The main living room showcases a neo-vernacular blend of rustic and modern elements, with terracotta floors, whitewashed walls, and a geometric chandelier made of linen shades. Layered textures and earthy hues root the interior in Ibiza’s rural identity while maintaining a refined, contemporary calm.

Estudio Martín Peláez Redefines Rural Simplicity in Ibiza

Words by Yatzer

Ibiza, Spain

Tucked among olive trees and free-roaming chickens in the heart of Ibiza, this recently renovated country house embodies a delicate balance between rustic simplicity and modern refinement courtesy of Estudio Martín Peláez. Guided by a desire to preserve its rural essence while enhancing comfort and atmosphere, the studio crafted a thoughtful design language rooted in authenticity and restraint. The result is Villa Golondrina, a home that feels both grounded in place and effortlessly contemporary, distilling the spirit of rural Ibiza through a modern lens.

A striking monochrome portrait punctuates the neutral stairwell, its expressive gaze contrasting the smooth plaster walls and terracotta-vaulted ceiling. The composition underscores the dialogue between art, architecture, and quiet emotion that runs through the house.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

An arched alcove with integrated seating reflects Estudio Martín Peláez’s minimalist interpretation of Ibicenco tradition. Soft natural light glides across lime plaster walls and terracotta tiles, highlighting the home’s quiet geometry and soothing tonal palette.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

The main living room showcases a neo-vernacular blend of rustic and modern elements, with terracotta floors, whitewashed walls, and a geometric chandelier made of linen shades. Layered textures and earthy hues root the interior in Ibiza’s rural identity while maintaining a refined, contemporary calm.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

Originally built in 2007, the team found no need to overhaul the existing structure. Rather than reconfiguring, the studio worked with the original layout, introducing subtle interventions to elevate comfort and spatial flow. Most notably, a four-metre-long built-in sofa now anchors the open-plan living and dining area. In the same space, the team has redesigned two fireplaces with sculptural clarity, adding built-in benches on either side.

Throughout, the use of traditional materials, natural textures, and earthy tones, handled with quiet precision, imbues the spaces with a soulful elegance and soothing continuity. Walls are coated in lime paint, floors are lined with terracotta tiles, while dark-toned carpentry lends depth. Timber, ceramic and linen add an element of warmth, deepening the connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape.

An intimate seating nook features a built-in sofa and low rustic coffee table beside a plaster fireplace. Earth-toned ceramics and natural textures—linen, wood, and jute—create a sense of timeless simplicity and handcrafted authenticity.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

A serene Mediterranean living area framed by softly curved arches and tactile plaster walls. The terracotta-tiled floor and woven reed ceiling reflect Ibicenco craftsmanship, while a minimalist bookstand adds a quiet focal point, balancing rustic warmth with architectural precision.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

A close-up view of the living area reveals the material dialogue between reed ceilings, white plaster, and handcrafted wooden furniture. Natural light enhances the subtle tonal interplay, highlighting the home’s balance of tradition and restraint.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

A dining alcove with a built-in bench upholstered in muted linen sits beside a plaster fireplace. A sculptural wicker wall sconce adds an organic touch, blending Mediterranean craftsmanship with understated modernity.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

A serene living room exemplifies neo-vernacular Mediterranean design, with lime-washed walls, terracotta floors, and a woven cane ceiling. A sculptural felt chandelier and built-in seating create a warm, contemplative atmosphere rooted in craftsmanship and restraint.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

  • A warm, inviting dining room pairs a solid oak table with Wishbone-style chairs and terracotta flooring. Symmetrical wicker wall fixtures and built-in seating create a rhythm of texture and form, reflecting Estudio Martín Peláez’s refined approach to rustic design.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

  • A dining room anchored by a solid wooden table and bench seating embodies rustic modernism. Exposed terracotta ceilings and reclaimed wooden doors lend texture and patina, underscoring Estudio Martín Peláez’s focus on material continuity and handcrafted detail.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

  • The kitchen and dining area open to soft daylight filtered through linen curtains. Terracotta floors, timber counters, and hand-painted tiles compose a restrained Mediterranean palette that bridges rustic authenticity with contemporary ease.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

Craftsmanship also plays a defining role. “We collaborated closely with local and regional artisans, adding artisanal character to key elements of the project,” the studio’s co-founder Ana Martín explained to Yatzer. One of the most striking details is the woven cane beam ceiling in the living area, which was specially created to elevate the space. Drawing the eye upwards, it introduces artisanal warmth and textural depth, imbuing the room with a gentle rhythm that echoes the arched ceiling vaults in the adjoining dining space. In the kitchen, traditional tiles hand-painted with blue olive branches line the walls, bridging rustic nostalgia with contemporary clarity.

This same emphasis on tactile authenticity extends to the furniture, where selected vintage and contemporary pieces coexist with bespoke designs. Felt pendant lamps, crafted in varying sizes and suspended in a loose constellation, add a sculptural softness to the living area, while handcrafted wooden tables and linen upholstery echo the home’s natural restraint.

  • A close-up of artisanal kitchen tiles reveals delicate blue olive branches against a warm clay background. Stainless-steel utensils, a wooden vessel, and fresh produce emphasise the tactile dialogue between craftsmanship, material honesty, and daily ritual.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

  • A Mediterranean kitchen combines rustic textures with modern clarity. Hand-painted ceramic tiles with blue olive motifs complement dark wood cabinetry and lime-coated walls, blending tradition with contemporary craftsmanship in a calm, earthy composition.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

An arched passage frames a sculptural staircase and an open book displayed on a minimalist stand. Terracotta floors and soft shadows convey the home’s monastic serenity and architectural precision.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

An aerial view of the stairwell reveals geometric plaster forms and terracotta steps bathed in ambient light. The composition distils the villa’s essence—pure, textural, and contemplative in its Mediterranean simplicity.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

A close-up of a stair balustrade reveals a small stone detail resting atop smooth lime plaster. The play of light and shadow highlights Estudio Martín Peláez’s sensitivity to texture, imperfection, and artisanal precision.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

A textured ceramic vase with wild greenery rests on a rustic wooden table. The soft daylight and weathered backdrop of reclaimed wooden doors evoke Estudio Martín Peláez’s sensitivity to craft, material honesty, and understated Mediterranean beauty.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

A minimalist bedroom corner features a built-in desk with warm wood drawers and a sculptural black chair. An abstract painting and terracotta-vaulted ceiling underscore the project’s balance of rustic materiality and contemporary artistic sensibility.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

  • A minimalist bedroom features a textured cream bedspread, timber bench, and spherical pendant light. Natural light softens the terracotta tones and wooden shutters, revealing the space’s quiet balance between craft and contemporary comfort.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

  • Through a plastered doorway, a bathroom reveals handcrafted tile surfaces and dark timber cabinetry. Muted tones and diffused light highlight Estudio Martín Peláez’s commitment to tactile calm and neo-vernacular restraint.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

  • A bedroom framed by terracotta-tiled ceilings and linen drapes embodies Mediterranean restraint. The warm palette of clay, wood, and wool creates a sense of intimacy and calm within the home’s rustic-modern aesthetic.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

  • An outdoor dining area pairs a weathered wooden table with red metal chairs beneath a white-timbered pergola. The composition reflects the villa’s ethos of relaxed Mediterranean conviviality and understated design clarity.

    Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

Two lounge chairs sit by the curved pool edge, framed by olive trees and wild grasses. The natural stone terrace and tranquil palette embody the project’s seamless dialogue between architecture, landscape, and leisure.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.

The pool terrace captures Ibiza’s serene rural mood with sun-bleached stone paving, woven parasols, and palm silhouettes against a clear sky. The composition mirrors the villa’s restrained Mediterranean spirit—natural, timeless, and quietly luxurious.

Photography by Sonia Sabnani.