This house in Menorca charms us with its expansive surroundings
Nestled among wild olive trees in Ciutadella, this house in Menorca blends its white architecture with lush natural surroundings
Menorca has long attracted those seeking to escape the overly touristy islands of the Balearics. It has managed to preserve something rare: farmland that remains untouched, coastlines free of concrete, and ancient vernacular architecture. This house in Menorca, Casa Apolo, fits perfectly into this setting. It is a home designed for year-round living on the island, located ten minutes from one of the most famous beaches in the south.
We find it nestled beside its large swimming pool, and it’s impossible to guess its age. It was built at the turn of the century, and yet it seems as though it has always been there, so seamlessly does it blend into its surroundings. Such is the nature of well-designed homes...
Its form is simple, featuring thick white walls and window frames made of untreated wood. The main house (as it consists of several buildings) is laid out over two levels in a classic layout. The ground floor houses the living spaces, which open onto the outdoors. And upstairs, there’s a separate bedroom with its own bathroom and a rooftop terrace, from which you can see all the way to Mallorca on a clear day. This upstairs bedroom functions almost like a separate apartment. Three other bedrooms are located on the ground floor.
The guest house, nestled a little further back among the trees, features a bedroom with its own bathroom and a spacious studio. This way, everyone can have some privacy, and then everyone can come together for fun times by the pool.
As you step into Casa Apolo, you immediately grasp the central theme. Solid pine is everywhere. It covers the walls of a bedroom with its light-colored vertical paneling. It adorns the kitchen, the custom-built cabinets, and the window sills. In its natural state, it adds warmth to the white spaces. Not everyone likes pine, or the way it ages, sometimes turning almost orange. But here, it’s a logical choice for a home that balances contemporary design with its original rustic charm.
The kitchen reinforces this design choice. Solid pine cabinets line three sides of the room and frame a generous central island. The brushed stainless steel countertops provide a matte, contemporary contrast that prevents the space from feeling overly rustic. Its exposed ceiling beams are made of the same wood.
The living room features several sage-green sofas. You can recognize the IKEA Söderhamn model, a simple choice for a vacation home where you don’t want to overcomplicate things. It opens onto the terrace through large sliding glass doors draped with natural linen curtains. The white resin outdoor armchairs have a slight ’60s vibe. The distinction between inside and outside blurs pleasantly.
The main terrace extends under a pergola made of reclaimed wood. There’s a light-wood table, white lounge chairs by the pool, and white resin armchairs in the covered outdoor seating area. Each space is designed for a different time of day. You spend the morning in the shade of the pergola, the afternoon in the sun by the water, and the evening around the table. The pool has a unique shape. A little further into the woods, you’ll notice a charming circular dry-stone fountain and its basin.
Europe have long been interested in Menorca, dating back to around the 1990s. The island has the advantage of being a short-distance flight from major European cities and offering a pleasant environment.
There’s also a cultural affinity. Menorcan architecture, white and understated, resonates directly with European sensibilities, which favor southern-style homes. The decorative style of Casa Apolo, raw wood, natural textiles, and simple objects, is exactly what interior design magazines have been championing for a decade.
The house has everything you need: a sense of seclusion without being far from everything, lush vegetation, and neutral, comfortable interiors. The use of pine wood gives it a strong identity. Its outdoor spaces are designed for everyday use. And the guest house is a real asset for families and groups of friends.
It sits on a vast plot in the garrigue. Centuries-old olive trees, pines, oaks, and a few palm trees form a dense natural setting. This is confirmed by the aerial view. The house is absorbed by the vegetation. The orange-tiled roof of the main structure, equipped with solar panels, barely rises above the canopy. It’s enough to make you feel almost alone in the world (while still being close to civilization).
This house in Menorca is located in the Ciutadella de Menorca area, the historic capital of the island on the west coast. Catalan is spoken here, and the Festa de Sant Joan is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The narrow streets of the historic center have preserved their Gothic palaces and convents. The southern beaches, some of which are among the most photographed in the Mediterranean, are just a few minutes’ drive away.
This house in Menorca with a pool, Casa Apolo, is for sale through Fantastic Frank Menorca for €2,400,000
We find it nestled beside its large swimming pool, and it’s impossible to guess its age. It was built at the turn of the century, and yet it seems as though it has always been there, so seamlessly does it blend into its surroundings. Such is the nature of well-designed homes...
Unpretentious white architecture
Its form is simple, featuring thick white walls and window frames made of untreated wood. The main house (as it consists of several buildings) is laid out over two levels in a classic layout. The ground floor houses the living spaces, which open onto the outdoors. And upstairs, there’s a separate bedroom with its own bathroom and a rooftop terrace, from which you can see all the way to Mallorca on a clear day. This upstairs bedroom functions almost like a separate apartment. Three other bedrooms are located on the ground floor.
The guest house, nestled a little further back among the trees, features a bedroom with its own bathroom and a spacious studio. This way, everyone can have some privacy, and then everyone can come together for fun times by the pool.
The use of pine wood in the house
As you step into Casa Apolo, you immediately grasp the central theme. Solid pine is everywhere. It covers the walls of a bedroom with its light-colored vertical paneling. It adorns the kitchen, the custom-built cabinets, and the window sills. In its natural state, it adds warmth to the white spaces. Not everyone likes pine, or the way it ages, sometimes turning almost orange. But here, it’s a logical choice for a home that balances contemporary design with its original rustic charm.
The kitchen
The kitchen reinforces this design choice. Solid pine cabinets line three sides of the room and frame a generous central island. The brushed stainless steel countertops provide a matte, contemporary contrast that prevents the space from feeling overly rustic. Its exposed ceiling beams are made of the same wood.
The living room
The living room features several sage-green sofas. You can recognize the IKEA Söderhamn model, a simple choice for a vacation home where you don’t want to overcomplicate things. It opens onto the terrace through large sliding glass doors draped with natural linen curtains. The white resin outdoor armchairs have a slight ’60s vibe. The distinction between inside and outside blurs pleasantly.
Outdoor areas
The main terrace extends under a pergola made of reclaimed wood. There’s a light-wood table, white lounge chairs by the pool, and white resin armchairs in the covered outdoor seating area. Each space is designed for a different time of day. You spend the morning in the shade of the pergola, the afternoon in the sun by the water, and the evening around the table. The pool has a unique shape. A little further into the woods, you’ll notice a charming circular dry-stone fountain and its basin.
Menorca and European people
Europe have long been interested in Menorca, dating back to around the 1990s. The island has the advantage of being a short-distance flight from major European cities and offering a pleasant environment.
There’s also a cultural affinity. Menorcan architecture, white and understated, resonates directly with European sensibilities, which favor southern-style homes. The decorative style of Casa Apolo, raw wood, natural textiles, and simple objects, is exactly what interior design magazines have been championing for a decade.
What stands out about this house in Menorca
The house has everything you need: a sense of seclusion without being far from everything, lush vegetation, and neutral, comfortable interiors. The use of pine wood gives it a strong identity. Its outdoor spaces are designed for everyday use. And the guest house is a real asset for families and groups of friends.
It sits on a vast plot in the garrigue. Centuries-old olive trees, pines, oaks, and a few palm trees form a dense natural setting. This is confirmed by the aerial view. The house is absorbed by the vegetation. The orange-tiled roof of the main structure, equipped with solar panels, barely rises above the canopy. It’s enough to make you feel almost alone in the world (while still being close to civilization).
Ciutadella, a city that has managed to preserve its authentic charm
This house in Menorca is located in the Ciutadella de Menorca area, the historic capital of the island on the west coast. Catalan is spoken here, and the Festa de Sant Joan is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The narrow streets of the historic center have preserved their Gothic palaces and convents. The southern beaches, some of which are among the most photographed in the Mediterranean, are just a few minutes’ drive away.
This house in Menorca with a pool, Casa Apolo, is for sale through Fantastic Frank Menorca for €2,400,000
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