A contemporary renovation of a manor house in the Spanish countryside

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n this contemporary renovation, a few carefully chosen pieces enhance the original beauty of a splendid rural building. This extraordinary manor house is located on a hill in Pego, on the Spanish coastline north of Costa Blanca, between Valencia and Alicante and almost opposite the island of Ibiza. This is a most enchanting place, where it's possible to fulfill the dream of a lifetime.

The magnificent location of this manor house on a hill in Pego, in the Alicante province.

The owners: she’s a teacher and he’s a developer, with two delightful kids, which are grwing up fast. This project was imagined for a not so distant future, when the couple's children will have flown the nest. In fact, they decided to buy this magnificent 1000 sqm small-holding with courtyards and terraces, in the hopes of coverting it into a boutique hotel or in Spanish hotel con encanto. 

Old chairs found in the manor have been wall-mounted and displayed like sculptures. This is in sharp contrast with the modern paintings of the owner’s collection.

The renovation was overseen by Alauna Arquitectura, the in-house architectural team of interior design store Pepe Cabrera. This building project run for two years and maximum consideration was paid to the existing structure and historical ruins. The owners wanted to preserve the many found period artifacts, subsequently mounting them in an almost abstract collage. This was done to keep the heart and the history of this house alive, alongside new pieces clearly modern in taste.

Old roof tiles light the old farm tools displayed along the wall.

The concrete border helps to align the old stonewalls with the new timber flooring.

Presently, our future hoteliers will be enjoying this house only for their holydays. However, all spaces have already been set up for their future purpose: public rooms are on the ground floor, the future reception, dining room and living rooms and on the top two floors, the bedrooms. The beauty of a country residence with its rugged walls and waxed timber slats; this is enhanced by modern furniture in strong tones, for a fresh new approach. 

Vitra Wire Chair

Vitra Dining Table

Foscarini Lamp Supernova

The new panel in cor.ten steel reinforces the existing structure and hides diffused light.

A counter-wall was found during the wall exploration; this used to hide the old stone wall. What’s more, there was a painting hunging between the two walls, which looked like an unfinished faceless Monalisa. We will never know why it ended up there and as a matter of fact, it now sits, in all its mistery, at the head of the dining table. 

Carl Hansen CH24

The new kitchen links the main building to the old stable block, ready to become the dining room of the future hotel.

The extra-modern bespoke kitchen. It’s big enough to cook for 80 people. 

In the bedroom, harmonious shades, and an open bathroom for an open-plan space.

Architectural interventions are clearly defined by a modern design, as in the case of the new staircase.

The roof-top terrace. In the background, a sculpture in cement and steel, which swallows the exhaust pipe and shows the entrance to the manor house.

It’s exciting to plan a new life at almost fifty. And this is especially thrilling, when your prospects are those of living in a magnificent manor house, where you can catch glimpses of the glistening see and welcome guests, who have also fallen in love with this place. Those of you who want to spend their holidays in this scenic location must wait a little bit longer. However, guests can already visit this ancient building. 

Design project

The contemporary renovation of a manor house

Location: Pego, Spain
Client: private
Size: 1100 sqm with terraces and courtyards 
Floors: 3

Interior design and furniture: AluUna Arquitectos and Pepe Cabrera Interiorismo
Cami de La Bota numero 13, cruce con Partida Negrals n11, 03700 Denia, Spain

Tel: +34-96 578 07 70
Email: info@pepecabrera.com

www.pepecabrera.com

Photos: Courtesy Pepe Cabrera