Sometimes small spaces and tight deadlines can produce big and very alluring results. This bijou apartment by the Southwest shoreline of Mallorca, owned by a famous TV and sports personality and his talented actor wife, was in urgent need of local expertise, tasteful design and efficient team management. The owner had brought his own workers from the UK, but soon realised they needed help to source local materials and to sort out the various licences and permits required along the way. Justine Knox was contacted to provide an emergency solution to the situation, speed up the process and add her magical touch to the interior. This all had to be done in record time, since the apartment is located within a hotel complex, requiring works to be completed before the start of the summer season.
Justine provided help in obtaining local materials and permissions as well as adding work by her own team of trades to ensure electrical, plumbing and A/C installations conformed to local standards.
Once the reform was completed, the interior had to be designed according to spec. Shy of Justine’s habitual use of bold colour schemes, they asked for a more neutral palette; so Justine put all her effort into creating rich and interesting textures throughout.
Contrary to what one might think, adding a big feature in a small space actually makes it feel roomier. She resorted to this trick in the living room, by the suggestion to frame the extra-large TV screen with wooden slats and a marble-like backdrop. Being an adult-only holiday home, it was ok to have rugs and couches in cream and ivory. As coffee and side tables she chose rounded tabourets with bamboo and lacquer finishing, to add soft and curvy edges. The original statement lamps boast cord fringing and beads, which reflect the light to add a warm glow to the evening ambience.
Window treatments are light and floaty curtains in a taupe tone to allow soft light to filter in, with blackout curtains hidden to the sides. In the bedrooms, Justine designed a canopy made of slatted wood that rises up the wall and across the ceiling, giving it a cosy and nautical feel. The beds have wooden storage bases, providing ample space to stow luggage.
A clever use of mirrors makes both bathrooms appear more spacious. The master bathroom boasts a mirrored wall and floating shelves for candlelit bathtub soaks, while the other one has a floor to ceiling mirror and floating washbasin.
Outside, the little balcony has two large rounded chairs of all-weather synthetic cord to make the most of the stunning sea views of this compact, luxurious and elegant holiday pied à terre.