Ibiza Apartment Mirrors Sun Gold and Bright Blue
Interior design in Ibiza often leans toward stark white surfaces to match the island’s coastal aesthetic, but Ingrid Rasmussen chose a different path for her newly acquired apartment. Living in London, Rasmussen spent her childhood holidays at a family property on the island, a connection that eventually led her to purchase a three-year-old apartment with her brother’s friend. The two-bedroom unit sits a ten-minute walk from the beach she frequented as a child, offering a terrace overlooking the sea. The flat, part of a small block of houses from the 1970s or 80s, features textured walls, arches, and exposed beams, giving it the feel of a traditional “finca” rather than a modern building.
Rasmussen wanted to transform the space without erasing its original charm, specifically preserving the original tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. She hired a local painter to apply a palette drawn directly from the surrounding environment. The living, dining, and kitchen areas were painted yellow to mimic the sun and rock formations. The primary bedroom and bathroom were finished in teal to resemble the Mediterranean sea, while the guest bedroom received a blue hue to reflect the sky.
She painted the existing white built-in banquette yellow and coated the dark wood cabinets in black to refresh the furniture. Rasmussen also rescued items from the trash, collecting cane chairs from outside a closing hotel during her morning runs. The resulting space functions as a “little Ibizan finca,” a color-drenched environment that serves as a stark contrast to the neutral tones typically found in the region, much like the shift towards gray home decor trends in other parts of the world.
Art and decor fill the apartment with personal history and collected pieces. The dining area features a trio of paintings by artist Katy Lynton, while a woven wall hanging by Taher Asad Bakhtiari hangs in the kitchen. Portobello Road Market and local shops supplied smaller accents like vases and lighting. Some pieces came from her collection in London, including a Pierre Frey textile gifted by an interior designer. Rasmussen’s fondness for unique decor is also reflected in her choice of bedding, which adds a touch of simplicity to the space.
It is not uncommon for buyers to purchase a property in Ibiza and find it fully furnished, including the Tupperware. In this case, the previous owner left everything behind, allowing Rasmussen to sort through the belongings and decide what to keep. She kept several items but reimagined them through paint and new cushions, such as the dark teal covers on the dining nook’s built-in seating.
Living between London and Dubai, Rasmussen maintains a presence on the island, visiting at least four times a year and staying through the peak summer months. The apartment serves as her primary escape from the city, a place where she can relax near a working fireplace or sit on the terrace and look out at the sea.
Rasmussen’s dedication to the island lifestyle means she rarely stays away for more than a few months at a time.
