Our Completed Projects
Family house, Monda, Southern Spain
Essential Marbella / Article by Jacqueline Roberts
If I could build the house of my dreams and indulge every last whim in the design, the result would not be far from a certain house in Monda. Built by Danny Lorenzo (owner of AC company Seltec) and his artist wife Sarah, their home is a Bohemian fusion of contemporary, Moorish and Indian design with such attention paid to detail that you find your head swivelling in every direction to take it all in.
The layout of the house is unconventional but surprisingly sensible with all the bedrooms found on the ground floor and the dining room, lounge and kitchen on the first floor. The house was specifically and based on the sound belief that when awake and in daylight, one should enjoy the spectacular views when eating, relaxing, cooking etc.
The entrance to the house deserves special mention. The antique front door, although bought in Gaucín, was inspired by a door spotted in Morocco. Once through this you find yourself standing on a circular mosaic depicting a pair of flip-flops under a brick cupola with arch shaped green skylights. Whilst gazing up at the dome above, you are bathed in a cool blue light emanating from two side windows. Like those in the cupola these were hand painted at Artesana in Marbella. In turn, the blue windows are covered with Moroocan, intricate wrought iron framed with delicately carved wood.
The hall is an excellent vantage point to get a first impression of the house and you could stand her for quite some time! Directly in front of you across a simple floor of terracotta and small black ceramic tiles is a wall of solid silver. Gracing the hall walls are several old Moroccan doors – delicately inlaid with bone and built in shelving displaying artefacts from around the world. The staircase which goes down to the basement is painted a bright red and perfectly placed lighting creates a lovely warm glow. Simple arches are cut into the banister to allow more light to stream up and down the staircase and hallway. A graceful, antique, Indian Buddha stares serenely at you from a matching arch recessed into the wall on your way down. From here tall, elegant Moorish arched doorways lead to the bedrooms.
The banister rail, which divides the mezzanine dining room from the two storey hallway, is a masterpiece of modern metalwork. Much of the metal work used in the house is hand made by a local company Messeg and they have created sconce lights, funky door handles and rejas. Other lights made of brass or wrought iron originate in Morocco.
The master bedroom boasts a wonderful Balinese four-poster bed and wood burning stove for chilly winter nights (although the entire house is under floor heated and fully air conditioned). Raw linen curtains are trimmed with sparkling glass beads, artwork depicts ancient Mayan history and Berber rugs grace the floor. Another fabulous arch gives access to what is one of the most exciting parts of the house – the master bathroom. With walk in closets on one side, the other is a fairytale grotto of beautiful turquoise green and red ceramics. Like the mosaic in the entrance, these have been hand made to Sarah’s strict specifications by master craftsman Genaro in Marbella. Twin basins are sunk in an arch shaped vanity stand with Moroccan ironwork mirrors, the shower stall is built in the corner, again with a perfect arched entrance and the bath is set in a large bay window which looks out over the terrace, pool, garden and views beyond. Finishing touches such as silver starfish towel hangers combine to make the bathroom a colourful and uplifting space.
Upstairs the house is open plan with the dining room in the centre. In the centre of the dining area is Sarah’s pride and joy – an enormous table which she made herself from thousands of mosaic pieces cut by a little man in Meknes! The table took 11 people to move it from their last house and it has now been joined by 8 gorgeous leather and wrought iron dining chairs. Two small Berber tajines sit primly upon it while stern looking relatives look across from old oil paintings on the opposite wall. From the dining room a wide arch leads you to the cosy living room where you can enjoy the views to the west as well as south. The lounge has been painted a deep shade of salmon and in the corner an open fireplace features the same arches used in the lower banisters at each side of the hearth and wood storage area beneath.
The kitchen combines many of the elements used throughout the house;- ceramic tiles by Genaro, this time a deep purple, cupboard handles are swirly creations from Messeg, all stainless steel fittings are Puya, window handles are from Italy. The entire top floor has a pitched, wooden beamed roof, stained dark over the dining and living areas but left natural above the kitchen.
The house enjoys 150m2 of covered terraces – the entire southern side of both ground and first floor is terraced and from here you view the pool – shaped as a Moroccan arch – the fabulous countryside, the village of Monda and its castle. Natural light streams into the house where needed and elsewhere in the house perfectly placed lighting melds with colour to create different moods and effects.
If your dream home is one with bold character yet comfortable, fun yet stylish, a trail through Asia, Africa & South America but with not a backpack in sight, an eye grabbing extravaganza which somehow fits together and never looks over done then this is the house for you – you’ll just have to get past me to get it!
Hard Facts
Plot: 6000m2
Built: 500m2
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 3 ½
The house enjoys a huge basement which includes garage space for several cars, fully fitted kitchen/laundry room, living room and bedroom – all with natural light. This children’s / guest / staff apartment also has a separate entrance.
What now?
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