If you feel a touch of 'déjà vu' every time you see another contemporary white villa, you'll enjoy feasting your eyes on the artistry, variety and rich detail of this classically inspired Spanish home.
The problem with any dominantly prevalent style is that it gradually begins to lose its sense of variety, novelty and freshness. Modern architecture swept across a Costa del Sol that was eager for a change of scene, bringing with it a feeling of renewal and the excitement of exploring avant-garde lines, amenities and technology, but whereas we wouldn’t want to do without the latest mod cons we’ve so rapidly become accustomed to, taste is another matter altogether.
Architectural trends follow cycles in which styles will ascend, peak and then begin a gradual descent. With so many villas and apartment complexes in this form, you could say that modern architecture, which is in its second iteration on the Costa del Sol, is currently peaking. But whether or not you believe that the only way from here is down and that the market is beginning to look for more diversity and therefore alternatives to modern design, there will always be people who want something different – something more unique.
Entering a Private World
You know a style has become a little worn when you can guess what’s around the corner as you walk through a house for the first time. That’s not the case with this luxurious property in Sierra Blanca, which conjures up a sense of uniqueness as soon as you enter what is a very private domain, indeed a personal paradise. Space and location have a lot to do with this, as the villa occupies a prime spot within Sierra Blanca, looking down across its greenery to eventually encompass an unusually broad stretch of coastline and Mediterranean Sea.
Turn the other way and the house is framed by the majestic outlines of La Concha Mountain, whose foot slopes provide a protected natural landscape nearby. Set upon 4,246m2 of beautifully sculpted gardens, the villa offers every modern comfort you could wish for, but does so within a classically inspired architectural setting that feels truly rooted within its Spanish-Andalusian surroundings. The home designed by the noted architect Antonio Bermudez, famous as a leading expert in his field, shrugs off the ordinary to provide a uniquely personal and elegant living environment.
The impression of entering a private kingdom begins at the gate, for where many a contemporary luxury home can look rather sober and business-like by comparison, this is a property that celebrates timeless craftsmanship and detail. It is up to the architect to balance that detail with the available proportions, and with almost 2,000m2 of built space ensconced within mature manicured grounds, there is a lot to work with. It is the cooling embrace of this garden and the home’s varied courtyards that you feel as you step through the gate.
Timeless Artistry
The details that make a home unique also give it its character and soul, creating the setting in which the occupants live their lives. This elegantly stylish mansion offers a peaceful, welcoming home just as it provides an impressive venue in which to entertain in the very finest style. Space, light and proportions are beautifully measured to produce just the right ambiance and temperature, a function to which the central courtyard adds its refreshing breezes as well as natural light and a very easy-flowing distribution between the different parts of the villa.
It leads to the refined living room, the formal dining room, private office and a richly atmospheric and cosy country kitchen that is however equipped with modern appliances capable of catering for large numbers of guests. The breakfast area opens up to a charming private terrace, one of the many delightful corners in this house that connect with the graceful garden and provide an inviting spot in which to relax and take in the beauty of the setting.
French doors lead from the main living room to the expansive covered terrace, which looks out over the crisp lawn flanking the swimming pool as it offers a variety of lounging and dining areas. The easy symmetry of the mansion is sensed rather than seen when you look past the iconic swimming pool to marvel in what must be some of the finest views across Marbella and the sea. To the left is a pool house with toilets and changing rooms as well as a wet kitchen and al fresco dining space, while enjoying dinner or a drink at the pavilion to the right is a special pleasure reserved for the home’s residents and their guests.
Contemporary Luxury in a Classical Setting
It is a setting with all the rarefied luxury and presence of a six-star deluxe resort, and yet it is private – very private. Follow the beautifully decorated grand stairs up to the first floor and you come to an area of private suites in which the master bedroom includes his and hers bathrooms and dressing rooms as well as a spacious terrace with truly panoramic vistas. The extension of the same stairs takes you to the lower level, with spa, gym, bodega and also an area that incorporates a machine room, workshop, laundry room and staff apartment – all immaculate and fitted to the highest standards.
The property proves that modern comforts and luxury are not limited to homes with futuristic architecture, and can indeed be enjoyed in a more distinctive, classical setting in which timeless styling, the finest materials and enduring master craftsmanship are the key defining elements. The discerning eye will pick up the Mudéjar style in the stone and woodwork of the villa’s façade and entrance, where the grand classical wooden doors form a particular focal point. Step through this portico and you come to an Andalusian courtyard characterised by hand-laid tiles, manicured orange trees and the trickle of fountain water.
WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CALLUM SWAN REALTY
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