Casa Gigi in Mallorca was restored consciously using eco-friendly materials. The design principals use architecture that is as clean on the inside, as it appears from the outside. [image by Anna Lui]
Designed by Core Living Mallorca, this super-sleek and sustainable townhouse blends luxury with low-toxicity bliss
Words By Charlotte Knight
Luxury living isn’t defined by visible signs of wealth. Ana Lui, founder of Mallorca-based Core Living, has created a low-toxicity, sustainable home where the purity of its materials translates into everyday wellbeing — from the fabric of its walls to what fills its kitchen cabinets. Casa Gigi is a pioneering example of low-toxicity architecture in Mallorca. A breath of fresh air born paradoxically, from something quite the opposite. The ancient townhouse dating back to 1900 once on the brink of ruin has been sensitively rescued and repaired by the renowned photographer and her partner, Alexander Elwing. The architecture of the home now reflects Ana’s recently launched firm Core Living’s steadfast commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Having spent much of her life photographing extraordinary interiors inside private homes and hotels for Condé Nast Traveller, Ana’s transition into interior design feels right at home. Casa Gigi is a masterclass in balance: aesthetics paired with durability, and above all, historic preservation embraced as a form of sustainability. One can’t help but wonder what the future might have held for this property had it not been carefully rebuilt — perhaps, simply, demolition. ¨The concept behind the house was rooted in simplicity: to create a Mediterranean home that feels both beautiful and inherently healthy to inhabit. Rather than striving for an unattainable notion of perfection, the approach to low-tox building focuses on reducing the overall toxic load, allowing the body and nervous system to function with greater ease¨ shares Ana, who lives in Mallorca with her partner.
On the rooftop terrace views over Felantix rooftops and the mountains in the far distance draw the eye. The table is by Only and Co with their matching handwoven Talalla Chairs in solid teak. The stonework is finished in handmade ceramic tiles by a local craftsman. The walls are breathing freely with natural, non-toxic paint. [image by Anna Lui]
Ána’s muses, grounded in calm, clean living and earthy, natural sensibilities, inspired this challenging restoration, a project she committed to for the past two years. She led the interior design with the support of her partner, Alexander Elwing, and her friend, Giada Aline and enlisted architecture firms Margalida Montoya and Gorillambias. The result is no ordinary home – it’s leading the way of low-tox building and property development on the island.
The property is located in Felantix (pronounced Felanich) town which dates back to the 13th century and is close to the medieval Sant Salvador Monastery, with its grand Gothic architecture. Felanitx is the birthplace of Miquel Barceló, a contemporary painter and Guillem Sagrera, a Gothic architect and sculptor. The up and coming area is evolving into an artistic enclave, home to galleries such as Malene Birger and a growing multicultural creative community.
The three-storey townhouse reimagined as a tranquil sanctuary has a regional Mares stone facade punctuated by Iroko wood windows framed with traditional Mallorcan shutters, and benefits from a newly built enclosed garage, accessed directly from the street. Upon entering, calm interiors, natural materials and lime plaster walls evoke a sense of quiet luxury. Velvety, softly lustrous and earthy, they are decorated with original artworks that you’ll want to take note of. The colour palette is muted, with pops of colour (think earth red, rich plum, dark merlot and steel blue). They decided on Chukum flooring throughout – a breathable, lime-based finish with the feel of polished stone underfoot. “It’s traditional to Mexico, but still quite unused in Spain,” says Ana.
The distant silhouette of the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador is located a few minutes away from the house. [image by Anna Lui]
Upstairs, there are three spacious bedrooms reached via a design-led spiral staircase. All bedrooms feature exposed beamed ceilings in rich dark wood, along with modern en-suite bathrooms. The primary suite leads to the atmospheric rooftop terrace boasting 49m² overlooking the historic rooftops of Felanitx centre. “What makes it special is the privacy,” says Ana. “There are no neighbouring windows facing directly onto the terrace, so it feels like a quiet retreat above the town—a place for slow mornings, yoga, long dinners and watching the sunset.”
Every detail of the home is designed for wellbeing. The exterior of the building was cleaned and smoothed with natural lime mortar, a low-tox, breathable material used historically in Mallorcan townhouses. Respecting this approach not only protects original the stonework, but also anchors a healthier indoor environment. Ána and her partner Alexander restored everything – from the original 100 year old mares stone walls inside to the original beams, the roof and the entire electrics and plumbing systems. This is not their first project – many residents of Ibiza and Mallorca will be familiar with their previous work, Casa Mana, a luxury design villa, also in Mallorca.
From pure, natural materials and soulful, earthy tectonics to carefully grounded electrical systems, Casa Gigi ensures safety, comfort, and peace of mind. “We grounded the electrics, which is often overlooked in construction, and included a central kill switch on the ground floor. Each room also has its own grounding to help minimise electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The kill switch allows circuits, especially to sleeping areas, to be turned off at night, reducing EMF exposure and creating a clean sleep environment,” explains Ana.
Designer Anna Lui chose the KM0 natural clay tiles from Felanitx for the rooftop, fitting with the earthy tones of the historic town. [images by Anna Lui]
The space is perfect for healing home lovers and those who prioritise health, sustainability and refined aesthetics. Every material, finish and furnishing has been selected for its impact on indoor air quality and environmental footprint, such as the FCU and Aerothermal Energy pump. ¨At Core Living, this philosophy translates into a conscious investment in materials and systems. Each project typically carries an additional cost of around 40%, reflecting a commitment to using lime-based plasters, breathable gypsum walls, integrated water filtration, and zero-VOC finishes throughout. EMF exposure is also carefully considered and mitigated wherever possible.¨ says Ana.
To realise their vision of low-toxicity bliss, Ana chose lime plaster walls for their natural antimicrobial properties, while bricks were sourced locally and made from natural clay with no harmful chemical additives. The selected bricks are humidity-balancing and breathable, helping to regulate mould and dampness—two of the most common triggers for allergies and respiratory issues. Sourcing close to home also means zero transport emissions.
For insulation, they opted for cork, a hypoallergenic material that is resistant to pests and cold, and offers excellent acoustic and thermal performance compared to many synthetic alternatives, with zero VOC emissions and superior indoor air quality. They went for Eco Cement which produces significantly lower levels of harmful dust, toxins, and CO₂ compared to standard cement. ¨Many traditional homes, while rich in character, often conceal layers of toxicity from VOC-heavy paints to hidden mould and outdated electrical systems that can contribute to increased EMF exposure. Addressing these elements is central to creating spaces that support long-term wellbeing¨ explains Ana.
The Fibonacci spiral staircase boasts an organic look. [image by Anna Lui] 
Large quartz crystals were selected for by Lisa Mary Kracke, owner of Today I Saw Eden. [image by Anna Lui]
Elsewhere, the restoration incorporates sustainable design elements, including formaldehyde-free cabinetry in the kitchen and bedrooms. Walls throughout are finished in a pale beige eco-paint which is 100% mineral-based and free from VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can pollute indoor air. Naturally antibacterial and antifungal, it also helps reduce the risk of mould growth which can happen in warmer, sunny climates.
One of the visual delights of the renovation is the Fibonacci spiral staircase in smooth lime that reflects the light beautifully. The couple wanted the floating staircase to be organic and imperfect ¨Without obsessing about the form or the Fibonacci spiral… we wanted more of an organic look¨ Ana tells Ibiza PJ. ¨For Casa Gigi, spatial flow became the guiding principle. Rather than a series of enclosed rooms, the house unfolds as a gentle sequence of spaces each one revealing itself gradually. Floating transitions, soft architectural lines, and the movement of natural light across surfaces create a sense of calm continuity, while the material palette remains grounded and tactile.¨
At the foot of the staircase we find a a stunning white quartz crystal. A curated collection of crystals have been carefully poised around the home by Today I Saw Eden. Crystals have been used for centuries for their energetic properties and some are known to support grounding, calm and emotional balance.¨When creating a low-tox home, the energy of the objects we bring into the space are also important¨ says Ana.
A living area comprises the ground floor which includes a kitchen and dining area where traditional details speak through its original restored archway and exposed beams. [image by Anna Lui]
On the other side of the staircase is artwork by Vera Edwards, who also resides in Felanitx. ¨The integration of local art plays an essential role. Each piece carries with it the energy of place, reinforcing a connection to Felanitx and supporting the community of artists that define its evolving cultural landscape” says Ana, who has combined predominantly local works with select pieces from Poland (where she was born). A striking pendant lamp in wood and steel blue ceramic is the focal point in the dining area. The unique design by Pani Jurek that balances artistry, colour, and function transforming lighting into a spatial composition, has been celebrated at Milan Design Week and featured in Vogue Living.
Blue and wood hand-glazed ceramic light by Pani Jurek hailing from Poland. [image by Anna Lui] 
A curved sofa dressed in white boucle is accompanied by a chair from Mallorca based furniture designer Only and Co. [image by Anna Lui]
The kitchen at Casa Gigi is by Polish firm Ply Kitchen finished in solid birch plywood. The sustainable material also extends to the bespoke joinery in the bedrooms and master bathroom. [image by Anna Lui]
Framed by a sculpted traditional archway, the kitchen adopts a straight-wall composition to suit the space. A continuous run of rich, solid birch cabinetry in a mocha-mousse hue, with a subtle patterned surface, lends a three-dimensional quality and a quiet sense of drama. The custom pale honey marble backsplash and countertop were sourced from the local cantera in Binissalem, whilst exposed ceiling beams in rich wood add a traditional note. In front of the kitchen, a stone dining table is surrounded by wooden chairs and the ceiling lamp finished in wood and hand-glazed ceramic in ¨steel blue¨ takes pride of place above. “Our bespoke table is made from travertine stone, It’s a restored piece we found online. We love restoring and repurposing furniture and I’m also a bit obsessed with my blue ceramic lamp¨ says Ana of the look she has created in the open-plan space.
The custom kitchen cabinets are made in solid birch plywood instead of MDF or chipboard for specific reasons that go beyond beauty. Ana´s dream low-tox kitchen was built and installed by Polish firm Ply Kitchen. She really liked the material because it uses far fewer synthetic resins than MDF, it doesn’t give off-gas formaldehyde at the same levels and it is designed to last decades.
The mocha-mousse toned kitchen has a subtle patterned surface lending a 3D quality. [image by Anna Lui] 
The kitchen tapware is by Iconico and the countertop stone is from the local cantera in Binissalem. [image by Anna Lui]
Instead of sealing the wood in a synthetic varnish, kitchen cabinets are finished with a tint to penetrate the wood fibers instead of coating them. ¨Varnish creates a plastic-like film that traps chemicals inside the wood and slowly releases VOCs into your home air over time – especially in warm climates like the Mediterranean¨ says Ana. Furthermore, at the end of its lifetime it won’t break down into toxins which are invisible but harmful.
This rich painting in Terra’ in Red.01 injects colour at Casa Gigi by Mallorca based artist Carla Galmés. [image by Anna Lui] 
This muted painting almost camouflages with the walls at Casa Gigi. Original works by Mallorca-based artist Carla Galmés. [image by Anna Lui]
[images by Anna Lui]
Around the serene home, ceiling spotlights were carefully selected and shipped from Poland by AQ Form, specialists in flicker-free lighting that enhances both comfort and wellbeing. On the wall, a striking work by Ana Garajales, a Mallorca-based Uruguayan artist introduces a tactile layer, crafted from handwoven sisal made from agave fibres and natural wool. The wool is sourced from local Mallorcan sheep, grounding the piece in its surroundings while celebrating traditional materials and craft.
The composition softly evokes a sense of refined living. The muted palette is elevated by the infusion of a blue-violet crystal by Today I Saw Eden. The AD 100 book is a nod to Ana Lui’s deep appreciation for design. [image by Anna Lui]
All bedrooms are designed for comfort and wellbeing, with a sense of luxury that goes far beyond freshly washed sheets. Each bed features an organic latex mattress by Kipli, with luxurious soft linens by Four Leaves which are made from the finest 100% G.O.T.S. certified organic cotton. En-suite bathrooms are equipped with rain showers and brass tapware by Iconico. The bespoke carpentry, also by Ply Kitchen, is crafted from low-tox, formaldehyde-free plywood, creating serene, restful retreats throughout the home.
The principal bedroom features exposed beams and another painting by Vera Edwards, styled with an armchair by Only and Co and more healing crystals. Its private bathroom includes a double vanity with his-and-hers concrete basins and a sculptural bathtub by Sira, blending tactile, natural materials. Above the vanity are two custom Tadelakt mirror frames in a muted plum tone by Slow Studio — non-toxic, breathable, and free from synthetic sealants. Flanking the artistic mirrors are two wall sconces by Polish designer, Pani Jurek.
The bedside tables are by Resmese Studio in raw aluminium. In the principal bathroom the concrete bathtub and basins are by Sira Concrete from Almacenes Femenias in Palma. Custom made mirrors are by S.l.o.w Studio and the ceramic wall sconces are by Pani Jurek. All the fixtures are by Iconico. [images by Anna Lui]
All bedrooms are fitted with Kipli mattresses made from 100% organic natural latex with Eco-Institut certification. The ergonomic beds are dressed in soft linens by Four Leaves. [images by Anna Lui]
¨After almost two years of dust, delays, and decisions, having the house filled with people feels like the real finishing touch. Homes are complete when they’re shared. Until the house is sold, Casa Gigi will live as a showroom. A space to experience art, design, and slow living. We’ll be hosting private viewings and small pop-ups very soon!¨ announced the photographer and designer recently on Instagram.
You can follow Core Living Mallorca’s insightful approach to eco-luxury and conscious renovations through Ana’s tips on her Instagram channels @casagigimallorca and @corelivingmallorca.
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