Using a combination of simple, defined shapes, clean neutral colours and lots of hard work, the Kastners have created a dramatically stylish home

Julie Kastner was born in New Zealand, and has travelled the world, although it is the ten years that she spent living in Sydney, Australia that seem to have been the biggest influence on the design and decoration of her home. She now lives on the Spanish island of Mallorca with her Austrian husband Josef, her two daughters Keana and Reese, their dog Jack and cat Meska.

Situated in an exclusive development of mock-Spanish mansions, golf courses and dense pine forests, Julie and Josef’s home, known simply as Number 11, is an oasis of refined and considered taste. Working without an architect, the transformation of the original ‘boxy’ Seventies house they bought into the home as it is today took six years.

Although the house we bought was nothing like what we wanted, we could see the possibilities immediately and decided to buy it without even entering the gates” says Julie. Houses in this area are usually completed by large teams of builders in a matter of months, but Julie and Joseph decided to do everything themselves with the help of two Polish-builder brothers. The brothers would stay with them for eight months of the year, for the total six years it took to complete. This even led to the family having to live outside on the terrace for an entire summer.

“We’re the local gypsies,” laughs Julie, with an easy-going gesture that dismisses the stress that can result from living in a house as it’s rebuilt.

The final result of six years of building and hardship is a triumph. The original house is now divided into a two-story main house and separate guesthouse, which Julie and Joseph rent out to family and friends. What was once a collection of low-ceilinged rooms on the ground floor of the main house is now one large open space, which opens out onto the terrace. The roof was raised and areas defined with the use of strong block colours in earth tones. Yet this was all achieved without the help of an architect.

“Josef would take photographs of the building, then manipulate them on his computer, show them to the builders, and off we went” says Julie.

On entering the main living space on the ground floor, the sense of space and minimal decoration is offset by the huge cream leather sofa, which dominates the main relaxing area. The colours chosen throughout this space, the warm orange cushions, rich dark cocoa coloured rug, chocolate brown fireplace and coffee coloured walls, all come together to produce a warm and intimate space that throws into relief the rich green tones of the external planting. The furniture was all purchased locally from a selection of stores in Palma specialising in contemporary design, but there is a strong leaning towards strong, clean shapes and natural woods, which gives a unified result.

The entire far wall consists of natural wood folding doors, which allow the terrace to be used as an extension to the main living space. The terrace is divided into three distinct areas with the clever use of furniture in the same tones as Josef and Julie have used inside the house. Heavy chocolate brown cane armchairs are set as a formal seating area, a teak and steel dining table and chairs define the eating space and at the very edge of the terrace a vast cream cotton and lace hammock provides the perfect place to relax and look out onto the surrounding pine forest.

Read the full article in our July 2008 edition.

Words by Scott Jeffries

Pictures by Grant Scott 

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