Home tour | A rustic-minimalist restoration in Ibiza

I’m always drawn to minimalist spaces that have a sense of place – spaces that are calm and understated, yet maintain a strong connection with their setting and surroundings. The subject of today’s home tour is a beautiful example, and it instantly spoke to me when I saw a sneak peek on Instagram.

Located in Ibiza’s rural interior, this 200-year-old finca has been renovated from top to bottom by Oslo-based design studio Ask og Eng and project-management company Ibiza Interiors. Throughout, the aim was to infuse the building with a pared-back Nordic aesthetic while retaining its Balearic soul and rustic charm. And in my view, they’ve achieved that balance perfectly.  

Founded in 2016 by couple Kine Ask Stenersen and Kristoffer Eng, who had been creating kitchens and other pieces for their own homes for a number of years, Ask og Eng is renowned for its sustainable bamboo cabinetry. Its designs take centre stage here, and the kitchen is especially appealing. The clean lines both offset and emphasise the finca’s gnarled beams and wonderfully wobbly walls, while the bamboo adds patina and warmth. The worktop choice is also very clever, echoing the old stone structure and contrasting beautifully with the dark fronts beneath. What’s more, the whole space is bathed in natural light thanks to a section of glass inserted into the roof above the rafters. 

Ask og Eng’s bespoke designs also extend to the bedrooms, where they’ve created tailor-made bamboo bed bases, and the bathrooms, which feature bamboo vanity units topped with stone sinks. The polished concrete walls of the walk-in showers, meanwhile, almost seem to blend into the structure of the building. 

The living spaces are kept simple and relaxed, with built-in stone bench seats softened by piles of cushions and tables with organic curves. I particularly like the shelving unit, which extends all the way up to the ceiling but doesn’t hide the rafters or the wall behind. It’s a very effective way of drawing the eye upwards and making the room look taller, without installing anything overly bulky that might risk dominating the space. 

As for the outside spaces, they’re just as considered as the interiors. The same concrete flooring extends onto the terraces, creating the impression of seamless indoor-outdoor living, and there are hints of the internal beams and shutters in the dark-wood furniture. Importantly, nothing is overdressed or overdone, ensuring the focus remains squarely on the beautiful building and the equally beautiful countryside views. 

See more of this stunning project here. 

Photography by Elizabeth Heier, courtesy of Ask og Eng