MEET PEPE CABRERA HOMES

In a time where anyone with a computer and Internet connection can access the latest interior design magazines, put together a digital moodboard on Pinterest or create fantastical dream homes with artificial intelligence powered programmes such as Midjourney, it’s easier than ever to imagine ourselves as ‘armchair architects’ and imaginative interior designers.

However, in reality designing and building a home is far more complex than choosing a location, acquiring the land and presenting your ideas to a construction company.

From the smallest details to the big picture, there are countless factors - mathematical, artistic and aspirational - to take into account. And, especially in Spain with its maze of regulations and red tape to navigate, you really want to leave the planning and execution of something as important and life-encompassing as your home to the professionals.

Thanks to an exciting new connection that the Fantastic Frank Ibiza team has established with renowned architecture, construction and interior design company Pepe Cabrera Homes, we are proud to be able to introduce our clients to a 360-degree agency that can help you bring your vision of your ideal property on Ibiza to life - whether it’s a new-build or renovation project.

From the first sketch to the finishing touches, Pepe Cabrera’s team of experts are there to walk you through the process. With an impressive 3.000 sqm showroom in Denia, where the business originated, and another office in Valencia, this year the team is directing their focus on Ibiza as real estate demand from discerning cosmopolitan clients continues to grow.

We spoke to Paula and Nacho Cabrera, who followed into their parents’ footsteps to take over the family business that the late Pepe Cabrera founded over 30 years ago.

With a dedication to excellence and an innate sense of style instilled in them by their father and mother since their childhood days, the brother and sister duo has expanded the company over the years to be able to offer their discerning clients a complete ‘turnkey’ service that encompasses planning, construction, interior design - and, arguably one of the most crucial step - dealing with local regulations.

Here, Paula and Nacho tell us what it really takes to make a house a home.

The history of Pepe Cabrera Homes encompasses more than 30 years. How did it all begin?

Paula: This adventure that our father started actually began with clothes. My grandfather was a tailor, and so my father started working with designer brands like Armani, Lacoste and Hugo Boss. Nowadays, it is quite common for fashion houses to develop a homeware line, even furniture. But our father sensed this development long before it became the norm.

Nacho: Meanwhile, back in 1976 my mother had opened a furniture store and in 1992 they joined forces, specialising in interior design and furniture.

What did you learn growing up amidst the family business? How did it shape your values?

Paula: Our father always used to say, ‘If you do it, do it well.’ When we would go out for a family meal, for example, he would comment on details like the lighting and the ambience. Even in our home, our parents always used to change things around. And they taught us to develop our own senses in this way.

Nacho: I would say we inherited our passion for the details from my father, and the dedication to work from my mother. If you work hard, the results will come.

It seems like a natural progression that you eventually joined the family business…
Paula: Both of us studied architecture and 20 years ago, we started to connect the furniture with architecture and construction. Step by step, we developed and expanded the company and what we can offer.

What is the philosophy of Pepe Cabrera Homes?

Paula: My father always used to tell us from when we were children, ‘Style connects all areas of life. First comes the fashion, and then the interior design.’

Your house should reflect your style, and the feeling inside of you. We adapt the house to the personality of the people who will live in it. It goes even further than, to the exterior of the building, the garden, and the connection to nature. Your home is your own universe. That’s why we like to speak with all the people in the family, because each one has different requirements and needs for the house. We try to connect all of them. This part of the process is so interesting, because each person really opens their mind and their feelings to us.

Pepe Cabrera Homes is known for the commitment to quality, how is that reflected in the properties you work on?

Paula: A very important thing for us is that our clients feel good in their property, that the house is ‘healthy’. In certain regions, the houses are built for summer weather but they are not well insulated; the air doesn’t circulate well or not a lot of light gets inside. So for us, when we renovate a property or construct a new house, this is a super important aspect.

Nacho: Especially with the summers getting hotter and longer, people now come to stay in these regions into the winter months. So we have to make sure that the houses we work on are flexible in terms of adapting to different temperatures, too.

You also work with some world-class brands when it comes to furniture and appliances like kitchens.

Nacho: My father used to tell us, ‘We have to work with the best brands in the world because if they choose you, it means that you are doing a good job.’ And with luxury furniture, the particularity of this business is that 85 - 90% of the best brands are located in the same area in Italy - literally within 60 or 70 km of each other. So if you don’t work well, all of them will know about it because they tell each other. You have to establish your reputation in this field.

Paula: A very special service we can offer to our clients is that we can take them with us to Italy and show them all the latest developments directly at the factories. But we can also send samples to customers all over the world - we are used to it! We manage logistics well.

How do you feel about focusing more on the Ibizan market?

Paula: It’s funny that we didn’t think of Ibiza earlier, because it’s right there in front of us. And since we were children, every year we used to go to Ibiza on holidays, so we have a personal connection.

Nacho: So we always thought of Ibiza as our holiday destination rather than a place to work… But it makes perfect sense for us: It’s very easy to connect to from our base in Denia and actually, a lot of people call this region the fifth Balearic Island because the weather is similar, the food and the nature are similar, and many of the international visitors we have there also go to Ibiza.

Paula: Ibiza is very eclectic and there are a lot of different styles coming together. But we can adapt very well to our clients wishes because we can also offer construction services, and we work with many different brands - so we have a lot of variety. You can see on our website that we have worked across a lot of very different international properties.

Nacho: We have already worked on some projects in Ibiza, but now we are excited to focus on the island more.

In the age of Pinterest and AI, do you have to manage a lot of unrealistic expectations?

Nacho: Well… what it really comes down to with the more unusual ideas - whether they are good or not - are the government regulations. Because they are completely different depending on the location.

Paula: It can be a challenge sometimes, but we have a dedicated team that deals with all the paperwork and permissions, and we are always happy to investigate and try to solve the problem.

Your showroom in Denia feels like a modern museum, how important is the art element for you in creating a home?

Nacho: Art is very important to us, because it is connected to the architecture and interior design aspects. In our showroom in Denia you will see different sculptures, and they are connected to the way the space was built. We work with different artists and sometimes our clients have their own galleries, so we will incorporate some of the pieces into the design.

Paula: Again, the art shows the personality of the client. It is the finishing touch to showcase their style in their home.

Nacho: And of course, in Ibiza there is an international clientele and many artists that come to live on the island, so they have an appreciation for this element.

Are there any trends that you have witnessed become more prominent in recent years?

Paula: A development that we see more and more often is for properties to have their own ‘huerto’, a fruit and vegetable garden. We are getting a lot of customers now enquiring about having their own patches for homegrown produce.

Nacho: The first step is to find a good architect. Some international clients might be tempted to choose someone who is from their country, but I think it’s very important to find a Spanish architect who understands the regulations and processes. It doesn’t matter if they are from Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, but a local architect can work faster and more efficiently because they know the functionalities and the local government.

Paula: And they can communicate better with the people who are working. It’s not just the language barrier, though, it’s also about navigating the culture, understanding the weather and many other elements.

What would be your top tips for clients who are at the beginning of starting the process to creating their dream home on Ibiza - or elsewhere in the world?

Nacho: The first step is to find a good architect. Some international clients might be tempted to choose someone who is from their home country, but I think it’s very important to find a Spanish architect who understands the regulations and processes. It doesn’t matter if they are from Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, but a local architect can work faster and more efficiently because they know the functionalities.

Paula: And they can communicate better - it’s not just the language barrier, it’s also about navigating the culture, understanding the weather and the many other elements that come into play.

At the end of the day, you have to feel comfortable with your architect and designer, because it’s a long process. You are opening up about your lifestyle, your family’s needs, your inner thoughts and feelings - it’s almost like talking to a therapist - so you have to trust them. It’s a very personal and sometimes stressful process, so you have to feel good with your team.

For further information visit www.pepecabrera.com. To help us find your dream property or plot of land on Ibiza, email ibiza@fantasticfrank.com.