Jan 16

Jan 16 Simple pleasures

abode Magazine

Architecture, Colour, Garden, Interior Design, Landscaping, Lifestyle, Renovation, Outdoor Living, Style

Inspired by nature on the island of Mallorca, Spain, this young family’s holiday retreat combines laidback style with emotional appeal.

WORDS Robyn Alexander PHOTOGRAPHY Greg Cox PRODUCTION Sven Alberding / Bureaux

The kitchen opens on two sides to the exterior spaces, which means the interior is often filled with the scents of the wild rosemary, lavender, peppermint, orange and lemon trees in the garden.

“Sóller felt like a hidden treasure when we discovered it – a creative haven set against the backdrop of the Tramuntana mountains,” says Anna Lauerbach-Kalff of the charming small town in Mallorca, Spain. It’s the enchanting location of this holiday home that she shares with husband Joachim Kalff and their young children Henry and Ava.

Situated on the western side of the island, just a short journey by bicycle or the vintage local tram to the coast and its spectacular beaches, Sóller’s quaint cobbled streets are lined with orange trees, and it has a decidedly laid-back feel. It is a relaxed spot that plays host to a community of resident and visiting artists, designers and filmmakers, yet has a refreshing lack of pretension.

This “perfect balance of Mediterranean warmth and a cosmopolitan creative energy” first attracted Anna – a fashion-industry and PR maven – and Joachim, the owner of a consulting company, to the area. The couple weren’t actively looking for a holiday home, but had been living in Mallorca for two years when they happened upon this house in early 2023. They were instantly smitten.

“There’s no other way to describe it – it was love at first sight,” says Anna. “I remember walking through the door, and my husband and I just exchanged a look, as if we both knew without saying a word that this was our place. The house seemed to radiate warmth and calm, as though it had been waiting for us all along.”

The emotional connection translated into a clear sense that this was the place to create a tranquil summer retreat from their busy working lives, mainly in Munich, Germany. The house had been previously renovated in an authentic, sustainable style that invited further improvements with a similarly slow-living ethos. Aspects of the original architecture – including beautifully weathered wooden doors – had been retained, preserving its charm, while updates such as polished concrete floors seamlessly blended more contemporary finishes and fixtures with the vintage elements.

This made the existing house the perfect base to which to add more personal touches and to be creative with the interior design, Anna says. Back in Munich after the purchase had been made, she began work on a mood board for the interiors, that soon became a full-scale design guide. “The goal was clear,” she says. “A Mediterranean modern aesthetic, rooted in simplicity. Warm earthy tones like beige, brown and mustard were to be balanced with white, while two of my favourite colours – a soft sky blue and a grounding, positive orange – became key elements.”

Her chosen hues perfectly reflect the surroundings, where the endless blues of sky and sea meet the subtle citrus shades of orange, lemon and olive trees.

“I love when interiors have the time to grow,” says Anna. “I enjoy adding new finds over time, and I never actively search for things; instead, treasures find me. I wholeheartedly trust in this process.” In the guest bedroom, the rustic trestle table was made by a local carpenter.

The property, now dubbed Casa Nana, very much blurs the boundaries between indoors and out, connecting the natural world with the home’s interiors. “We completely redesigned the outside spaces, including the garden, pergola and lounge area,” says Anna.

The aim was to create a landscape in the tradition of Dutch garden-design visionary Piet Oudolf. “I wanted it to feel wild and dreamy, with high beds brimming with tomatoes, salads and peppers, and an abundance of herbs for cooking and tea,” she adds. Any visitor need only spend an hour or two feasting from platters of freshly prepared natural produce beneath the garden’s rustic pergola to understand how well this ideal has been realised.

Back indoors, the goal was to keep the space as organic and connected to nature as possible. “A light, airy environment with a sense of calm,” as Anna puts it.

Natural materials such as concrete and wood are a focus of the interiors, complemented by handcrafted elements and vintage ceramics that add a dimension of timelessness. Commissioning local artisans to create new elements such as wood and raffia cabinetry and a custom-made wooden table was also important to the couple, says Anna.

Of course, island life does not move at the same speed as a big city, and the family embraced the need for patience. Anna says that waiting several months for the handcrafted pieces became part of their story. “A journey of learning, growing and taking our time.”

Other furnishings include an iconic Spanish chair in the living room, originally created by Danish designer Børge Mogensen in 1958, and the same designer’s classic J39 chairs – in continuous production since their launch in 1947 – around the dining table.

Having grown up in a family of architects, art has always been a significant part of Anna’s life, and a number of carefully selected contemporary artworks add a thought-provoking dimension to the interiors at Casa Nana. Pieces crafted by the family themselves add a personal decorative layer to the house.

The name Casa Nana is derived from Ava’s pet name for her older brother. This, says Anna, represents the joy and warmth that define this place.

“We’re passionate about creating lasting memories here, whether it’s picking fresh herbs for meals, having fun at the pool, or hosting barbecues with friends. This house is a sanctuary, not just a structure – it’s where we celebrate life, family, friends and nature’s quiet miracles.”