Warmth and Sophistication: Mallorca's Finest Interior Designers on Seasonal Styling

Gone are the days of Mallorca being just a summer destination. Instead, the allure of this Mediterranean isle takes new dimensions during the autumn and winter months as many second homeowners are turning their holiday homes into permanent residences. 

For decades, Mallorca has remained one of the most coveted destinations for high-end living, but it's only in the last few years that the island has attracted international attention not only for its sandy beaches and its crystal-clear waters, but as a year-round retreat. 

As a result, many more second homeowners are investing in the design and feel of their homes to maximise their enjoyment of the property throughout the year.

'Mallorca has a large community of international residents who are sensitive to architecture and design. They come to the island to relax, looking for peace outside their usual environment, but always keeping in mind high quality and comfort mixed with exclusivity and elegance.' – Terraza Balear

In this article, we uncover some expert tips from Mallorca's luxury interior design scene to transform your Mallorcan residence into a haven of warmth and sophistication to enjoy the colder months of the year.

Don't Overlook Your Outdoor Spaces

Justine Knox, from Knox Design

Born from Justine Knox 's love for the island and her expert eye for interior design,  Knox Design specialises in designing unique holiday homes with personality. 'We're not for everybody,' asserts Knox. 'I'm not the beige, monochrome, magnolia girl. If you're looking for something bland and safe, then perhaps I'm not the designer for you.'

But Knox's designs go beyond a bold and daring aesthetic to paint a larger picture of the taste and lifestyle of her clients. 'For me it's really important that we're providing a home that suits the lifestyle of my clients and that our designs fit the way they want to live in their home', reveals Knox. Throughout her decades of experience in the industry she has developed a meticulous process to achieve just that.

When asked about what luxury living means to them, the designer shares: 'Luxury for us is in the use of textures, fabrics and furniture that is going to last. Luxury has a lot to do with comfort as well. The luxury that we inject in our homes is definitely with comfort and functionality in mind.'

Her best tip for going into the colder months? Don't overlook your outdoor spaces! 

'I work with a lot of second homeowners who tend to come out for the warm weather, so we always make sure that their outdoor furniture and outdoor spaces are set up to a high standard that's going to stand the test of time. Sometimes we actually allocate the majority of the budget on really getting the outdoors right', she reveals. 

Traditionally, when one thinks of autumn and winter, the mind is directed towards interiors. However, according to Knox, if you have invested in your outdoor spaces, there's no reason why you shouldn't make use of them in the colder months as much as during the summer. 'You can easily accessorise your outdoor spaces to be functional as well during the colder months of the year. Think blankets, cushions, and patio heaters. And the parasol isn't just useful for keeping out the sun-rays – it can also help avoid that winter dew and contain the heat of your outdoor heaters!'

Invest in Key Pieces of Furniture

Ángel Martin, from Angel Martin Studio

Founded 6 years ago by interior designer Angel Martin,  Angel Martin toes the line between interior design and interior architecture. With a clear focus on aesthetic purism, the studio has worked on an impressive portfolio of unique and exclusive projects on the island. 'We aim for a simple style that leans heavily towards purism, paying attention to pure lines and visual order to achieve a design that is timeless with the use of noble materials', relates Ángel Martin. 'We prefer to distance ourselves from the superfluous and gravitate towards that which is essential'. 

This is where they see that luxury living is headed. 'Especially before the pandemic, a more ornate and ostentatious sense of luxury predominated, now there's a real shift towards the value of artisanal work and the sourcing of local materials', explains Martin. 'It's what they now call the new luxury, but for us it's an aesthetic line that has marked our work from the very beginning.' 

Indeed, the studio often works closely with local artisans to design bespoke pieces for their projects. 'For us it's a key element of luxury living that pieces retain a sense of manual origin and the little imperfections that are born from the artisanal process.' 

Although the studio is diligent about their focus on simplicity and purism, 'not everything has to be perfect, but overall, there should be a clean design. Spaces should invite mental clarity and wellbeing', clarifies the interior designer, drawing an important connection between physical and mental spaces.

Simplicity in design can also give room for those key pieces of furniture to shine in your living spaces. 'A well-made and carefully curated piece can change the feel of a room entirely', points out Martin. 'Especially during the colder months, one is drawn towards a sense of interiority and introspection, both mentally and physically, and, as a consequence, we pay more attention to those key pieces of furniture that define our spaces.'

Lighting Will Transform Your Space

Carlos Toledano, from BANNI

With showrooms across different key areas of Spain, BANNI · Elegant Interiors is an established luxury interior design firm with a proven track record of delivering design projects to the highest of standards. 'We work on design projects for personal residences, but we also extend to hotels, offices, superyachts and retail spaces', explains Carlos Toledano, CEO of BANNI. 'Our projects are for those that look for quality both in the products and the service that we offer.' 

When speaking about the creative direction of the projects Toledano shares: 'At BANNI we tend to steer away from trends. Instead, we opt for timeless interiors where calm neutrals and beiges prevail, as well as colours that evoke nature such as earthy tones, greens, blues or terracottas and, of course, the colours that each client has in mind and want to reflect according to their personality.'

Luxury for BANNI is in the details: the quality of the products, the material, and the service to their client. 'We aim to create exclusive designer spaces that adapt to the necessities and tastes of each client', notes the CEO. 'The outcome should be a space that is both elegant and functional, that brings harmony to the home and that shines a light on the quality of its curation.'

Lighting, shares Toledano, is a key element in this configuration. 'It’s such an important element on any project and at any moment throughout the year, but especially going into the autumn/winter when days start to shorten. This is the time you can show off a good lighting project – which can be so important when trying to achieve that homey feel.’

Embrace Natural Forms and Colours

Marga Comas, from Marga Comas Interior Design

Marga Comas Interior Design is a local interior design firm founded by the interior designer Marga Comas Sastre specialised in bespoke residential projects. 'Our philosophy is that clients feel happy in their homes. That's our main goal', reveals Comas. 'We try to get to know our client to know their tastes, their desires and, with that as a base, execute a project that is tailored to them in a way that is cohesive and follows the same line.'

That's where true luxury lies for Marga Comas. 'There has to be comfort and quality, but, most importantly, one has to feel like they're in THEIR house, in THEIR home, not just a pretty house. Every person is their own world, and each world has its own style'.

When asked about what we should look forward to this autumn and winter, she replies: 'I would say that we'll see a very natural style, less straight lines or cubes, more curves and organic forms, with a colour way leaning towards natural, earthy and neutral tones.'

Create an Immersive Experience by Appealing to All Five Senses

Terraza Balear

Founded in 2010 by Mariana Muñoz and comprised of a diverse team of 75 professionals, Terraza Balear part of Gunni & Trentino is an exclusive Mallorca-based interior design firm with a clear vision:

'Terraza Balear creates spaces that take design beyond the tangible and reflect the essence of their surroundings and the people who inhabit them. Each year, the team completes over 250 projects, designing homes all over Europe to create memories that remain unforgettable and experiences that go beyond emotions. Unique homes that awaken senses.'

Their approach is rooted in the natural world and the seamless integration between interior and exterior environments. 'Terraza Balear's design approach focuses on the creation of calming, harmonious spaces with a visual connection to the environment and nature', they share. 'We favour natural materials that exude refined elegance and exceptional craftsmanship.' 

Their designs are timeless, discreet, but above all immersive, every design choice evoking a full-rounded sensorial experience. This is especially prevalent looking at autumn and winter. 'During the cold season, more than ever, we seek that feeling of immersion, shelter and cocoon,' they note.

Their approach to achieving an immersive home experience appeals to all five senses. 'Texture and light come to the fore. Textual stories told by cashmere, wool, and velvet are what our sense of touch craves during this period', they explain. 'We will also choose accent colours with yellow or terracotta undertones, pairing them with warm indirect light that bathes the atmosphere with a warm golden glow.' 

All the elements of their designs are carefully curated to work in harmony to create a seamless environment. 'As for scents, during this period scents with amber, musk, tobacco or spicy notes such as clove, anise and cinnamon bring a feeling of warmth and cosy memories'.

For decades, Mallorca has stood as a pinnacle of high-end living, its allure extending far beyond its sun-soaked beaches and crystalline waters. Recent years have witnessed the island's emergence as a coveted year-round retreat, drawing international attention not only for its natural splendour but as a destination where architecture, design, and an unwavering commitment to quality and comfort converge.

In this article, we've uncovered some of the expertise of Mallorca's luxury interior design scene, offering you expert insights to transforming your residence into a sanctuary of warmth and sophistication, ensuring your enjoyment of the island year-round.

Welcome to a Mallorca that transcends seasons.