UTOPIA | The Definitive House & Home Bible | Issue 10

THE KING HAS ARRIVED

Interiors by

The Definitive House & Home Bible From the middle of August you’ll find the world’s finest linen and towelling conveniently located with free parking.

King of Cotton has an established reputation for high quality at reasonable prices, come and see for yourself or visit our website.

EST

1880

KING OF COTTON The world’s finest linen and towelling www.kingofcotton.com

K I N G O F C OT TO N , C E N T R O C O M E R C I A L L A C O L O N I A A V E N I D A D E L A V I R G E N D E L R O C Í O 6 - 7 2 9 6 7 0 S A N P E D R O D E A L C Á N TA R A , M A R B E L L A , M Á L A G A T : 0 3 3 4 9 5 1 2 3 9 3 0 5

Certain things in life deserve to be tailor-made. Wake-up to the home of your dreams..

10 villas, tailored to your exacting requirements

From €1,950,000 Believe in the beauty of your dreams...

Dreams are just wishes unfulfilled. But dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature wouldn’t haunt us with them.

Picture white-washed buildings with a seductive backdrop of densely-wooded, deep emerald mountains. An area steeped in history and tradition.

Home to some of the finest, most talked about restaurants in Southern Spain. The place where you’ll find everything your heart desires...

No dream you have dared to dream is beyond your grasp. And it’s with great pride that Atlas Signature Homes present you with a unique opportunity.

A choice of ten plots in the most perfect location...

Centro Comercial Atenea, Local 1 y 17 Ctra. N-340, Km. 168, 29680, Estepona, Málaga

Introducing the Atlas Signature Collection...

Wouldn’t it be great to commission your own villa to your own exacting requirements?

Atlas Signature Homes are offering you the opportunity to tailor-make your perfect home, set in the chic enclave of Benahavis, Marbella.

Designed by leading architects, masters at harmonising the contemporary with tradition, each stunning villa will be a vision of unparalleled quality and luxury.

We have acquired a spectacular selection of 10 plots, in an exclusive location, that are the perfect setting for you to relax, play and unwind.

Benahavís, an area steeped in culture and tradition.

To make your dream come true, we have engaged with three of Europe’s leading architects. Each has the ability to tailor make one of their works to ensure it fits your lifestyle and requirements.

Over 300 days of sunshine per year and tucked a few kilometres inland from the coast, the picture perfect village.

Artisans from all walks of life have created a relaxed and cultured environment that is the envy of many.

Benahavís is home to 12 of the Costa del Sol’s 70 golf courses and for more energetic outdoor pursuits, the surrounding spectacular mountains of the Serranía de Ronda and Guadalmina river give hours of pleasure.

Contact Atlas Signature Homes www.atlasbenahavis.com info@atlassignaturehomes.com (+34) 951 350 068

UNIQUE VILLA IN VEGA DEL COLORADO

EXCLUSIVE LISTING as featured in the back cover

Ref: V6094 | Build Size: 879 m² Plot size: 2.750 m² | Terrace: 372m²

Price: 7.500.000€ Stunning and immaculate, contemporary south facing 6 bedroom villa situated in the gated community of Vega Del Colorado above Nueva Andalucia’s Golf Valley. This exceptional property offers only the very finest materials and has a generous, private plot with lovely views to the sea. An extraordinary residence in every way which truly must be seen to be appreciated.

Some features include: High vaulted ceiling, a separate dining room and family room, high specification and fully equipped spacious kitchen with dining area, central elevator, indoor heated pool, cinema room, gym, bodega, air conditioning and under floor heating, feature fireplace, lovely ¨chiringuito¨and BBQ, mini golf, direct access to padel court, 3 car port, 3 car garage, 24 hr security...

STUNNING VILLA IN LAS BRISAS WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS

Price: 2.450.000€ Immaculate 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom villa situated in a cul-de-sac in the heart of the prestigious Las Brisas Urbanisation (Nueva Andalucia) offering panoramic views of the La Concha Mountain and of The Golf Valley.

The property, which is designed by renowned architect Miguel Tobal in 2008, offers superb, high specification materials with a lift and with a layout distributed with comfort in mind.

This impressive property offers features such as a superb Clive Christian, high specification and

well equipped kitchen, cream marble flooring, individual per room air conditioning under floor heating throughout, a lovely feature fireplace, satellite tv and 300mb fibre internet, Otis elevator for 6 persons, gym/music room, cinema/games room area, solar panels for hot water, 4 car garage + additional parking for up to 7 cars and more.

The landscaped gardens with automatic irrigation system has a large swimming pool and poolside gazebo, ideal to enjoy our superb climate.

Ref: V5223 | Build Size: 607 m² | Plot size: 1.872 m²

WASA REAL ESTATE CC Centro Plaza 65-66, Nueva Andalucía 952 818 000 / 607 818 002 peter@wasa.es www.wasa.es

IMMACULATE APARTMENT IN MAGNA MARBELLA Ref: A3431 | Build Size: 156 m² | Terrace: 63 m²

Price: 935.000€ Fully renovated, south west facing, corner 3 bed, 3.5 bathroom elevated garden apartment with a private garden and plunge pool, enjoying stunning views to the sea and mountains.

Some features include: Brand new, fully equipped, high specification kitchen, air conditioning and under floor heating throughout, new

bathrooms, lovely decking on the generous terraces, direct access to the main community pool, garage space, gated community with 24 hour security and much more.

Without doubt one of the finest units in Magna. A genuine villa feeling in an apartment with sea views.

Must be seen!

BEAUTIFUL GARDEN APARTMENT IN ALOHA PARK Ref: A3528 | Build Size: 229 m² | Terrace: 124 m²

Price: 1.350.000€ Impeccable, south west facing 3 bed, 3.5 bath apartment with private garden and pool, situated in the much sought after Aloha Park Urbanisation (Nueva Andalucia). The property has direct, private access to the adjacent main community pool area, ideal for a family.

It also enjoys lovely garden, pool mountain and sea views.

Some features include: Individual/per room under floor heating and air conditioning, fully equipped high specification Siematic kitchen, on site service office, 24hr security, enclosed community and much more. A genuine villa feeling without the inconvenience!

Must be seen to be appreciated.

WASA REAL ESTATE CC Centro Plaza 65-66, Nueva Andalucía 952 818 000 / 607 818 002 peter@wasa.es www.wasa.es

% 40 SO LD Naturally Modern Living

�Bask in the light, breathe in the mountain air, enjoy complete peace and tranquillity, at Palo Alto your ideal home awaits.�

PaloAltoMarbella.COM

• Contemporary architecture by acclaimed architects, Villarroel Torrico • Premium quality kitchens and bathrooms by Gunni & Trentino • 5 minutes from La Cañada • Health Club with indoor pool, concierge, business centre, kids club • Easy and secure payment plan • Limited availability • 2 bed apartments from €440,000, 3 beds from €530,000

TO BOOK A TOUR, CALL 900 102 322

PALO ALTO

BEYOND IMAGINATION

IMAGINE YOUR PERFECT HOME. IMAGINE A PLACE OF PEACE AND QUIET, AN OASIS OF LUXURIOUS AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN SURROUNDED BY STUNNING LANDSCAPES AND NATURE. IMAGINE THAT SUCH A PLACE IS ONLY FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM THE THRILLING MARBELLA LIFE. NOW STOP IMAGINING, BECAUSE THIS DREAM IS ABOUT TO COME TRUE. Palo Alto is the new project that Round Hill developers, the leading global real estate investment firm, are building for those looking for a nirvana while, at the same time, enjoying being only five minutes away from the buzz and excitement of Marbella life. The new luxury gated residential development is situated in the municipality of Ojén and has easy access to both Marbella and the AP-7 main motorway.

The development is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty that will perfectly match the elegant and contemporary architecture by award winning architects Villarroel Torrico. The brand has designed some of the most prestigious residential communities in Marbella such as Marina de Puente Romano, Alhambra del Mar and Mansion Club. Palo Alto inevitably benefits from such genius and blends modern aesthetics, comfort, luxury and superb amenities with the very best of Mother Nature.

While the architectural design of the development is magnificent, Gunni & Trentino’s interior designers have selected the very best fixtures and fittings.

The two, three and four bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom penthouses offer standards that are one step above the rest. Every home will have high quality flooring, fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms and a lighting system chosen to create a cosy and warm environment. The apartments have everything necessary to evoke the ease and peace that the area offers from the most sublime comfort of a perfect home. And, what is most important, every client has the possibility to shape and customise the design with all the extras and upgrades available to turn their apartment into a very personal home.

Commenting on the design of the apartments, Simon Boxus, Palo Alto Sales Director, said “Palo Alto is by far the best development I have been involved with. It is a delight to work with architects and developers that understand the real meaning of ‘luxury’ as well as paying detailed attention to their clients’ needs and desires. Clients’ special requests are listened to and studied to offer personalised options to them, something unique in our industry. In my opinion Palo Alto will be the new premium address on the Coast.”

UTOPIA - 12

Another key feature of Palo Alto is the on-site amenities. The development will offer much more than just the usual combo of gardens and outdoor swimming pools. Palo Alto’s phase one, which was launched in mid-July 2016, will include an elegant health club, ideal for socialising and enjoying the privileged environment with neighbours and friends. The facilities will include a gym, fitness studio and indoor pool as well as spa, sauna and steam room, a place to pamper yourself in the best way possible.

Palo Alto is also the perfect family friendly residential development. It offers the possibility of spending time together in the beautifully landscaped gardens and pool areas consisting of 2 adult pools, one with a heated lap pool as well as 2 kids pools. It is also a great place for parents to relax in the cafeteria while the little ones socialise and have fun in the Kid’s Club. The development also offers 24-hour security, a business centre and complete concierge service.

“Palo Alto will be the new premium address on the Coast.”

The construction of phase one is due to commence by end of 2016, yet 40 per cent of its 75 units have already been sold. Ailse Warriner-MacFarlane, Marketing Director of Palo Alto comments, “We have been delighted with the response to the launch of Palo Alto, both from agents as well as end buyers. The balance of nature combined with modern contemporary living offered by Palo Alto has great appeal for all nationalities,” a fact that is proved by the huge uptake from both local and international buyers. All of them were in the search of the perfect home or investment, both criteria which Palo Alto superbly fulfils.

There is no need for you to imagine any more. www.paloaltomarbella.com Apartments and penthouses from €440,000. Request brochure at lp.paloaltomarbella.com or call Freephone 900 102 322

UTOPIA - 13

SYZYGY Homes brings together a series of factors that produce a unique living environment on the Costa del Sol. An enviable location, exclusive modern Mediterranean design and the finest materials coincide to make SYZYGY Homes the ideal lifestyle choice, in the New Golden Mile.

SINCE 1990

Discover more about this new living experience at SYZYGYbyFm.com

A spacious duplex penthouse with amazing views located in VALGRANDE Penthouse duplex in Valgrande which offers 24 hours security service, a communal pool, beautiful landscaped gardens, a communal indoor pool/spa, a pitch and putt practice green.

The apartment offers and entrance hall, fully fitted kitchen with breakfast area, laundry and terrace, a large living room/ dining room with fireplace and leading to an extensive terrace, 2 double bedrooms en-suite with dressing room and a private terrace.

The upper floor offers 1 bedroom ensuite and study or 4th bedroom with bathroom. Both bedrooms have access to the terrace.

Other features include: underfloor heating, hot/cold air conditioning and 2 parking spaces and a storeroom in the communal garage.

Price: 980,000 Euro

Contact Brian Hooper on +34 711 160 031 for further information

LUXURY SOTOGRANDE Sotomarket 28, Sotogrande, Cadiz 11310 | luxurysotogrande.com | info@luxurysotogrande.com

Beautiful 5 bedroom family Villa for sale in SOTOGRANDE ALTO This Villa was designed by renowned architect Valentin Madariaga. This property has many features that place it above the rest; they include total privacy, outstanding views over national parkland, opportunities to extend/build, large plot, tranquil environment and excellent design and build quality to name a few.

The villa is accessed via a paved driveway, which arrives at a welcoming courtyard with water feature. The views from the terrace are stunning and you can see the sea and Gibraltar on a clear day.

The heated swimming pool is set at the back of the garden with its own pool house.

All floors are terracotta tiled, and equipped with under floor heating. Pre- installed central air condition in all rooms. The total built area is 570 m2, of which 386 m2 are inside living area, and 184 m2 are patio, covered and uncovered terraces.

Price: 1,000,000 Euro

Contact Brian Hooper on +34 711 160 031 for further information

LUXURY SOTOGRANDE Sotomarket 28, Sotogrande, Cadiz 11310 | luxurysotogrande.com | info@luxurysotogrande.com

Wonderful Villa for sale in the heart of SOTOGRANDE This villa is hidden away in a very discreet cul-de-sac in the heart of Sotogrande Costa. Built in true Andalusian style, the villa is tastefully decorated and built to very high specifications and is ideal for family living.

The living / dining room is large, bright and airy. The space is divided by split level flooring and there are gorgeous wooden floors throughout.

In the basement you will find an additional double ensuite bedroom, Enormous entertainment room with kitchen and bathroom, ideal for a cinema, gym or den. A wine cellar and garage with space for 3 cars.

Upstairs there is a large open space, a blank canvas. This space would be ideal as a master bedroom or office. There is already a bathroom and a large terrace.

Beautiful garden and pool. The pool can be salt or chlorine.

A/C, heating and music system throughout the house.

Price: 1,100,000 Euro Recently reduced from 1,500,000

Contact Brian Hooper on +34 711 160 031 for further information

LUXURY SOTOGRANDE Sotomarket 28, Sotogrande, Cadiz 11310 | luxurysotogrande.com | info@luxurysotogrande.com

EQUESTRIAN FINCA for sale near Sotogrande with land suitable for a private Polo field UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY An outstanding property of superior quality set within nineteen hectares of beautiful countryside with wonderful views, fifteen minutes inland from Sotogrande.

This very elegant, classic, private and unique estate is perfect for those in need of quietness, discretion and private polo or other equestrian facilities. The mostly flat plot is perfect for horses. Still, the elegant main house is located on top of a complete private hill overlooking the beautiful unspoiled country-side of the surroundings.

This hidden gem is nested in the heart of the Andalusian country just 10 minutes inland from the village and Polo fields of San Enrique.

Large swimming pool with pagodastyle chill out area with built-in seating.

Covered barbecue area with basin and a large terrace with country views.

Price: 5,450,000 Euro

Contact Brian Hooper on +34 711 160 031 for further information

LUXURY SOTOGRANDE Sotomarket 28, Sotogrande, Cadiz 11310 | luxurysotogrande.com | info@luxurysotogrande.com

10.000€ FOR YOUR

THE OWNER OF A LUXURY VILLA IS OFFERING AN AMAZING 10.000€ PRIZE TO THE WINNING ARTIST WHO CAN CAPTURE A SCENE THAT REFLECTS ANDALUCIA OR SPANISH TRADITIONS AND CREATE A FRESCO PAINTING ON A CUPOLA IN THEIR SOTOGRANDE VILLA Are you an artist under 35 years of age and a full-time resident in Spain? Do you have the skillls to paint a fresco?

If the answer to these three questions is “Yes!” then LUXURY SOTOGRANDE and its client who owns a stunning villa with a cupola invites

THE K H A S A R RIIN G VED

THE VILLA

Casa Alvarado info@luxuryso togran

de.com

Photo by

T h e D efi n it iv e H o u se & H o m e B ib le From the middle of August you’ll find the world’s conveniently located with finest linen and free parking. towelling King of Cotton has an establishe d reputation prices, come for high quality and see for yourself at reasonable or visit our website.

you to enter this competition, which has already been run in Italy.

What do you need to submit?

To enter you need to follow these rules: * Be under 35 years of age * Be a full-time resident in Spain * Submit a design for the cupola that reflects Spanish or Andalucian traditions * The design should be sketched in traditional format then applied to a circular arrangement. * Don’t forget to include your name, age and nationality with your design. * Send to art@luxurysotogrande.com Submissions should be received by December 31st 2016 and the winner will be announced on January 20th 2017 on our next Utopia issue and via Facebook.

The winning artist will be asked to paint their design on the villa cupola!

Examples submitted at Italy’s competition:

UTOPIA - 20

KING

EST

OF

1880

COTTON

The world’s KING OF finest linen and C OT TO N , CENTRO COMERCI www.k ingofco towellin g 29670 SAN AL LA CO PEDRO D tton.co m L O N I A AV E A L C Á N TA E N I DA D E RA, MARB LA VIRGEN ELLA, MÁ DEL ROCÍ L AG A T: O 6-7 03 34 951 239 305

YOUR CANVAS Cupola of 3 metres diameter

This superb 7 bedrooms villa is available for holiday rentals!

Luxury villas are the heart of LUXURY SOTOGRANDE’s business and they are always seeking to expand their portfolio of prestigious villa rentals. Thanks to their expertise in high-end properties, they offer the owners of exclusive residences the quality and level of service that is required to manage rentals at the top end of the market.

Their services include the following: * Marketing throughout Europe and USA on paid listing sites * Direct marketing in Spain via magazines & social media * Google paid marketing * Listing in our international ‘Luxury Villa Rental’ site being launched before summer 2017 * Booking management * Check in/ check out, meet and greet for every booking * Inclusive of credit card processing fees and bank charges incurred * Preparation of bedrooms, outdoor areas prior to guest arrivals, full cleaning and laundry changeover at the end of the booking * Pre-checks at the property prior to start of booking, post booking checks at end of rental period * Photographic inventory management * Access to our bespoke software which allows us to view income/expenses on a bookings dashboard * Professional photography of your villa “We’re proud of our reputation in managing luxury villa rentals and have many satisfied clients who have sent us glowing testimonials. We’d be happy to put any villa owner who is considering listing their prestigious property with us in contact with our existing clients who would like the comfort of a client reference.”

If you own a luxury villa in Sotogrande and would like to take advantage of our excellent marketing and villa management service please contact us.

Please contact Brian Hooper on +34 711 160 031 or brian@luxurysotogrande.com for further information

UTOPIA - 21

FRANK GEHRY MAN OF STEEL & MOVEMENT

UTOPIA - 22

FRANK GEHRY IS THE ARCHITECT OF ‘WOW!’ HIS ICONIC BUILDINGS HAVE CHANGED THE ENVIRONMENTS AROUND THEM AND AT 87 HE’S STILL GOING STRONG WITH A NEW DEVELOPMENT ON LA’S SUNSET STRIP. Born in 1929, this Canadian-American architect is a leading figure in the Deconstructivist Movement, which totally rejected the idea that “form follows function.” According to Architectural Digest, Frank Gehry may be “the most important architect of our generation,” and without doubt he has cornered the market in designing “must visit” buildings in a range of destinations around the world.

The Deconstructivist style emerged in the 1980s and apart from Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas is the other architect most associated with this particular movement. To some onlookers it may be intensely weird, but it was born out of a creative desire to employ a complex freedom of form that isn’t confined by functional concerns or conventional design elements, such as things like right angles.

He attended the University of Southern California and Harvard Graduate School of Design and set up his own firm in LA in 1962 after a brief stint of work in Paris. However, his career really took off in 1989 after he won the Pritzker

Architecture should “speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness. ” Prize, the architectural equivalent of a Pulitzer or an Oscar. The judges said: “Gehry has achieved considerable fame in recent years due in part to some of his more unusual projects, making use of materials such as chain link fencing, cardboard, and corrugated metal in unorthodox ways.

His own home in Santa Monica is a well-known example.” They also said “Although the prize is for a lifetime of achievement, the jury hopes Mr. Gehry will view it as encouragement for continuing an extraordinary ‘work in progress,’ as well as for his significant contributions thus far to the architecture of the twentieth century.”

But it was the completion of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in 1997 that really catapulted him into the stratosphere. It certainly is a design worthy of this comment from the influential American architect Philip Johnson, who has called it “the greatest building of our time.”

Walt Disney Concert Hall LA

UTOPIA - 23

GEHRY’S RESIDENCE Not everyone loves his work and he had a slight brush with the authorities over the design of his family residence in Santa Monica, back in 1978. “The project wrapped an existing bungalow in angular volumes clad in a riot of everyday suburban materials like plywood and chain link.

As opinionated as it was sculptural, the house earned both cheers and jeers in short order. In 2012 it won the American Institute of Architects’ prestigious Twenty-Five Year Award,” says David Sokol at Architectural Digest. A case of Frank having the last laugh!

GEHRY’S STAR ATTRACTIONS Gehry has produced a prolific body of work and it is difficult to select just a few examples of his architectural output. However, most commentators are agreed that the following buildings are the stars of Frank Gehry’s portfolio.

The Guggenheim Bilbao & The Fish Pavilion Barcelona Nobody had paid much attention during the construction of the museum, so when it was finally unveiled the world suddenly took notice of Gehry and Bilbao, changing the fortunes of both dramatically.

Thanks are due to Gehry for creating such an attention-grabbing building that at night glistens with a rainbow of colours. His Guggenheim sits on the river, shimmering with light reflected from the water whilst its metal skin speaks of tranquillity and solidity at the same time. The museum’s appearance seems to constantly change, just as its shapes pose a constant puzzle for the onlooker. It is both of its time and timeless, and that is no small achievement.

And the Olympic Fish Pavilion for Barcelona 1992 represented a technological breakthrough for the architect’s studio, which used threedimensional aeronautical-design software to realize the concept.

Walt Disney Concert Hall LA The building is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and it was originally designed as a tribute to Walt Disney’s devotion to the arts and the city of LA. Originally, the building was meant to have a stone exterior, UTOPIA - 24

The Guggenheim Bilbao

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Dancing House Prague

Gehry’s Residence, LA

The Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein

but due to budget problems, this was changed to steel cladding. As a result, the concert hall now has all the motifs of a Gehry design; the interaction of light and form through the use of metal and an intriguing intersection of planes that mimic the movements of music.

Dancing House Prague There is something of a touch of Gaudi in this extraordinary building that is also known as “Fred and Ginger” because of the two towers. The 1996 building is a cinched volume of metal mesh and glass and a concrete cylinder. On one tower you have regularly placed windows partnered by windows in a swaying shape on the other tower. They are indeed dancing partners that convey a sense of their interaction and the contrast between stillness and movement.

Fondation Louis Vuitton The Foundation Louis Vuitton is an art gallery and cultural centre situated in Paris’s Bois de Boulogne. Gehry’s inspiration was the historic Grand Palais and his visionary reinterpretation was based on a construction of glass and steel that would look like “two vast sails enveloping an iceberg.” The smooth lines of the exterior embrace the interior as though they have a life of their own and can adjust their edges, just as Gehry’s drawings suggest that a static form has animation.

UTOPIA - 25

The Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein The Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany was created to house the works of important American designers, so it was appropriate to ask Frank Gehry to be the architect. This was actually his first ever project in Europe and it is not standard Frank Gehry as we have come to know him. It is clear from a first view that the work of Le Corbusier is present in the foundations of Gehry’s design that is not in his trademark metals and glass, but in a titanium-zinc alloy and white plaster.

EMP Museum Seattle Seattle is renowned for its adventurous architecture, and when Paul Allen, Microsoft cofounder came up with a concept called the Experience Music Project (EMP) Frank Gehry was the architect for the job. Located beside the city’s famous Space Needle, it has a steel and aluminium skin that seems to flutter in the breeze; another example of Gehry’s talent for creating movement out of stasis.

In summer 2016, Los Angeles city planning commissioners gave the green light to a massive residential and retail project of five buildings on Sunset Strip and Frank Gehry is the architect. It was a unanimous vote. It will be fascinating to see the stamp this 87-year-old architect puts on LA’s most famous stretch of road: one thing we can be sure of is that it will not be “banal and spiritless”; it will be the spirited vision of Frank Gehry.

EMP Museum Seattle UTOPIA - 26

Landmark BUILDINGS OF THE WORLD

By Eleanor McKenzie

THERE ARE MANY CELEBRATED ARCHITECTS ON THE COSTA DEL SOL, EACH WITH THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL STYLE. UTOPIA ASKED THEM TO SELECT A BUILDING ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD THAT THEY CONSIDER GROUNDBREAKING AND WHICH HAS INFLUENCED THEIR WORK. IN THIS FIRST OF THE SERIES, ARCHITECT IVAN COSTENOBLE OF MANSION DESIGN AND RODOLFO BALDRICH PACHECO OF BALDRICH ARCHITECTS REVEAL THEIR CHOICE. My Landmark Building: THE VAN DOESBURG STUDIO-HOUSE BY THEO VAN DOESBURG Ivan Costenoble of Mansion Architects About Theo van Doesburg (1883 – 1931) Theo van Doesburg was what many might call a polymath. He wasn’t simply an architect, he is also a painter, poet and leader of “De Stijl”, one the most important art movements of the twentieth century. Van Doesburg is also revered for his work in graphic design and his influence on the development of font styles and the development of concepts in mass media communication.

The Bauhaus was an early influence on his work, as were the artists Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian. It is widely agreed that Van Doesburg was one of the most daring and influential artists of the avant garde, but he has been overshadowed by his contemporaries, particularly Mondrian. But, he is still revered by many who recognise his stature, and particularly his influence on architecture and design. His work with JJ Oud and Gerrit Rietveld demonstrate the way that this trio took the flat, geometric style of the de Stijl group and gave it a third dimension.

When his wife inherited money, the couple bought a plot of land in Meudon, a suburb of Paris, and the studio-house, built to Van Doesburg’s design is at 29 Rue Charles Infroit. He encountered many difficulties during building it, largely due to the use of ‘solomite’ an insulating material made of compressed straw, widely used by the great architect Le Corbusier. Unfortunately he dies only months after the house was completed, but it stands as a testament to this artist-architect who almost defies any categorisation and who was one of the great influencers in 20th century art.

What makes this building exceptional?

Van Doesburg understood modern architecture and modern painting as complementary, arguing that the two media had something basic in common: the flat plane. He believed that painting could serve as a laboratory for testing architectural ideas. This work in gouache was not intended as a plan for a specific building but as abstract explorations of spatial relationships. Van Doesburg began with plans for private houses that he had developed with the architect Cornelis van Eesteren. Then he eliminated the signs of functional architecture: doors, windows, and roof are all absent, and no directional cues distinguish front from back. Instead, the structure floats freely in space and time.

UTOPIA - 28

He eliminated the signs of functional architecture: doors, windows, and roof are all absent, and no directional cues distinguish front from back. Instead, the structure floats freely in space and time.

Has this building, or its architect, influenced your work in any way?

The Mediterranean architecture has a lot of parameters in common with the modern architecture. Both play with cubic volumes and colours. White being the principal colour used in both styles, but also the three basic, living colours - BLUE-RED-YELLOW. The Minimalist - contemporary architecture we work with also has its roots in the modern architecture of a designer such as Van Doesburg.

Ivan Costenoble C/.Jara nº 19-3, Altos de los Monteros, Marbella Tel: 951 271 130 www.costenoble.eu

UTOPIA - 29

My Landmark Building: THE SCOTLAND STREET SCHOOL MUSEUM designed by the leading name in Scottish architecture and design - CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH. Rodolfo Baldrich of Baldrich Architects About Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 – 1928) Charles Rennie Mackintosh is considered by many to be Scotland’s most famous architect, designer and artist. His work is inextricably linked to his native city of Glasgow, where you will find examples of it throughout its centre, including his famous Glasgow School of Art, rather like Gaudi and Barcelona.

Mackintosh started as an architect’s apprentice, taking evening classes where he met his wife Margaret Macdonald, who played a significant role in developing the distinctive floral interior design motifs that are one of his trademarks.

Mackintosh and his wife joined forces with her sister Frances and designer Herbert McNair and the group became known as “The Four.” They created paintings, furniture and a range of designed products that were exhibited across Europe and were part of a larger decorative movement called The Glasgow School. Most of the members came from the Glasgow School of Art, and their approach combined elements of Arts and Crafts, Celtic and Art Nouveau styles.

When he had the opportunity to design a new building for the art college he and his wife attended, Mackintosh combined Japanese elements with Scottish Baronial architecture suited to Glasgow’s Renfrew St. and added Art Nouveau decorations. Architects claim that this building was “the first genuine monument of the European Modern Movement” and Denys Lasdun, one of the UK’s foremost architects said that it is a “building we should cherish intently.”

Scotland Street School Museum Scotland Street Public School was designed by the celebrated Glasgow architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, between 1903 and 1906 for the School Board of Glasgow.

When Mackintosh was appointed architect in June 1903, he was already working on the construction of some of the most significant projects in his career, including The Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street and The Hill House in Helensburgh.

UTOPIA - 30

The most notable aspect of his design is his use of a block of windows for the southfacing wall to allow the maximum amount of sunlight and solar heat into the school.

Mackintosh had to work the standard school requirements into his design, and provide sufficient space for 1250 pupils. The most notable aspect of his design is his use of a block of windows for the south-facing wall to allow the maximum amount of sunlight and solar heat into the school.

What makes this building exceptional?

For me it represents an extremely important moment of transition where Mackintosh creates a bridge from the nineteenth style of architecture to a new modern language in architecture and adds a dash of gothic influences.

Has this building, or its architect, influenced your work in any way?

One of the most significant departures from architecture of the previous decades that Mackintosh made with this incredible building is his use of the wall of windows and his desire to let in light and warmth in a city that certainly has less sunlight than Marbella. I have drawn on his example in my work when designing to maximise lighting in interior spaces using immensely high windows, and I am also very inspired by Mackintosh’s furniture design – it is always so clearly his work and couldn’t have been designed by anyone else.

Rodolfo Baldrich C/Muelle Ribera, Casa E-2 Puerto Banús Tel: 952 811 377, www.rb-aa.com

UTOPIA - 31

A HOME FA I R

to remember

Skymax Construction & Refurbishments

THE HOME FAIR COSTA DEL SOL, WAS HELD AT ESTEPONA’S PALACIO DE EXPOSICIONES Y CONGRESOS ON THE FIRST WEEKEND IN NOVEMBER. THESE EVENTS ARE ALWAYS EXCITING TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT NEW AND EXCITING PRODUCT OR BUSINESS YOU ARE GOING TO DISCOVER. IT WAS ALSO AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL THE BUSINESSES CONNECTED WITH HOME OWNING AND LIVING ON THE COAST TO SHOWCASE THEIR WARES AND FIND NEW CLIENTS. The Home Fair is also called the Woonbeurs and its target market was people from the Netherlands and Belgium who have either made, or are considering making, a life on the Costa del Sol. The 37 exhibitors were primarily of Belgian or Dutch origin, with many located locally on the coast.

They included specialists in interior design, construction and renovation companies, architects, service providers, real estate agents, health and lifestyle advisers, legal and financial experts, insurance brokers who were all on hand to provide guidance and advice.

UTOPIA - 32

iDDomus

Nalipemi

Siesta Homes

ABN AMRO Private Banking

We were delighted to see local firm System Arquitectura who exhibited its eco-friendly projects that are both environmentally friendly, as well as being stunningly beautiful. Our friends at Tip Top Shade demonstrated the functionality of its new range of pergolas and it was impossible not to imagine sitting in one of them on a balmy evening, sipping a glass of wine and admiring the coast’s beautiful views.

It was also great to see the stylish furniture and gorgeous fabrics from Feydom as well as the refurbishment miracles performed by Nalipemi and Skymax on a range of residential projects.

The Home Fair also turned out to be, as predicted, a fantastic place to discover new companies, some of which are just starting out whilst others are already well established. Added to all this, the organisers provided a series of informal and informative seminars led by local specialists, and where attendees met English and Dutch-speaking professionals who understand the needs of clients from Belgium and the Netherlands.

Overall, it was a fantastically successful event and we must say what a stellar job the Home Fair’s organisers did to make sure that both exhibitors and guests had an exceptional and helpful experience.

Feydom

System Arquitectura Avanzada

Sotogrande Exclusive Agents

Skymax Construction & Refurbishments UTOPIA - 33

At the

TIP-TOP

OF THE GAME

IN ITS AIM ALWAYS TO OFFER NOTHING BUT THE VERY BEST TO ITS CLIENTS, TIP TOP SHADE IS NOW PRESENTING THE B-600 FULLY CONVERTIBLE ALUMINIUM PERGOLA IN SPAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME. The B-600 is an innovative model that Brustor, the leading European brand for state-of-the art bioclimatic aluminium pergolas, recently added to its range.

This new model has been designed to offer all the functionality and features that clients could possibly want. The roof system can be conveniently rotated in a 150º position to allow the sunshine to enter the space but it can also move to the side for a wide open convertible look. It is the perfect pergola to enjoy the Costa del Sol’s climate all year long.

For this purpose Tip Top Shade, the Brustor official dealer for the Costa del Sol, can integrate the popular glass curtains for use all year round. The potential of this outdoors space is compatible with the weather typical of southern Spain.

The construction maximizes this compatibility to make the most of the offseason sun and allow light and warmth into the house when desired.

The B-600 also includes features such as the standard automatic waterproof roof, useful options like adjustable LED-RGB lighting, elegant electric side wind and privacy screens that can also be integrated in this modular concept.

UTOPIA - 34

The roof system can be conveniently rotated in a 150ยบ position to allow the sunshine to enter the space but it can also move to the side for a wide open convertible look.

Tip Top Shade demonstrated the versatility of the B-600 with a showcase during the recent Home Fair on the 4th and 5th of November in Estepona.

They presented this stunning new model to industry professionals and visitors, who were amazed by its versatility and elegant design. www.tiptopshade.com

UTOPIA - 35

Modern Marketing

PUERTO BANÚS APARTMENT Ref: R2750702 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Terrace: 30 m² Build Size: 145 m² Price: 425,000 €

The best location on the Costa del Sol! Fantastic apartment in a beachfront development and a few meters away from Puerto Banus.

Located on the first floor this property comprises a large entrance hall which gives access to a living room with dining area, kitchen, two large bedrooms , main one en suite and a second complete bathroom.

All rooms of the house have a

private terrace overlooking the communal gardens and pool . Also a garage in the basement which is accessible by elevator.

Built in the 80s , this property needs a new decoration but is in perfect condition.

The complex has large gardens , 2 swimming pools and direct access to the beach.

To arrange an internal inspection please contact Jackson Grundy Real Estate.

Traditional Values

Edificio La Rotonda, Avd.Manolete Nueva Andalucía (opposite La Sala) & Centro Comercial Centro Plaza. Nueva Andalucía

T: +34 952 90 75 21 E: sales@jacksongrundy.es

jacksongrundyspain.co.uk

Ref: R2664977 Bedrooms: 4

DETACHED VILLA IN ESTEPONA

Bathrooms: 3 Buid size: 177 m² Garden/Plot size: 3.000 m² Price: 595,000 €

Lovely, fully renovated ,charming villa/finca on a big plot, with nice views to the sea and the mountains, south to west facing, very quiet and private. Close to Estepona town centre and the beach (1,5 km).

All on one floor, large living and dining area, open plan fully fitted

kitchen, master bedroom suite and 3 guest bedrooms with 2 bathrooms.

Direct access to the covered and open terraces, the pool area and the garden.

Solar panels, AC in each room individual, fireplace, wooden floors, alarm, automatic gate, double glazing.

To arrange an internal inspection please contact Jackson Grundy Real Estate.

Modern Marketing

DETACHED VILLA IN ELVIRIA Great semi-detached house in an exclusive area of ​​M arbella, La Mairena.

The house is spread over 4 floors.

You enter the house through the main floor where is a spacious hall with a guest toilet, this hall gives access to a large living room with fireplace and dining room, both share a terrace with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Marbella. At this level there is a large kitchen that has been completely refurbished to the highest standards of quality, within the kitchen is a breakfast area.

One floor down there are four large bedrooms, two with en suite bathroom and a third bathroom with spa bath for the other two bedrooms. From the master bedroom there is access to a large garden of over 200 meters with barbecue area. You can also access the garden from the main floor by an external staircase and a private access from the street that has been created for convenient access gardener. All bathrooms have underfloor heating.

Following to a lower floor is a large garage for up to 4 cars, on this same level there is a very large storage room and a laundry room.

On the top floor of the house a family room of 100 square meters diaphanous with desk area, playground and seating areas, can easily become the fifth bedroom as it has a full bathroom. Or can be converted into a separate apartment.

The entire house has been remodeled with wooden floors of high quality, double glazed windows and an inner courtyard that gives additional light to the house from the ground floor to the highest.

Ref: R2760005 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5 Buid size: 497 m² Garden/Plot size: 200 m² Price: 450,000€

Decorated with exquisite taste the furniture is also negotiable with the purchase of housing.

The property is located in La Mairena, very close to the prestigious German school, and also close to some bars.

A 7 minutes’ drive to the commercial

center of Elviria with many shops, supermarket, pharmacy, etc.

Worth visiting this property because of its size, its incredible panoramic views and high quality finishes.

To arrange an internal inspection please contact Jackson Grundy Real Estate.

Traditional Values

T: +34 952 90 75 21 E: sales@jacksongrundy.es

Edificio La Rotonda, Avd.Manolete Nueva Andalucía (opposite La Sala) & Centro Comercial Centro Plaza. Nueva Andalucía

jacksongrundyspain.co.uk

SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE IN BENAHAVIS Exceptional home with the best views over the Bay of Marbella, Puerto Banus, several golf courses and the Mediterranean Sea. This semi-detached house is located in the residential area of ​​La Alqueria, Benahavis. Surrounded by golf courses and just 10 minutes’ drive from Puerto Banus and 10 minutes’ drive from the picturesque village of Benahavis.

The property has a convenient access from the street to the main entrance where we get a spacious entrance hall with a guest toilet on the left. To the right a large modern fitted kitchen with a breakfast island.

The living room features a fireplace and two windows that give access to a stunning terrace with unique views of the Sea, on a clear day you can see Africa from all the terraces of the house, the terrace has an outdoor

Jacuzzi and access to a private garden of more than 60 square meters.

On the first floor the master bedroom with private terrace, dressing room and a bathroom with shower and bathtub. Other two double bedrooms and a second bathroom complete this level.

On the second floor a small studio and a large solarium with 360 degree views to the sea and the mountains.

In the basement, which is accessed directly from the garage for two cars there is a multipurpose room that can be converted into games room or cinema and a fourth bedroom with direct access to the garden.

The house features marble floors, high quality fixtures, air conditioning, central heating and alarm. Three communal pools and gardens.

To arrange an internal inspection please contact Jackson Grundy Real Estate.

Ref: R2763719 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Buid size: 492m² Garden/Plot size: 94m² Price: 600,000 €

by

- SUN PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND WINDOW ART DECOR-

Create a feeling of luxury…

Comfort and highlight the character and style of any interior with beautifully decorated windows.

We can provide you with the best selection of high-end window treatment and sun protection systems available on the market.

Leading brands meet modern standards of quality and fashion trends in the window décor art today.

Premier high quality decorative window covering ranges from roman shades, pleated systems, venetian blind systems, curtains, horizontal blind systems, Japanese and roller blinds to everything in between.

C/ Lagasca 64. 29670 San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella. Mob +34 688 267 101 / info@artedellusso.es / www.artedellusso.es

The Art of Designing Shade Your One-Stop Shop Partner for Premium Outdoor Shade Solutions Do you want to extend the perfect outdoor experience inside ?

Do you long for those cosy relaxing evenings across all seasons ?

Contact us now for your personal shade plan and enjoy your indian summer all year round !

TipTopShade S.L. | Shade Solutions Experts info@tiptopshade.com | (+34) 661 030 816 | www.tiptopshade.com | Marbella

365

Sunsquare ®

Soliday ®

Projects

10

on time & budget

M arkilux ®

years

Umbrosa ®

Experience

in Costa del Sol

Brustor ®

6

Premium Brands Official dealer

So ltis ®

Hyggelig

- - - I N ST Y L E --By Irene Moreno

‘HYGGELIG’ IS A DANISH WORD THAT MEANS TOTAL COSINESS AND A FEELING OF WARMTH IN THE HEART WHEN YOU FEEL AT HOME AND SURROUNDED BY THE THINGS YOU LOVE. THE CONCEPT IS ACTUALLY DIFFICULT TO TRANSLATE TO ANY LANGUAGE USING JUST ONE OR A COUPLE OF WORDS. STILL, SCANDINAVIAN INTERIOR DESIGN IS THE BEST WAY TO VISUALLY EXPLAIN IT AND THE TEAM FROM PLUSSTORE GOES ONE STEP FURTHER. They take the Scandinavian ‘hyggelig’ vibe and mix it with modern interior design. PlusStore believes that the modern home of today has become a

UTOPIA - 42

place we use for self expression and realization and that it often reveals a great deal about who we are. This is the philosophy PlusStore follows: “We believe that everyone should have a touch of Scandinavian or European design in their home”. They offer a curated selection of pieces that are examples of warmth and comfort to be part of a concept they take very seriously: the making of a home.

As a result, in PlusStore all the brands available are carefully selected. The design, functionality, craftsmanship and attention to detail in their furniture truly has a long-lasting aesthetic that can be easily added to both new and old spaces. The team always encourages customers to mix-and-match components from their selection, since they pride themselves on choosing

Bench Balustre: Muubs

Freme by Flemming & Morgens Lassen: ByLassen

Night stand: Montana

Dot cushions-: HAY

When visiting their stores, the client feels that it is not only furniture that they are acquiring, but also the best experience in designing what they want their home to become and expressing themselves.

brands and pieces that always complement each other. By doing this the customers have the opportunity to create a style that is unique to them and build their dream home, which at the end of the day is all that matters.

The selection of brands offered at PlusStore is nothing but stunning. It is especially remarkable that the selection of Danish companies provides furniture and design that looks both traditional and contemporary. “At PlusStore we believe that the key to great design and personalisation is the detail of choosing the right material combined with excellent skill and craftsmanship�. The result of this mind-set is endless possibilities of self- expression through their selection of customisable brands and furniture.

Montana is a brand that promotes personalising the environment with their special system, 5’7. It was developed with a detailed mathematical and philosophical principle behind it. The mathematics are complex, but the philosophy behind it is simple: versatility. Every Montana element should be able to be combined with another, as well as being practical, good looking, durable and yet responsive to changes in fashion.

Masters chair by Philippe Starck: Kartell

UTOPIA - 43

ByLassen is another Danish brand that produces sleek pieces designed by two of Denmark’s greatest architects: Moggens Lassen and Flemming Lassen. The Lassen brothers offer unique design and an iconic architectural feeling. When it comes to an extra attention to craftsmanship combined with great design then Carl Hansen & Son is a name to mention. The company is responsible for the design of some emblematic pieces of furniture such as the Shell Chair CH07, a piece that almost transcends its evident functionality to become art in itself.

The presence of Danish design in PlusStore is impossible to avoid and who would want to avoid wonders like these? Hay and Muubs for example, are brands that offer a very contemporary take on Danish furniture craftsmanship.

Focusing on natural materials and combining them with modern technologies they display a unique style and demonstrate how to mix tradition and innovation to get the maximum comfort.

CH07 Shell Chair by Hans J. Wegner: Carl Hansen & Son

However, the selection is broader and also includes products from other European manufacturers. This offers something different and even a pop of exotic colour that matches the main Scandinavian style perfectly. Kartell is an excellent expression of this idea. This famous Italian brand is known for its innovative design and choice of materials and its Masters chairs are to die for, and so are their collaborations with designers like Ferruccio Lavian.

PlusStore prides itself on a wonderful selection of products. It is exquisite, and the team also works hard to offer an exceptional shopping experience.

“We prepare customised solutions for all of our clients, showing them what the furniture will look like in the home. We go out of our way to satisfy our customers”. When visiting their stores, the client feels that it is not only furniture that they are acquiring, but also the best experience in designing what they want their home to become and expressing themselves.

It’s a design destination in Marbella that you’ll fall in love with, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be “hyggelig”? plusstore.es

UTOPIA - 44

Twin table: ByLassen

Plus

®

new collection at

A Touch of Scandinavia

Montana Collection promotional offer - Select them in Montana’s 42 colors.

See montana.dk for inspiration.

www.boconcept.es

Ctra. de Mijas km 3,5

Ctra. N-340 km 176,

malaga@boconcept.es

29650 Mijas Costa, Málaga

29602 Marbella, Málaga

Tel. +34 951 242 092

Tel. +34 951 492 727

marbella@boconcept.es

www.plusstore.es malaga@plusstore.es marbella@plusstore.es

PANTONE COLOUR TRENDS 2017 TH E Y E AR O F KALE

By Eleanor McKenzie

Nº20 Bar Chair by Brabbu.com

PANTONE’S ANNUAL COLOUR TREND PREDICTIONS ARE ALWAYS EAGERLY AWAITED AND WHILST THEY MAY NOT THRILL EVERYONE, YOU CAN BET THAT EVERY COMPANY THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH COLOUR AND DESIGN IS DIGESTING AND IMPLEMENTING THE 2017 TRENDS RIGHT NOW. If you follow food trends, you’re probably aware that the vegetable kale has been enjoying celebrity status as a superfood for at least the last two years, so when Pantone announced in September 2016 that 2017 would be “the Year of Kale,” it felt like a moment of déjà vu. Aren’t we done with kale yet? Well, apparently, while cauliflower may be knocking it sideways in kitchens, we have yet to explore kale as a colour. We can only hope that it is more pleasant and inspiring than the taste of the vegetable, which in the opinion of this writer is nothing special.

UTOPIA - 46

Thankfully, Kale isn’t the only colour on Pantone’s trend list. As in previous years, it has released its Top Ten colours for spring, to coincide with the major fashion weeks around the world. If you are wondering whether or not fashion designers pay any attention to Pantone, please remember this article when you see the spring shows, as the company’s predictions are usually pretty spot on.

Of course, whilst fashion may be one world in which Pantone’s announcements carry great weight, you can be sure that interior designers, fabric and wallpaper manufacturers, not forgetting furniture makers, curtain companies and even

Molteni Home, moltenihome.com

It’s going to be a rather subdued year in colour, with muted, earthy tones, such as Kale and Hazelnut, dominating the palette Bull&Stein sculpture, available at outdoorconcepts.es

kitchen utensil designers will be hanging on the Pantone’s every word. If you think this is fantasy, please remember that 2016 was Pantone’s year of Rose Quartz, a light pastel pink, and Serenity, a pale, baby blue, and then see how frequently those shades have appeared in everything from fashion to footwear during 2016.

Multifunctional sofa available at Feydom Nueva Andalucía feydom.com UTOPIA - 47

I T ’S G O I N G TO B E EARTH Y! It’s going to be a rather subdued year in colour, with muted, earthy tones, such as Kale and Hazelnut, dominating the palette. Thankfully, for those who love a bit more drama there are some more eye-popping primaries in the form of Lapis Blue, Primrose Yellow and an attentiongrabbing Pink Yarrow, or 17-20134 TCX, if you want to find the exact Pantone colour reference.

Overall, the ten shades for 2017 are a curious mix. Flame, for example, which is bordering on a Burnt Orange, has had the oomph taken out of it and it feels as if it has been muffled with a muddy grey. This is not to dismiss it, as when the colour is used well, it will no doubt be extremely sophisticated.

Even the Primrose Yellow feels diluted and has a more creamy tone than the bright shade associated with the actual flower. Island Paradise is a pale, cool blue and Greenery is, well, if you are familiar with the mushy peas that British people love to eat with fish and chips, you’re close to the shade of Greenery. Pale Dogwood is a washed out beige-pink that wouldn’t look too out of place on a foundation makeup colour chart, the Lapis Blue is straight out of a Piet Mondrian painting and the last blue on Pantone’s chart is Niagara, which is a grey-blue, not very distant from the shade that once was called Airforce Blue.

It will be interesting to see where and how this palette of colours is used in 2017 and just how much of an impact Kale will have on the rest of our lives, after being the talk of our kitchens.

UTOPIA - 48

Kitchen Design by designspace.es

THE KING HAS ARRIVED ESTEPONA

La Duquesa Golf

Club de Golf La Reserva

TORREGUADIARO

From the middle of August you’ll find the world’s finest linen and towelling conveniently located with free parking.

King of Cotton has an established reputation for high quality at reasonable prices, come and see for yourself or visit our website.

Real Club Valderrama

1880

We ca

OF COTTON The world’s finest linen and towelling www.kingofcotton.com

C/ Lagas

EST

KING

K I N G O F C OT TO N , C E N T R O C O M E R C I A L L A C O L O N I A A V E N I D A D E L A V I R G E N D E L R O C Í O 6 - 7 2 9 6 7 0 S A N P E D R O D E A L C Á N TA R A , M A R B E L L A , M Á L A G A T : 0 3 3 4 9 5 1 2 3 9 3 0 5

Real Club de Golf SOTOGRANDE Roque Golf Club

Alcaidesa Club de Golf

P

ARTE DEL LUSSO HL44.indd 1

[Al

tos

de

Mo nte

ros ]

- SUN PROTECTION SYSTEMS -

Create a feeling of luxury…

Comfort and highlight the character and style of any interior with beautifully decorated windows. an provide you with the best selection of high-end window treatment and sun protection systems available on the market.

Leading brands meet modern standards of quality and fashion trends in the window décor art today.

Premier high quality decorative window covering ranges from roman shades, pleated systems, venetian blind systems, curtains, horizontal blind systems, Japanese and roller blinds to everything in between.

s, C ban

izac io

n La

s De

licia

25/02/16 14:39

[Ur

1

oín]

sca 64. 29670 San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella. Mob +34 688 267 101 / info@artedellusso.es / www.artedellusso.es

* Locations are approximations for visual purposes only UTOPIA - 51

The Definitive House & Home Bible

Now covering all areas of property – from interiors and furnishings to gardens, construction and décor – as well as showcasing the very best agents on the Costa del Sol. UTOPIA is bursting with informative features, the latest property news, stats and facts – and of course, we feature some of the most sought-after private addresses in the Marbella vicinity.

This sleek, chic and avant-garde magazine is the only property guide you need to be on the pulse with the market in Marbella.

Following UTOPIA’s groundbreaking success in Marbella’s property market and its growing popularity with local developers, the exclusive magazine has attracted the attention of architects, interior designers and furnishing stockists alike.

Our new look UTOPIA has incorporated all aspects of HOUSE and HOME so that whether you’re an agent, homeowner or in search of your dream home, you will find stockists, designers, features, properties and articles that are current, relevant and contemporary – all in the most stylish property magazine in town.

Distributed from Málaga to Gibraltar, as well as at leading international property and interior design fairs around Europe, UTOPIA is delivered to golf courses, restaurants, fashionable bars and clubs, in addition to the hotel bedrooms of all of the coast’s leading hotels.

UTOPIA is the first magazine of its kind, specifically aimed at aspirational individuals in search of their slice of the idyllic Marbella lifestyle.

To have your company featured in UTOPIA contact: info@utopiamagazine.es

UtopiaRealEstateBible

N

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Ceremonial Songs TRADITION? A BREAK WITH

Part of

I

WINTER 2016

Cris

YOLAN

Your

Suppliers

WHAT TO ASK THEM

WEDDING

Traditions& Superstitions

10 MINS with PHILIP

ARMSTRONG

Group

Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible

A modern, totally renovated villa, in the heart of Nueva Andalucia's ever popular golf valley. The villa has four bedrooms and offers a great balance of indoor and outdoor living spaces which means owners can make the most of Marbella's fantastic year-round climate.

On the upper level is a bright study area that leads out to a separate roof terrace space.

Ideal for a chill out zone to spend an afternoon with a good book.

This is a great house in a good area that will appeal to anyone looking for a stylish home.

Golf Valley, Nueva Andalucia Fully Renovated Modern Villa 1.400.000 EUROS 4 BEDROOMS I 3 BATHROOMS 290 M² BUILD I 985 M² PLOT REF: 228-00365P

goldenmile@primepropertymarbella.com Prime Property Marbella Marbella Club Hotel, Bulevar del Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

• Bright & Stylish

• Private Parking

To find out more about this fantastic property, please contact Prime on +34 951 082 367or email us at goldenmile@primepropertymarbella.com

Prime Property Marbella specialise in the sale of high quality real estate... +34 951 082 367

primepropertymarbella.com

Ultra Modern Apartment with Sea Views Los Arqueros Golf, Benahavis

395.000 EUROS 2 BEDROOM I 2 BATHROOM 89 M² BUILD I 33 M² TERRACE REF:228-00414P Brand new and beautifully decorated apartment located in Los Arqueros Golf in the sought after area of Benahavis. The property is south facing with great views out over the Coast to the Sea. This is one of those properties that you see and fall in love with.

Stylish Beachside Penthouse San Pedro, Marbella 899.000 EUROS 5 BEDROOM I 4 BATHROOM 268 M² BUILD I 160 M² TERRACE REF:228-00469P A stylish modern beach side penthouse located within the heart of San Pedro de Alcántara, Puerto Banus is only a five minute drive away and Marbella just ten minutes.

Outside there is a spacious wrap around terrace, ideal for al fresco living and the property comes with two parking spaces and storage.

Ground Floor Apartments Nueva Andalucia, Marbella 316.100 EUROS 2 BEDROOM I 2 BATHROOM 138 M² BUILD I 28 M² TERRACE REF:228-00466P Situated just minutes away from the Centro Plaza shopping centre, Puerto Banus and its variety of designer shops, restaurants and bars. This can be considered to be the heart of the area also known as Golf Valley.

The architect has recreated the style of an old Mediterranean village, with the beautiful grounds hosting more than 50 different species of plants, and a large freeform community swimming pool.

goldenmile@primepropertymarbella.com Prime Property Marbella Marbella Club Hotel, Bulevar del Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

+34 951 082 367

primepropertymarbella.com

Andalusian Style, Contemporary Villa in Forest Hills, Estepona 695.000 EUROS

3 BEDROOM I 4 BATHROOM I 497 M² BUILD I 1.393 M² TERRACE

REF: 228-00452P

Prime Property Marbella specialise in the sale of high quality real estate... goldenmile@primepropertymarbella.com Prime Property Marbella Marbella Club Hotel, Bulevar del Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

This west facing villa has been designed and decorated with immense care and attention to detail. Nestled amongst evergreen cork oak and pine trees it offers stunning views to both the surrounding mountains and the sea and yet despite the peaceful setting, there is a tennis club and gym within walking distance as well as a riding school with stables.

Built over 2 levels it has 3 large double bedrooms, all with modern contemporary bathrooms built in natural slate, stone, wood and glass and each bedroom opens out onto a large terrace.

The fully fitted kitchen is in modern Wenge wood and has silistone quartz work tops in cream, with a professional stainless steel Bosch range oven and Bosch appliances. It leads out onto a lovely terrace for breakfast or suppers relaxing under the stars with views across to the Atlas Mountain of Morocco on a clear night.

Stairs wind down to the garden and decking area and one of the main features of the house, a large 50m2 infinity swimming pool set in the treetops, which cascades over to the valley below.

• Open Plan Living • Contemporary Decor To find out more about this fantastic property, please contact Prime on +34 951 082 367or email us at goldenmile@primepropertymarbella.com

facebook.com/PrimePropertyMarbella twitter.com/Prime_Marbella

+34 951 082 367

primepropertymarbella.com

V

A

ISION OF

ILLAS

FONTANA IN CASCADA DE CAMOJAN THE FIVE LUXURY VILLAS IN THE FONTANA PROJECT PROMISE TO BECOME TOP OF THE LIST IN MARBELLA’S PRIME REAL ESTATE LEAGUE TABLE. When Christian Penna of Penna Property Partners first saw the land at Cascada de Camojan he knew that he had found the right location for his dream project. It was peaceful, secure, and with its stunning mountain and sea view, it would become a perfect oasis for discerning buyers. He wanted to create five amazing villas that would be both classical and contemporary, and were in sympathy with the surrounding landscape. That’s why he chose Torras y Sierra architects, who designed the Finca Cortesin hotel to deliver the concept.

Although funding for the project came from outside of Spain, thanks to Sir John Beckwith of Pacific Investments, everyone else involved in the project is local – from the project managers, building contractors and interior designers to the craftsmen and workers on site. And, the partners in the project celebrated its launch in appropriate style with a glamorous party at the Cascada de Camojan site in Marbella.

The evening included featured a champagne reception, live music and a performance from famous soprano Laura Wright. Guests included the Marbella Councillor for Development Isabel Mª Pérez Ortiz, head coach of the National Spanish Basketball team Sergio Scariolo, journalist Amparo de la Gama, Sir John Beckwith CBE and many more distinguished guests.

Situated at the highest point within the distinguished Cascada de Camojan estate, the villas, designed by local architects Torras y Sierra, are an ode to classic elegance, ushering in a new, contemporary era for Marbella property development. The first residence is targeted for completion at the end of 2017, with final completion of the project expected for September 2018. This is the last plot of sufficient dimensions to offer a boutique residential complex near Sierra Blanca, and adds more than a touch of exclusivity to the Fontana villas.

UTOPIA - 58

All of the villas will provide five bedrooms and will range from 992.66m2 up to 1,454.89m2, with guide prices starting from around €7 million. And, all villas are replete with swimming pools (one measuring 32 metres by 6 metres), gym, wine cellar, steam room, underground parking and generous staff accommodation.

Famed for their work on the internationally renowned, Finca Cortesín - a five time Condé Nast Traveller gold list hotel – Torras y Sierra have done something unique in Fontana, with each residence featuring proportionate symmetry, an abundance of natural light, elegant indoor / outdoor living spaces and a feeling of “California cool”. Varying in design, with several villas boasting

With mountains behind and sea in front, encompassed within one of Marbella’s premier, gated communities, Fontana will be one of the most secure and private residential addresses in Marbella

enchanting inner courtyards, and natural stone pools, each property is unique and offers an unprecedented lifestyle opportunity.

With mountains behind and sea in front, encompassed within one of Marbella’s premier, gated communities, Fontana will be one of the most secure and private residential addresses in Marbella.

Very much designed for modern family living, the villas in Fontana provide large, inventive living spaces, where discerning, multi-generational families might congregate, socialise and enjoy the Spanish lifestyle.

UTOPIA - 59

From .. . to

LA ZAGALETA EL ROSARIO What’s new at

IT’S BEEN AN AMAZING YEAR SO FAR! WE’VE BEEN BUSIER THAN EVER AND INVOLVED IN VERY INTERESTING AND VARIED PROJECTS WITH DIFFERENT STYLES IN BOTH ARCHITECTURE AND DÉCOR. FROM ZAHARA DE LOS ATUNES TO LAGO DI GARDA IN ITALY, WE HAVE BEEN RELENTLESSLY CREATING AND EXPANDING. IN THIS ISSUE, WE’D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE’VE BEEN RECENTLY WORKING ON. In La Zagaleta, the outdated interiors of a beautiful villa have been completely re-designed to boast an elegant and contemporary style.

The dining room is now a beautiful space. We used light velvet on the dining chairs, and a beautiful ivory-toned silk on the window treatments.

The four metre, solid wood dining table adds a touch of warmth, whilst the beautiful ceiling lamps over the dining table make a lustrous statement.

UTOPIA - 62

UTOPIA - 63

In Monte Mayor, a warm-toned wall cladding lines the walls, which then integrates seamlessly into the bespoke library also designed

by Ambience.

Stylish armchairs by Missura Emme give the lounge a modern edge, whilst the large pearl leather-upholstered sofa is elegant and timeless.

UTOPIA - 64

THE KING HAS ARRIVED

From the middle of August you’ll find the world’s finest linen and towelling conveniently located with free parking.

King of Cotton has an established reputation for high quality at reasonable prices, come and see for yourself or visit our website.

EST

KING

1880

OF COTTON The world’s finest linen and towelling www.kingofcotton.com

K I N G O F C OT TO N , C E N T R O C O M E R C I A L L A C O L O N I A A V E N I D A D E L A V I R G E N D E L R O C Í O 6 - 7 2 9 6 7 0 S A N P E D R O D E A L C Á N TA R A , M A R B E L L A , M Á L A G A T : 0 3 3 4 9 5 1 2 3 9 3 0 5

El Rosario

In El Rosario, Ambience was commissioned to redesign the interiors of a classic-style villa and it is now reformed to be a modern construction. The interior design project follows this modern line and seeks a contemporary and coastal style. For this, the use of wood predominates in the custom designed furniture and the chimneys, linen and ethnic patterns were our choice for fabrics, whilst white and aqua tones on the accessories bring in the punch of freshness and color.

Blvd. Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe C.C. La Poveda, Local 6. Marbella +34 952 858 699, ambiencehomedesign.com UTOPIA - 66

TALK TO ONE OF US FOR ANY PROPERTY NEEDSPrice: IN 394.000â‚THIS AREA! Bedrooms: 2 // Bathrooms: 2 // Built: 135 m2 // Terrace: 63 m2 // Ref. A2887

LIST YOUR PROPERTY WITH US TO

GET THE MAXIMUM EXPOSURE NOW EXPANDING! NEW OFFICE IN CENTRO PLAZA

TALK TO ONE OF US FOR ANY PROPERTY NEEDS IN THIS AREA!

Duplex Penthouse - Aloha Royal, Nueva Andalucia Spacious two bedroom duplex penthouse in Aloha Royal, an attractive gated complex with lovely communal atmosphere, swimming pools and garden areas, garage parking and storage. Located just a short drive to all amenities, including a selection of well-known golf courses, schools and restaurants, it is an ideal base for families and couples alike. In addition to this, the views are very impressive due to the elevated positioning of the development.

LIST YOUR PROPERTY WITH US TO

GET THE MAXIMUM EXPOSURE

This two bedroom unit comprises an entrance hall with access to the combined NOW EXPANDING! living and dining room, fully fitted kitchen, a spacious bedroom with en-suite a guest WC. There isPLAZA a large terrace on this level which can be accessed NEW OFFICE INand CENTRO from both the living room and the bedroom.

This is a great property, with fantastic terrace space, in a well-sought after area.

TALK TO ONE OF US FOR ANY PROPERTY NEEDSPrice: IN 3.480.000€ THIS AREA! Bedrooms: 4 // Bathrooms: 4 // Built: 326 m2 // Terrace: 391 m2 // Plot: 1.025m2 // Ref. V4465

LIST YOUR PROPERTY WITH US TO

GET THE MAXIMUM EXPOSURE NOW EXPANDING! NEW OFFICE IN CENTRO PLAZA

GOLF VALLEY, NUEVA ANDALUCÍA Absolutely stunning four bedroom villa set in a fantastic location. With a delectable contemporary design, the property has been specifically designed to create a modern haven of luxury.

LIST YOUR PROPERTY WITH US TO

GET THE MAXIMUM EXPOSURE

The master suite, light and spacious, features an open gas fireplace, a dressing room and a relaxing viewpoint area looking out to the mountains. There is also access out to a private terrace with an outdoor shower and fabulous views spanning the local fairways, mountains and the dazzling Mediterranean coastline.

NOW EXPANDING! Designed with an attractive staggering effect, the OFFICE terrace and pool area NEW INis split CENTRO PLAZA over two levels. A raised sitting area, which provides striking views of La Concha, overlooks the pool with an alluring waterfall feature connecting the two.

TALK TO ONE OF US FOR ANY PROPERTY NEEDS IN THIS AREA!

TALK TO ONE OF US FOR ANY PROPERTY NEEDS IN THIS AREA!

LIST YOUR PROPERTY WITH US TO

GET THE MAXIMUM EXPOSURE NOW EXPANDING! NEW OFFICE IN CENTRO PLAZA

SALES OFFICE - LA ALZAMBRA Come and visit our sales office to experience this one of a kind luxury urbanisation within a 5 minute walk of Puerto Banús.

* APARTMENTS

* PENTHOUSES

* 24 HOUR SECURITY * 5 STAR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICE * WITHIN 5 MINUTES WALK TO PUERTO BANÚS

Ground floor apartment with direct access to pool and gardens - 655.000€

Penthouse apartment in phase II with sea views - 1.000.000€

Duplex Penthouse in Vasari Resort - 625.000€

* TOWNHOUSES

* VILLAS

* RESIDENTIAL QUIET AREA * STUNNING TROPICAL GARDENS * FINISHED TO AN EXCEPTIONAL STANDARD

Stunning ground floor apartment in phase III - 950.000€

Large 4 bedroom town house with private pool 875.000€

Exceptional 4 bedroom villa - 1.650.000€

UTOPIA - 73

By Eleanor McKenzie

HE ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT STARTED IN BRITAIN BUT SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD. ITS FOLLOWERS BELIEVED IN TURNING THE HOME INTO A WORK OF ART, AND IT COULD BE SAID TO REPRESENT THE FOUNDING MOMENT OF MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN. The Arts & Crafts Movement was an impressive moment in British design that influenced other cultures from America to Japan. It started in 1880, towards the end of the Victorian era, and is thought to be the “most influential, profound and far-reaching design movements of modern times,” according to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, which has an exemplary collection of works by the designers and craftsmen involved in it.

The movement was a response to one of the key themes of the Victorian age: industrialisation. The artists involved were concerned that the industrial revolution was affecting design, traditional skills and the lives of ordinary people in a way that alienated them from nature and the kind of crafts that required a human hand rather than the workings of a machine. It had a philosophy that sought to bring more balance into people’s lives and its creators and followers formulated a set of principles for living and working. Most importantly, it advocated that art should be a part of everyday life, the way we thought about art should change and, most importantly for interior designers, it promoted UTOPIA - 74

the idea of turning the home into a work of art. As the V&A says: “This was a movement unlike any that had gone before. Its pioneering spirit of reform, and the value it placed on the quality of materials and design, as well as life, shaped the world we live in today.”

It advocated that art should be a part of everyday life, the way we thought about art should change and, most importantly for interior designers, it promoted the idea of turning the home into a work of art.

THE ORIGINS OF A MOVEMENT Industrial manufacturing had a devastating effect on some areas of Britain. Whilst it was indisputably an age of progress, its effects worried architects, designers and artists and it prompted them to think about a new approach to the decorative arts. The two most influential figures associated with the Arts & Crafts Movement were the art critic John Ruskin and the designer and writer, William Morris, whose legacy lives on in wallpaper designs, furniture fabrics and more.

John Ruskin Ruskin was renowned for championing the Pre-Raphaelites and his writings that linked art with social and political theories. His new approach to art appreciation reached around the world and the Russian novelist Tolstoy said of Ruskin: “One of the most remarkable men not only of England and of our generation, but of all countries and all times.” Other fans of Ruskin include Marcel Proust, Mahatma Gandhi and architects Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Gropius.

British readers may also be interested to know that it was Ruskin’s ideas about the preservation of open spaces and conservation of historic buildings that inspired Octavia Hill and Hardwicke Rawnsley to found the National Trust.

William Morris William Morris was a fervent disciple of Ruskin’s ideas. He was a textile designer, writer and social activist who, through the Arts & Crafts Movement, became a leading light in the revival of traditional British textile art and methods of production. He had trained as an architect after studying Classics at Oxford, but his friendships with Dante Gabriel Rosetti and Edward Burne-Jones of the Pre-Raphaelites was undoubtedly a relationship that resulted in him shifting his work from buildings to interior design. In 1861, he formed a decorative arts business with Burne-Jones, Rosetti, Neo-Gothic architect Philip Webb and others. It was called Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. and it quickly became the most fashionable firm in London. For the rest of the Victorian period, this company had more impact on interior design than any other with Morris designing tapestries, wallpaper, fabrics, furniture and stained glass windows. Oddly, during his lifetime he was better known as a writer, but he is now considered one of the most important figures of Victorian Britain for his designs, which have been preserved by the William Morris Society and by The Original Morris & Co firm.

UTOPIA - 75

Söetsu saw beauty in ordinary, utilitarian objects made by unknown craftsmen and stated that they were “beyond beauty and ugliness.”

UNITING DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

ARTS & CRAFTS IN THE USA

Following Ruskin’s theories, Morris believed that “the design and production of an item should not be divorced from one another,” a belief that promoted fabrics and furniture handmade by master craftsmen. He also revived a number of textile making processes that industrialization had rendered obsolete, and insisted on good quality raw materials, the use of natural dyes and hand processing. Before he created a design, Morris studied the techniques needed to produce it – it may have seemed to ‘modernists’ at the time that he was taking a backwards step, but the popularity of his products refuted those who supported a more machine-led approach to manufacturing.

As his ideas grew in favour with architects, painters and designers, new crafts guilds and societies were formed to promote his ideas, and before long it had travelled beyond Britain to the USA where it received an enthusiastic welcome. Boston was the first city to form a Society of Arts & Crafts in 1897, with New York and Minneapolis following close behind. Several artistic communities emerged that represented the ideals of the Movement: Rose Valley in Pennsylvania and The Byrdcliffe Arts & Crafts Colony of Woodstock, New York are two of the most important. Both centres produced pottery, metalwork, woodwork and textiles using handcrafted processes. Anyone with an interest in collecting antique decorative arts products will also find Paul Revere Pottery and Newcomb Pottery highly collectible. The latter was very much influenced by Morris’s use of flora and fauna in designs, although the female designers at Newcomb used local flowers and wildlife as their inspiration. The Arts & Crafts Movement eventually spread across the USA and the range of decorative arts produced in the States was fairly prolific. But, the Movement didn’t stop there; it found its way to a country with one of the most refined aesthetic sensibilities in the world: Japan.

His fabric and tapestry designs are famous for their use of motifs from nature such as “Cabbage and Vine”, his first solo attempt at tapestry, or “Tulip and Willow.”

MINGEI OR FOLK CRAFTS Mingei, which means “arts of the people” was founded in the late 1920s by Yanagi Söetsu. He was influenced by Korean crafts and he made it his mission to rescue the styles of everyday pottery used

by Japanese people in the Edo and Meiji periods that were disappearing due to growing industrialisation in Japan.

His Mingei philosophy was one that Ruskin and Morris would recognise: “handcrafted art of the ordinary people.” He saw beauty in ordinary, utilitarian objects made by unknown craftsmen and stated that they were “beyond beauty and ugliness.” His book “The Unknown Craftsman” was translated into English in 1972 and immediately became an influential work in the West. Some Oriental scholars criticise Yanagi for appropriating the Arts & Crafts Movement influence of Morris and influential British potter Bernard Leach, who worked in Japan from 1902 – 1920, but this did not deter Yanagi from continuing to champion the Mingei products, which can be seen in international museum collections.

UTOPIA - 76

WILLIAM MORRIS TODAY If you were wondering whether or not you could still decorate your home in the Arts & Crafts style, then the answer is yes. The Original Morris & Co produces wallpapers, fabrics and home accessories that, although are today machinemade, but are of such a high quality that they look like Morris’s original wood block prints. As the company says, they give his designs a modern twist on occasion to create “classics of the future.” The accessories range ranges from rugs and cushions to bedding, towels and even umbrellas. Although based in England, you can buy everything the firm has to offer online.

There is a richness and beauty to Morris’s designs that translates well across various cultures and the modern interpretations of his designs, using neutrals, textures and metallic ink effects, are perfect for the current need to embrace simplicity in interior decoration. What is more, Arts & Crafts designs have a heritage and connect us with the tradition of the craftsman, something that provides a balance to our own version of Victorian industrialisation – the encroachment of technology on our lives. william-morris.co.uk

UTOPIA - 77

HOPPEN

mad

By Eleanor McKenzie

KELLY HOPPEN IS A LEADING INTERIOR DESIGNER WITH A STAR-STUDDED CLIENT BASE, BUT SHE’S ALSO BELOVED BY MILLIONS OF FANS WHO ARE MAD FOR MS HOPPEN’S STYLE. If you aren’t familiar with Kelly Hoppen as a high priestess of interior design, then you may remember her as one of the ‘Dragons’ on the BBC2 series “Dragon’s Den,” in which hopeful entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts to a panel of extremely successful business entrepreneurs.

South African born Kelly Hoppen from Cape Town started out on her career at the age of 16 when a family friend invited her to design their kitchen. As you might expect, she hasn’t stopped at kitchens, and she has worked her magic on the homes, yachts and jets of private clients, as well as commercial projects in several countries, including hotels, restaurants, offices and aircraft. Some of Hoppen’s most recent projects include a collaboration with Pearl Motor Yachts and the design of a LUX* Belle Mare hotel resort in Mauritius.

Her early success came after the publication of her 1997 book “Table Chic,” although she had already received a prestigious award in the previous year when she won the UTOPIA - 78

“I absolutely believe that people should wake up in neutrals and go to sleep in neutrals... If you believe in what you are doing, if you’re creating harmony, beautiful homes, symmetry – all the things I am doing – then you can build.”

Andrew Martin Interior Design Award and since then she has garnered many other prizes such as ELLE Decoration Award, Grazia Designer of the Year and European woman of Achievement 2007. She has also had the good fortune to receive a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to Interior

“Taupe is the perfect colour to provide a remedy to the stressful pace of frenetic modern life.”

Design. She is an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, mentors small businesses, inspires young women to excel and is at No. 35 on the list of Most Influential British Entrepreneurs. So, what is Kelly Hoppen’s signature interior design style, which is the key to her enduring success?

KELLY, QUEEN OF TAUPE Her nickname ‘The Queen of Taupe’ is a clue to Kelly’s style, or should we say colour philosophy. She has been very publicly criticised by designer Nicky Haslam for selling “window dressing rather than proper design” and her critics feel her approach is too static; the carefully placed throws and the Buddhas “too botoxed.” These comments don’t have much impact on Ms Hoppen who is far too successful to see them as anything other than a bit of sour grapes.

Yes, she does love a neutral look and she explained why to Telegraph journalist Sabine Durrant in an entertaining interview way back in 2009.

“I don’t think I would have stayed at the top all these years,’ she told Sabine, ‘if I hadn’t been doing something right. I absolutely believe that people should wake up in neutrals and go to sleep in neutrals. I know if I stay in a hotel and it is all florals I feel nauseous. My longevity has been having a philosophy – like Ralph Lauren. He has put his pole in the ground and stuck to it. If you believe in what you are doing, if you’re creating harmony, beautiful homes, symmetry – all the things I am doing – then you can build.”

On her website, she explains her love of the neutral palette and her signature taupe.

When you see her interviewed, you’ll realise that she doesn’t just reserve taupe and UTOPIA - 80

neutrals for her interior design, it’s a theme running through her wardrobe as well, and with her extravagant strawberry blonde curls, neutrals are a perfect complement to her complexion.

If you belong to the “beige is boring” camp, then Kelly asks you to reconsider your position and adopt her ‘perfect neutrals’ philosophy.

She says: “Taupe is such a beautiful colour, neither being too warm, nor being too cool. Taupe is calm, quiet, and very easy to live with. It is not overbearing and it does not shout out and demand attention. For this reason taupe is ideal to use in instilling a sense of calm into a room. It is the perfect colour to provide a remedy to the stressful pace of frenetic modern life.”

Kelly Hoppen advocates the use of taupe to create contrast and she is extremely fond of layering to achieve this effect, for example, linen on velvet. The key to lifting neutrals out of ‘boring’ is, she says, to use lots of different textures to create interest. She also argues for the use of taupe with white, black and every shade of grey, and suggests pairing it with silvers, metallics and clear glassware.

She can’t imagine “designing a home without taupe,” and clearly she has converted an enormous number of people to her way of thinking, and not just those who can afford her services such as Victoria Beckham, but the millions of fans who buy her books and watch her TV show “Superior Interiors.” Her signature style may not be to everyone’s taste, but those who love her are what you might call ‘Hoppen Mad’.

UTOPIA - 81

THINKING OUTSIDE THE

toy

A KID’S BEDROOM IS THE PLACE WHERE CHILDREN SLEEP, PLAY, READ… IT CAN BE A GREAT PLACE FOR THEM TO DREAM. Organisation, however, is a never-ending battle in a kid’s room. Whilst messes are inevitable, having plenty of smart storage spots can help make cleanup easier and faster. Toy boxes help your children keep their treasures close by, make cleanup easy and stylish.

“Gold Toy Box”, by Circu is inspired by the adventures of Scrooge McDuck, the richest duck in the world. The Number One Dime was the first coin that Scrooge McDuck earned, and because of being so special to him, it can be seen in a reliquary with a velvet cushion securing the coin under a protective glass dome.

A faboulous piece that allows your kid to embrace magic and creativity, giving you at the same time the opportunity to get some extra storage space.

It’s the perfect excuse to be as bold, brave or magical as you want. Whether it’s a girls’ room, a boys’bedroom or nursery... Let the fun begin! circu.net

UTOPIA - 82

DREAMY DESIGN HOUSE in the Heart of the Douro DESIGNED TO BE A “NEW EXPERIENCE FOR DESIGN LOVERS”, THE COVET HOUSE IS A PLACE SPECIALLY CONCEIVED FOR PROFESSIONALS OF THE INTERIOR DESIGN WORLD. Located on the Douro River bank, 15 minutes from Porto’s historical centre, the COVET House is a traditionally built manor, filled with remarkable architectural details that hold the glory from a noble past. Its interior, projected

by Covet Lounge, features furniture pieces from some of the world’s most recognized and prestigious furniture and lighting brands - Boca do Lobo, DelightFULL, Brabbu, Koket, Essential Home, Maison Valentina, Circu and Luxxu.  The COVET House is adorned with an unbelievable view over the River, and its Southern facing front ensures a full day of splendid sunlight. It’s easy to get lost in the landscape over the river, and looking around, details jump insight.

With a gorgeous swimming pool for long dives and an amazing space to take long sunbathing, this house looks fresh,

UTOPIA - 84

Walking inside the house it’s possible to understand how stunning the mixture of styles is: vintage pieces with modern elements, soft with strong, feminine with masculine – all together. eclectic and playful, perfect to enjoy life. Still, outside the house, it’s possible to see a beautiful and antique chapel, which is an integral part of the house that clearly shows a Catholic past, very characteristic of the Portuguese people and, in the garden, wide cages with beautiful peacocks inside gives an exotic and luxurious atmosphere.

Walking inside the house it’s possible to understand how stunning the mixture of styles is: vintage pieces with modern elements, soft with strong, feminine with masculine – all together. Living and dining rooms are common and it’s possible to see a charming fireplace with a big and luxurious chandelier and two beautiful and velvety sofas and several charming corners filled with details and charming pieces. In the dining room, a huge table is on the center flanked by comfortable and inviting chairs. It feels homey but luxurious and artistic at the same time with many gold pieces, to

make the decor somewhat precious, like a gem, and to add a touch of femininity—like a spark. Gold makes things more exciting.

The impact is augmented by the floor to ceiling windows, where the sun gets in and afford a relaxing and sunny atmosphere to these divisions.

Soaring and ornamented ceilings and superb proportions create an artfully balanced with the entire appointments of the house.

Even, on the first floor, there is a large and light kitchen, great to prepare incredible banquets and to really enjoy this beautiful place.

Upstairs, each of the four bedrooms has a specific theme and are furnished with one brand in mind.

Each bedroom has a different concept, a different sensation.

Thinking about renovating the concept of master bedroom, Boca do Lobo brought out a whole new concept to the suite. Black and gold are the colors that stand out in the different pieces that match up together bringing a luxury and seductive ambience into the bedroom. Gold leaf and black lacquer are the main materials in the room, mixed put with details such as insects and brass handmade nails.

With a perfect retro universe, Essential Home Suite in partnership with DelightFULL created another bedroom full of sleek lines presenting the knurled details on the walnut sideboard and the modern dressing table enhanced by the classic elegance of the irregular shades of the marble table lamp. Looking closely, you can almost see Greta applying powder in from of the mirrors.

And because there is a story behind everything, getting inside of BRABBU’s suite you can tell that the story has Nature as its main character and its written by the materials, textures and colors of some of the most interesting places around the world and it’s possible to feel it just for the very first moment we look at SEQUOIA side table, a nature force, an ancient spirit be- longing to the largest and tallest trees in the world. All of this is a mixture of senses. Inspired by the warmth of tropical atmosphere CASSIS wood sideboard is the touch of nature that every space needs and it could not miss on this bedroom. To create a live and bright ambience in the suite, BRABBU travelled to Kiribati islands surrounded by the depths of the Pacific Ocean. It’s the beauty of the coral that makes NIKU

floor a rarity in contemporary lighting. This desire to keep discovering cultures led our designers to Myanmar in Asia to create the KAYAN mirror the complement for creating an exotic touch in this modern suite.

Coming out for a bedroom and peeking to another, it’s possible to see sensual lines and a feminine concept. The luxury design brand Koket, known for their empowering and dramatic statement pieces, conceived two luxury rooms so guests can feel Koket’s opulent lifestyle.

UTOPIA - 85

The KOKET’s bedroom suite is designed as the perfect bedroom set. The airy space features the Kelly bed, covered in an indulgent lazer rabbit throw, skirted by two Art Deco Tamara night- stands. The nightstands are topped with two pink Gem table lamps for an ambient glow, and an Eternity sculpture hangs nearby shimmering in the soft light. At the end of the bed sit two black and gold Mandy stools, completing this gorgeous bedroom set.

“What we really want is to celebrate Design”

Across the little corridor, a private living room comes alive in shades of black and gold in glamorous presentday luxe. The majestic Heive Armoire pairing with the voluptuous Caprichosa sofa, the big ceiling to floor window and a big size Buddha statue, give to the private living room the perfect quest for Zen and relaxation.

In the bathrooms, Maison Valentina introduces a new and lavishness approach of what the best luxury in this space can offer by combining exuberant design pieces within a marble’s ambience. Refined, expensive and royal material, the atmosphere offers the best and most exquisite material for the bathroom design.

The Covet House represents part of Portugal’s culture and history and a perfect match with the country’s strongest design group with a 10-year

UTOPIA - 86

legacy. It’s an anthem to the upcoming future and a tribute to those who helped along the journey. Ultimately, it is a place to celebrate design with friends.

“Our mission is to give a unique experience to visitors. More than a common showroom, we want our exclusive guests – which consist of a VIP list including the world’s top designers – not only to see our products live but also to enter the unique world of each one of those brands and experience them through all the five senses. What we really want is to celebrate Design” Other luxury brands are being invited to be part of this unique experience and expose their own products to a VIP list of the world’s best interior designers, a place where visits to the house are available by invitation only. covetlounge.net

AUDIO VISUAL AND CONTROL SOLUTIONS EXPERIENCE THE UTMOST COMFORT AND LUXURY * Audio & HD video

* Easy access to our experienced technical team

* Home theatres * Integrated systems

* The latest information on all technological developments and innovations

* Multi-room audio

* Home automation

* Outdoor entertainment solutions

* Lighting control

(+34) 952 800 544 | 662 100 300 | 675 040 872 | info@dhssvc.com Jardines de Atalaya 32, Isdabe, Marbella

www.dhssoundvisioncontrol.com

UTOPIA - 87

BUY THE LAND, Build your dream PART II

By Eleanor McKenzie

FOR SOME PEOPLE A ‘READY MADE’ RESIDENCE DOESN’T TICK ALL THE BOXES, BUT WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BUYING A PLOT OF LAND AND BUILDING A HOME IN SPAIN? In the last issue of UTOPIA we looked at what is involved in buying a plot of land when you want to build a dream home that ticks all your boxes. We all know that existing properties often give buyers a little niggle with something that they wish was different. Sometimes it can be put right with a bit of help from a builder and interior designer, but there are occasions when a wall, for instance, just can’t be knocked down to create more space, or if it can, it will be at great expense. If you are having trouble finding the perfect property, then building a home that has everything you could wish for is not as challenging as you imagine and may be even more economical than buying an existing property.

There are numerous plots available, as Marbella real estate agency Jackson Grundy will tell you, and they are enthusiastic supporters of people who want to build. As David Jackson, told us: “We’d encourage people to consider purchasing land right now and we have some very exciting plots on our books.”

Once you have found a plot in the right position, you’ll need to think about engaging an architect and building contractor. You may also want a project manager to oversee the work, particularly if you’re not already resident in Spain.

It can be something of a headache to manage progress from afar, whereas a project manager, who is independent of the building contractor, will ensure that the agreed timelines are adhered to and the materials to be used are of the stipulated spec. They can also troubleshoot any local problems and will have a better understanding of the cause of any delays or other problems.

UTOPIA - 88

costenoble.eu

Choosing an architect First, you need to decide what style of residence you want. Do you want a contemporary villa, or is your preference for a more traditional Andalusian style? Studying real estate and architecture resources online is one way to start putting together a ‘dream board’ for your new home. You will need to check that there are no restrictions about the style of home you are allowed to build in the area where you have bought your plot, because some villages in particular won’t permit designs that are out of keeping with the rest of the dwellings. This is understandable.

The Costa del Sol has a remarkable choice of talented architects, some of who are natives of this coast, whilst others come from other parts of Europe. This means that you shouldn’t have any trouble finding an architect who understands your ideas and can deliver exactly what you want. Asking friends, lawyers and your real estate agent for recommendations is one route to finding the right architect for you, but it’s a good idea to make a personal search of architects on the coast by going online and by looking at some of the work of the architects you’ll find in the pages of UTOPIA Alejandro Giménez, for example, is an architectural master of the contemporary villa style who draws on influences from countries as distant from Spain as Japan and Mexico to deliver masterpieces. However, this native of Málaga is also influenced by his own heritage and he manages to seamlessly incorporate

alejandrogimenez.net

about the work they did and how they did it at the ProMas website.

quaypropertygroup.com ideas, colours and spaces from all these cultures into a design that embodies harmony, beauty and tranquillity. He says: “My goal is to create a pure, serene and relaxing space that is a pleasure to live in and somewhere to look forward to returning to after a hard day’s work.”

Mansion Design, led by Belgian architect Ivan Costenoble, offers a menu of Contemporary, Classic and Modern Andalusian styles. The firm is appropriately called ‘Mansion’ as Ivan and his team have created some palatial residences on the Costa del Sol over the years, although they are just as happy designing more modest homes. Giving his clients a great quality of life is a major part of his design philosophy and Mansion Design makes a point of working in close partnership with clients to ensure a happy result. Like many other architects, Mansion Design offers a full service that includes construction, landscaping, and project management in addition to the architectural plans.

What will an architect cost me?

As a rule of thumb, the architect’s fees are typically calculated at between 5% and 10% of the total costs of the work. However, the mandatory minimum fee for the architect no longer exists, which does give you more scope to negotiate a good deal.

Choosing a builder You can opt for a one-stop shop approach by using an architect’s firm that provides everything else you’ll need to realise your dream. However, if you prefer to use an independent construction company then Quay Property Group, headed by John May is one of the most experienced on the coast. Quay has successfully completed projects in the most prestigious Marbella locations including, La Zagaleta, El Madronal, Sierra Blanca, Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile and it has the expertise to complete the most complex building projects to the highest standard offering best value and working to your budget.

ProMas Building has over 20 years of experience building in Spain and has a team of professional and trustworthy craftsmen who specialize in villa construction. Andy and his team cover all aspects of interior and exterior design and provide guidance and assistance throughout the planning process with designers and architects. ProMas has completed projects in Club Sierra, Nueva Andalucia and Los Naranjos among many others, and you can read case studies

Marbella firm Codecosol is another ‘turnkey’ firm that has extensive local knowledge and expertise in helping clients procure all the relevant building licences, and can guide owners who have purchased a plot of land through the entire process including construction and project management. It even has a sister company called Vikingo that hires out the large machinery needed on a building site, making the building stage even faster. Every aspect of a new build or reconstruction process is delivered by an experienced team of Swedish, Spanish and English technicians and engineers and have successfully completed a number of high profile developments and are about to start on the eagerly anticipated Linda Vista Beach development in 2017.

Contracts Just as you would at home, when engaging a construction company do obtain quotes from more than one before signing any contract. The contract must include a detailed building description (memoria de calidades) and a list of the materials to be used, as referred to in the architect’s plans. The contract should also state the following: * the exact location of the building on the plot of land * a building and payment schedule * a penalty clause for late completion * a cost retention of about 5% - 10% of the building costs in case of defects * a method of resolving disputes Please make sure the contract includes a detailed breakdown of all costs. Here’s a handy checklist: * architect’s fees (if part of the builder’s firm) * landscaping * permits and licences * connecting utilities to the house As we said before, it may sound like a lot of work, but in the end it will be worth it, because you’ll have the home you dreamt of, exactly as you imagined it.

promasbuilding.com UTOPIA - 89

Modern Marketing

Traditional Values

TOWNHOUSE CALAHONDA Jackson Grundy is delighted to offer to the market this stylishly reformed semi-detached property located on this sought after development walking distance from the beach and amenities within Calahonda.

This property has been greatly improved by its current owners. You really need to view to appreciate the quality, time and care that have gone into this beautiful property. On the ground floor you will find an open plan lounge/dining room and Kitchen area

all reformed and fitted to the highest standard, a bedroom, shower room and separate utility area.

To the first floor you will find 2 further bedrooms one of which is ensuite. You have a roof Terrance and balcony to the first floor with beautiful sea views.

There is a lovely private decked terrace to the ground floor with gate leading to the communal gardens and pool area.

This is a perfect family holiday home with a fashionable contemporary style.

Only 25 minutes away from Malaga airport. Please call now to arrange an internal inspection.

Ref: R2607863 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Build Size: 123m² Terrace: 20 m² Price: 349,000 €

To arrange an internal inspection please contact Jackson Grundy Real Estate.

Edificio La Rotonda, Avd.Manolete Nueva Andalucía (opposite La Sala) & Centro Comercial Centro Plaza. Nueva Andalucía

T: +34 952 90 75 21 E: sales@jacksongrundy.es

jacksongrundyspain.co.uk

DETACHED VILLA MIJAS

Ref: R2433539 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 4 Build Size: 408m² Garden/Plot: 850m² Price: 679,000 € Unique contemporary villa in Mijas.

A superb, recently constructed villa in the sought after location of Mijas.

This beautifully villa is part of a well-established urbanization and is surrounded by stunning mountain, country and partial sea views.

bathroom, dressing room and private terrace featuring breathtaking views of the mountains and pool area. The lower level has an additional lounge area, gym/cinema room along with further bedrooms, bathroom and utility rooms.

The entrance to the villa features vaulted ceilings and a gallery that offers views over the large kitchen and dining areas.

The villa also features an independent guest apartment/staff quarters consisting of an open plan lounge and kitchen area, bathroom and bedroom.

Large terraces on all levels provide excellent space for BBQ’s and alfresco dinning. Two double bedrooms with fitted oak wardrobes and a family bathroom complete the ground level.

The upper level has a master bedroom that comes complete with its own

The garden and pool area is child friendly with a combination of sunbathing and shaded areas. The villa is surrounded by beautiful gardens with an automatic watering system.

To arrange an internal inspection please contact Jackson Grundy Real Estate.

Located only a few minutes’ drive from the picturesque village of Mijas, the beach is only 10 minutes away and Málaga and Marbella 20 minutes. This villa is immaculately presented and viewing is highly recommended.

Additional Features: air conditioning, double glazing, oak doors throughout, high quality fixtures and fittings, car port and parking for an additional car.

Modern Marketing

Traditional Values

DETACHED VILLA IN ALOHA Ref: R2771933 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 Plot Size: 1,164m² Living Area: 242 m² Price: 1,100,000 € Unbeatable location for this villa in Aloha, a few meters from bars and restaurants and surrounded by golf courses.

On a corner plot of over 1,100 square meters, this house is accessed through the garage or the main entrance from the street into a front yard with a small porch. An entrance hall leads to the living room with fireplace, large windows, a large terrace, garden and private pool. On this same floor there is a bathroom, a study, fully equipped kitchen with breakfast area and adjacent courtyard and a double bedroom.

On the first floor is the master bedroom with fitted wardrobes, a huge bathroom en suite with tub and separate shower.

Two more double bedrooms with one bathroom on this floor. All bedrooms benefits from private terraces.

In the basement is the garage for 2 cars, a storage room, another bathroom and multipurpose room.

The house was built by its current owner in 1985 and is in perfect condition of maintenance.

To arrange an internal inspection please contact Jackson Grundy Real Estate.

Edificio La Rotonda, Avd.Manolete Nueva Andalucía (opposite La Sala) & Centro Comercial Centro Plaza. Nueva Andalucía

T: +34 952 90 75 21 E: sales@jacksongrundy.es

jacksongrundyspain.co.uk

CHALET NEAR SELWO Superb Frontline Golf Villa with Stunning Views over Golf Course, Nature and the Mediterranean.

The Perfect Home for Family and Entertaining. * 10-15 Mins drive to Puerto Banus, 5 Mins to Laguna Village, 8 Mins to Estepona Town. * 4 Double Bedrooms with En-suite bathrooms. Option of 5th Bedroom or Office * Double Height Vaulted Lounge with split level Dining area.

Ref: R2779901

* Large Split Level Decked Terrace area with BBQ and Kitchen Area

Bedrooms: 5

* Fully Fitted Modern Kitchen Fantastic Rock Pool Waterfall/ Cascade

Plot Size: 1,200m²

* Laundry Room - Full Alarm System (Interior and Exterior) * Fireplace - Air Con throughout * Integrated Sound System throughout * Villa compatible with iPhones * Flat Screen TV’s with IP Box for all Sky Channels and BBC/ITV High Speed Fibre Optic Internet

Bathrooms: 5

Living Area: 400 m² Price: 1,275,000 €

THE KING HAS ARRIVED

From the middle of August you’ll find the world’s finest linen and towelling conveniently located with free parking.

King of Cotton has an established reputation for high quality at reasonable prices, come and see for yourself or visit our website.

EST

KING

1880

OF COTTON The world’s finest linen and towelling www.kingofcotton.com

K I N G O F C OT TO N , C E N T R O C O M E R C I A L L A C O L O N I A A V E N I D A D E L A V I R G E N D E L R O C Í O 6 - 7 2 9 6 7 0 S A N P E D R O D E A L C Á N TA R A , M A R B E L L A , M Á L A G A T : 0 3 3 4 9 5 1 2 3 9 3 0 5

My Andalusian

HOUSE PROJECT

by Päivi Halt

WHEN INTERIOR ARCHITECT PÄIVI HALT’S FAMILY MOVED TO SOUTHERN SPAIN SHE FOUND THE IDEAL PROPERTY TO TURN HER DREAM OF A VILLA IN TUSCANY INTO AN IDEAL SPANISH HOME. HERE SHE CHARTS HER EXCITING JOURNEY FROM FINDING THE PERFECT PROPERTY THROUGH TURNING IT INTO A FAMILY RESIDENCE THAT TICKS ALL THE BOXES.

Furnishings and finishing touches The thing I love the most about our new home is the fact that I don’t really have any design rules or styles I need to follow. I have a free hand to mix old Andalusian and modern Scandinavian furniture and anything else that will fit.

August went by with unpacking boxes from Finland and from our rental house here. It was like Christmas, as you forget so quickly what you have packed. It’s so great to finally have our own furniture. But, of course, we only had a basic set of things, so IKEA has been a lifesaver. I just have to be very careful in IKEA as I can easily collect everything from there because it’s so easy and they do have nice furniture. But hopefully I have done all my visits to IKEA for some time.

Surprisingly, Sotogrande has great interior design shops too, so I could save some energy by shopping here. Seriously, you can only do just a few things during the summer time here. When it’s more than 30C, I can feel my energy disappearing and even thinking is not very clear anymore. Manapany Home has a lovely collection and they seem to have new items every week. I found the rattan dining chairs there that are brilliant for inside and outside use. In summertime they are perfect for the patio, and in the rainy season I’ll take

UTOPIA - 96

them inside and just mix and match the chairs with Gervasoni’s Ghost dining chairs. Even though the rattan chairs look great, I’m a bit worried about how long they will last as the rattan stripes are quite thin and if used incoreectly might break. I wouldn’t recommend this kind of chair to homes with kids. I strongly believe that our kids now know how to use these chairs, or how not to use them. But it wouldn’t be the first time a chair gets broken when being used as part of the building a playhouse.

Ghost furniture by Gervasoni keeps pleasing my eyes even after many years. It is great for a family with kids and pets. Removable upholstery is a must and you can wash them so easily. With Ghost you can dare to choose light colours too - just make sure the fabric is washable.

And, when choosing the fabric for sofa, check its Martindale score.

It’s a Rub Test that evaluates the fabric’s toughness. For the home, I wouldn’t choose a fabric that scores less than 20,000 with Martindale.

Nothing is more annoying than when your new sofa has thread breakage or pilling. Here in Spain it’s especially important to check the test results for colourfastness as well. Colourfastness to light is a measure of how permanent a colour is on fabric after exposure to light. Upholstery fabrics should have a minimum rating of 4. Even if sofa will not be in the direct sunlight, the UV can really damage the fabric quickly.

UTOPIA - 97

Lighting Lighting is one of the most important things for a great interior. It doesn’t matter how great your house is otherwise if the lighting has been designed badly it can destroy everything. For example, it can alter the colour of the furniture, and it can also give you headaches or make you distressed. Normally, I strongly recommend hiring a lighting specialist, or at least consult with your lighting supplier to avoid any major mistakes. Of course, in our own house we did exactly what I always don’t recommend: we did it by ourselves with help from the architect and electrician.

The general lighting is created with normal ceiling lights, mostly hanging. I only accepted downlighting in the kitchen and bathrooms. In these rooms the feeling is more modern and so modern lighting solutions work well. With lighting I always try to find a solution that fits well with the house’s architecture. Often old houses have the latest lighting solution chosen from the nearest hardware store.

Yes it’s just easy, but also in most cases, it’s and unsuitable solution too. With a little effort put into finding another solution, you’ll add extra value in the house by choosing more professional lighting.

The general lighting is to be used occasionally, only when you need really strong light, while cleaning for example. The most important value of the hanging light is as an interior feature. With a hanging lamp, you can pull an interior together, or add contrast in it.

The ambient light is the where the art comes in. It’s the kind of lighting that creates atmosphere. To avoid destroying the ambience of the house, we added several sockets for floor and table lamps. In the end we went a bit overboard with these sockets, but at least it gives the freedom now to modify the lighting levels.

We also have wall lights around the patio and all the exterior lights are traditional Andalusian wall fixtures. The idea here was to have soft, friendly lighting to be used at night time. You can create a softer ambience by choosing the correct light bulb. Nowadays, you can get really lost when buying a light bulb. You first need to decide whether to have an energy saver, LED or halogen one. The other important thing is the colour. For a softer colour choose 2700-3000 K, basically this is great for all the ambient lights. In the bathrooms, a cooler colour works better, that’s 4000 K. The best way is just to test. Make sure the bulb is small enough to be hidden. Nothing is more disturbing than a visible light bulb or LED strip. If the bulb is meant to be visible, for example in the hanging lights, you can choose an antique-looking model or just a simple, clean LED, so when you’re looking into it, it doesn’t hurt your eyes.

Generally, my husband does our lighting design. He enjoys counting watts and making sure light levels, colours and angles are correct. The only problem really was that we were concerned about removing any light spots while drawing up the electricity plans. Therefore, for example, we have too much light in all the UTOPIA - 98

The most important value of the hanging light is as an interior feature. With a hanging lamp, you can pull an interior together, or add contrast in it. bathrooms, because we always have two wall lights next to the mirror and also one hanging lamp. In the end, it’s much better to have more lights to choose from, than missing light points. Adding lights is nearly impossible, or at least very expensive, when you want to add them after the walls are closed and painted.

Next time I’ll tell you about our moving in day and some of the other highlights of this interior design adventure.

Until then… ..-Best wishes,

THE KING HAS ARRIVED

Villa Vega Colorado E XCLU S IVE

The Definitive House & Home Bible From the middle of August you’ll find the world’s finest linen and towelling conveniently located with free parking.

King of Cotton has an established reputation for high quality at reasonable prices, come and see for yourself or visit our website.

EST

1880

KING OF COTTON The world’s finest linen and towelling www.kingofcotton.com

K I N G O F C OT TO N , C E N T R O C O M E R C I A L L A C O L O N I A A V E N I D A D E L A V I R G E N D E L R O C Í O 6 - 7 2 9 6 7 0 S A N P E D R O D E A L C Á N TA R A , M A R B E L L A , M Á L A G A T : 0 3 3 4 9 5 1 2 3 9 3 0 5