Inspired by the natural beauty surrounding her, model Inguna Butane has refurbished her Ibiza cottage simply, personally and stylishly
Words VERÓNICA MARÍN Photography PIPI HORMAECHEA Production EUGENIA SILVA
To find a refuge in Ibiza to live all year round is the dream of many and something that Inguna Butane has made a reality. The model, who has worked with some of the world’s most stellar fashion houses, including Alexander McQueen, Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana, since she was discovered in her native Latvia at a beauty pageant, fell in love with the island when she visited it for the first time 15 years ago. Dividing her time between Paris for work, and ‘the white island’, Inguna, who is passionate about interior design and decoration, and her family live in an old country cottage that is surrounded by nature. Inspired by the island’s landscapes, it has been refurbished from scratch in a simple and individual style. She has also recently launched Inguna Collection, her own line of embroidered shirts, T-shirts and hoodies.
How long have you lived in Ibiza?
I’ve been coming to Ibiza for about 15 years and it will be ten years since I decided to make it my home.
Why did you decide to spend most of the year here?
We travel quite a lot, but always come back to Ibiza. I guess the beauty of the island, the energy it gives off and, above all, the people we meet here have been decisive. This island attracts a very special community of creative people. It’s really inspiring.
When you first visited, what did you like most about the island?
The deep sense of peace, a few days spent on this island are as relaxing as two weeks somewhere else.
What are your favourite places to visit?
I can’t really choose, there are so many… But I’d say it’s my group of friends and my home that matter, rather than a particular place.
What does a perfect day in Ibiza look like for you?
The beauty of Ibiza is that there are no schedules, you have to be open-minded and very flexible. I would say without a doubt that my perfect day is always the one we didn’t plan. But one of my favourite things is to work on my collection.
Tell us about your house?
It is an old country cottage that we restored. It is lost in the mountain of Sa Talaia and totally isolated. Only our friends can find it. It is our little hidden paradise. We were lucky to discover it, although it was nothing like what you see now. We had to refurbish the whole house. It had no windows and no electricity. But its renovation was and still is a beautiful journey. Creating our home is a never-ending process.
How would you define the style of the property?
In one word… simple. W
