AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PROS

Designer Nicky Dobree on how she was inspired by the local vernacular to create the sumptuous look of hip Vejer hotel Plaza 18

“EVERY project has to be grounded by its location and its architecture…having a sense of place for any building is absolutely vital.”

British interior designer Nicky Dobree is best known for a portfolio chock-full of sumptuous, snowblown ski chalets.

So Plaza 18, a boutique hotel in sun-baked Vejer de la Frontera, is quite a departure and is Nicky’s first hotel project. Judging by the ecstatic guest reviews, it won’t be her last.

You might wonder how an outsider - even a professional one - could drop in, flawlessly convert a venerable Andalucian building, and deliver an impeccable sense of place.

It helps that Nicky has been a regular visitor to Vejer and is a true champion of the Andalucian vernacular.

Plus she’s a veteran when it comes to getting wide things up narrow tracks.

Of particular interest from an interior design point of view is how Plaza 18 manages to feel both historic and contemporary, and cool and cosy, all at are branded ‘bastua’: use this term to filter the Ikea website and discover a small but perfectly formed capsule range of kimonos, floor cushions, rechargeable lanterns, trays and platters, glorious glassware, and all manner of beach and terrace textiles to get you and your home summer-ready! the same time.

The branded carrier bag (watch out for late summer resale prices on eBay) is just €0.99 and would make a great gift / beach bag.

Here she gives the Olive Press her tips for renovating and decorating in Spain.

ON COLOUR: Take local inspiration for colour, look to nature and local culture, so for example, against the soft stone tones of the south of France you might pick a palette of soft pinks and greens, whereas in the south of Spain, you start with a black and white canvas and you can afford to use bolder colour.

ON MIXING OLD AND NEW: Even if you want contemporary style, don’t strip out beautiful original details, instead invest in restoring these. Furnishings don’t have to work so hard when the architecture is beautiful; you can mix very modern pieces with antiques in a well-restored period building, particularly when you select local pieces.

ON PUEBLO BLANCO STYLE: The pueblo blanco vernacular is strongly black and white, but in an older building, the patina of use alters colour. Plaza 18’s blacks and whites are off-blacks and offwhites, and not off-the-ferretería-shelf. All colours were carefully tested on site. Culturally, Africa also has a role to play in Andalucian style, and in Plaza 18 artworks by African artists were also woven in.

ON OUR CLIMATE: A room that is decorated using light-coloured linens to alleviate the summer heat can also be cosy on a chilly winter’s night when you turn on lamps, sink your feet into rugs, plump cushions and surround yourself with a collection of art and decorative objects.

ABOVE ALL: Save time and money by getting professional design help, learn about local style by working with an expert who knows instinctively what’s right and where to find it.

Sole Agency

@TheHub - Avda de Libertad 19, Local 5, 03730 - Jávea

Tel: +34 966 468 474 / +34 648 100 615 – info@villas-plots.com

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THE world’s largest expo on the history of the artform has opened at the CaixaForum Agora building within Valencia’s Arts and Sciences complex. The exhibition goes back to the origins of body art and showcases how its popularity has surged in recent years.

A special feature is the bizarre sight of 20 silicone torsos tattooed by masters of the art, as well as models of other body parts. ‘Tattoo. Art under the skin’ will remain in Valencia until August 27.

It has been put together by France’s Musee du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, with exhibition coordinator