Crafting Calm: A Rustic Mediterranean Style Home in Menorca

For interior designer Carmen Carretero, this charming Menorcan house was truly a labour of love. When she and her husband acquired an old country property near her home in Mahón, Carretero knew she wanted to pay homage to the charming local fishermen’s cottages of the nearby Cales Fonts port area.

The result is an exquisite contemporary take on rustic Mediterranean style that celebrates the beauty of simple, unpretentious spaces bathed in glorious natural light.

From the outset, Carretero’s vision was centred around creating a chromatic interplay of whites and the soft earthy tones of the flooring that would flood the rooms with a sense of calm and understated luxury.

The walls are constructed from piedra de mares (local stone sourced from the sea) and coated in a rustic limewash finish. Underfoot, the flooring features traditional handmade tiles from Spanish artisanal brand Todobarro. Their white clay tiles with a silky, gently worn texture line the open-concept living and dining room. In the bathroom, the same style Todobarro tiles take on rich earthen hues.

While the overall palette stays delightfully subdued, Carretero incorporated eye-catching natural wood tones as well as leather accents as counterpoints. The Couro lamps from Let’s Pause make a striking statement, casting a flattering, enveloping glow that invites calm and contemplation.

One of the cottage’s most delightful features is the beautiful vaulted ceilings, a quintessential element of Menorcan architecture. Carretero harnessed their unique curvature to imbue the spaces with a subtle magical quality.

Curved lines and organic shapes predominate throughout, cultivating a seductive, free-flowing ambience, with every detail encouraging you to slip into an unhurried, tranquil frame of mind.

For the Menorca-based designer, capturing the authentic spirit and traditions of the island’s classic fishermen’s dwellings was paramount. By celebrating their characteristic simplicity, natural materials, and time-honoured craftsmanship, she has created an elevated yet understated haven for modern living. Cales Fonts exemplifies the power of warm minimalism and the art of stillness, offering a serene retreat that honours its coastal heritage while embracing contemporary comfort.