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A tapestry of tales – D Shop

The rich and storied history of Ibiza is woven into the fabric of its architecture, with a tapestry of tales waiting to be discovered in every finca, villa or home on the island. One such story is set within the rustic charm of an iconic 300-year-old farmhouse on the road to Santa Gertrudis – if the walls of D Shop could talk, they’d tell tales worthy of a Hollywood gossip columnist. Fortunately, for clients of Ibiza’s premier source of soft furnishings and upholstery fabrics, discretion has always been part of the service.

The finca – easily identified by its iconic triple-arched white façade and vivid pink Art Deco logo – has been an integral part of the island community for decades, but it was in 1979 when vibrant island personality Chiqui Uruñuela Zunzunegui took the helm that its story began to get more colourful, both literally and figuratively. Chiqui transformed the space into an interior design studio, working her creative magic on the very best homes in Ibiza. Around two decades years later, she handed the business to her equally fabulous daughter Paola Madurga de Uruñuela, who continued to build on her mother’s legacy.

Set within a 300-year-old Ibicencan farmhouse near Santa Gertrudis, D Shop is where sumptuous fabrics and cutting-edge design intertwine.

Fast forward another 25 years, and it became Paola’s turn to pass the design emporium’s baton – along with the legendary D Shop little black book – onto its newest creative custodians, British interior designer Kate Tilbury Cooke and her husband and business partner Damon (and their trusty assistant, Roxy, the island’s most fashionable canine). The pair, never shy of facing a challenge head-on, took over during the maelstrom that was 2020 and just four years later, this family-run business has masterfully taken the D Shop story into its next chapter, while maintaining its reputation as the go-to destination when it comes to Ibiza home design.

Kate’s background as an interior designer in London and New York equips her with the finesse to collaborate effectively with homeowners, architects, and designers alike. While her expertise and natural talent are a cornerstone of the D Shop philosophy, she attributes the store’s continued success and growth to her dedicated team and their commitment to personalised care and exceptional quality. “We do everything from start to finish,” she says. “From the first consultation to measuring, installation and all the detailed touches, including fabrication, which is all done here in Ibiza.”

Visitors to D Shop are invariably mesmerised by the extensive selection of fabric samples on display. Kate’s exquisite taste and discerning eye serve as the ideal guide through the treasure trove of textiles – a stunning variety of fine linens, sumptuous brocades, creamy velvets, vibrant prints, luxurious cashmere and more. “It’s a showroom more than anything else,” she says. “We have the largest selection of fabrics in Ibiza. At last count, there were over 180,000 samples and I’m constantly revising the collection.”

Integrating her own global outlook garnered from frequent travels, Kate is tuned into the desires of her clients and is seeing a slow movement away from the classic soft whites and creams synonymous with Ibiza’s aesthetic. “Off whites and linens will always be elegant but my eyes do light up when someone comes in looking for colour, pattern and a bit of wow factor.” In response, alongside D Shop‘s array of stunning neutrals, you’ll see bouclé in punchy mustards and golds, velvets in deep scarlets and blushing pinks and wools hand dyed in regal purples, washed blues and eye-catching prints.  

New D Shop team member Lou Yellowlees shares a moment with Kate surrounded by a selection of the 180,000 fabric samples on offer. 

Technological innovation has revolutionised the fabric industry, complemented by the D Shop team’s inventive spirit. Pertinent to Ibiza are the advancements in outdoor fabrics. “That’s been really interesting,” says Kate. “The new capabilities with outdoor fabrics are ground-breaking. Some of them are so good people are even using them inside as they resist mould and sun damage, which is often an issue on the island.” Boat grade netting is sewn into the underside of sunbed cushions for enhanced durability during unremitting summers. Motorised blinds are tailored with precision-matched materials for smooth operation and optimal sun defence. Polypropylene carpets mimic the look and feel of natural fibre but can be used outside and easily jet-washed.

Parallel to technological progress is the burgeoning industry-wide commitment to sustainability, a shift that has invigorated Kate and the D Shop team. “Many more eco fabrics are being produced,” she says. “I started with just a few sample books and now I have an entire rail, with many more coming soon. Almost all of our suppliers have launched eco-lines and they have a huge range of applications, from curtains and upholstery to voile and even blackout. They’re absolutely amazing.” Her current favourites include a recycled bouclé in earthy tones and recycled polyester Mallorquin print, versatile enough for both indoor and outdoor use.

A unique collection of hand-picked vintage Moroccan carpets, knotted wall hangings and original artwork complement the soft furnishings on offer.

While curtains, blinds and upholstery are the foundation of any home’s soft furnishings, D Shop also produces custom-made valances, headboards, cushions, wallpapers and a distinctive line of roll-up blinds made from natural materials. Just as their vast range of fabric samples differentiates them from other stores in Ibiza, so too does their collection of made-to-measure carpets, vintage Moroccan rugs and other exquisite items such as handcrafted, knotted wall hangings, opulent beach towels, and original artwork. Kate fosters a dynamic design community through sporadic pop-up collaborations with artisans and artists, both local and international, reinforcing D Shop’s reputation as a nexus of home design.

As the tale of D Shop is woven into the future, the iconic showroom is a place where the aesthetic of Ibiza is both preserved and pushed forward, where timeless elegance coexists with contemporary boldness. Kate and the team don’t simply follow trends, they set them – ensuring that every piece, from the smallest cushion to the largest rug, is delivered on time and with scrupulous attention to detail – transforming a house into a home. As the island begins to stir with the rumblings of an exciting new summer season ahead, now is the time to visit D Shop to infuse your Ibiza home with beauty, functionality, and a touch of the extraordinary.

Global treasure trove – Casa Bedouin

Casa Bedouin is hard to miss, with an authentic Bedouin tent perched on its roof and its striking viridian green storefront beckoning like a tasteful beacon. Located on the road leading towards the sparkling waters of Cala Carbo beach on the south coast of Ibiza, this beautiful interior design store holds untold treasures within and without its walls. Founder Peter Fieret has poured 30 years of design experience into the charming space, filling it with an ever-evolving collection of antique and new furniture, exquisite art, and handmade homewares from across the globe.
 
As you step across the threshold, you may be lucky enough to be greeted by Isla, the furry sales assistant manning the Casa Bedouin floor. Don’t mind her laissez-faire attitude; she’s mostly there as the island’s best-styled dog and, after a yawn, will refer you to her beloved owner, Peter. It’s no coincidence that the various nooks and crannies of the store have the appearance of a glamorous movie set. Peter’s early days in the design industry were spent creating sets and vignettes for films, commercials, and fashion magazines.

Curated by Peter Fieret with a focus on originality, Casa Bedouin is an incredible source for unique and inspired furnishings, fabrics and homewares.

In addition to life on film, he honed his craft through dressing the windows of some of his native Holland’s most beloved department stores before moving on to design boutiques for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger among others. His skills and natural talents have evolved into a distinctive sense of colour, texture, form, and function. The essence of Ibiza is characterised by a harmonious coexistence with nature ­– an ethos that is beautifully embodied on the Casa Bedouin patio.

As a long-time visitor to Ibiza and a permanent resident since 2016, Peter understands that island life is lived differently. “Outdoor living is key in Ibiza,” he says. “Styling those areas of a home is a lot of fun.” At Casa Bedouin you’ll find an ever-changing stage providing endless inspiration. Think earthenware pots filled with juicy succulents, bamboo sunbeds scattered with cushions printed in bold colours and raffia parasols that shade vintage side tables set with whimsical vases. Inside, the vibe is more subdued but just as original.

With a list of contacts spanning decades and continents, Peter delivers a unique vision that blends vintage and antiques with current pieces, traversing cultures from Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Each handpicked item is placed just so, culminating in the store’s signature ambience, with a mood that is very homely, easy-going, and comfortable.  “My style could be described as surprisingly original,” he explains. Peter’s goal with Casa Bedouin is to create spaces that are chic as well as functional, with a message of contentment and tranquillity.

The floor at Casa Bedouin and the many private interior design projects Peter has executed allow a sense of charmed calmness. Every corner of your home is catered for, be it a modern sofa with an ottoman, tribal rugs, traditional and contemporary ceramics, retro tableware and artisanal scented candles, plush handmade lampshades and cushion covers. Each piece is a testament to Peter’s creativity, as vintage and modern fabrics are carefully blended, resulting in one-of-a-kind items. The diverse palette of colours, patterns, and textures ensures there’s something to complement every style.

Each perfectly styled corner, vignette and space at Casa Bedouin is a testament to Peter’s creativity, honed in the worlds of film and fashion.

Distinguishing itself from other interior design stores in Ibiza is the unique partnership Casa Bedouin boasts with a professional tailor located in the same building – an alliance that enables the creation of made-to-measure curtains and other home textiles. Simply choose your material from the exquisite selection of luxury fabrics downstairs, explain your vision – or collaborate with Peter on designing a bespoke look for your home – and let the expert team upstairs stitch your vision into reality.

An artist at heart, Peter has expanded his passion through a collaboration with an old friend who is a photographer by trade. Together they fashion mixed media images depicting details of Ibiza’s ancient traditions, printed onto linen and hung directly on the wall without frames; their ethereal essence and subdued colours are dreamlike and tinged with a gentle rusticity. Handmade and created with an insider’s love for the history of the island, the collection is growing slowly and will, in the future, become a staple part of the Casa Bedouin concept, complementing the store’s stunning collection of tribal art and sculptures.

Whether you’re looking for a complete home transformation, want to breathe new life into a single room or are seeking a statement piece to complement your existing style, you’ll find it within the walls of Casa Bedouin.

Peter, a seasoned interior designer, is also a trusted partner for residential and commercial projects, whether you’re planning a comprehensive home transformation, a room refresh, or simply need to find a special piece to add that final finesse to an office space. His passion for his craft not only radiates within the confines of his remarkable showroom but also defines his design philosophy, where creativity is infused with both joy and professionalism. Exploring Casa Bedouin uncovers an authentic and spirited aesthetic, where every corner reflects Peter’s flair for transforming spaces into genuine works of art.

The art of living beautifully

For Virginie Biron, founder of chic homeware store, Siempre Ibiza, objects are more than just things to be unceremoniously plonked in the corner of a room, never to be seen or contemplated. Rather, they are mementos from a particular moment in time that root us to the present. Keepsakes infused with distinct meanings of their own, they possess an innate power to transform a space from mundane into vivid, and in the process, stoke conversations that reveal things about us — where we’ve been, where we hope to go, and what’s important in our lives.

It’s with this concept in mind that Siempre Ibiza was born and it’s visible in every carefully curated angle of the Santa Gertrudis store, where objects sourced from around the globe tussle for space on the well-stacked shelves and every vignette tells a story. It’s no exaggeration to say Virginie traverses land and sea in pursuit of the perfect items to showcase, always searching for beautifully made objects and furniture that not only appease her personal tastes but also reflect an unmistakably Ibizan approach to living. “My passion is to find unique pieces for unique people,” she explains. And where better to base such an endeavour than Ibiza?

Virginie relocated to the island alongside her partner in 2019. Formerly the pair lived in France, where they owned and ran restaurants, and Virginie would plough her energies into bringing alive their different characters through decor. But on a quest for more freedom, their compass landed on the white isle, where the couple had spent sun-soaked summers visiting family, and now they live in the vibrant Ibiza campo surrounded by olive groves, from which Virginie’s husband creates the organic Finca Verde olive oil that’s sold exclusively at Siempre Ibiza, and she is afforded the flexibility to focus on her true passions.

“I always had an affinity for decorating our restaurants,” she explains from in front of a tumble of textiles within the store. “So, it made sense that eventually I would expand into home decoration.” Siempre Ibiza encapsulates that desire, becoming a showroom for pieces that Virginie has handpicked to suit Ibiza living, as well as a space in which islanders can visit for styling advice and suggestions. “When I meet people, I intuitively get a sense of what they’re going to like,” she smiles. “It’s like a special kind of vision.”

The store is reached by following one of the paved tributaries that funnels from the pretty main square in Santa Gertrudis to its end. There sits Siempre Ibiza, with an unassuming façade shaded by coconut-fibre canopies (that can be made to order) and that belies the treasures within. Virginie is present every Monday to Saturday, alongside dedicated store assistant Lotus, an adopted Ibicenca who knows the island’s style and aesthetic inside out and is always a huge help to customers. Both are on hand to discuss the bounty that’s housed within the store’s walls, because every item has been on a journey to reach this point.

Indeed, Virginie has roamed the world’s most diverse landscapes in search of the perfect items to line the Siempre Ibiza walls, shelves and corners. Venturing to India, South America and beyond, and then returning to collect objects from closer to home, what’s displayed in store provides a snippet of her vision for Ibiza living that’s been informed by her past. Take the jet-black La Chamba kitchenware sourced from Colombia, for instance. Made from a special kind of clay that retains heat and moisture, it enables a slow, balanced cooking process that prevents ingredients from drying out — a surefire nod to her history working in the restaurant industry.

Then there are the stunning set pieces visible on each table. Adorned with vintage glassware in gem-coloured shades, as well as cutlery and crockery that’s been diligently picked up from flea markets dotted around France, Virginie’s knack for dressing the spaces within Siempre Ibiza has been keenly carried forward from her days designing restaurants. It’s evocative to the point that you can picture yourself here hosting a feast, serving lovingly made plates of food to friends and family, deep in conversation about life’s twists and turns. And that’s before you’ve even taken any of it home.  

Elsewhere, and there are lavish soft furnishings from cult French brand Caravan, handwoven carpets from Morocco, intricate ceramics from Tunisia, lighting from Denmark and Mozambique, and candles made in Ibiza. Statement pieces include vintage chairs, chunky dining tables and sofas that can be measured up and made to order. It’s a standout collection that embodies colour, character and style, but more than that, it’s an ode to the concept of quiet luxury, which these days favours comfort over ostentation, and contemplation over flashiness — something Siempre Ibiza excels in.

Virginie’s intuitive approach to styling is to thank for the understated comfort that settles within the walls of Siempre Ibiza, and it’s why she extends her services to include personal home consultations. Her unrivalled skill lies in sussing out customers’ Ibiza living style, before going on to make stunningly accurate suggestions for their home. Offering the fresh perspective on interiors that’s distinguishable in-store, she’s able to transform homes, villas and casitas into havens peppered with intriguing items that complement different lifestyles. “I want each piece to become a talking point,” she explains. “To invite comment and thought.”

While in Ibiza, head to Santa Gertrudis and take a few minutes to soak up the ambience at the store. Tune into the laid-back soundtrack, browse the exquisitely curated displays and just for a moment, be transported elsewhere in the world. Perhaps you purchase something for your Ibiza villa, or maybe you’re visiting the island and you fall in love with a piece that you simply have to have shipped home. The magic of this store is its innate understanding of how the people, ideas, and objects that surround us are what makes a home. The foundations are built at Siempre Ibiza.

A life and home less ordinary – Heritage 53

With the arrival of the new year comes new hopes, new dreams and for many homeowners – especially here in Ibiza – new home decoration. While the pandemic is now firmly in our rear-view mirrors, one element that remains irrevocably changed is the desire to seek comfort, beauty and quality within our own living spaces. Enter Heritage 53, a high-end interiors website and consultancy service founded by Sophie Lee – a long-term Ibiza dweller whose personal journey led her to a passion for décor infused with colour and joy.

Heritage 53 is a twist on tradition; an ultra-luxe online shopping and interiors consultation service that takes the stress and uncertainty out of investing in statement pieces for your home. This is the new Ibiza style – for the bold, for the brave, for the renegades and the outliers. Those who wish to feel joy when stepping into every room in their home; those who wish to use furniture and décor as conversation starters; and those who’ve eschewed all-white, sterile decor or cookie cutter Buddhas and wicker furniture imported from Bali. While the initial idea stemmed from Sophie’s penchant for velvet-upholstery and vintage pieces with character and colour, the emotional connection felt by her customers when introduced to the Heritage 53 concept was palpable.

Sophie Lee is the island-based entrepreneur and interiors expert behind this innovative new online shopping and consultation service.

Sophie’s journey to the world of Ibiza style was ‘written in the sand’, as her Granny Boo liked to say. As a child in the 1970s, she grew up in an eclectic manor house in Hollowell in England, playing games and dreaming up scenarios that today’s youth would rarely know existed thanks to screen time and the internet. Surrounded by centuries-old tapestry-strung walls, art, antiquities, and mid-century furniture, her imagination ran wild and she was encouraged to live a life less ordinary, This was all thanks to her adventurous father, Humphrey Jones, who’d broken free from the humdrum of society in the early 1950s. It was 1953, to be precise – hence the name Heritage 53 – when he set sail for a magical Mediterranean island that beckoned the creatives, the free-thinkers, the bohemians and libertines. Those who transformed Ibiza into the island we know today.

Of course, this was well before Sophie was born but such traits are inherited and it was inevitable the young Sophie would also become entranced by the island her father so loved. She relocated to the white isle more than 25 years ago, where she created a home, raised a family, and set up a successful business, Ibiza Chair Company. As the island’s burgeoning wedding industry skyrocketed, Sophie rented luxury chairs (and eventually much more) to wedding venues and villas. Fast forward to 2020 however, and the wedding industry in Ibiza was put on hold due to the global restrictions on travel and group gatherings. It was at this point, her natural entrepreneurial instincts kicked in once again and Heritage 53 was born.

Islanders were forced to spend lengthy periods of times in their homes – whether small fincas and apartments or A-list style super-villas – while droves of people left the city and relocated to Ibiza for freedom and fresh air. One thing became abundantly clear to Sophie. Home was not only where the heart was, it was now also the centre of our universe. It needed to become somewhere that embodied our personalities while satisfying the practicalities of life – not just a place to lay our heads at night. And so, with Heritage 53, Sophie turned her unique eye for style and incredible attention to detail to helping friends and clients elevate their homes, helping them express themselves through single statement pieces or redecorating rooms or even entire villas.

Your experience starts online, where Sophie’s carefully curated selection of pieces from some of the world’s most luxurious, vanguard and creative brands (more on those later) can be viewed all in one easy place. From luxe lounge chairs, oversized benches, and elegant dining chairs to all styles of tables, chic bedroom furnishings, statement mirrors, incredible rugs, creative children’s furniture and décor, stylish work-from-home set-ups and more, there is everything you could possibly need for life on the white isle. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for on the site, that’s not a problem at all. Heritage 53 can source whatever you’re dreaming of, and even have bespoke pieces custom made.

For anyone who feels unsure about shopping online for luxury furniture, Sophie has thoroughly vetted all of the Heritage 53 brands and offers what she calls a ‘White Glove Service’. This means all pieces are delivered directly to the Heritage 53 warehouse, personally inspected by Sophie, and then delivered in person to your home by her team. The love and care that goes into the sourcing, buying and ordering products for Heritage 53 by Sophie is like it is for her own home – such is her passion for her work. In Ibiza, where physical furniture stores are few and far between with limited basic stock, this is a godsend!

For those who don’t necessarily have the confidence to mix and match from the website, but also don’t need to engage an interior designer, Sophie also offers private consultations (in Ibiza only), where she comes directly to your home with a selection of catalogues that showcase far more than the pieces selected for the Heritage 53 website. She digs deeper into your style, lifestyle, taste and desires, in addition to understanding the architecture and layout of your home and can curate a selection completely tailored to you. She also works with high-end estate agents and their clients to completely decorate new homes on the island.

What gives Heritage 53 a competitive and creative edge is the calibre of brands available. There’s Gufrum, a radical 1960s design house known for its Pop Art influenced pieces and the iconic BOCCA lips sofa; and Missoni Home – the legendary Italian design house’s homewares division, with its famed zigzag and multicolour patterns bringing vibrant colour combinations into the home, whether through sofas, armchairs, side tables and even beds. Reda Amalou is one of Sophie’s personal favourites, a French architect whose beautiful interpretations of classic mid-century pieces is like a masterclass in design. And then there’s Imperfetto Lab, a family-run brand that treats home decoration like a fantastical experiment, from lighting and seating to tables and shelves.

Other standouts include Edelgrund, who create extraordinary rugs made by Persian artisans using hand-spun wool, organic fibres and coloured with vegetable dyes, made with a Fair-Trade philosophy. Objectkto is a visionary French-Brazilian brand designed for connoisseurs of modernist architecture, with pieces that convey emotion, inspire imagination and push the boundaries of modern design – these are chairs that are like works of art, yet designed to be used and enjoyed for decades. And of course, there’s Thonet – the bohemian chairs that none other than Le Corbusier declared: ‘Never was a better and more elegant design and a more precisely crafted and practical item created.’

And that’s just the start. There are around 30 brands (and thousands of pieces) currently listed online, with new designers added regularly, plus a handful of exclusive high-end suppliers that Sophie works with behind-the-scenes. While all brands are completely unique, each can be combined to create spaces that are simply unforgettable and a pure joy to live in. Rich woods, bright colours, luxurious textures, exceptional upholstery, and timeless or whimsical designs simply ‘pop’ when juxtaposed against the all-white of Ibiza luxury villa or traditional finca walls and all pieces have been designed to stand the test of time. Speaking of which, there’s no better time than the new year to embark on a journey of elevating your home décor before the summer season is upon us, and there’s no finer supplier of luxury furnishings in Ibiza than Heritage 53.

Ambitious, impressive and international too

Ibiza Interiors first opened on the island in 2014, a young and ambitious interior design and architecture firm headed up by Dutch-born Jurjen Van Hulzen. After running his own successful architectural practice and a furniture store in Amsterdam, in addition to years spent working in some of the most respected firms in his homeland, he up-ended his city life and relocated to the tranquil countryside of Ibiza, ready to introduce his concepts and passion to a new destination. In the years that followed, Ibiza Interiors – the new firm, that fused both elements of his existing companies – expanded exponentially, becoming a full service project agency that worked with both private clients and professional developers on all levels.

Today, the practice employs eight young, dynamic design professionals from across the world – Spain, Holland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Mexico, England and Belgium to be precise – and their projects too, span the globe, ranging from local residential reformations to large-scale, international conceptual hotel designs and much more. For Van Hulzen, it’s all about bringing his clients’ dreams to life – discovering exactly what it is they seek from a space, how they intend to use it, and how it works with their own lifestyles and tastes is all part of the challenge. It’s not about bringing a cookie cutter signature ‘Ibiza style’ to projects around the world; rather, it’s about finding clients and projects that gel with the team’s own ambition, passion for design and love of high-quality finishes. For the Ibiza Interiors team, there is no project too big or small, no destination to close or far from home – it’s all about finding special collaborations that leave owners, developers and designers alike feeling satisfied on a creative level.

The Campo Loft

The Campo Loft was one of Van Hulzen’s first projects in Ibiza – the conversion of a 100-year old warehouse on some farmland in the north of the island into a guest house that fused the rusticity of the location with some of the urban design elements he loved. “It’s not your typical Ibiza interior,” says Van Hulzen, looking back on the project. “Other elements such as concrete flooring, contemporary copper lighting, powder-coated steel window frames and our favourite designer furniture provided the perfect contrast to the campo style of the Sabina wood ceilings and countryside views.” The slightly industrial feel of the materials were a nod to the original purpose of the warehouse – a storage space for farm equipment – further enhanced by the custom-made steel kitchen island from Eginsteel. Modern art by Amsterdam gallery Vroom&Varossieau bring fresh life to the space, alongside contemporary chic pieces of furniture from The Modern (Van Hulzen’s partner furniture store). “If Ibiza Interiors were to have a signature style, this would be as close as it gets,” ponders Van Hulzen. “The project features all of our favourite finishes, the furniture brands we work exclusively with and the mixture of styles is very strong.”

The Moos Kitchen

When you think of fresh, healthy salad restaurants in Ibiza, the mind naturally leans towards light, soft and quite feminine spaces, but with The Moos Kitchen in Cala Llonga, the brief for the Ibiza Interiors team was to create a space that emanated cosmopolitan style and a sense of masculinity while still drawing on the surrounding landscape – a new twist on farm-to-table. Van Hulzen and his team achieved this by drawing on urban materials such as stainless steel, polished cement, iron windows and wood, while complementing the beachy exterior with hanging wicker pendant lamps and cane chairs that look equally at home in Los Angeles, Tulum, Barcelona or Hawaii. This international feel was 100% intentional. “We aren’t just influenced by Ibiza style or architecture,” says Van Hulzen. “We take inspiration from all over the world, from commercial to residential projects.” The Moos Kitchen concept took around two months to conceptualise, alongside the client, and then another six months for completion as it was a complete redesign and rebuild of what was once a typical Spanish restaurant – everything needed to be gutted, and then re-fitted with new materials and furniture. The results speak for themselves: a hip, cool beachside hangout with universal (and Instagrammable) appeal.

The Nieuw Apartment

Outside of Ibiza, clients are calling Van Hulzen and his team to create harmonious spaces, tucked away within some of the busiest tourist areas in the world. The Nieuw Apartment, set in the very heart of Amsterdam on the Prinsengracht canal, is exactly that – a 70 square metre home that offers its owner the opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the busy city below, from the very moment they step through the front door. With timeless Scandinavian and French influences, the space is very clean, calm and relaxed, and brings a sense of nature into the city through the use of a natural lime paint and dark treated wooden floors. Large steel framed windows in the spacious living area bring the natural light into the apartment, and offer stunning views over the canals at sunset, while the bedroom and balcony make the most of the morning sunlight. Other international projects on the go include a penthouse Lisbon apartment and a boutique hotel concept in Mexico – for the Ibiza Interiors team, it’s all about studying the location and integrating the owners’ own style, and of course, their own impeccable taste.

Farmhouse

The stunning transformation of  residential home in the north of Ibiza, Farmhouse was originally a new and modern five-bedroom house that Ibiza Interiors transformed into a high-end finca style property at the request of its owners, who weren’t happy with the sleek contemporary finishes and wanted a more typical Ibiza style home. “We took absolutely everything out and re-did it,” recalls Van Hulzen. “From the layout and the finishes to the furniture – everything is new and has a sense of warmth. You can see we’ve mixed some Scandinavian influences with classic Ibiza elements, and industrial style elements. For us, this was almost like designing a boutique hotel concept – we treated it as an old finca (even though it was a new build) and gave every part of the house a different finish, from the common areas like the masia, the greenhouse and the stables to each of the bedrooms. All have different finishes and furnishings, but they all come together to complement one another.”

Finca Vecchi

“There’s something so special about the energy of this ancient finca,” says Van Hulzen, speaking of the incredible transformation of Finca Vecchi – one of the oldest farmhouses in Ibiza, dating back over five centuries. For this client, maintaining and conserving the finca’s original features was paramount, and Ibiza Interiors were able to achieve this by working with organic materials such as natural lime, used everywhere (walls, floors, ceilings) but the railings and windows,” says Van Hulzen. “Everything breathes – there are no chemicals or epoxies in this house, which creates such a nice energy.” Despite it being a very small finca in terms of size, the project itself was a long process, due to the rules and regulations around reforming properties with such history and heritage in Ibiza, but one that the Ibiza Interiors team thrived upon. Stepping inside Finca Vecchi feels like stepping back in time, proving yet again, that Ibiza Interiors can works completely to any brief – be it based on a centuries-old design or imagined in the future.

“There’s no right or wrong way to work on design,” concludes Van Hulzen. “Every project is unique, every client lives differently and has different values, and our work should reflect that – we are always trying to create something unique, not just bring Ibiza style wherever we go.”

Architecture, function and beauty

The Ibiza Interiors headquarters on the San Juan road is one of the island’s most refined interiors retail spaces, in addition to being the home of a team of architects and designers under the direction of Jurjen Van Hulzen. From the long communal desk plus a dining table inhabited by swatches and blueprints, Van Hulzen makes people’s architectural dreams come true. “We work from the first sketch of a project to completion,” says Van Hulzen. “Sometimes we work with a local architect and other times we take a whole project on ourselves. It depends on the needs of the client.” Whether it’s seeking council permissions orrestructuring an existing home to choosing fabrics and finishing touches, Van Hulzen’s pedigree brings Dutch sensibility with a healthy dose of island soul to all projects.

Each project follows its own path and Van Hulzen is passionate about finding the right concept for the right person. “I get to know the client a little bit. Some people are already really into design and have a clear idea,” he says. “Others look to us for guidance.” With the help of reference books, mood boards and clippings, Van Hulzen slowly unwinds the needs beneath a client’s ideas to reveal the best way forward. A recent project near Aguas Blancas required a complete rethinking of the possibilities of space and location. “It was a house built about 40 years ago and was basically a square box,” explains Van Hulzen. “I started to explore modernism and Bauhaus with the client and we decided to go in that direction instead of the usual Ibiza finca style.” The result is a classic piece of modernist design hidden within the pine forest. A beautifully surprising slice of architectural history made all the more striking by the juxtaposition of the site.

Another client with a villa in Es Cubells wanted to create a beach house ambience despite lacking an actual beach. “He wanted people to feel like taking their shoes off and relaxing as soon as they entered. So, obviously, the concept doesn’t suit Eames style furnishings,” he says. “We went with reclaimed woods, sand colours and natural fibres to bring the beach inside. It was a really nice project.” While Van Hulzen eschews the idea of having a signature style, there is a definite continuity to his work that is instantly recognisable. Working with contrasting elements is what brings adhesion to an Ibiza Interiors project. “If you focus on one colour palette, the space has no life,” explains Van Hulzen. “If you bring in a contrasts between light and dark or rustic and industrial, you see the space start to live.”

Van Hulzen’s determined gaze is the physical manifestation of his penchant for details. It’s a characteristic he instills in his team. But while a tendency towards perfectionism runs through the firm’s ethos there is also a love for the chaos of imperfection. “If I do something, I do it well. But I love imperfection,” he explains. “The location and project inform the choices, almost like they’re guiding the style. If it gives you imperfection, you can embrace it and make it fit.” Nothing gets in the way of functionality however. “We use space efficiently,” he says. “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is not to compromise on functionality. It comes first. Every design choice has to have a purpose.”  Sometimes it helps to show clients what doesn’t work in order to determine what does. “There is not always just one answer, everything depends on how the client wants to use the space; the technical aspect and the aesthetic need to meet.” The ever-growing list of projects waiting for completion is a sign of the trust this young firm has built in a short time. Van Hulzen and his team work in all facets of the architectural journey – from new builds to renovations to interiors they consider the needs of the client as the foundation from which to build something functional as well as beautiful.

Visit the White Ibiza house and garden guide to read more and contact Ibiza interiors
Creative flow

For some, to be motionless is to forfeit creativity and the possibility of progress, so when the subconscious call beckons they follow it wholeheartedly, drawn by the instigation of change, the opportunity to flow, the simple act of moving. Jurjen van Hulzen, architect, designer and owner of concept store Ibiza Interiors, knows a thing or two about this very compulsion – he made the decision to move from Amsterdam to Ibiza with his family after only visiting the island once before. It seemed necessary; it felt right. Such was his conviction to move, in fact, that he and wife Selina signed a deal on a house solely on the advice of a friend – before arriving they’d seen any of their charming finca’s potential in the Ibiza campo. “We showed up in the middle of the night and then woke up to this view,” smiles Jurjen, looking out. “And from the very first day, I just thought, this is a really cool space.” Not one to stay stagnant for long, Jurjen’s design brain wound into overdrive and he soon began work on converting the loft space, keen to make it his family’s own.

“Everything starts with the structure” he explains. “So that has entirely the same footprint, I haven’t added anything.” But, using two concrete columns and traditional Sabina wood beams found on the roof as inspiration, the concept of combining rustic with industrial was born. “I really wanted to keep showing off both aspects,” he says. “That’s when you start making your list of requirements – you puzzle it out from there.” At the top of Jurjen’s list was keeping the space open while also creating privacy, and of course, the all-important decision of working out what to put where. “As an architect, you really look at the environment and the orientation – that gives you a lot of information,” he says. “I wanted everything to open out onto the valley so I put the bedroom in the back.” A bathroom and a dining room were also added, and even objects like immovable rocks in the middle of the room were transformed into features. “We couldn’t move it so we made something out of it!” he laughs. “We built a bench on top of it. I thought I wanted to get rid of it but actually, it’s become a typical Ibiza architectural feature.”

With many years of experience working on projects all across the globe, Jurjen is more than used to dealing with issues – a rock isn’t going to stand in his way for long. And it’s a similar deal when sourcing high quality materials, notoriously not always easy on Ibiza. “We designed a new custom kitchen,” he says. “It’s made from raw steel with a natural stone top so it fits with the industrial feel.” But in keeping with the rustic side of the concept, there are softer touches elsewhere. “The curtains are 100-percent natural linen,” he affirms. Undoubtedly, it was a project requiring balance. On one hand, negotiating technical challenges like drainage and water supply (“It’s the stuff you don’t see that’s the hardest.”), on the other, enlivening the space with a smattering of work from local artists like Lolo Loren and Oliver Mader. A classic case of functionality versus design – at least Jurjen only had himself to answer to. “I was the client, the architect, the building manager and the interior designer!” he says. “There was only me, so I could tick every box I wanted. But when I work with others, it’s a dialogue, a process, a collaboration. I love that too.”

And work with others he does, often. At the Ibiza Interiors store in San Juan, clients drop in for architectural advice – either from Jurjen personally or from one of the team of three architects and designer – or for decor inspiration. The store houses a selection of stunning mid-century furniture as well as art and select homewares. It’s a studio space alive with ideas, one that Jurjen invests in creatively, and that gives back in return. With the loft conversion finished, Jurjen seems relatively content. “Sometimes I wonder if it’s too nice,” he muses. “I’ve been thinking about every little detail for six months. But I feel like I reached my goal and there is nothing I would do differently.” And will a period of creative regeneration follow, at least on a personal front? It seems unlikely. “I get to a point where I finish with a project and my mind has already moved onto the next one,” he smiles. “I cannot really sit still.”

Visit the White Ibiza house and garden guide to read more and contact Ibiza Interiors
Little house in the campo

Spontaneity is something that that Selina and Jurjen van Hulzen have absolutely no trouble with. While most people go to great lengths to plan a move to Ibiza, it was a much more fluid process for this family. The architect and interior designer and his teacher wife came to the island with their two children for the first time in 2014 to visit friends and decided right then and there to move. While a heavily pregnant Selina waited in Amsterdam Jurjen returned to find a place to live – almost signing a lease on an expensive villa.

Back in Amsterdam he received a call from a friend telling him there was another place he simply had to rent and quickly. So, sight unseen he signed the papers and a few months later the family arrived in the middle of the night to a house on a hill in the north of Ibiza. By now baby Ziggy had joined his big brother Mads and sister Lou and when they all woke on that first morning they stepped out onto the terrace to be greeted by the most amazing view across the Morna Valley to the distant sea. They had arrived home.

It wasn’t long before Jurjen started to take a more critical look at the house he had signed up for and his architect’s mind started to whir. The first project was to convert a disused and rather dirty storage area into a guesthouse. It was a small place but through the decades thick grime Jurjen had a vision and coming from living in Amsterdam in a 60-metre square apartment with three kids, his concept of transforming small spaces is nothing short of magical. The project soon became a way for Jurjen to showcase his metier and the brands he works with closely through his design company Ibiza Interiors, his design and architectural firm Standard Studio and his specialised furniture store Modern Vintage. “I’m always looking at spaces and thinking about what I can do with them,” he says. “At first the plan was to do something simple and cheap to host guests here, but then I started to think about it more and… well, I am a perfectionist and I became a little bit obsessed!”

Obtaining an interior design degree followed by studies at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture led to a job at prestigious architectural firm Concrete Architects. There, Jurjen designed hotels worldwide with projects in New York, London and Paris. One challenging project was the CitizenM hotel chain. The brief was to design a luxury hotel room that was only 14 metres square – the result is masterful and shows his fixation on perfectionism regardless of the constraints. “I can never compromise on functionality, that’s the architect in me,” Jurjen explains. “When you design interiors, it’s for five, maybe ten years and then you change it again. But in architecture it’s for 30 years or a hundred years and that’s how I approach it. Even with my design work, I approach it with the mind of an architect.”

Jurjen’s perfectionism is evident in every aspect of the guesthouse. Oversized iroko wood and glass doors open on to a double height dining and living space. A ladder reaches up to the loft bed where a super luxe Coco Mat bed awaits. Jurjen is the sole distributor of these luxuriously comfortable all-natural beds in Ibiza. Through a small passage is an Eginstill kitchen, a friend’s brand he also represents on the island. Being both designer and client was an interesting experience for Jurjen. “I could have chosen a cheaper wood for the door frames, but I just couldn’t,” he says. “I have to tell my story. You know, I couldn’t just put an Ikea kitchen in here!” The result was well worth the perfectionism.

Some discoveries were made along the way that Jurjen adapted and incorporated into the final design. Rustic stone walls were concealed by old plaster and a long, arduous process of cleaning and re-grouting them ensued. The ancient stones then required a change to the original colour pallet and Jurjen put in a black, steel kitchen to act as a counter balance to the warm stone and woods. Brushed cotton curtains introduce the expansive sky outside into the living space. Furniture is mid century with a heavy Danish influence – two Eames rocking chairs, a long wood dining table and a stunningly curated selection of objets finish off the space. Unlike most guesthouses in Ibiza Jurjen’s is also a concept store – everything inside is from a brand he respects and represents and everything can be purchased.

Inspiration comes from all corners of the globe. “I am really interested in different cultures,” Jurjen says. “I love to look at abstract things, to mix things, to develop a global style or taste. I think with our generation the whole world is open to us. Some projects I’ve done in Amsterdam could be in New York or Japan because they are individual and authentic. And yet, not every project can be universal, because the location and context is so powerful.” Ibiza has clearly influenced Jurjen’s choices for the guesthouse, where he has melded traditional architecture and the ancient landscape seamlessly with a modern a sensibility.

Next, the main house will experience a full overhaul followed by a slew of other projects Jurjen is in the process of dreaming up on the rest of the property. But a lot of that will have to wait, because he’s heavily booked to design other people’s homes as well as continuing to run his businesses in Amsterdam and represent several Dutch design brand here on the island. For now the van Hulzen family are happily ensconced in their island paradise, taking full advantage of a much more outdoorsy existence – and while the kids soak up the sun and fun, Jurjen sits back on the terrace and dreams of design.

Visit the Ibiza Interiors website here. Photography by Ana Lui – Interiors shot on Fuji Film using a medium format Contax 645.