A boho-chic, nature-inspired renovation overlooking the sea for a house in Menorca
In Mahón, this house in Menorca, Villa Al Mar, has been completely renovated by the Nicemakers studio. A lesson in Mediterranean decor
Menorca is the quietest island in the Balearics. Its coastline is protected by local authorities, and there are no concrete buildings like those found in Mallorca or Ibiza. It attracts travelers seeking something other than the nightlife and nightclubs. Here you’ll find softer light, secluded coves, and white houses that quietly gaze out at the sea. This house in Menorca was built in that spirit.
Villa Al Mar occupies a rare vantage point overlooking the bay of Mahón, the deepest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. The colonial city stretches along the opposite shore, visible from the terrace like a magnificent postcard scene. And yet it is real...
The studio that redesigned this 134sqm home is called Nicemakers. Based in Amsterdam, it has already worked on several projects in Menorca and has extensive experience with the island’s housing.
The studio started the renovation from scratch. It revised the structure, materials, and layout of the spaces. The materials chosen by Nicemakers range from Menorcan limestone and troweled plaster to solid wood. These three materials form the backbone of the interior and are sourced locally.
The house features two suite-style bedrooms, an open kitchen with an island, and a living room that extends outdoors. Its covered terraces with white arches provide shade from the sun and overlook the sea. The rooms of the house maintain a constant connection with the outdoors.
These semicircular arches punctuate the facade and living spaces, creating natural frames overlooking the harbor. In the morning, cast shadows trace patterns on the terrace floor, and in the evening, the arches open onto a pale orange sky.
They pay homage to the island’s vernacular architecture, where covered galleries and loggias have always served as a transition between indoors and outdoors. The Nicemakers studio has revived a local architectural vocabulary by giving it a contemporary interpretation.
The interior navigates between several influences. It is both bohemian and contemporary. The living room features a sofa with soft lines, a dark wood coffee table, and raw linen curtains. A black fireplace, set in a corner, adds a designer touch to this Mediterranean setting. The kitchen, with its low, ribbed teak wood cabinet fronts, contrasts with a light, almost white limestone countertop.
Its outdoor dining area is furnished with a table featuring a solid raw wood top and a leg carved from a single block. The large, flat rattan pendant lights resemble straw hats.
Its two suites have very different characters. The master bedroom opens onto the bathroom via a passageway that closes with a linen curtain. A white freestanding bathtub sits facing the window, with a view of the garden. The woven rattan ceiling light lends a soft warmth to this relaxation space.
The second bedroom takes a different approach. Its bedspread, embroidered with blue and gold floral motifs, is a product of local craftsmanship. On the wall, a natural wool rug with minimalist graphic patterns hangs like a work of art. A low-seated rattan chair completes the decor. The ensemble exudes an authentic and simple charm.
The master bedroom’s bathroom favors raw materials. The beige waxed concrete walls, the freestanding bathtub, and the teak vanity with its stone top blend harmoniously.
An other bathroom takes a bolder approach. Brown-ochre zelliges tiles cover the entire walk-in shower, from top to bottom. The mirror is framed by black-and-white cement tiles with a diamond pattern. It creates a strong, graphic contrast in this home that otherwise embraces a softer aesthetic.
The garden holds a surprise. An outdoor shower has been installed against a white wall, sheltered by a bamboo screen and surrounded by reeds. The aged brass showerhead glows softly in the sun.
The covered terraces, arranged beneath the large arches, feature two distinct areas. A lounge area with low rattan furniture and kilim cushions. A dining area with a table. The view of the harbor is visible from everywhere.
Al Mar is a home where true luxury lies in simplicity and the gentle pace of life. The attention to materials and the coherence of the choices result in a very polished finish.
This house in Menorca offers some concrete ideas to consider for a seaside home in coastal regions. The arches create a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors. The concept of a covered terrace, which filters the sun, works just as well on the Atlantic coast as it does on the Mediterranean. Its palette of materials, light limestone, raw solid wood, rattan, and linen, also works well in other countries. These are materials that age gracefully in contact with the sea air and develop an elegant patina over time.
This house in Menorca is for sale at Fantastic Frank
Villa Al Mar occupies a rare vantage point overlooking the bay of Mahón, the deepest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. The colonial city stretches along the opposite shore, visible from the terrace like a magnificent postcard scene. And yet it is real...
A total renovation project, designed by Nicemakers
The studio that redesigned this 134sqm home is called Nicemakers. Based in Amsterdam, it has already worked on several projects in Menorca and has extensive experience with the island’s housing.
The studio started the renovation from scratch. It revised the structure, materials, and layout of the spaces. The materials chosen by Nicemakers range from Menorcan limestone and troweled plaster to solid wood. These three materials form the backbone of the interior and are sourced locally.
The house features two suite-style bedrooms, an open kitchen with an island, and a living room that extends outdoors. Its covered terraces with white arches provide shade from the sun and overlook the sea. The rooms of the house maintain a constant connection with the outdoors.
The arches are the elements that structure everything
These semicircular arches punctuate the facade and living spaces, creating natural frames overlooking the harbor. In the morning, cast shadows trace patterns on the terrace floor, and in the evening, the arches open onto a pale orange sky.
They pay homage to the island’s vernacular architecture, where covered galleries and loggias have always served as a transition between indoors and outdoors. The Nicemakers studio has revived a local architectural vocabulary by giving it a contemporary interpretation.
A decor that blends styles
The interior navigates between several influences. It is both bohemian and contemporary. The living room features a sofa with soft lines, a dark wood coffee table, and raw linen curtains. A black fireplace, set in a corner, adds a designer touch to this Mediterranean setting. The kitchen, with its low, ribbed teak wood cabinet fronts, contrasts with a light, almost white limestone countertop.
Its outdoor dining area is furnished with a table featuring a solid raw wood top and a leg carved from a single block. The large, flat rattan pendant lights resemble straw hats.
The bedrooms and their two distinct worlds
Its two suites have very different characters. The master bedroom opens onto the bathroom via a passageway that closes with a linen curtain. A white freestanding bathtub sits facing the window, with a view of the garden. The woven rattan ceiling light lends a soft warmth to this relaxation space.
The second bedroom takes a different approach. Its bedspread, embroidered with blue and gold floral motifs, is a product of local craftsmanship. On the wall, a natural wool rug with minimalist graphic patterns hangs like a work of art. A low-seated rattan chair completes the decor. The ensemble exudes an authentic and simple charm.
Two approaches and two atmospheres for the bathrooms
The master bedroom’s bathroom favors raw materials. The beige waxed concrete walls, the freestanding bathtub, and the teak vanity with its stone top blend harmoniously.
An other bathroom takes a bolder approach. Brown-ochre zelliges tiles cover the entire walk-in shower, from top to bottom. The mirror is framed by black-and-white cement tiles with a diamond pattern. It creates a strong, graphic contrast in this home that otherwise embraces a softer aesthetic.
The outdoor living spaces and the open-air shower
The garden holds a surprise. An outdoor shower has been installed against a white wall, sheltered by a bamboo screen and surrounded by reeds. The aged brass showerhead glows softly in the sun.
The covered terraces, arranged beneath the large arches, feature two distinct areas. A lounge area with low rattan furniture and kilim cushions. A dining area with a table. The view of the harbor is visible from everywhere.
Al Mar is a home where true luxury lies in simplicity and the gentle pace of life. The attention to materials and the coherence of the choices result in a very polished finish.
What inspiration can be drawn from this home for a seaside home?
This house in Menorca offers some concrete ideas to consider for a seaside home in coastal regions. The arches create a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors. The concept of a covered terrace, which filters the sun, works just as well on the Atlantic coast as it does on the Mediterranean. Its palette of materials, light limestone, raw solid wood, rattan, and linen, also works well in other countries. These are materials that age gracefully in contact with the sea air and develop an elegant patina over time.
This house in Menorca is for sale at Fantastic Frank
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