The continuous beauty of Kilims

At the time, she was travelling in Turkey and fell in love with the soft pastels, colours and patterns of the woven, mosaic-like tapestries. From that point on, they made their way into more and more of her designs, and these days – encouraged by their continuous beauty – they form an integral basis of many of her compositions. “All you need is one beautiful standout piece amid a calm interior,” she says, and when you see her home designs, this ethos makes total sense. Irina’s relationship with Ibiza dates back even further than her love for Kilims – she’s been coming to the island for over two decades – and as a result, has an innate understanding of the island, its aesthetic and its people. That’s why she’s in high demand among those looking for interior inspiration, and why her pared-back creativity and Kilim expertise is much sought after among islanders. “Every Kilim is completely unique,” she explains. “Every pattern means something and every creation tells a story.”

Much like Ibiza, there’s more to these decorative rugs than meets the eye. “It’s very rare to find good pieces these days,” Irina explains. “Kilims are enjoyed all over the world now, plus I’m mostly just looking for ones made before 1960. On these ones, the colours are more faded and the handiwork is more detailed.” This expertise is what Irina passes on her to clients, in addition to a passion for finding beautiful, authentic pieces that bring to life the colour palette of any home. Kilims can be hung from walls, as intended, or Irina crafts them into bespoke benches and cushions to act as one-of-a-kind focal pieces of a room. “Seeing a Kilim in person gives you an entirely new respect for the piece,” she says. “I once had a lady come to my shop who started to cry when she saw one, saying its story spoke to her somehow. That’s a very special thing to see.”

Effortless bohème

Designer Barbara Boccara, co-founder of hip Parisian fashion label BA&SH (recently purchased by luxury fashion titans LVMH), boasts an incredible knack for both and nowhere is this fusion of style and living more obvious than in her gorgeous five-bedroom Ibiza villa, Casa Valentina in the island’s north. The villa is Barbara’s second home – a sanctuary where she can escape the fast-paced life of working in the fashion capital of world. “I love Paris,” she says. “I love my job and I am so happy to work there, but when I arrive in Ibiza, the first thing I do is kick my shoes off and I feel VERY happy.” Spending around three months per year at Casa Valentina, she admits her personal style changes on arrival – in Paris, she wears a more typical jeans and high heel combo, while in Ibiza she embraces the barefoot bohemian look.

Having first visited the island at the age of 18, Barbara continued to return to the white isle regularly over the years. Every July, she would rent a villa with friends, starting to feel more and more at home until eventually, in 2016, she realised she wanted to put down more permanent roots. “I had a little problem when looking for the house,” she says. “My husband and my two sons [aged 20 and 23] wanted a very modern, all-white villa. But I loved the idea of a finca. So when we saw this house, it was like the perfect compromise.” Casa Valentina is an anomaly among the typical Ibiza villas on the market. Created by Jaume Guash, founder and director of respected Ibiza construction agency Balafia de Baix, the single-level property has a slightly industrial feeling, while still exuding the spaciousness and style of a modern villa – somewhat reminiscent of contemporary Californian architecture. Barbara felt an instant connection with the property, however she knew she would need to make some changes to the design to suit her own carefully honed aesthetic.

“We had been staying in Agroturismo Atzaró while we were looking for a house,” Barbara says of the decision to buy in the north. “I loved the area, the smell, the quiet – and this house had all of that.” It is no coincidence – Guasch himself is eighth generation Atzaró family and Casa Valentina is set on a neighbouring plot of land. “Originally I wanted a sea view, but I felt so good and calm when I got here. I love the light,” says Barbara. “I love the way the land here is so flat, and a beautiful breeze comes through the house every day.” “I changed the whole interior,” she continues. “I painted all the big columns black, I bought in all-new furniture so it could be more relaxed. I wanted a lot of lounges, inside and outside, to create a very chilled feeling. My priority was that no matter where you are, what corner you are in, you feel at home and completely relaxed.” The epitome of boho luxe, the house reflects her love of bohemian style while still maintaining an extremely high level of luxury throughout. It’s all in the details.

An attraction to raw materials, such as linen, wood and metal, is evident throughout the open-plan living space, where plush sofas are piled high with cushions and throws, inviting one to sink in and truly relax. Black accents are prevalent throughout, from the stylish chairs contrasting with the organic wooden 12-seat dining table, to the shelves inset amongst wood panelled walls. Edgy artwork – such as the enormous print of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards presiding over the space – and elegant lighting complete the picture. It all feels very effortlessly pulled together, in true French style, however each and every piece of furniture, décor, lighting or art in Casa Valentina was personally selected and styled by Barbara, who confesses to a love of French interiors haven Caravane, alongside a mix of high-end Italian brands and rustic, local finds. Candles are everywhere, from the tables and bookshelves to lanterns on the floor, and the villa takes on a wonderful sense of romance as the sun goes down.

Barbara’s affinity for bohème living is truly apparent in the outdoor living space, set across the lush, green lawn opposite the main house. Adjacent to a lengthy swimming pool and sunbathing deck, the shaded space is filled with comfortable low-slung sofas, in natural hues, that are easily reconfigured to suit the amount of people lounging. On-trend hanging lamps create a feeling of warmth and intimacy by night. Wicker and cane feature heavily on the terrace, enhancing the feeling of connecting with the nature around you. An expansive outdoor kitchen and huge communal dining table set the scene for alfresco lazy lunches and decadent dinners. “When we come to Ibiza, we often come with groups of friends,” says Barbara. “So many of them don’t want to go out once they get here – we love to stay home and entertain.” When she does venture out, favourite places include Macao Café, La Paloma, El Chiringuito, Las Dalias, Heart, Pacha and Cova Santa – places that exude creativity and authentic Ibiza style.

There is so much more to Casa Valentina than meets the eye. The guesthouse has been transformed into a more masculine and modern space (“I broke it all down and extended it to make a special two-bedroom space with private entrances for my boys – they love Ibiza!”), for Barbara’s sons to feel their own sense of freedom. An additional annex houses a gym, next to a small football pitch, while across the garden is a quaint Wendy house, added for the enjoyment of Barbara’s eight-year old daughter. However it is Barbara’s own bedroom that she says is her ultimate cocoon in Ibiza. Set at the far end of the house, the space encompasses a giant walk-in wardrobe, filled with beautiful pieces from her label (which she describes as bohemian chic, very feminine and just a little sexy) alongside exotic finds from India amongst other places, a spacious bathroom and a private terrace where she does yoga every morning. Then there’s the bed that takes up almost the entire room. You get the feeling of being outside when you are in, and inside when you are out, with a contemporary fireplace providing the perfect finishing touch. “This really is my space,” she says with a smile.

Photography by Gypsy Westwood

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From Africa with love

New shipments are arriving every day at this gorgeous interiors showroom and right now it’s all about Africa. That fascinating continent stretching from Egypt and Morocco in the north to South Africa and Zimbabwe in the south is a design lover’s dream whose influence on art, fashion, music and design is unsurpassed. Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró all blended a stylised perception of African art into their own works. Africa influenced the heavyweights of architecture too. Both Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer used West African art as a base for their modernist style. And Africa continues to stream through fashion with all the big names from Gaultier, Saint Laurent and Luis Vuitton featuring African prints and styles in their runways shows. While each African nation possesses its own sense of style, the overriding elements are earth tones, natural fibres and aged woods – all of which exude the warmth of the sun, sand and sea. Perfect for Ibiza homes.

There’s no need to go over the top – as TANIS Ibiza owners and design experts Tatjana Berger-Sandhofer and Nick Lording know, choosing a few key pieces can give any room that African vibe and they can help you find that perfect something for your perfect room. Even if you don’t see what you’re dreaming in store, they’ll source it and make your dreams come to life. One of the star pieces of the summer is a rectangular coffee table repurposed from an ancient African bed. The smooth surface of the dark wood and chunky legs offer an elegant and understated nod to the African style. Pendant lamps hand woven from natural fibres cast a gentle, warming glow fitting well with the white washed walls of Ibiza homes. Hand carved wooden stools make exquisite statements juxtaposed against neutral stoneware table lamps and earth toned upholstery fabrics.

It wouldn’t be Africa without striking splashes of patterned textiles. Touch up neutrals with African inspired geometric print cushions and hand woven storage baskets in various shapes and sizes; from fruit bowls to laundry to planters the range of baskets is vast delivering an Africa tinged decorative storage solution. Larger rooms will enjoy a set of elongated canoe paddle sculptures while the lady of the house will feel footloose in a flowing African inspired kaftan. TANIS Ibiza has fast become the island’s premier interiors, and indeed, outdoor furnishing concept store. The light filled showroom extends beyond Africa, and is artfully curated with design elements from all over the world. Whether you’re popping in for a quick piece to update a room instantly, are seeking a statement piece to fit your villa or are looking for a full interior design services, TANIS Ibiza does it all.

Not just for humans!

There’s a new team member on staff at the gorgeous TANIS Ibiza showroom, set on the road between Ibiza and Santa Gertrudis, easily located thanks to the new bright orange starfish emblazoned on the sign. She’s blonde, she’s gorgeous, she’s friendly and she’s in the showroom waiting to meet you every day – just like her owners and the store founders! Ruby, a cockapoo puppy, joined the TANIS Ibiza family just a couple of weeks ago and is already settling into life as the in-house model, as you can see by our photos. She’s the perfect saleswoman for the stylish range of pet beds available at TANIS Ibiza – you’ll find large, medium and small sizes from Berlin-based designer pet brand Cloud 7, and Ruby can help you try them before you buy them, until you find the one that is j-u-s-t right for your own furry friend.

Cloud 7 dog beds have been carefully designed to integrate with any stylish home environment; in muted colours and neutral tones and with high end finishes and ultra-durable fabrics, they mesh perfectly with the TANIS Ibiza aesthetic. Not to mention the colour palette perfectly complements Ruby’s soft, blonde fur. Of course, TANIS Ibiza goes much further than supplying the perfect bed for your canine companion – that’s simply the icing on the cake. The showroom is receiving new interior and outdoor furnishings, homeware and décor on a weekly basis at this time of year, true to their signature style: timeless, elegant and natural.

Springtime is the perfect time to pass by and pick up some new pieces to update your home in time for the summer entertaining season, be it a few scatter cushions and lanterns for an instant style update, new lighting for indoor or outdoor areas or a more major investment such as a custom-made sofa, new curtains or stylish arm chairs. The more you peruse the store, the more you find – new pieces jump out and catch your eye with each round. If you prefer to leave decorating to the professionals, TANIS Ibiza also offer a complete design service – be it a small space, entre villa or outdoor area. Owners Tatjana Berger-Sandhofer and Nick Lording can apply their creative skills to any space, and work to any brief – which means, if you don’t see what you’re looking for in the showroom, they can source the globe to find it and bring it to Ibiza especially for you.

As a newcomer, Ruby’s interior design skills are yet to be tested, however as a model, influencer and brand ambassador for TANIS Ibiza, she’s already proven to be a very successful addition to the team. Pass by the showroom for an introduction (and obligatory cuddle) – though be warned: you probably won’t leave empty handed*! *Dogs not included with pet beds

Let’s go outside

Over the course of those same three years however, the brand has also been quietly developing a reputation for its expertise when it comes to decorating outdoor spaces, and the collections arriving in store for the 2017 summer season are a reflection of this success. What has changed predominantly in recent years when it comes to furnishing outdoor spaces is the style and quality of fabrics and pieces available. Forget ugly, durable plastics or itchy, hot, rough plastic cushions – today’s styles are sleek and contemporary – not unlike statement furniture that would be seen in a plush modern living room – while textures could easily be mistaken for luxurious linen. At the TANIS Ibiza showroom, found on the road from Ibiza to Santa Gertrudis – and easily spotted by the bright orange starfish on the sign – you’ll find a new range of chic and sophisticated new outdoor wooden seating, made from ultra durable materials complete with plush cushions, designed in single and larger style seating options.

TANIS Ibiza owners, interior designers Tatjana Berger-Sandhofer and Nick Lording, spend their winter seasons scouring the globe for the hippest and hottest new collections – Italy, England, Scandinavia and Belgium are just some of the destinations from which new deliveries are arriving daily. If you’re simply looking to update your outdoor soft furnishings, TANIS Ibiza features an entire wall of outdoor fabrics – though you’ll probably need to ask for help to identify which rolls they are, as they’re so close to the texture and feel of natural linen, very few ‘regular folk’ could tell the difference. Roll upon roll of beautiful natural and neutral hues plus sophisticated striped patterns are waiting to be transformed into waterproof, durable and sun-protected cushions, daybed covers, curtains and more. Outdoor lighting too, is another specialty of TANIS Ibiza, who are exclusive stockists of the highly-sought after, oversized, all-weather wicker light shades – as seen in some of the world’s most exclusive beach clubs, including Scorpios in Mykonos, and luxury villas in Ibiza. Moroccan floor lamps are also available, in a range of sizes and shapes ready to perfectly illuminate your garden path or terrace area, along with gorgeous glass candleholders to make the perfect outdoor table setting on a balmy summer night.

For those Ibiza villa owners looking for more than just a new chair or light fixture for their property, TANIS Ibiza also offer a full exterior design service, from concept to completion. Be it an outdoor living room, alfresco dining space or luxurious terrace lounge you seek, the creative couple work to your brief to develop a new look that is completely suited to your style. And as always, TANIS Ibiza are experts when it comes to breathing new life into interiors. In fact, why not just give them the keys to your property for an entire indoor and outdoor overhaul before summer? Don’t see what you want on the TANIS showroom? Don’t give up – the options are endless. Tatjana and Nick are on hand to answer your questions and source the pieces you’ve been dreaming of to kit out your Ibiza home. Whether you want to work closely together, or simply give them free reign to apply the chic TANIS aesthetic to your home while you’re busy working, with their little (ok, enormous) black book of contacts, anything is possible.

Down the garden path

When Jayne Henderson first visited Ibiza on a family holiday inspired by her sons’ love for music in 2008, little did she know the island would go on to play a major role in her future career path. At the time, the busy mother of three boys had been working as a successful Pilates teacher for almost 20 years, originally in Edinburgh before her husband Gregor’s work took the family to London. Like many others before her (and no doubt many more to come) it was a case of love at first sight with Ibiza and the white isle soon became a regular holiday destination for the Henderson family. In 2013, Jayne and Gregor felt the desire to put down some roots in Ibiza and began the search for a holiday home – for both their own vacation time and to rent out to holidaymakers whilst it wasn’t in use.

“We’d always stayed in the north of the island – we loved it – and originally we were looking to buy in that area,” says Jayne of the two-year property search that ultimately led her to the 450-year old five-bedroom Sa Carocca villa Cas Orvays. “We just couldn’t find anything in the north that had the authentic Ibiza style we wanted and so we started to look elsewhere.” “When Victor from Prestige Properties showed us the pictures of this house, it had been on the market for a while,” Jayne says, proving that first impressions can be misleading. “I think the photos didn’t do it justice. I could see its potential – it was actually a jewel.” Though within extremely close proximity to Ibiza town, Cas Orvays – accessed via winding country laneways in a lush green valley – feels as though it is in the heart of the campo.

After completing the purchase in October 2015, Jayne and Gregor set about renovating the house completely, with total respect to its architectural heritage, preserving its authentic bohemian design elements. “It hadn’t been touched in about 35 years,” says Jayne. “But there were a lot of amazing features we wanted to keep.” Boasting a natural, impeccably elegant sense of style and developing an inherent understanding of what would work well under an Ibicencan roof, Jayne turned her talents to design and decoration. Knowing Cas Orvays was no cookie cutter Ibiza villa, Jayne set about sourcing the perfect pieces to suit the house. Some pieces, including oversized mirrors and antique beds, were shipped from the family’s original home in Edinburgh, the sheer size of the furnishings also suiting the high ceilings and spacious rooms of the Ibiza property. Other objects such as cabinets and drawers were found tucked away in a utility room of the villa, brought out and refurbished to be given a new lease of life. A new kitchen was added, modern yet in keeping with the home’s traditional style while original Sabina and seaweed ceilings have been carefully restored, as have the eclectic tiled floors.

Where Jayne had a vision for certain items that couldn’t be sourced, she was not deterred. Having previously lived near Borough market, she knew a specialist carpenterwho was once a film prop maker and knowing there was nothing he couldn’t create, she enlisted his help, flying him out to Ibiza to work on the project. “I’d show him a picture and then we’d go to the timber yard and he’d manage to make new pieces that looked like they were really old. We were like children in a sweet shop every time we got to go there!” she laughs at the memory. Stylish lighting is prevalent throughout Cas Orvays, ranging from meticulously restored, oversized lanterns from Edinburgh, a large antique Italian chandelier from the King’s Road, one-off pieces from Lassco, an architectural salvage place in Vauxhall London and unique finds from Can Castello here in Ibiza. No detail was overlooked – each element, be it original antique switches and black rope style cords to modern lamps, is particular to each individual space.

Soft furnishings were painstakingly hunted down in specialist stores in London, including The Linen Shop in Notting Hill, with custom upholstery made by Hossack and Gray London. Caravan London was another go-to showroom for decoration, in addition to vintage rug stores for both floor rugs and wall hangings. Jayne was also inspired by her friend John Teyssier of Ibiza pop-up décor showroom Jasserie – a concept showcasing local artisans and vintage pieces from the island. Jayne’s growing art collection includes works by famed Scottish painter Alberto Morocco among others. Stepping outside Cas Orvays is like stepping into a fairytale, with magical gardens awash with flowers, thriving with ancient succulents, tall bamboo and boasting a pretty plant-lined path down towards an ancient pool house, adjacent to the secluded swimming pool with its bohemian yellow tiles casting a gorgeous green tinge over the water. “This path is what sold the house to me,” confesses Jayne. “I like to imagine my grandchildren walking down here one day.” When they first acquired the property, Jayne says the garden was more like a jungle, but after many months clearing and landscaping, it is now a paradisiacal, tranquil wonderland.

“I really enjoyed doing it and it really opened up my creative side,” she explains of the renovation and design experience. Having taken a break from Pilates for the duration of the project, Jayne felt she had the time and space needed to engage her creative sensibilities. “My background is Pilates, and at one point when we bought the house I thought I could host retreats here, but after taking a year away from that to work on the renovation, it made me rethink what I wanted to do.” Fast-forward to 2017, and the story of Cas Orvays, and indeed, Jayne Henderson herself, has taken some new twists and turns. Inspired by the incredible transformation of the house, the couple decided to sell the villa, and are now planning to embark on an all-new renovation and house design project in Ibiza or Formentera. Meanwhile, Jayne has launched her very own design consultancy brand JHDESIGNLAB – working out of the Balearics and London, bringing her amazing eye for detail, hands-on experience, invaluable local and international contacts and creative skills into the homes of others.

For more information on JHDESIGNLAB, contact Jayne Henderson on [email protected]

Meet the Blakstad team – Xavier Blesa

In the company’s stylish San Lorenzo design office, you can find Xavier focused on managing and coordinating all the various projects underway while allocating the array of resources needed. Xavier explains he’s a project manager who is very hands on. “I am very involved personally as a director or I assign the other experienced architects to complete and carry out tasks as needed; nevertheless, I am always informed of what happens in each project to maintain and ensure a high quality of standard across the board.”

This type of dedication comes from the vast experience gained in all aspects of architectural design while developing his career in Barcelona. Having earned a Master in Architecture from the Technical school of Architecture in 2006, Xavier put his sights on project management and was certified by 2012. “I learned to think of projects from every point of view, understanding the creative process behind a design, which is a mixture of knowledge, technique and intuition.” Xavier’s favourite element of working with the renowned Blakstad design firm is the philosophy in which they work and the pride that comes with it, “We build traditional Ibicencan architecture updated to modern standards without destroying the essence of the island.” Of course, unexpected obstacles and challenges may rear themselves in the design process, and Xavier is well prepared for them, “The level of professional standards represented in the office speaks for itself. I love working with clients in an ever changing environment and having the ability to overcome challenges and any problems that may arise.” With a passion for everything creative going on underneath the roof at Blakstad Design Consultants, Xavier’s work has led him to believe that the most important aspect that characterises his profession, “Is the ability to survive in a constantly changing environment. The projects begin and end in relatively short time periods and involve so much creativity.” Committed to ensuring each project is efficiently completed Xavier believe it’s important to be proud of what you’re doing in each moment, “All of our projects are special because they are designed specifically for each customer with their own special requirements. This makes you feel proud of each project that leaves the office.”

Time to nest

Interior design is an ever changing, constantly evolving world and much like fashion, it follows seasons and is usually one step ahead. With Ibiza being such a hotspot for architecture, design and décor, it’s important to have a trusted on-the-ground interior design advisor to help inspire and enliven your Ibiza home or villa updates – be it a warming winter overhaul or pre-summer preparation. Meet TANIS Ibiza. If you’re not already familiar with the chic interior design showroom on the road from Ibiza to Santa Gertrudis, think calm, uncluttered interiors combined with warm, neutral colours, tactile textures and industrial chic designs and you’ll start to get the picture. Much like your favourite clothing store, the TANIS Ibiza showroom is constantly bringing in new collections and one-off pieces to help spruce up one’s home. The luxurious showroom is currently featuring an array of new home furnishings, including contemporary armchairs in a variety of colours, handwoven Tunisian rugs, artisanal ceramic tableware and gorgeous new sets of glassware. There are also low hanging wicker ceiling lights, plus hand-woven wicker baskets, fluffy blankets and marble coasters and tapas plates – just in time for holiday entertaining. Chic lighting fixtures, iron statues, African designed chairs and stone door stoppers have also recently arrived. If you have been in the mood to give your home a complete overhaul you’ve come to the right place. TANIS Ibiza founders and designers Tatjana Berger-Sandhofer and Nick Lording also offer a full interior design service from concept through to completion – and there’s no better time than now to start planning and preparing for the season ahead. The showroom is just a glimpse of what is possible with TANIS Ibiza at the helm of your project, as the expert design pair can source much more than what they show in the shop, working to your precise brief. Whether it’s a small piece you’re looking for to add a little new life into a room or you’re ready for a revamp, with the arrival of the winter collections at TANIS Ibiza, there’s no better excuse to nest! Photography by Dario Sanz

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.

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!”