked spa treatment after a day of island exploring… or even just a day of nothing much at all!

Enjoying Ibiza in winter is a delight. Walks through the pristine forest, bike rides to the local villages, strolls along deserted beaches and coves under a winter sun fill the heart with romance and calm. And coming home to Cas Gasi at the end of the day is like returning to a picturesque sanctuary. Under-floor heating creates a cosy companion to the open fire. The cinema room and vast selection of classic films, the signature Cas Gasi soundtrack of smooth jazz, breakfasts brought to your room, afternoon wine tastings, a private dinner or a feast with friends – spend your days and evenings exactly as you wish. December sees the island come alive with the arrival of a loyal international crowd to share in its annual Christmas and New Year celebrations. As they say, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Lights are strung, the markets and shops are packed with people, parties are hosted and good cheer fills the towns and villages. The perfect antidote to the greyness of a cruel winter elsewhere, an off-season stay at Cas Gasi is a simply magical experience – the perfect gift to yourself or to your loved ones this Christmas!

A tale of two seasons

Ibiza is known to many as an island of two seasons. Two very, very different seasons. We have our world famous summer (which attracted upwards of seven million tourists this year – eek!), chock-full of glorious sun-drenched beach days, alfresco dining by the beach or in the country and endless nights of partying. And then there’s the not-quite-as-famous-but-slowly-gaining-notoriety ‘other’ season. Winter. Also chock-full of glorious sun-drenched beach days, alfresco dining by the beach or in the country and endless nights of partying, if you know where to look! Ed’s note: Yes, we’re very aware that spring and autumn exist in between these two seasons, however it’s just a given in Ibiza that the year is split into two, colloquially referred to as summer or winter. It is what it is. Roll with it.

As I write this blog, we’re officially entering the winter period here on the white isle. As last of the Halloween face paint is washed down the drain, we bid farewell to the summer season, say adios to traffic, to tourists, to some of the superclubs (including Space, forever – we’ll miss you!), to many popular restaurants, to some of our friends and to super busy workloads and stress. You can almost feel the island breathe a collective sigh of relief at this transitional shift – because saying goodbye doesn’t have to be sad. Right now, it simply signifies the start of a new (slightly cooler) chapter. For those islanders who’ve lived here all year round for many years, the thrill of winter arriving is like nothing else.

But for those who are embarking on their very first island winter, or for holidaymakers who’ve heard all about this magical ‘other’ season and want to make their inaugural winter expedition this year, finding your feet or knowing where to start can seem daunting. But don’t let that put you off! White Ibiza is here to help, and this week we’ll be launching an all-new winter section, showcasing the very best the white isle has to offer out of season. Sign up here to receive our weekly winter newsletter, or watch our social media feeds for more – starting from tomorrow!

From restaurants – high end, healthy, beachside and beyond – and hotels to clubs, parties, events, shopping and much, much more, we’ve made it easy for you to map out a schedule for a holiday, or plan new things to do during your valuable time off. Let me assure you – give winter in Ibiza a try and you’ll land on your feet. I remember very clearly being a very nervous little Miss W over ten years ago, making the decision to stay on my beloved island for the winter season, despite the fact many of my friends had already left and I had no job or prospects. I was just so in love with the island I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving her. Next thing you know, I had an amazing group of new friends, was constantly out and about finding amazing places I’d never heard of before (from restaurants and flea markets to waterfalls, caves and much more), had so much work I didn’t get to take any time off and voila! I never, ever left and now winter is my favourite time of the year.

Here are a few of my favourite things: the absolutely incredible winter sunsets – it’s a whole new colourful ballgame compared to the summer. Dining out on super cheap, hearty and delicious menu del dias in authentic Spanish restaurants, often outside in the sunshine – three courses and a drink for less than 15€. Embarking on new ventures – be it a health kick, Spanish lessons, redecorating the home or finally getting around to writing that book. Rifling through the weekly markets where one person’s trash is definitely another’s treasure. Traipsing across the island in the glorious sunshine, finding new pathways to new viewpoints you’ve never seen before (and where people braver than me keep swimming until January). Catching up with friends new and old at parties that still capture that bohemian spirit of Ibiza. And then there’s Christmas and New Year – the most wonderful time of the year! But more on that, later…

I’ll admit, it does get chilly at night, but it’s nothing like London or Paris or Berlin. There are outdoor heaters in bars and cosy fireplaces indoors – cocooning is all part of the winter experience. When you’re outside, you’ll need a coat and a scarf, but you most likely won’t zip up the coat or wear the scarf wrapped around your neck three times. Gloves and beanies are for sale in the high street stores here of course, but those are merely more for show, for the fashion conscious among us – you’ll spot them sweating beneath their woolly layers as they try to remain stylish and seasonal in the blazing sunlight. Ahhh, winter in Ibiza. I’m so happy you’ve arrived – I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world right now!

The great October staycation

I’ve just arrived back at my desk from an amazing October staycation in Ibiza. At the end of every season, I always try to take a little time off to enjoy the island while the sun is still shining and all the best places remain open. To experience Ibiza like a holidaymaker rather than a resident is something I highly recommend to anyone who lives here. Leave your responsibilities at home – even if it’s just for two days – and ask your best pals to feed the cat while you switch off your phone, iPad, laptop and any form of access to social media and just get out there and enjoy our island. Although I must admit, when it rained for the majority of my pre-planned getaway in the north of the island, it wasn’t so easy to just ‘get out there’. Anything that would normally be open closed up shop early due to lack of customers (and excess water!) and things you might normally enjoy, such as beaches, walking trails or sunsets, become quite a chore when you’re sodden. While most readers of my blog know I love to wax lyrical about Ibiza in the rain, when I was put into the position of tourist on a rainy day this week, it felt like the shoe was on the other foot for a change. The one that stepped in a puddle.

But rather than let the rain put a dampener (sorry!) on my little escape, I simply chose to embrace it. So what if we weren’t watching sunsets or picking wildflowers in the countryside? After a long summer of working hard, playing harder and entertaining friends and family, perhaps the universe was trying to tell me it was time to cocoon (and I don’t mean Sven Väth style). And so I retreated into the cosy walls of my home-away-from-home for the holiday, The Giri Residence in San Juan, wrapped myself up in the white waffle robe and settled in. Oh – did I mention they have Netflix? I know, I know. Everyone has Netflix. You all have Netflix. My friends all have Netflix. My mum even has Netflix. My uncle’s cousin’s brother’s sister’s best friend’s dog has Netflix. But somehow (I don’t know, maybe I was busy enjoying Ibiza life or perhaps I was glued to my computer writing blogs and magazines and sleeping in between, whatever) Netflix kind of passed me by in the last couple of years. I DON’T HAVE NETFLIX. So the novelty of having ALL THE TV AND MOVIES IN THE WORLD at my fingertips suddenly made me pray for even more rain.

So where was I? Right, I had checked into The Giri Residence, wrapped myself up in the waffle robe, angled the TV out from the wall for the perfect viewing position and sunk back into the bed ready to catch up on all the TV and movies in the world and the next thing you know… it was 9pm! That big, plush comfy bed and those plump-yet-firm pillows and that super warm duvet were like a lullaby to me. I couldn’t keep my eyes open and slept harder than I’d slept all season. I may have even drooled a little on the crisp Egyptian cotton pillowcases (sorry housekeeping!) so deep was my sleep. There are some people who can’t bear to miss any waking hours of their holidays. You know, the ones who need to be up at the breakfast buffet the minute it opens and out the door to make the most of the daylight hours, then stay out until the last possible minute at night before doing it all over again. These people are doers. I am not a doer. So for me, having an unbroken six-hour siesta was my very definition of holiday heaven. And I still hadn’t even gone beyond the Netflix menu screen yet.

As the weather was still pretty grim (to the joy of my inner non-doer) when I looked outside (and boy is it cold up north already!), I opted to dine in the hotel’s in-house restaurant – which is basically a private chef who is on call to whip up almost anything you can dream of. I’d been thinking of Thai curry earlier that day (there’s a Thai restaurant in neighbouring Cala San Vicente I’d been hoping to try, but you know, rain) but when I found out I wouldn’t even need to de-robe to eat my dream dinner, well… it was obvious I was going to stay in for the night. “Would you like us to set a table in the dining room for you Miss W?” the lovely team enquired when I placed my order. Errr… actually, I’d prefer to eat from the comfort of my bed. Would that be a problem? Turns out, nothing is a problem at The Giri Residence and not only did they bring my meal to my room, they even lit the fireplace in my bedroom to make it even more cosy! After devouring an amazing homemade Penang curry while tucked into my bed, it was straight back to snoozetown for me. I swear, in the first 24 hours of my holiday, I slept for around 18 of them. After a serious 12-hour sleep session, I finally managed to get around to watching some TV (don’t worry, I won’t bore you with the details but how cool is Jessica Jones?), took a soak in the ridiculously deep spa-like tub (from which you can see the TV!) and contemplated actually getting out there in the world. The rain had stopped, some birds were tweeting and I did feel a little obliged to explore at least once – plus, that would mean housekeeping could plump up my pillows and build me a new fire!

Driving the mammoth distance of 14 minutes, I arrived at Los Enamorados – Ibiza’s newest boutique hotel, restaurant, bar and boutique (pictured above) in Portinatx, literally the end of the earth on this island – and fell in love at first sight. It was like stepping back in time to the 70s (my favourite era), all carpets and indoor plants and coloured glass and glossy green tiles and mismatched wicker furniture and coffee table books and macramé and candles and kitsch decor – oh my! And that view – wow. Perched straight over the sea, with the magical sunset unfolding before you very eyes, delicious cocktails and ceviche to die for. Wow. Worth getting out of bed for, that’s for sure (as long as it’s not raining). But Netflix and that amazing bed was calling, so by 8pm I was already asleep again before the urge to eat took me next door to The Giri Café (yes, I did get out of the robe for the occasion) for dinner, before retiring to that magical, cosy, wonderful amazing suite for the night. And – to cut what could potentially become a very long, boring and repetitive story short – so went the rest of my staycation. There wasn’t anymore sightseeing. There wasn’t any sunbathing. There were no massages or treatments. No hikes or sunsets. No socialising. No wild nights out. It wasn’t quite the staycation I’d been expecting, but it was a staycation that was the most relaxing experience I’ve had in years. So thank you universe (and The Giri Residence!), for turning on the waterworks. I couldn’t have enjoyed Ibiza any more!

A modern day gin palace

When Nathalie and Hendrik – a fashion stylist and interiors consultant and marketing and communications expert respectively – first came to Ibiza for a friend’s birthday party in 2011, they couldn’t have imagined five years later they would own their own home on the island. The idea of Ibiza was a little garish to the Belgian couple, their perception of island style a little too slick and bling, and yet from the moment they arrived, it was very clear there was an authentic spirit that broke away from any preconceived notions they may have had. Ibiza had won their hearts. With extensive experience in managing a successful holiday home on the border of Belgium and the South of France, the duo were in the market for another project. They were seeking a place they could retreat to for their own valuable vacation downtime, but also somewhere that could be commercially viable as a holiday rental while they were not in residence. “My dream was to have something with a sea view,” Nathalie explains of the search for the right property. “But Hendrik loves the mountains. We looked at Portugal, at Santorini and Mallorca… but nothing had the spirit of Ibiza.”

And so the search for an Ibiza villa was on – a place where you could be surrounded by beautiful mountains and gaze across the azure Mediterranean Sea. A place that felt luxurious, yet bohemian; raw and natural, but absolutely never artificial. In May 2015, they stumbled across a typically Spanish house circa 1970 – all cheap tiles, plastic finishes and bad paintwork, but the creative couple immediately felt and saw its potential. By August, they had become owners of what would come to be known as Casa Romero and the transformational renovation work began. “It just didn’t look or feel like a holiday to me,” says Nathalie, who also consults with the Belgian government on styling and refitting touristic properties to suit the luxury market. “We wanted to bring it back to a more traditional Ibicenco style with a Mediterranean holiday feeling – what it should have been in the first place!” Taking a complete hands-on approach to the project, the entrepreneurial couple worked to strip the dark and unattractive existing paintwork, replace all tiling with chic brushed concrete surfaces and to switch all plastic and PVC pieces to classic, raw and natural wood, instantly bringing the home into the present style, with a nod to its island heritage.

Admitting most of the time spent at Casa Romero since acquiring the property has been more of a case of work rather than play, the aim was to have the first stage of renovations complete in time for Nathalie and Hendrik’s May 2016 nuptials – the first time they would really enjoy their new home with friends and family. Learning very quickly to adapt to ‘island time’ and go with the flow of the locals’ way of doing business, the couple worked closely with architects, constructors and landscape gardeners who really understood the land and climate to see their dream come to life, starting with the lower level of the house. Three of the five bedrooms are spread out spaciously here with the star suite – dubbed ‘the Santorini room’ – actually carved into the stone beneath the house, like a cave. Carefully restored pieces of rare Sabina wood, found on the property, were laid into doorways and arches to add the traditional feeling, as were latticed cupboards and wardrobe spaces – adding natural form and organic texture to the spaces. Each of the ensuite bathrooms were designed like spa wet rooms, and feature stylish black tap fittings and Italian designer basins that stand out almost like a sculpture centrepiece from the rendered concrete finishes.

It’s pared back and simple, and yet instantly feels homely. “The point was not to appear artificial,” says Nathalie of the design and decoration process. “It was about a warm and natural ambience – we have a lot of white and it does appear minimalistic, but it is not sterile. Just like when you see the old fincas – there are raw and natural materials everywhere. I wanted to make people feel as though they could ‘live’ in the house, especially people with families. It should be a comfortable home away from home, not like a slick hotel. I hope as it gets older and lived in, it starts to get even more interesting.” When it came to decorating, Nathalie had a very clear vision for how Blue Hill House’s aesthetic would come together. “Some of the things in the house I have had for a long time and others I found specifically for the project. I am shopping every day for my job in Belgium and I have so many Pinterest boards and mood boards too. I knew the kind of mix of things I wanted and where to find them. Nothing too bling – it’s just not us.” Think rustic wooden benches offset with Eames chairs; a gold bed headboard (handmade by Nathalie) contrasting with a vintage peacock wicker chair; Moroccan rugs and wedding blankets sitting alongside traditional Ibicenco woven baskets and Bruge lace crochet bedding. A luxurious bohemian interior.

The gardens were one of the biggest challenges according to Hendrik, yet also yielded one of the biggest surprises. After meticulously digging through rocks and weeds to create chill out zones and plant a Mediterranean garden around the house, the next step was to start work on clearing the pine forest around the house, where it appeared the pine trees had started to kill out the valuable Sabina trees on the hill. Now, Nathalie and Hendrick have committed to preserving the Sabinas and have planted over 200 on their hillside, hoping to restore it to its former glory. The real surprise however, came as a by-product of landscaping. As they were walking around the land with their trusted gardening advisor and entrepreneur Fran Alonso of Ibiyepro, he pointed out the fruitful supply of juniper berries, cactus flowers, wild rosemary flowers and Mediterranean herbs on hand. “What could we do with it?” Hendrik asked of the landscaper. “Make gin of course!” Although neither Hendrik nor Nathalie were experts on gin to begin with, some extensive research saw them connect with a very respected Belgian professor who worked with them on distilling their homegrown botanicals and Blue Hill Ibiza dry London Gin was born. “It started out as a joke really,” Hendrik admits, as he pours a glass of the exceptionally clean tasting, fragrant spirit directly from the source, a hefty metal tank. “I wasn’t even really a fan of gin before, but now I love it. The professor who we work with has created his own gin, that was awarded second best place in a respected gin contest, and now he thinks Blue Hill Gin is even better. We are convinced this is the best quality in the world and it is so limited due to the batches of fruit on our land. In the beginning, it was just for our family and friends to try, plus a promotional tool for guests who were renting the villa but now, maybe we’ll do something with it. I think it’s very important to keep it artisan.”

As the couple settle in on their long, bespoke wooden banquets to take in the breathtaking view over Cala Conta, they both admit the house now has a quality that makes them want to stay home more often than go out. “It’s funny,” muses Nathalie. “We want to see more of Ibiza – and we do go out and explore, and go to eat, or to have a drink somewhere – but we look at each other and we know we reach the point where we just want to go home and enjoy the house, relax and look out at the lights.” Hendrik agrees. “There’s something about Ibiza,” he says. “It’s beautiful, but of course there are other places in the world that are beautiful. There’s sunshine, but other places have sunshine. So what is it?” In the end, they accept it is perhaps indescribable and prefer to reflect on the ever-changing perspective from Casa Romero over the course of the day and night. “What place is better than this?” says Nathalie, gesturing across the valley, over the sea and towards the lights of San Antonio. She’s got a point – if you’ve got it, enjoy it! Photography by Sofia Gomez Fonzo

Meet the Blakstad team – Alfredo Cirelli

Architect and interior designer Alfredo Cirelli permanently relocated to Ibiza from Italy following a chance meeting with Blakstad Design Consultants Head of Design Rolf Blakstad in early 2015. He was given the opportunity to join the team at the top-tier architecture and design firm on the white isle – a career move that was too good to pass up.

Hailing from the small town of Teano just outside of Naples, Italy, Alfredo’s relationship with design began back in school, where he studied architecture at the University of Genoa, followed by the Polytechnic University of Milan. “I went on to work as a freelance design architect for various luxury Italian fashion brands and was in charge of the design shops and showrooms. From 1998 until 2014 I worked in architecture and interior design in Italy and across the French Rivera.”

Today the designer plays a key role within the Blakstad Design Consultants firm. “I work primarily on renovation projects,” he explains. “The ideal situation for me is when I have the opportunity to work with Rolf on the project of a house designed and built many years ago by his father Rolph, as these projects give me a great sense of satisfaction and pride.”

“Working in an environment of highly qualified, professional and creative people,” says Alfredo, when asked of his favourite element to his work. “The incredible work ethic of our team paired with the expert leadership of Rolf Blakstad always guarantees a high-quality result. Our tradition and modernity, technology, research and keeping up to date with new materials and new techniques allows us to stay ahead and put all of our knowledge into each project.”

Alfredo’s work experience with Blakstad Design Consultants has led him to believe in the numerous opportunities available to renovate in Ibiza. “I am convinced that the restructuring projects are a great opportunity in a world where legislation and licensing limits for new buildings is becoming increasingly difficult,” he says. “We can achieve excellent results with our restructuring projects, giving new life and style to existing buildings.”

Whether Alfredo is working on a redesign or the restructuring of a new project, his love for Ibicenco architecture and its unique characteristics shines through passionately. Joining the iconic Blakstad Design Consultant team has allowed him the perfect opportunity to understand an original and unique way of designing architecture while contributing his vast experience towards the ancient traditions which Blakstad’s architecture is influenced by.

Our Space-time continuum is over

Before anyone says anything, yes I’m well aware I’ve already written a blog this past week about the Space Closing Fiesta. But after what went down on Sunday and Monday, some more dues have got to be paid, so I’m writing another! Plus, it’s my blog and I’ll write what I want to and I want to write about Space. Again (though to be safe, I ran the idea past Chief White first, and she was fine with it). So here goes… I’m going to start by telling the absolute truth. Despite all my pre-rave day, well, ravings about the party, I wasn’t expecting it to live up to the expectations I’d set. I had a sneaking suspicion it would be full of people getting way too high or way too aggressive. I thought it would be way too crowded full stop. I thought a lot of island people were going to boycott it because they couldn’t use their Space passes, blag the traditional resident’s free entry, couldn’t get a pre-sale ticket or thought it was too expensive. I thought there’d be a lot of VIP wannabe newbie Ibiza lovers. You know what I mean – sometimes these big events can attract ‘the wrong crowd’ due to over exposure (cue ‘it’s not like the old days’ from old timers). How very wrong I was to be proven. Hallelujah!

I was very fortunate to be whisked through the side entrance as a guest of one of the artists playing, which meant I could avoid the two to three hour wait on the queue to get in, during the early hours of the afternoon. Trust me when I say I am extreeeeemely grateful for this. Finding our way to the huge Flight Club arena in the car park, extended for the occasion, I prepared to battle crowds as I attempted to locate my friend Miss G, who was front and left of the stage. To my surprise, the dance floor was blissfully spacious – with thousands of people dancing, but with room to move between them thanks to all of the other five rooms being open at the same time. A few hours later, I would not be so lucky, as I tried to make my way back to her only to realise my attempt was fruitless, as the car park was body-to-body-to-body while Carl Cox played the closing set, dressed in Balearic all-white like his buddy, Space creator Pepe Rosello (do you think they called each other and coordinated?). This for me, was one of the first truly magical moments (aside from being whisked in the side entrance for free). As he closed his set with Frankie Knuckles’ Your Love (a perfect tribute to another king of dance) and segued into John Lennon’s Imagine as thousands and thousands of people sang along and waved their luminescent phones in the air (it was like disco karaoke, as the words were flashed up on screen!), I could feel the tears starting to well up. In the words of the big man himself, oh yes, oh yes!

But the magic didn’t stop as the music wound down, and a gospel choir, all dressed in white, made their way into position on stage. Billed as a ‘surprise live act’, many revellers were surprised, perhaps expecting a live singer or rapper, however I thought it was the perfect way to wind down the atmosphere in the car park as sound restrictions meant they had to lower the volume from midnight. I found out later on that each and every member of the choir was either a cancer patient or cancer survivor from the island – what an impressive show of strength and talent. As the choir left the stage, the massive lightshow was turned off and replaced by a simple screen that bore the words: 27 years have been brief, to remember and dream about them is forever. Being with all of you has meant everything!! Thank you. Cue more tears. To the right of the stage was a specially built VIP area, especially for Pepe’s family and friends, many of them elderly Ibicencos, dressed to the nines, sipping champagne and looking super emotional as they left the venue after the choir. Who said clubbing was for the young? I saw handsome older men and elegant ladies, draped in elegant lace shawls and walking on beautifully carved walking sticks – this was real European style, right there in the Space car park. Magic.

Sadly, the car park was closed down earlier than expected due to police intervention – despite advertising it would run until 5am, it was closed abruptly at 3.40am during Balearic legend Alfredo’s set, meaning the inside areas became pure bedlam for the next few hours. I was again grateful for the magic wristband that allowed me to skirt around the edges and not get caught in a can of sardines inside! You’d think the police would have been lenient, given it was THE last party ever… but I guess the law’s the law. Even magic can’t help you there. I’m going to fast forward now to 8am – you can check out some other popular dance music websites for more comprehensive musical reviews than mine – when we arrived on the Sunset Terrace for what was, quiet literally, the best four hours of a party I have ever experienced in my life. Island resident DJ Paul Reynolds was manning the decks, having scored an epic eight-hour set, which seemed kind of strange considering most other DJs were limited to between 30 and 45 minutes, but on conclusion, I’d have to say, it couldn’t have gone to a better DJ. Later, he was joined by the 2016 winner of Best Ibiza DJ Award, Mr Doris – whose set in the car park had been called off due to the fun police turning up – in a show of good karma. Or maybe more Space magic? Smashing it would be an understatement, as it was pure hands-in-the-air euphoria, with more and more people flocking into the room once they heard news of the atmosphere. It was the Space terrace of old. It was sunshine, smiles and happy faces. It was high heels next to trainers. Sequins and sparkles next to face paint and fancy dress. A collective of clubbers from all generations, united one last time under perhaps the most famous clubbing roof (or lack thereof in that room!) in the world.

There were giant Space flags flying in the wind from the fans, glistening in the rays of sunlight coming through camouflage canopied roof. There were bottles of hierbas, tequila and champagne being passed around and swigged from by one and all. There were people writing on the walls and the DJ booth like high school teenagers. There were mums and dads, fresh from the school run, ready for one last dance. There were hundreds of familiar island faces, all knowing that despite the King of Space, Carl Cox, playing his final ever set in the room next door, THIS was the room to be in. This was Space as we knew it. And as we’ll always remember it. The absolute highlight – according to the videos on my Facebook feed, as well as my memory – was when Reynolds dropped Love Is In The Air at around 10am. There was not a dry eye in the house, every single arm was in the air and yes, the air was indeed full of love. Love for the music, love for each other and love for Space Ibiza.

Of course, everyone who wasn’t there wants to know about last tracks. You can find them all over Youtube and Facebook by now, but in the Discoteca it was Carl Cox laying down Kings of Tomorrow’s Finally with Angie Stone’s Wish I Didn’t Miss You. But for those of us on that magical Sunset Terrace, it was Lionel Richie’s All Night Long (slightly ironic, since it was the middle of the day) as Paul Reynolds totally, and deservedly, stole Carl’s thunder (I mean come on – he has closed the club quite a few times this week already). Because nothing beats dancing in the sunlight on the Space Terrace, especially when you know, you can never repeat that experience again. Our very own Space-time continuum has come to an end. And now if you’ll excuse me, I just have to go and clean all the tears off my keyboard while keeping the words of Dr Seuss in my head to avoid it malfunctioning: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. NB: Sadly, #occupyspace didn’t become a thing and the security eventually ushered everyone out for the last time (the lease is up and the new owners slash neighbours want in, I suspect!).

Photography courtesy of Space Ibiza – thank you… for everything!

Weddings in Ibiza – Lauren and Paul

Newlyweds Paul and Lauren Dellow tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony atop the Patchwork rooftop terrace in the idyllic seaside area of Talamanca in Ibiza surrounded by nothing but the close embrace of friends, family and the beautiful backdrop of the calm Mediterranean Sea. The love story of Lauren, a make-up artist, and Paul, a firefighter, both from Leigh-on-the Sea in England began at the tender age of 16 when the pair met while working at a children’s amusement park one summer. The summer romance turned into four years of blissful teenage love, becoming high school sweethearts and creating precious memories they’ll always have to look back upon.

A few forks in the road saw Lauren and Paul separate for a period of time to explore the different paths life had in store for them, but those who understand true love know some people are just meant to be and will always find their way back to each other. After seven years, Lauren and Paul met up once again and never looked back. “We got back together at 27 and this time it was for keeps,” the bride gleefully recalls of the special day. It was during November 2013 on an adventurous vacation to Morocco where Paul got down on one knee at the peak of Mount Jebel Toubkal to ask for Lauren’s hand in marriage. At the highest peak of the Atlas Mountains, with a thundering waterfall in the distance, it was absolutely perfect. The decision to hold the ceremony in Ibiza was almost instant, as the pair had both travelled to the white island several times before, its distinct and unique energy carved its place in their hearts forever.

Taking wedding planning into their own hands, Lauren and Paul immediately enlisted Ibiza wedding photographer Maria Simon of Marnosuite to capture the magical moments on the big day and chose vibrant and eclectic Patchwork restaurant – the rooftop space above the famous Sa Punta – as the venue. Set in the seaside area of Talamanca and offering sensational sunset views across the Med to Dalt Vila, Lauren and Paul couldn’t have dreamed of a more fitting location to say ‘I do.’

The celebration of love took place under the glorious Ibiza sunshine with a special blessing performed by born and bred Ibiza celebrant Melchior Arnold with awe-inspiring views of the sea behind them. “He was amazing – we couldn’t have wished for anyone better,” Lauren fondly remembers of the ceremony.

Lauren draped herself in a beautiful vintage style dress by Jenny Packham, a 50s inspired look featuring delicate beading and fine lace that adorned her chest and shoulders that perfectly matched her bejewelled headdress while her stylish pumps came from Nine West. Hair and make-up were done by the savvy bride herself.

Paul looked timelessly handsome sporting a stylish outfit that included beige Reiss Trousers, a crisp tailored shirt paired with a classic grey Ted Baker waistcoat accented by a camel-toned leather belt, and shoes to match.

“As we love Lebanese and Mediterranean food, Patchwork was perfect for us as it was the perfect blend of both,” Paul says of the catering. Instead of having a formal sit down meal the couple opted for a delicious spread of fresh ceviche, creamy hummus, cold mezze plates and slow roasted lamb while dessert was a homemade pavlova. Dinner was followed by dancing beneath the starry skies of Ibiza with music curated by percussionist Rocky Ruffini, saxophonist Grabo and DJ Grant Collins that had everyone enjoying themselves well into the wee hours of the morning. Following the celebration, guests were given a wedding gift that consisted of Ibiza survival items in beach buckets that would perhaps aid in recovery the next day!

Lauren and Paul took the ferry to Ibiza’s sister island Formentera for a four-day honeymoon of rest and relaxation following the nuptials and have since planted firm roots in the land of Ibiza, now calling the island their full-time home. “It has a unique energy like nowhere we’ve ever been before. Moving here was a no-brainer.”

Part 2 – Farewell Space Ibiza

And you know what that means – the last ever party at Space Ibiza, as we know it. And more tears being shed as I write today’s blog. We’ve said goodbye to Glitterbox at Space. We’ve bid farewell to Sundays at Space (though we already technically said goodbye a few years ago when We Love Sundays called it a day). We’ve said adios to La Troya at Space. Afterlife is over, short and sweet (or dark) as it was. ONYX too (what WAS that all about?). Elrow knocked their closing out of the park last weekend and if you didn’t cry like a big bald baby as the final bars of The Doors’ ‘This is the end’ reverberated over the Discoteca at the hands of the king of Space, Carl Cox, well you just can’t be human. But this is something else. This IS the end.

The concept this year was Club 27, as Space Ibiza’s end has come as it turns 27, just as many of the world’s famed musical heroes passed away before their time at the same age – think Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones and Amy Winehouse. And speaking of musical heroes, there are well over 100 DJs listed on the line-up and surely as I type, each and every one of them is currently plotting and planning their own last Space Ibiza set, trying to find the perfect final track to sum it all up. Mine would be Layo & Bushwacka’s Love Story – you don’t get much more of a Space anthem than that. Perhaps I should send a group email to the below list and see if there are any takers?

Wow. And they say there are more to be announced! At this rate, it seems like they’ll all get to play a 15-minute set.* But seriously – who will be dropping the final track? Carl Cox, of course… the pressure! What time will it actually carry on until? And will the general public just sit down and refuse to leave? #occupyspace could become a thing. Let’s MAKE it a thing. Readers of my previous lament may remember I wrote about my first ever Space Opening experience with my very good friend Miss G. She’s currently packing her suitcase and getting ready to jet into Ibiza especially for the occasion. As are thousands and thousands of other people from all corners of the globe, who just can’t bear the thought of this party taking place without them. I can’t imagine when Pepe Rossello transformed a humble convention centre into a nightclub in 1989 he would have envisioned having such a profound effect on so many people’s lives. Millions, surely. Me, definitely *wipes another tear away*. Perhaps it should be Pepe himself who chooses the last track to float across those hallowed airwaves. Frank Sinatra’s My Way perhaps?

So here we are. Three sleeps to go. The enormous Flight Club stage is currently under construction in the car park. History is in the making. As we prepare to enter an era in Ibiza without the greatest nightclub in the world, I find myself lost for words (for once) to sum up how I feel, so I leave you with the words of the great W. Axl Rose** – where do we go now? RIP SPACE IBIZA 1989 – 2016 *This is 100% not true. With six arenas and probably over 24 hours of operation, everyone will get their fair share of time on the decks! ** If you’re too young to understand the reference, you probably weren’t at Space in its heyday. Ask Google.

The winds of change

As I sit here and type, I can’t help but feel there’s been an energy shift in Ibiza this week. The winds of change (alongside the late September storms) have swept across the island over the past few days, making everything feel as fresh as new. The summer season is over and autumn has arrived – a transitional time that brings with it many changes. This shift is so subtle you may not notice it if you breeze in and out of the island on holidays throughout the season. Sure, you’ll notice the physical differences – there’s much less traffic, more taxis, fewer people, smaller queues, it’s easier to get a table in a popular restaurant and Ibiza town feels more like a charming European destination than Disneyland – and probably appreciate them too if you’ve navigated the island during peak season before, but it’s island residents who’ll really feel the difference. It’s like Ibiza has shrugged her shoulders, taken a deep breath and then followed it up with a huge sight of relief. Order has been restored in her universe for the next seven months and those who have dedicated their time to contributing to the success of the tourist season can now kick back and enjoy Ibiza for themselves. Well, once Space and DC10 closings are out of the way, anyway. Talk about change – can you IMAGINE an island without Space?

Someone once said that winter is the reward islanders get for surviving the summer, and I think never a truer word has been spoken! I have to admit, while I do love the summer, at the end of September I am so ready for the new season. Five months of fast-paced work environments, high stress levels, strung out or flaky colleagues/clients/partners/friends/neighbours, too many parties and NEVER enough sleep does eventually take its toll. Oh and did I mention the never-ending heat? The change of season can be bittersweet at times. We say goodbye to friends who are seasonal workers or simply summer dwellers, as they go back to their home countries or hit the road in search of an endless summer somewhere else around the world. Summer jobs in restaurants come to an end – and subsequently, as the restaurants close, dining options become more limited to those of us who stay here all year round! Those who’ve rented their homes out throughout the summer return home, while others need to find winter accommodation – a tricky situation this year, with rental prices skyrocketing and limited availability. The party vibes also switch gears, going down a notch to more intimate, smaller affairs – only Pacha and Sankeys remain open (on weekends) and are scaled down versions of their summer selves and all the frontline open-air bars in Ibiza’s famous port and Marina shut their doors as the cold front comes in, and residents seek out more cosy watering holes as they finally have time to catch up with the friends they haven’t seen all summer.

The breezy weather is already cool enough at night to warrant wearing boots and a scarf, and possibly even a light jacket. The Spanish fashionistas immediately shift from summer to autumn wardrobes overnight the minute the equinox passes – despite the fact the sun is still shining gloriously by day, dammit they WILL wear their new winter woollies because fashion has declared AW17 open. Meanwhile, for the less style obsessed, the weather is actually nice enough to still hit the beach by day and develop a lovely end-of-season tan to replace the nightclub pallor of the summer months (depending on your lifestyle of course)! With the occasional storm passing through, the island also looks so lush and green, which is a welcome change to the arid dryness of summer. There’s a rush on new memberships at gyms and yoga studios all over the island, while juice detoxes and healthy foods start flying off the shelves as everyone vows to turn over a new leaf at the beginning of October. Taking care of mind, body and soul becomes a priority, and when everything is in balance once again is when new ideas start to flow. Be it ideas for a new business next year, that novel you’ve always wanted to write or masterpiece you’ve always wanted to paint, or the inspiration to get creative and redecorate your home – winter projects are born in autumn! My favourite thing about the change of season is that everyone is positive – smiley, happy people embracing this welcome month of transition after another season of highs and lows, ups and downs, ebbs and flows. I for one, welcome autumn with open arms – in a bikini by day and with warm layers at night! But first… let’s get that final Space Closing Fiesta out of the way!