Photographer Ingrid Rasmussen has renovated a longtime family retreat on the island of Ibiza, creating a vibrant and colorful space that reflects both her childhood memories and her artistic sensibilities. The apartment, located a five-minute walk from the beach of Cala Gracioneta, traces back to an impulsive purchase by her grandmother, Molly Timmis, in the 1960s. Timmis reportedly flew alone from London to Ibiza after hearing about the island’s bohemian charm, eventually buying the apartment from a Dutch vendor. Since then, the property has remained a locus for three generations of Rasmussen’s family.
Rasmussen’s connection to Ibiza started early, with childhood recollections of waking to the sounds of fishing boats arriving in the bay and afternoons spent exploring local coves. In 2023, after a five-year search and an inquiry conducted by her brother, who lives on the island, she acquired the apartment when it unexpectedly became available. The property serves as a rustic contrast to her primary home in west London’s Portobello area.
Constructed in the 1970s, the apartment features finca-inspired architectural elements such as curved archways, terrazzo flooring, a traditional Spanish built-in sofa, and numerous ceramic tiles. Rasmussen opted to purchase the apartment without a survey, impressed by its authenticity and original furnishings. The home arrived fully furnished, including antique cabinets, linens, and even kitchenware, much of which she retained to preserve the space's character and history, although she chose to discard the Tupperware.
Renovation efforts focused on maintaining the apartment's original features. While she removed heavy kitchen cabinets, she retained the embossed brown tiles, the small hob (with no oven), and the bathroom’s traditional blue and white tiles. She also replaced cabinet doors under the counters with curtains, following a classic Spanish style. Her primary transformation involved introducing bold color to the interiors, shifting from the previous whitewashed walls to a palette inspired by Ibiza’s natural environment. The living room features earthy yellow tones, the bathroom ceiling is painted green, and the bedroom is painted aquamarine, reflecting sunset hues from locations such as Punta Galera. Rasmussen describes the result as joyous, underscoring her philosophy that Ibiza is a place meant for fun and vibrant expression.
As an interiors photographer, Rasmussen has documented homes of creatives worldwide and co-authored the 2007 book Ibiza Style, which compiles photographs and interviews with island residents. She admires richly colored, maximalist interiors as opposed to more restrained styles, though she admits she was less daring when decorating her London flat. This Ibiza apartment allowed her a “second chance” to embrace a bold and playful use of color.
The renovation of this family property represents a blend of respect for historical details and a personal celebration of color and joy, echoing Ibiza’s longstanding reputation as a haven for artistic and free-spirited lifestyles.