Not every 80s home gets a second life this stunning. But in Alcudia, perched above the jaw-dropping Mallorcan coastline, Germany-based design studio Holzrausch has turned a once-underwhelming vacation home, Casa da Praia, into a summer retreat where mid-century California vibes seamlessly merge with touches of Brazilian and Mexican influences.

Modern living room with exposed wooden beams, mustard sectional sofa with pillows, two white armchairs, a round coffee table, and large windows opening to a deck with outdoor seating.

On the exterior, the house looks deceptively toned down – until you spot the pops of color drenching the poolside walls (where there’s an outdoor shower), much like you’d find at Luis Barragán’s house and studio in Mexico City. The monochromatic exterior reads like a single sculpted volume, thanks to textured plaster that replaces the original stone facade. The landscaping surrounding the three-bedroom house features Mediterranean and native plants that add life to the outdoor space.

A modern living and dining area with a mustard sectional sofa, wooden furniture, exposed beam ceiling, and a kitchen in the background with colorful walls.

Holzrausch preserved the two-level layout and original pine beams, then incorporated teak wood into the cabinetry, wall panels, and kitchen furniture. The studio even opened the central false ceiling to flood the once-dark core of the home with daylight from the terrace – an architectural choice that instantly makes everything feel more connected to the outdoors.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, island with stools, pink and yellow walls and ceiling, countertop appliances, and a window overlooking greenery.

Color, again, plays a huge part – this time inside the villa. Holzrausch leans into the geometric quirks of the original structure and the clients’ love for Latin American design, pulling inspiration from the architectural masters, including the aforementioned Barragán. The kitchen alone is quite impressive, with its pink-painted doors and a glossy yellow suspended ceiling that glows as natural light enters the space. To meet the owner’s needs, the kitchen was outfitted with a large island made from tropical wooden slats and countertops made by local manufacturer
HUGUET.

View from a modern kitchen looking out to a patio with a tree, wooden deck, and sunlight filtering through glass doors.

A wooden dining table with six matching chairs sits under a modern black pendant light in a room with wooden beams, beige walls, and a window showing greenery outside.

View through a doorway into a wooden dining room with a table, chairs, bench, and natural light coming from large windows overlooking greenery outside.

Modern interior with wood-paneled walls, open kitchen area, dining table, and illuminated hallway leading to a front door with vertical slats.

A narrow hallway with muted walls features a wooden sideboard, a red lamp, five framed pictures, and an open door leading to a sunlit outdoor area with greenery.

Furnishing the home, Holzrausch blends iconic pieces with local brands, building an atmosphere that’s equal parts relaxed and refined. Soft, indirect lighting from favorites like Vibia and Marset creates a warm shimmer at night, while the Roche Bobois Mah Jong sofa adds a layer of relaxed, sprawling comfort. While lounging, the owners can take in views of the swimming pool and surrounding landscape. Custom touches – like a built-in bench in the living room – make the flow appear effortless and the overall aesthetic feel polished.

A cozy living room with a wooden ceiling, L-shaped sectional sofa, and large window overlooking an outdoor pool and patio.

Interior view of a living room with a wooden ceiling and large window overlooking an outdoor swimming pool and two white lounge chairs.

A minimalist bedroom with a bed, striped bedding, a wooden chair, a lamp on a nightstand, and an open door leading to a courtyard with greenery.

A warmly lit bedroom with a bed, a chair, a woven bench, a lamp, a large painting on the wall, and a glass door leading to an outdoor patio with a scenic view.

Modern bathroom with pink tiled wall, large round mirror, terrazzo countertop, wall-mounted faucet, and a walk-in shower with a rain shower head.

The bathrooms join the fun with locally made terrazzo sinks by HUGUET and patterned tilework that add grit, texture, and a major burst of personality.

A hallway with beige walls and ceiling spotlights leads to wooden doors; a wooden desk with a red lamp sits on the right against a tiled wall.

Modern bathroom with yellow-tiled wall, glass shower enclosure, circular window, wooden vanity, and red table lamp.

A terrazzo sink with a bar of soap and two wall-mounted bronze faucets is illuminated by sunlight streaming through window blinds.

A modern house with slanted roof and large glass windows sits beside a rectangular pool, surrounded by trees and wooden decking under a partly cloudy sky.

A modern house with textured walls, large windows, a wooden deck, and a small pool, surrounded by greenery and trees, with a pink accent wall in the background.

Modern house with a flat, angular roof, large glass windows, and an illuminated interior lounge area overlooking a reflective pool, surrounded by trees and plants.

Modern house with warm lighting, wood walkway, and adjacent reflecting pool at dusk, surrounded by trees and landscaped greenery.

Exterior view of a modern wooden house at dusk with large glass doors showing a warmly lit interior and outdoor reflections on the windows.

On other side of the villa, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open to a dark-stained wood deck that overlooks the coastline with breathtaking Mediterranean views. An extended overhang provides protection from the elements when the owners want to spend time outdoors in warmer months.

A wooden terrace with a bench and two lounge chairs overlooks a body of water and distant hills, surrounded by trees at sunset.

The result is a rare kind of holiday home: one that celebrates its roots while happily remixing them, a place where tropical ease and mid-century modernism can work alongside expressive color.

Two wooden lounge chairs on a deck overlook the sea, with tall trees nearby and mountains visible in the distance under a clear sky.

For more information on Casa da Praia by Holzrausch, please visit holzrausch.de.

Photography by Salva Lopez.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.