Grazia: June 2009

ISLAND LIFE

Warning: this feature could provoke serious lifestyle envy! Yvonne and Alberto Cortes have created a storybook life; living on the sunny isle of Ibiza, doing up holiday villas and travelling the world for deco inspiration.

When it comes to holiday hot spots, Ibiza is A-list central - which makes it the perfect place to set up a chain of deco-fabulous holiday villas guaranteed to draw the jet set. Cool hotel developers Yvonne and Alberto Cortes have already snagged Kate Moss and artistic duo The Chapman Brothers on to their guest list, which also includes European pop stars who regularly stop by for some Balearic R&B.

Located on the chic south -west of the island, Villa Darshan is where they're in town. Built in the 1970s, it was not much more than a box when the couple first bought it. 'It had ridiculously small windows with really low ceilings and didn't even have a pool,' says Alberto. 'But as this part of the island is protected, the only way to get the kind of house we wanted to live in was to buy what was already there and renovate.'

To create a stylish modern house with loads of open space and a sense of light and airiness, the couple pared down the chunky, clunky architecture and introduced reclaimed wood among other things. 'Everything had to be redone, including new heating, plumbing and electricity,' says Alberto. 'We only left a few walls.' The sea-view house now showcases their signature style - a mix of East and West that is tactile, colourful and right on-trend. Summery splashes of colour brighten the organic-chic seating, stone fireplace, pebbled flooring and plastered walls. Pull back the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and the living space spills out on to a sun-soaked terrace - with pool, of course - that has an incredible view of the mysterious rocky island of Es Vedra. Yvonne and Alberto takes over to turn it into reality. Their unorthodox deco style is reflected in their relationship. He was a Delhi-based fashion designer and she an acclaimed interior designer in Amsterdam. Both preferred same-sex relationships, yet within six months of meeting they had married and relocated to Spain. 'From the beginning there was a great energy between us, and here we are 10 years later, still married!' says Alberto.

Today, the pair zip round the world sourcing furnishings for their many projects, which now include new hotels in Ibiza (www.thegiri.com) and Bali (www.thepuristvillas.com). When they're in Ibiza it's definately time to chill. This usually means calling up local hot chef Guido Kosowski - he also cooked for Kate when she was on holiday - to rustle up a delicious meal while they relax. That's the life, eh?

Villa Darshan can be hired, from €3675 (£3208) to €8400 (£7334) a week. Book through Mr & Mrs Smith on 0845 034 0700 or go to www.smithandfriends.com/darsham