The home tastefully combines sandy tones, ebony accents and rustic materials
Cover The home tastefully combines sandy tones, ebony accents and rustic materials

The work of Mimouca Barcelona, this serene seaside retreat in Spain offers plenty of design ideas for the minimalist

Costa Brava (meaning wild coast in Spanish) sits in the hinterland of northeast Catalonia as one of Spain’s most popular holiday havens. Located in the historic city of Girona, it’s no wonder why. Rugged mountain ridges cuddle sandy bays of glistening emerald waters lining up to an extensive, picturesque coastline.

And of the many beach towns dotting this trajectory is Llafranc, a medieval city with narrow streets rich with gastronomic and boutique commercial provisions. Iconic landmarks, such as the 14th-century San Sebastián Lighthouse and the Camino de Ronda de Calella de Palafrugell—a scenic coastal walk—trailing against the Les Gavarres Mountains promise summer days backed by history and nature.

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Marta Casas, founder of Mimouca Barcelona
Above Marta Casas, founder of Mimouca Barcelona

It is against this setting that the owners of this house in Llafranc have chosen to spend time away from the city with their three teenage daughters. They purchased the four-storey, semi-detached abode, located in the Ses Brises district. It is perched on elevated land to accord the occupants panoramic vistas and privacy within a charming shell of tangerine-tiled roofs and Menorcan windows.

To customise the property for the family’s needs, the owners called upon interior design firm Mimouca Barcelona. “The client wanted a comfortable, practical and warm house to enjoy family weekends and vacations,” says the firm’s founder, Marta Casas. “We designed the layout such that each family member has his or her own space, but there are also common areas for moments with friends and family.”

See also: Interior Design: 10 Home Trends To Watch In 2020

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A painting by Gao Xingjian adds artistic flair to  the living room
Above A painting by Gao Xingjian adds artistic flair to the living room
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The entrance hall features the Norman armchair by Arnau-Reyna for Carmenes and an artwork by Aitor Ortiz from Galerias Senda
Above The entrance hall features the Norman armchair by Arnau-Reyna for Carmenes and an artwork by Aitor Ortiz from Galerias Senda

Past lush planting on the street level, a staircase travels down a storey to the main parts of the house. It comprises three bedrooms and the fluidly connected living, dining and kitchen zones. 

Low-slung cream sofas hug a corner of the living room and cloister around rough-hewn coffee tables in an inviting manner. Here, the fluid lines of Chinese artist and novelist Gao Xingjian’s Double Vue painting projects movement onto the still walls. His poetic ink-on-paper composition juxtaposes with heritage door panels at the kitchen that the owner acquired at an auction.  

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'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 3 This custom-made outdoor sofa was designed by Mimouca Barcelona
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Outside, the garden terrace is given equal attention by Casas, who crafts it to segue with nature. Waxed pine walls envelop a sofa in grey upholstery using fabrics from Romo. A bamboo-and-polycarbonate pergola framed in iron completes the bucolic hideaway. “The goal is to enjoy the sea views with maximum comfort,” Casas explains.   

See also: Home Tour: A Minimalist Apartment In Singapore With French Influences

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A Nani Marquina rug sits beneath the black dining table and chairs from Dareels
Above A Nani Marquina rug sits beneath the black dining table and chairs from Dareels
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While this level enjoys a more intimate dialogue with the landscape, the second-storey master bedroom suite feels more exclusive, with impressive views to wake up to. The spacious room is defined by a ceiling tracing the gabled roof’s triangulated peak, according it with a lofty feel. Casas inserts built-in closets in lightly painted, saw-cut pine. It frames the bed, which is made snug with linens from Maison de Vacances and cushions from Teixidors. Gervasoni bedside tables accompany Bamboo pendant lights conceived by Israeli designer Arik Levy for Forestier, melding soft and hard materials.    

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'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 4 Wooden bifold shutters separate the kitchen from the dining and living areas
Photo 2 of 4 An assortment of Serax tableware adds a homely touch
Photo 3 of 4 The kitchen features wooden bowls from Dareels that match the abode’s rustic theme
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A large sliding door leads into the master bathroom. When opened, it further enhances the room’s spaciousness. Here, smoky grey micro cement walls and black-painted skirting continue the neutral foil. Twin cement-coloured Shui washbasins from Cielo Ceramica echo the touches of the greyscale colour scheme. Custom-designed vanity mirrors bordered by a black iron framework, a black towel holder, black bath and washbasin fixtures and even the door handle point to Casas’ thoroughness.

See also: Home Tour: A Glamorous Apartment That Mixes Art With Gold Accents

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The Bamboo pendant light by Arik Levy for Forestier adds to the textural details in the master bedroom
Above The Bamboo pendant light by Arik Levy for Forestier adds to the textural details in the master bedroom
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This bedroom features bed linens and cushions by Maison de Vacances
Above This bedroom features bed linens and cushions by Maison de Vacances
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The bathrooms feature washbasins from Cielo Ceramica, taps from Bruma and mirrors with black iron frames
Above The bathrooms feature washbasins from Cielo Ceramica, taps from Bruma and mirrors with black iron frames
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The black towel rails in the shower area are  from Bruma
Above The black towel rails in the shower area are from Bruma

Considering both big gestures and minute details results in a thoughtfully designed holiday home that the owners look forward to visiting. “The order, comfort and warmth of the spaces, together with the freshness, luminosity and harmony are among the things that they appreciate most,” Casas affirms.

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