Friends visiting Emile and Eva Kuenen’s Ibizan home often comment on what a fantastic job they’ve done with the renovation. “What they don’t realize is that we built it from scratch,” says Eva. “When people find out it’s not actually an old finca, they’re always amazed.”
The abundance of robust beams helps – they were left outside for a year to be weathered by the elements – as do the gently undulating plaster walls, the doors forged by a blacksmith, and the tactile kitchen cabinets, all crafted by a local carpenter. Together, they fulfill the couple’s brief, to create a space that is ‘cozy’ – no mean feat in the more-than-generous 5,600-sq-ft property.
Having initially fallen in love with Ibiza following his brother’s wedding in 2011, Emile, who founded premium sustainable stroller manufacturer Joolz more than 20 years ago, and Eva, a business consultant, purchased the plot and enlisted the help of Rolph Blakstad of Blakstad architects to help create their dream. Sat atop a hill in the very north of the island, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom, four-story home, which they share with their two small sons, is constructed around a sculptural, ribbon-like staircase that winds its way through the center of the building.
Beyond the main living spaces, which were planned with both family and entertaining in mind, it also boasts a sizable gym that opens onto the garden, a cinema, a wine room, and a completely self-contained, two-bedroom, two-bathroom casita to accommodate their frequent guests.
Alongside Blakstad, they also collaborated with design firm Ibiza Interiors and Carmen Straatsma of Studio C, who sourced vintage objects and bigger items of furniture. “Although we had a very clear vision, we needed help selecting durable materials that would work for our busy lives, which is where Ibiza Interiors came in,” explains Eva. “Then we discovered Carmen when we wanted to order some beautiful parasols, and she was the only person who could deliver in Ibiza. We loved everything in her studio, and it was then that we knew we had to have her input.”
Key pieces include a blush-pink cement dining table by Belgian designer Bieke Casteleyn, which is surrounded by a clutch of J39 Mogensen chairs from Danish furniture brand Fredericia; outdoor sofas and chairs by Copenhagen-based manufacturer Gubi; and art, textiles, and rugs from Marrakech. These sit alongside treasures collected by Emile and his family, including a huge painting of a fish, alive with dynamic brush strokes, that hangs on the dining-room wall. “He bought it many years ago, and it’s always moved with us. Sometimes it’s in the entryway, sometimes the living room, and now it’s here, but it’s always part of our home,” says Eva.
See also: The Reality of Owning – and Restoring – a Château
Thanks to the island’s favorable climate, most of the family’s time is spent in the outdoor kitchen and dining area, which centers around a handsome, bespoke dining table hewn from characterful reclaimed teak. Custom-made terracotta clay floor tiles, handcrafted in Portugal, create a natural continuity throughout the space.
“We were on holiday when we saw them, and we discovered they were made by a small Portuguese factory,” Eva recalls. “They created this design for us, so now we have a wonderful flow from inside to out.” The alfresco lifestyle extends around the glittering infinity pool, where the vista stretches out for miles over the neighbor’s farmland. “We can still see it from the outdoor kitchen, so if we have friends over, we can relax, but can keep an eye on the kids,” she laughs. “I think we must spend about 90 percent of the year out here – it’s our favorite place to be.”
Before relocating permanently, they had spent several years dividing their time between Ibiza and Amsterdam (they renovated an older property on the island before building this one). But in 2023, when their sons were three and four, they realized their Ibiza home had become more than a seasonal escape. With a dog to walk and a love of hiking and outdoor sports, Emile and Eva find the pace of life perfectly suits their family. “The children never ask for a screen – they’re always outside, building huts or going on adventures. And we love living in nature, the quietness, the space to breathe,” concludes Eva. “In the city, that was a rarity. Here, it’s everyday life.”
