A Modern Classic, Shaped by the Mediterranean
A Modern Classic, Shaped by the Mediterranean
Nestled in the foothills of Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana, this stunning retreat was a long-held dream of Mashamba’s client — a Nordic family seeking an authentic yet modern escape in the sun. Surrounded by almond groves and dramatic mountain silhouettes, the home’s clean lines and timeless Mediterranean materials embody modern classic elegance.
For the gardens, the family wanted outdoor spaces that complemented the home’s style, could be enjoyed year-round and felt as if they had always belonged. They turned to Mashamba’s Alexander and Jennifer Warren-Gash to bring their vision to life.
Beauty in Every Season
From the start, the homeowners recognised a shared alignment in design, style and taste, saying that, “we all spoke the same language.” Trusting fully in Mashamba’s expertise, they granted Alexander and Jennifer creative freedom — an opportunity that allowed the landscape to unfold in its most authentic form.
Alexander set out to design a garden that offers the family a year-round retreat, attuned to the cycles of the Mediterranean. “The beauty of a well-designed garden is that it’s never static,” Alexander explains. “I design so that each season offers new textures, scents and colours that draw you outside.”
Throughout the year, different elements take center stage. Spring ushers in vibrant hues across the dry garden with flowering Limonium sinuatum (statice), Echium candicans (pride of Madeira) and Bulbine frutescens (bulbinella). In summer, the meadows and poolside area come alive — ornamental grasses sway, bees buzz and aromatic plants release their fragrance under the hot Mediterranean sun.
Autumn’s golden hues soften the landscape, with textured grasses and seed heads creating a warm, painterly effect. Even in winter, citrus brings a welcome splash of colour that contrasts with the evergreen sculptural forms of Olea europaea (olive), Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) and topiary Teucrium fruticans (germander).
“The beauty of a well-designed garden is that it’s never static. I design so that each season offers new textures, scents & colours that draw you outside.”
Designed to Belong
Blurring the lines between garden and surrounding landscape, Alexander’s designs ground the home in its surroundings, making it feel as if it’s always belonged. Formal gardens near the house, structured with cloud gardens and palms, gradually transition to relaxed, sweeping meadows. Planted with Salvia yangii (Russian sage), Pennisetum alopecuroides (Chinese fountain grass) and the native Pistacia lentiscus (mastic), these open spaces soften the shift into the surrounding almond fields, extending the feel of the garden far beyond its boundaries.
The meadows serve both visual and experiential roles. The lower meadow, stretching out beneath the terraces, opens to sweeping mountain views, its ever-changing hues reflecting the seasons. Closer to the pool, a second meadow invites immersion, its winding pathways encouraging slow sensorial walks through swaying grasses, colourful flowers alive with pollinators and sage-scented foliage.
Anchoring the landscape, Alexander planted over a dozen mature olive trees that stand as living art, their aged, gnarled trunks imparting a sense of permanence. Full-sized palms add a subtle tropical note — their graceful fronds catching the breeze and providing dappled shade — while enhancing the sense that the garden has been there for generations.
Rooted in Mediterranean Tradition
Besides its Mediterranean aesthetics, the garden also embraces the Mediterranean way of life — one lived outdoors. To soften the home’s expansive terraces and make them an inviting, year-round space, Jennifer included dozens of handmade terracotta pots and urns. “Terracotta was a natural choice for the home,” she explains. “The rich colour and aged patina infuse the terraces with warmth and an authentic Mediterranean feeling that matches the home’s aesthetic.”
Planted with lollipop olives, the flowering Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican fleabane), Myrsine africana (African boxwood) and Cycas revoluta (sago palm), the pots bring nature to the doorstep, ensuring the terraces remain vibrant and full of life in every season.
Another distinctly Mediterranean element is the home’s herb garden, a nod to Mallorca’s traditional productive gardens. Instead of rigid rows or structured beds, Alexander designed it as a natural, free-flowing space where culinary and ornamental plants grow side-by-side. Sage, rosemary, thyme, lemongrass, mint, bay, and chives all intermingle with evergreen shrubs, artichoke, flowering apricots, pomegranate and citrus trees, creating a garden that feels organic and abundant. And at its center, an ancient olive tree offers shade, structure and a sense of belonging.
The result is a garden that’s a natural extension of the home and surrounding enviroment – all shaped by Mallorca’s seasons, climate, traditions and landscape.
And the clients favorite spot? A simple table for two under the olive tree where they enjoy the planted meadow, dry garden and mountain view. This intimate setting exemplifies the garden’s balance of sophistication, practicality and Mediterranean charm.
Photos by Clive Nichols and Alexander Warren-Gash