This was published 1 year ago
This renovated home in Mallorca is the dream Spanish holiday home
By Heather Nette King
Amodern masterpiece in Mallorca is the dream home of this creative couple.
Gary Chard (left) and Feskie Rodriguez by the pool. “Our philosophy was to build a house that would mature and age gracefully,” says Chard. “It was never about chasing perfection. We wanted marks and imperfections to be part of its story.”Credit: Armelle Habib
The home
A four-bedroom townhouse in the village of Sa Pobla on the Spanish island of Mallorca. It was constructed 120 years ago of marés stone.
Who lives here
Event activation and interior designers Gary Chard and Feskie Rodriguez with their cat, Data.
What we did
“The house was a total ruin with no plumbing, floors or power,” says Chard. “The walls held up a new roof, but everything you see was designed by us and created with the help of a local builder.”
Our favourite room
“Without a doubt the garden: a central patio inspired by Moroccan riads,” says Chard. “The lush planting and the pool are the focus of the house.”
The ’hood
“It’s a small town of 13,500 people with a lovely sense of community and Spanish culture. There are local festivals and a great farm-to-table culture,” says Chard.
Future plans
“Completion of the third-level rooftop terrace, which has views of the Tramuntana mountains,” says Chard. “And also to create a studio space above the garage.”
Best advice
“Focus on the traffic flow areas of your home, as the ease with which you move about and utilise the space will ultimately determine your future happiness,” says Chard.
“The kitchen cabinetry hides a secret door into a bedroom, and the island was built by a local metal worker,” says Chard. Stools are by Spanish studio Kikekeller.Credit: Armelle Habib
“The old mandarin tree has been here for 60 years, while the rest of the garden is a work in progress,” says Chard. “The house opens up to be a part of the outside.”Credit: Armelle Habib
“Alcanada is a beautiful, small bay on the northern edge of the more well-known Alcudia Beach, on the north coast of Mallorca,” says Chard.Credit: Armelle Habib
“We asked the builder to stop after the first stage of render on the bedroom walls, as it was beautiful in that raw state,” says Chard. The wall light is by Serge Mouille.Credit: Armelle Habib
“There’s a lovely balance of white sandy beaches and rocky ledges in this area,” says Chard. “The locals, however, prefer diving off the rocks and leave the sand for the tourists.”Credit: Armelle Habib
“In the bathroom we combined rough cement and old marble for texture, while an old, traditional Mallorcan wooden meat block painted with lime makes a great bathside table,” says Chard.Credit: Armelle Habib
“We have little decoration except for this blue circle,” says Chard. “It was an old table discarded from a local restaurant, which we painted Yves Klein blue by Ressource Peintures.”Credit: Armelle Habib
Rodriguez (left) and Chard wandering through Sa Pobla. “It’s an historically important village, but not touristy – ideal for experiencing authentic Mallorcan culture,” says Chard.Credit: Armelle Habib
The couple looking out at their garden. “Neighbours share stories about the house and those who have lived in it before us,” says Chard. “We feel part of its history.”Credit: Armelle Habib
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