Madrid-based designer Lorenzo Castillo not only found a long-time client this 18th century villa above the sea on the same street as his own on the Spanish island of Menorca, but he also married the island’s storied history to the present in its interior design. This was the 10th project for this client, and no wonder, with results like these.
The setting doesn’t hurt either. The boho blues used throughout are the thread that ties the interiors together and the interior as a whole to the sea just outside the door. The terrace was an addition, but it’s impossible to tell that. I’m loving that ottoman–antique rugs top and bottom and a Pierre Frey leopard print on the sides.
Now, back to that drawing room…
I love the geometric qualities of this room–the rectanguar panels in the folding screen that echo the French doors into the adjoining space, the squares of the coffee table insert, and the circles of the over-sized art by Vivian Suter.
The Napolean III carrara mable mantel was reclaimed from a Neapolitan palace. “Above everything,, Lorenzo is an antiques dealer,” says the owner of this villa. “Because of this, he is very coherent in how he blends fabrics and furniture.”
I like how the half-moon rattan lamp shade and its gracefully curved base offset the trompe l’oeil panels painted on the screen.
Castillo’s talent with blending fabric and furniture is apparent throughout. Like the one on the terrace, this ottoman is made from an antique rug on top and sided with an opulent fabric. It cleverly foreshadows the marquetry sideboard visible in the next room, both in color and patterning.
On to the next course…
The kitchen has a wonderful boho vibe going with the mustard-yellow custom island and the fringed shades on the overhead gilt-bronze chandelier sourced from a Madrid palace. The blue-and-white tiles are Andalusian.
I love all the lovely baskets, the inserts in the upper cabinet doors, and the “fencing” along the cabinet tops.
The dining room seems at first glance formal–perhaps because of the Qing dynasty cabinet flanked so symmetrically by vintage plates. In contrast, the table is quite modern in style and the folding chairs quite relaxed looking, though all are vintage.
Private spaces…
A sitting room doubles as a guest bedroom. Who wouldn’t want to stay a while and curl up on this daybed? The faux-malachite-painted side table mimics the ceiling, which was scraped back to reveal its original verdigris color.
I’m eyeing the vintage 1970s white-painted Spanish rattan chair occupying pride of place in the foreground of this boy’s bedroom. The bedcover and folding screen are both done in a blue velvet from Castillo’s fabric collection.
Back to the sea…
Not sure I’d ever leave this room if it were mine.
Castillo has again married antique with new in the headboard textiles, where a Guell Lamadrid stripe is flanked by an antique ikat. The art deco sofa is French. Its golden color somehow softens the room–like sand on a beach–and the leopard-print pillows add some pop.
Now, which door to choose? I’m thinking both are delightful destinations and going through one will eventually lead to the other in a circle back to the bedroom. That tub through the one on the left is a teaser, though. Let’s try that first.
Okay, so I said I’d never leave the bedroom, but this bath is to suffer and die for. But it’s a package deal, right? Primary bedroom and primary bath. And primary terrace overlooking the primary sea. I couldn’t ask for more, unless it’s that primary walk-in shower in the corner.
More palatial furnishings here: The vanity was fashioned from a mahogany Regency chest, and the mirror is 19th century Venetian.
If you want more…
This tour appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of Elle Decor. Follow the link to read the full article “Reading the Classics” by Camille Okhio. Or click on the (affiliate) links below to subscribe to the print or Kindle versions of the magazine.
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