“..We needed 30 outside wall lights but the budget was being squeezed with other high-end materials leaving us with only 15 euros per wall light to spend. Our solution was to use old curved local Spanish roof tiles as wall lights which look great and give off a lovely soft light.”
Refurbishing a holiday home abroad, particularly in a sunny, warm location, can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. The key to a successful project lies in meticulous planning, an eye for sustainable materials, and an appreciation for local craftsmanship. Here are some essential tips to ensure your holiday home transformation goes smoothly.
Engage a local project manager
One of the most critical steps is to hire a local project manager. This individual acts as your eyes and ears on the ground, ensuring the project remains on schedule and within budget. A local expert can navigate the nuances of local building regulations, source materials efficiently, and handle unexpected issues swiftly. This is especially important when you’re not present to oversee daily progress. A competent project manager keeps the momentum going, ensuring that your dream holiday home becomes a reality without unnecessary delays or headaches.
Opt for performance fabrics
In hot climates, the sun’s intensity can quickly fade interior fabrics, making performance fabrics a must-have. These materials are designed to withstand harsh sunlight without losing their vibrancy. When selecting upholstery or curtains, consider brands known for their durability and resistance to UV rays. These days there are so many lovely options with all the main fabrics houses increasing their ranges of performance fabrics. Some of our favourites are from Sister Parish and Christopher Farr. This investment not only preserves the aesthetic appeal of your home but also saves you from frequent replacements. It’s also a great option to protect against spillages if you are thinking of renting out your holiday home.
“To infuse your holiday home interior with character and a sense of history, consider using vintage and reclaimed materials”.
Source local materials
Utilizing local materials not only supports the regional economy but also reduces transportation costs and environmental impact. Local stone, wood, and tiles can add an authentic touch to your holiday home, ensuring it blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Furthermore, locally sourced materials are often better suited to withstand the local climate, providing both durability and aesthetic harmony. In our Spanish projects, for example, we use Chestnut wood a lot instead of oak or beech.
Use fabric houses with European stockists to avoid importation tax
If you’re considering high-end fabrics, it’s worth noting that sourcing directly from Europe can help you avoid additional import taxes. For example, Pierre Frey, a renowned French fabric house, can ship materials directly from France to anywhere within the Eurozone. This can lead to significant savings and ensure that you’re getting premium quality materials without the added tax burden.
“Local stone, wood and tiles can add an authentic touch to your holiday home ensuring it blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment”
Consider money saving hacks upfront
Keep an eye out for local design hacks that will save you money. For example, in a Spanish project we needed 30 outside wall lights but the budget was being squeezed with other high-end materials leaving us with only 15 euros per wall light to spend. Our solution was to use old curved local Spanish roof tiles as wall lights which look great and give off a lovely soft light. Since then, they have become our go to option. We have even used them in hallways and on stairs.
Incorporate vintage and reclaimed materials to inject character
To infuse your holiday home interior with character and a sense of history, consider using vintage and reclaimed materials. Reclaimed hydraulic tiles, for instance, can add a unique, colourful touch to floors or walls. These tiles often come with intricate patterns and a sense of nostalgia that new materials simply cannot replicate. Similarly, old Moroccan doors can serve as stunning focal points, adding an exotic flair to your interiors. These elements not only enhance the visual appeal but also are a sustainable option, giving new life to old items.
“Old Moroccan doors can serve as stunning focal points, adding an exotic flair to your interiors”
Plan on saving water and capturing energy
Water scarcity is increasingly becoming a problem in hot climates. Whereas the sun is a significant resource. Consider how you will save water and capture energy from the sun when planning your refurbishment. Any additional investment required will rapidly be paid back as solar can provide all your hot water and photo voltaic (for a larger investment) can provide electricity too. While water is trickier, you can at the very least plan to capture water run off in butts so you can use it on your garden.
Reach out if you need help with your holiday home
Studio Cameron has a studio in Southwest Spain. If you are thinking of refurbishing your holiday home and need help with your interior design and project management, please get in touch!
