A renovation story
Although a house in the center of Mahon had been unoccupied for ten years and needed a good deal of work, it was love at first sight for one couple.
Elisabeth and Pierrick were looking for a second home somewhere close to the coast. They were considering either France, Italy, or Spain, but it was Menorca that won them over with its authenticity and easy lifestyle.
The couple knew they wanted a project: something that had character and outdoor space but that had not yet been refurbished. As soon as they saw the three-story Mahon townhouse with its roof terrace and views over the city, they knew they had found what they were looking for.
Little had been done to the property since it was first built and, having sat empty for a decade, it was damp, the walls and floors were in poor condition and the old doors had warped and no longer opened. On the plus side, it had a wealth of original, typically Menorcan features — wooden beams and window frames, antique tiles, and interior doors with colored glass panes — that they were determined to preserve and restore.
Having previously decorated and furnished interiors, the couple had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve: a warm and welcoming space that celebrated the rustic but added modern comforts, that balanced old with new.
And so the work began. They knocked down walls to turn several small rooms into a few larger rooms, replaced the plumbing and electrics, and moved the location of the kitchen and one of the bathrooms. Then they renovated the bedrooms, added a bathroom, enlarged the roof terrace and re-tiled, and insulated the roof.
Whilst tradesmen did the structural work, the couple removed the old wallpaper and scraped back the walls — uncovering original paintwork in some rooms, which they chose to keep — sanded and painted woodwork, selected a mix of antique and modern furnishings, and blended local crafts with pieces picked up on their travels.
By preserving the interior doors, tiles, beams, wood-framed windows and bare limestone walls, they have succeeded in retaining an authentic Menorcan style, but have brought it up to date with modern kitchen and bathrooms, and added international flair with elegant furniture and carefully chosen accessories.
With the renovation complete, all that remains is to enjoy every corner of the home, cooking in their spacious kitchen, gathering around the pellet stove in winter and dining and entertaining on their two terraces in summer.
Did you like this project? Would you like to be the next “Elisabeth & Pierrick”?We love taking part in projects like this. If you are looking for a house to reform or a place where to build your “Menorcan dream”, do not hesitate to contact us! We’ll be happy to help you and guide you throughout the whole process.
