Perched high above the sea, this Port Andratx holiday home features breathtaking views from every vantage. Yet despite the stunning backdrop and a remodel, the outdoor spaces fell short of their potential. The owners, a young London-based family, turned to Mashamba designer Jennifer Warren-Gash to breathe new life and magic into the exterior spaces.
Jennifer explains, “Although the terraces and courtyard were finished with luxurious materials, they felt uninspiring. They simply weren’t spaces where you’d want to spend much time. It was clear they needed finishing touches to add character, warmth and a wow factor that complemented the dramatic surroundings.”
The home’s interior courtyard, which doubles as a driveway and main entry, was originally an expanse of outdated terracotta and stucco. By introducing greenery, colour and texture, Jennifer was able to soften the hardscape to create a warm welcome home for her clients.
Large groupings of verdant plants like Strelitzia augusta (giant bird of paradise), Agave attenuata (foxtail agave), Monstera deliciosa (monstera) and Olea europaea (olive) dot the courtyard and frame the front door, adding depth and softness to the once-barren areas.
Clay pots from Atelier Vierkant add texture and visual allure to the outdoor space. Each piece is a sculptural work of art – hand-carved and meticulously finished by artisans in Belgium. Their modern shapes and rich textures and tones perfectly capture the laid-back elegance the clients sought, making them a natural choice for the Port Andratx home.
Outdated flower beds were reimagined into built-in benches and a custom water feature – all accented with statement scalloped tiles. The tiles’ rich blue hues and glossy finish reflect sunlight and echo the colors of the nearby Mediterranean Sea. Soft furnishings give the space purpose and lend a cosy, welcoming feel.
“The entry is now my favorite part of the home,” Jennifer shares. “Beyond being a beautiful, inviting space, the design really ties together the home’s coastal-inspired aesthetic.”
The clients desired a laid-back but luxurious beach vibe and blue – one of their favourite colours – served as the ideal foundation for Jennifer’s designs. She selected a simple yet striking palette of deep blues and creamy neutrals layered with greenery and accented by wood and woven furnishings.
The contrast of the color combination energises the living areas, but individually, each hue evokes a sense of calm. The dual effect creates the perfect retreat for the family to unwind and recharge from their bustling London lives.
An unexpected addition to the colour scheme comes from custom striped pots, the dark blue carefully chosen to complement the blue of the home’s shutters. The hand-painted, organic lines add charm and depth to the design without overpowering the space.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the pots also create a pathway that guides you to the sea view and pool area. Jennifer explains, “One of my key roles as a designer is space planning. It’s more than arranging objects. It’s the gentle art of revealing a property’s potential by creating flow and ensuring spaces feel welcoming and meaningful.”
A RETREAT TO ADORE
“With the clients so easygoing and happy to trust my design vision, challenges were minimal on this project,’ says Jennifer. The result is a luxurious Mediterranean retreat that the family adores. As they shared, ‘We feel so lucky to have found Jennifer. She listened to our very mixed-up ideas and created exactly the look we were hoping to achieve. We absolutely love the feel and the design that the plants and pots have brought to the house, both inside and out.”
“We feel so lucky to have found Jennifer. She listened to our very mixed-up ideas and created exactly the look we were hoping to achieve. We absolutely love the feel and the design that the plants and pots have brought to the house, both inside and out.”
– Port Andratx homeowners
Designed by Jennifer Warren-Gash, Lead Designer at Mashamba Designs.
Photos by Pernilla Danielsson of Lifestyle Mallorca.
