A 19th-century finca with authentic decor in Menorca
Tour of a 19th-century marès stone finca in Menorca. Vaulted cellar, sunny decor, and Mediterranean garden with pool
Menorca is undoubtedly the most unassuming of the Balearic Islands. It has long resisted mass tourism thanks to its designation as a UNESCO “Biosphere Reserve” in 1993. This is particularly evident in the villages of the interior. Llucmaçanes is the perfect example, with its few hundred residents, cobblestone streets, and whitewashed houses set behind dry-stone walls. It is there, just ten minutes from Mahón and its port, that this renovated 19th-century finca stands.
Dating back to 1886, it was built from marès stone, a local light ochre-colored limestone that the island’s inhabitants have been quarrying for centuries. The material gives the facades a distinctive texture, instantly recognizable. Nestled behind olive trees and dry-stone walls, the house offers 411 square meters of living space and features a swimming pool.
The main façade exudes authentic simplicity. At the garden entrance, two rough-hewn dry-stone pillars frame a wooden gate, with cycas on either side. Beyond lies the two-story white structure, and on the top floor, a row of arched windows closed by black wooden shutters.
A Thonet bentwood coat rack, laden with straw hats and a pair of binoculars, stands near the black front door. The terracotta floor and white walls set the scene. From the hallway, a bedroom is already visible.
The main living room opens directly onto the terrace through large picture windows. Light floods generously into the room. Cream-colored rattan armchairs with white cushions and a glass coffee table furnish the space. In this large living room, an ochre and white geometric rug covers most of the floor. A long dark wood dining table is set with six black chairs. An Indian tapestry featuring elephant motifs covers nearly an entire wall. The mix is eclectic and bohemian.
The large wooden skylight at the back of the room catches the eye. It separates the living room from the kitchen area and a second dining room, perfect for small gatherings or quick lunches. Its frame is reminiscent of studio skylights, with blue and red stained-glass panes interspersed among the clear glass. The effect is both graphic and light. This decorative choice is among the most striking in the house, and the most successful.
From the living room, the outdoor dining area is visible through the arched bay window. It is furnished with a round table featuring an ornate black cast-iron base, along with rattan and wicker chairs. This type of arched opening is characteristic of late 19th-century Balearic architecture.
The master bedroom has an unusual design. A fully glazed partition with wooden muntins separates the bedroom from the adjoining bathroom. You can see the bathtub from the bed. This is a design choice that won’t appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer the privacy of completely enclosed bathrooms. A sienna-colored ceramic bedside lamp and a wingback chair upholstered in pale green striped fabric adorn this understated bedroom.
The vaulted cellar, on the other hand, is a surprise. The rough-hewn Marès stone ceiling forms a barrel vault that runs the entire length of the room. A low wooden bookshelf runs along the back wall, filled with books. Furnished with a beige sofa and a few objects on the shelves, it is lit by a rounded window that lets in light from the garden. It is a living space in its own right, with an architectural character rarely found in recent constructions.
The small twin bedroom deserves a special mention. Its walls are painted a soft sage green, which transforms this space into a sanctuary. It is decorated with black sconces on either side of the bed and two woven baskets on the wall. An old wooden chest between the two beds serves as a nightstand. The other bathrooms are more classic, featuring white tile, pine woodwork, and a few touches of marble. A blend of classic and rustic, perfectly suited to the style of this 19th-century finca.
The covered terrace is arranged like an outdoor living room. It features two rattan corner sofas with ivory cushions and a rattan coffee table. To light it, a white metal Moroccan lantern and a natural fiber pendant light have been installed on the ceiling. The space overlooks the garden, planted with olive trees, palm trees, and mature Mediterranean species that have been there since the house was built.
The rectangular pool is set slightly back, with an area shaded by a parasol and a few lounge chairs. It is a functional and unpretentious pool. Next to it, there is a small white outbuilding with a covered terrace;
This house has visible flaws, no doubt, but it also has a certain charm. The bathrooms lack modernity, some spaces could use a fresh coat of paint, and the overall decorative style could be improved. But it is still a house where one could easily settle in year-round, not just for a few days of vacation.
This 19th-century finca in Menorca is for sale at Fantastic Frank
Dating back to 1886, it was built from marès stone, a local light ochre-colored limestone that the island’s inhabitants have been quarrying for centuries. The material gives the facades a distinctive texture, instantly recognizable. Nestled behind olive trees and dry-stone walls, the house offers 411 square meters of living space and features a swimming pool.
Marès stone and black shutters set the tone for the exterior
The main façade exudes authentic simplicity. At the garden entrance, two rough-hewn dry-stone pillars frame a wooden gate, with cycas on either side. Beyond lies the two-story white structure, and on the top floor, a row of arched windows closed by black wooden shutters.
A country house entrance
A Thonet bentwood coat rack, laden with straw hats and a pair of binoculars, stands near the black front door. The terracotta floor and white walls set the scene. From the hallway, a bedroom is already visible.
The living room in rattan, glass, and an eye-catching glass roof
The main living room opens directly onto the terrace through large picture windows. Light floods generously into the room. Cream-colored rattan armchairs with white cushions and a glass coffee table furnish the space. In this large living room, an ochre and white geometric rug covers most of the floor. A long dark wood dining table is set with six black chairs. An Indian tapestry featuring elephant motifs covers nearly an entire wall. The mix is eclectic and bohemian.
The large wooden skylight at the back of the room catches the eye. It separates the living room from the kitchen area and a second dining room, perfect for small gatherings or quick lunches. Its frame is reminiscent of studio skylights, with blue and red stained-glass panes interspersed among the clear glass. The effect is both graphic and light. This decorative choice is among the most striking in the house, and the most successful.
The arched bay window opening onto the terrace
From the living room, the outdoor dining area is visible through the arched bay window. It is furnished with a round table featuring an ornate black cast-iron base, along with rattan and wicker chairs. This type of arched opening is characteristic of late 19th-century Balearic architecture.
The master bedroom and the vaulted cellar, two distinct rooms
The master bedroom has an unusual design. A fully glazed partition with wooden muntins separates the bedroom from the adjoining bathroom. You can see the bathtub from the bed. This is a design choice that won’t appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer the privacy of completely enclosed bathrooms. A sienna-colored ceramic bedside lamp and a wingback chair upholstered in pale green striped fabric adorn this understated bedroom.
The vaulted cellar, on the other hand, is a surprise. The rough-hewn Marès stone ceiling forms a barrel vault that runs the entire length of the room. A low wooden bookshelf runs along the back wall, filled with books. Furnished with a beige sofa and a few objects on the shelves, it is lit by a rounded window that lets in light from the garden. It is a living space in its own right, with an architectural character rarely found in recent constructions.
The green bedroom, a memorable color choice
The small twin bedroom deserves a special mention. Its walls are painted a soft sage green, which transforms this space into a sanctuary. It is decorated with black sconces on either side of the bed and two woven baskets on the wall. An old wooden chest between the two beds serves as a nightstand. The other bathrooms are more classic, featuring white tile, pine woodwork, and a few touches of marble. A blend of classic and rustic, perfectly suited to the style of this 19th-century finca.
The terrace and garden designed as a true living space
The covered terrace is arranged like an outdoor living room. It features two rattan corner sofas with ivory cushions and a rattan coffee table. To light it, a white metal Moroccan lantern and a natural fiber pendant light have been installed on the ceiling. The space overlooks the garden, planted with olive trees, palm trees, and mature Mediterranean species that have been there since the house was built.
The rectangular pool is set slightly back, with an area shaded by a parasol and a few lounge chairs. It is a functional and unpretentious pool. Next to it, there is a small white outbuilding with a covered terrace;
What stands out about Casa Libellule
This house has visible flaws, no doubt, but it also has a certain charm. The bathrooms lack modernity, some spaces could use a fresh coat of paint, and the overall decorative style could be improved. But it is still a house where one could easily settle in year-round, not just for a few days of vacation.
This 19th-century finca in Menorca is for sale at Fantastic Frank
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