A ray of sunshine on the cusp of the Atlantic
Just minutes from the centre of A Coruña stands a very special property, a hundred-year-old villa turned masterclass in pared-back contemporary design. Wrapped in spectacular gardens, this sun-drenched villa wears its past with effortless cool. This is a house for ease and lightness, an island of calm that enjoys its own balmy microclimate, as current owner Elena explains in this episode of My Singular Space.
The house rests in a fortuitous location that offers a rare blend of rural tranquillity and urban convenience, just a seven-minute drive from the city centre. “I love the solitude of the countryside, but I also like to feel safe, and that’s how I feel here. There are always neighbours around but it’s still wonderfully private,” says Elena as we begin our tour.
Built over a century ago, the property has been painstakingly refurbished into a bright and airy contemporary home, arranged over three storeys plus a basement: a space to be enjoyed, with a warmth and clarity that’s a balm for the senses.
There are so many things that make this property special, but its luminous, sun-washed interior, the clever interplay of volume and space and the understated natural luxury of its palette of materials are right at the top of the list. Warming oak flooring, original stone features and microcement finishes in the bathroom create a fresh and inviting ambiance, kept at the perfect year-round temperature by an efficient air-source heat pump.
Elena describes how the modest refresh she first had in mind gradually morphed into a full-blown remodel. Even so, she was set on retaining the original features that make the property unique: “I decided to leave the walls of the stairwell exposed to view, because the stone is so beautiful. And the little window in the living room — I knew at once that had to stay. In the end, I went for quite a radical approach, but one that left the soul of the house intact, because that’s what I fell in love with when I bought it,” she says.
Elena is especially fond of the principal bedroom with its glorious inflow of light, and of the bright and sociable kitchen. “I love kitchens, and this one is designed to be the heart of the house.” She recalls the Herculean task of raising the traditional stone fireplace (lareira) to a new position overhanging the modern range. “It was a huge undertaking, because we had to extricate the stonework piece by piece and then lift it all up to a height that would leave enough room to stand and cook. It’s so lovely I couldn’t bear to see it go.”
Good vibes only
Outside, the extensive garden features a choice of picturesque spots for al fresco lunches or lounging with a book, while the stunning pool is a perfect place to bask in the peace and seclusion of this unique and enviable location. The area around the fig tree holds a special place in Elena’s heart, after many long evenings spent around the fire pit, deep in meandering conversation with family and friends. “This is a house that likes to be full of people. Everyone comments on the positive energy they feel here. It welcomes you with open arms.”
These good vibes also extend out to the terrace, where Elena enjoys sitting with a cup of tea on a sunny day. “There’s something a bit special about this house, the way it almost has its own microclimate... It can be cold and blowing a gale in A Coruña, then you get out here and it’s five degrees warmer and the sun is shining.” Something that probably has a lot to do with the mood-boosting powers described by our indomitable host.
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