The private patio at Casa Alamanda is intimate and sun-filled. A pebble mosaic terrace, crafted by a local artisan, draws inspiration from Granada’s iconic stone pavements. Built-in seating offers a quiet pause before or after exploring Moclín and the wider Andalusian region. [Image courtesy of Casa Alamanda]
Amanda Holden and Alan Carr’s dream project of turning a run-down village house into a boutique private homestay has secured a BAFTA nomination for their BBC television series, following its remarkable restoration.
Words by Charlotte Knight
Sometimes, a few words are all that’s needed. “Boujis Balearic balm,” as Amanda Holden and Alan Carr giggled during filming, captures the essence of the Ibiza Bedroom perfectly. As part of their 2025 TV appearance in Amanda & Alan´s Spanish Job — the story of rescuing a crumbling, century-old Andalusian village house that had remained uninhabited for 35 years, and upgrading it into a boutique homestay; the catchy phrase positions Ibiza as a defining aesthetic long present on the design radar.
Reflecting from Ibiza, there is a sense of pride in seeing the island’s language — its restraint, texture, whitewashed ease, and signature balance of rustic simplicity and quiet luxury translated into a guest bedroom within this ambitious and meaningful restoration. It quietly co-exists within an otherwise colourful, design-led, boujis stay, its palette influenced by the tones of Andalusia and Morocco. Fundamentally, the project moves beyond design or entertainment, tracing a story of revival in Moclín, a picturesque village in the Andalusian hills north of Granada, facing the pressures of depopulation. It also explores the region’s layered history, culture, landscape, and local hotspots.
A view of Moclín village in Granada, Andalusia, with its 13th-century castle overlooking the landscape. From here, the iconic Alhambra Palace is visible in the distance. [image courtesy of Ian Rutter]
Architecturally speaking, the property is an elegant 3-storey village house that stands gracefully in the main village square opposite the ayuntamiento (town hall). During the program, it is renovated whilst respecting the original proportions and features, such as the charming interior archways on the ground floor. Because it sits on a hill, the architecture also reflects a Moorish-influenced, Andalusian vernacular tradition, where whitewashed houses are clustered along narrow, winding streets that rise towards the castle.
Works during the making of the program included building a completely new roof on the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, that was once the village store selling food and haberdashery. Today, it’s a famous boutique homestay named by and after its TV stars as Casa Alamanda forming part of a wider effort to breathe new life into forgotten villages in Spain and other parts of Europe.
The BAFTA nomination for ¨Best Entertainment Performance¨announced on 25 March 2026 by Voltage TV, who produced the program in collaboration with the BBC, marks a notable milestone for the duo who co-developed the series. Alan Carr is already a BAFTA winner for his television work, while for Amanda Holden, this would represent a first win. On television, interior design becomes fully immersive storytelling, unfolding room by room with their genuine passion for design, alongside wit and a generous dose of British humour.
Inside the Ibiza Bedroom, a cleverly constructed false wall forms the headboard while concealing a walk-in wardrobe on the reverse, where exposed brickwork adds a raw contrast. Topped with a traditional macramé wall hanging, the space reads as a subtle homage to Ibiza’s laid-back aesthetic. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda]
The series also draws on the insight of Moclín resident insider and real estate agent Ian Rutter, who runs two holiday homes across the square in the village with his partner Andrew Watson. Esperanza 9 is their self-catering property with a swimming pool that also carries a rich renovation backstory. “It used to be the village blacksmith’s, and when we bought it, it was just a garage” explains Ian, who lives at their other bed and breakfast property, Casa Higueras. A committed advocate for the revival of Moclín’s medieval heritage, Ian shared tips and recommended the best architect and reliable builders to advise on elements of the BBC’s restoration project, which drew inspiration from the couple’s work in the area.
We asked Ian, who is the co-founder of Granada Cultural Holidays and now councillor for Tourism and Heritage in Moclin, to share his perspective with Ibiza PJ on the design and mood behind the Ibiza Bedroom at Casa Alamanda and the project overall ¨The Ibiza room is undoubtedly the calmest of all the rooms in the house, but it is not minimalist; architectural features are exposed, timber beams painted white and it is cool and relaxing¨ he says. ¨the house has a lot of history and many connections to the people who still live in Moclín¨ he continues.
Señora Amanda Holden and Señor Alan Carr on set during the BBC TV Series ¨The Spanish Job¨ dressed in their Spanish style workwear. Both have a genuine love for the world of interiors which shines through in program. [image courtesy of Voltage TV] 
¨Boujis Balearic balm¨ were the words that Amanda and Alan used to describe the defining style of their design named ¨The Ibiza Bedroom¨ [image courtesy of Casaalamanda]
The pared-back approach, not usually favoured by maximalist-loving Amanda Holden, was nonetheless embraced in order to honour the traditions of the Balearic Islands. Together, she and Alan Carr combine whitewashed walls and exposed beams also in white, to bring a sense of Ibiza cool to the space, set on traditional Spanish terracotta floor tiles and raw brickwork. ¨Because all the other floors have a lot going on, I think this should be a calming place¨ says Alan in the BBC program. “it could feel a little bit more natural and rustic but cool . It could just be white . I want people to come up from everything else we have done in the house and go – I see what they’re doing here – minimalism and balearic simplicity¨ adds Amanda.
The Ibiza Bedroom features an open-plan bathroom with a white built-in bathtub and his-and-hers sinks at one end. They opted for a king-sized bed dressed with soft cushions in muted grey and whites, echoing the calm neutrality of the White Isle. A pair of rattan lamps and a round rattan mirror complete the look, speaking fluently in the island’s popular interior style. An innovative design element sees a bespoke headboard hand-plastered by Alan and Amanda double-up as a secret walk-in wardrobe on the other side. During filming it briefly comes crashing down! revealing the realities of DIY décor on live TV and prompting laughter on set – in one of many hilarious moments in the award nominated series.
Cushions are off-white with a subtle stripe and a nod to coastal design through a coral motif. Rattan mirrors are another key decorative element in Ibiza style homes. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda] 
The Ibiza Bedroom features an organic style built-in bathtub, tiles from Bert & May, his and her basins and a separate toilet. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda]
¨It’s white it’s clean it’s pristine – I love the whiteness. I think it’s an oasis of calm. The exposed rustic feel is a nice touch to show off what lies beneath¨ says Alan on TV of the finished design.¨Very neutral and tonal, calm and gorgeous¨ agrees Amanda stunned by their final transformation. ¨I also really love the storage – it’s just amazing. Then we have the his and her sinks and it was the first time we’ve done a room with a bathtub inside I think¨ she reflects.
This is not the TV duo’s first foray into property restoration and interior design. Previous projects in Sicily with two houses and Corfu with one house, both overseen by Scott Thompson, expert renovation project manager and also televised by the BBC, share the same objective: breathing new life into overlooked villages, with interior design as the narrative. With four renovations now under their belt, the 2026 BAFTA nomination reflects not only the complexity of the research and work involved over many hot summers, but also a continued commitment to a more meaningful purpose: reviving depopulated villages with the aim of rebuilding local economies. The BAFTA winners will be announced on 10th May – you have our votes!
The hallway at Casa Amanda where the mountains spill into the view through the French double doors leading to a Juliet balcony. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda] 
The exposed stone inside The Ibiza Room captures the rustic-chic vibe the island is known for. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda] 
Ibiza has Dalt Vila and Moclin has its 13th century castle in sight – perched above the picturesque village. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda]
The TV stars vision when restoring the 277 m² house included crafting different design aesthetics into each of the bedrooms – hence The Ibiza Bedroom was born. ¨The asthetic of Casa Alamanda is a mix – traditional, maximalist, sympathetic¨ says Ian about the renovation which incorporates The Moroccan Bedroom and The Gold Bedroom located side by side. Hand-painted silk lampshades from Lanjarón, a village known for its artisanal craft were made for the Gold Bedroom.
¨Every room tells its own story and that story makes reference to so much that makes Andalucia such a culturally rich and fascinating part of Spain. The design of the property acknowledges the history, and the people who have passed through the doors. It has taken the rich colour palette of southern Spain and created a home for the 21st Century – filled with character and charm and endless references to the region’s heritage¨ says Ian.
The 1,000-year-old technique for decorative Mudéjar-style ceilings dominates the room and frames the bed with its moorish style arch. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda] 
The pretty sitting area of the Moroccan Bedroom with its original floor tiles is perfect for chilling out. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda] 
The lovely original tiles that were found in the main bedroom in grey, white and ruby were retained and it’s easy to see why. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda]
¨The main bedroom was heavily influenced by Alan and Amanda’s visit to the Alhambra, the Moorish Palace that is the jewel in Granada’s historic crown. Tiles and ceramics are integral to Andalucian design, and tiles make many appearances throughout Casa Alamanda, mainly hand-cast tiles from Bert and May who have a factory in Cabra, not far from Moclín¨ says Ian. ¨Alan and I went to the factory in Granada to make these enormous hand-cast plaster panels and then have them fixed to the ceiling using only esparto grass and plaster¨ he says of the ornate ceiling in the Moroccan Bedroom.
The glamorous¨Games Room¨ at Casa Alamanda designed by Amanda Holden and Alan Carr took its cues from Soho House whilst being influenced by Moorish design. [image courtesy of Casaalamanda]
“The Soho House of Moclín¨ as described by Amanda during filming sits next to the Ibiza Bedroom on the uppermost level accessed via double doors from the landing. Inspired by a private members club lounge bar and games room designed for entertaining, it features a bold Moorish aesthetic. Rich silk curtains by Sherezade in Granada, inspired by Andalusian design, frame the bar, which is topped with striking illuminated onyx marble, chosen by Amanda.
A teal blue-green wallpaper features a richly detailed Moorish-inspired pattern of repeating circular medallions and floral motifs, paired with a teal velvet-upholstered sofa and a trio of tables on a vivid blue rug. Moorish ceiling lighting and antique gold wall sconces add a sense of luxury, while Juliet balconies beyond the French windows offer stunning vistas towards the Sierra Nevada mountains and up to the 13th-century Moclín Castle.
The design team renovated the kitchen with a large central island, a chimney breast that houses the cooker and storage in traditional-style cupboards. The tiles are all hand-crafted from Bert & May to complement the original tiles. The back door leads to the gorgeous sun-drenched patio which leads to a separate casita and terrace. [images courtesy of Casaalamanda]
¨Amanda, particularly, has very clear ideas of what she wants when it comes to interior design. It is always important to be clear about your design ideas whenever you embark on a restoration project. The design of each room in Casa Alamanda seems to be just right for that room, as it if it was always meant to be designed that way¨ says Ian.
The captivating Ibiza-inspired room at Esperanza 9. [image courtesy of Ian Rutter] 
The bathtub blends into a window seat overlooking the swimming pool. [image courtesy of Ian Rutter] 
White-washed walls and rattan lamps bring balearic bliss. [image courtesy of Ian Rutter]
The Ibiza aesthetic is not only present in Moclín at Casa Alamanda — Ian Rutter’s 2022 renovation of his nearby holiday home, Esperanza 9, also channels the spirit of Ibiza interiors. “We drew inspiration from Ibiza style and looked endlessly at design and architecture on Pinterest! We wanted polished cement floors and white walls. In designing the house, we wanted it to be organic, clean and Ibize-esque in style¨ he says.
¨Clean, geometric lines and open-plan spaces and the beds, baths and sofa were all built in, as we wanted everything to be cool and uncluttered¨ continues Ian who on the last day of filming arranged for the entire village, as well as members of the Spanish family who previously owned the house to visit and celebrate the revival of their old home into Casa Alamanda. “They were all thrilled to see the property brought back to life, and with such creative flair and imagination”.
Proceeds from the sale of the formerly BBC-owned village house, facilitated by Ian Rutter´s real estate agency Granada Village and Country, were donated to the BBC’s Children in Need and Comic Relief charities. The Spanish Job was the third series to air – first broadcast on BBC One in January 2025 and available on BBC iPlayer.
If like us you are now desperate to recap on the ¨before¨ you can watch a short video here!
Here’s your opportunity to rent the entire house (for up to 6 guests) that was restored by Amanda Holden and Alan Carr in the beautiful and historic village of Moclín!
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