The vernacular architecture is integral to the identity of Las Cicadas, gracefully nestled on 10,000 m² of land with ancient olive trees, fruit orchards and mature gardens under the Balearic sunshine.
Once a farmhouse, then a holiday retreat and art residency this estate defines the Ibiza gem. The former stables of the ancient finca have been transformed into a vibrant art studio by Tavis Buschman, Nora Bullerjahn, and art curator Sarah Suco Torres – a celebration of their shared passion for art.
In the heart of Ibiza’s countryside, where olive groves stretch into the horizon and cicadas hum their namesake chorus, sits Las Cicadas — a six-bedroom finca that feels less like a villa rental, and more like a love letter to art. Layered with timeless antiques, vintage details, artisanal pieces and hand-painted art collections inside an eclectic Ibiza farmhouse, the property serves as the ultimate backdrop to inspire five lucky art residency applicants. Selected from a diverse talent pool, a stay here promises a creative journey like no other. Sharing joie de vivre, sunshine, and the meeting of minds – this is what Las Cicadas’ heritage is all about.
Ibiza residents and founders Tavis and Nora, had a clear yet simple vision: to create a place for their community of family, friends and creatives to celebrate art and music in a beautiful environment. The idea of an art residency formed part of the couples dream and vision but began emerging little by little. ¨We launched it slowly when the time was right and when the stars had aligned. It was with the arrival of our new partner, Sarah, that it finally happened¨ says Tavis and Nora. The couple joined forces with Art Curator Sarah Suco and the Las Cicadas Art Residency was born. Now every corner of the rare historic finca, which dates back 500 years, reflects their shared love for art.
The entrance to the artists studio at Las Cicadas speaks of authentic Ibiza charm. From the ancient stone facade to the antique wheel from a ¨Calesa¨ Spanish horse drawn carriage dating back to the colonial era when they served as a primary means of transport. Today it makes a delightful decoration.
The finca has been lovingly developed over the past decade by Tavis and Nora, with some modifications occurring in 2017. The addition of the art residency in 2021 marked a pivotal moment in the Las Cicadas story. Typically used as a holiday home hired exclusively, as a wedding venue, or space for unique private events, this new element has brought a fresh and exciting perspective with the program that is now entering its fourth year. Once a space where farm animals lived, the old stable building has been converted into a 65m² art studio boasting natural light, where the selected artists who will be announced imminently, will shine during the month-long art residency.
From farmhouse to fine artists workshop, the team decided to maintain the natural rustic charm of the old stable building and placed just a couple of easels, a revolving chair and an artists drawing table. Fortunately, there’s plenty of natural light.
¨We wanted to create a place for our community of family, friends and creatives to celebrate art and music in a beautiful environment¨ – Tavis, Co-founder Las Cicadas.
This remarkable estate, a stunning blend of Ibicencan vernacular and Spanish Hacienda style, is situated just 300 metres from the trendy village of Santa Gertrudis. More than just an architectural wonder, it embodies centuries of Ibicencan heritage, complete with one or two delightful cats. The versatile finca is perfect for a variety of events, including weddings, workshops, book launches, conferences, seminars, productions, and photo shoots. Over the years, renowned names such as Ibiza Rocks, Charo Ruiz, Isabel Marant, Marcelo Burlon, Maceo Plex and more recently Lowe, have been captivated by this cinematic venue. Additionally, the serene finca offers an ideal setting for remote teams to work and cultivate projects in a paradise-like atmosphere.
The spatial arrangement is typical of the finca’s rural roots, featuring a large central courtyard and circular water fountain. Fast forward a few hundred years and the ancient built fountain makes a unique ice bucket, perfect for keeping drinks cool during large events on hot summer days and balmy nights. The finca pivots around the design of its sweeping terracotta tiled patio – a stage for long lunches and late-night gatherings, or wedding parties filled with dancing and joy. Cacti at the estate are valued and used to decorate the patio and grounds with a variety of species, from blooming Aloe Vera Trident to the Prickly Pear which bears succulent fruits.
The architecture at the finca is an original masterpiece that could not be replicated. Aside from an abundance of planters with greenery, the courtyard is furnished with a medium sized table and chairs, as well as an intimate spot for two tucked in a corner on its own petite patio.
Adjoining the patio is the beautiful old and voluminous country barn. The 70 m² building was re-designed and renovated to provide an elegant space as an immersive function room and summertime living, as well as hosting events, buffet breakfasts, feasts, and wedding parties. The barns tall wooden framed windows allow the light to flood the space and bounce off the classic tan and rich expresso leather Chesterfield sofas. Between them, a well-loved wooden coffee table holds a vibrant bouquet, surrounded by Moroccan leather poufs and woven stools that whisper of local craftmanship. An antique piano stands proudly beneath a 19th-century portrait of a traditional German lady—a heirloom passed down through Nora’s family for generations. “The old piano is an interesting and sentimental piece – it dates back to 1911 and was built on the same street in Barcelona where our daughter was conceived, and she was born exactly 100 years later!¨ adds Tavis.
Inside Las Cicadas, the old barn is where it all happens – from summer living to winter chilling and celebrations of every kind.
The interior styling at Las Cicadas beautifully reflects a strong bond with nature by incorporating a range of wild forage flowers in vases. Delicate sunflowers, poppies, geraniums, and lilies amongst others create a stunning contrast against the robust dark wooden furniture whilst lush tropical plants, fiddle-leaf figs and banana leaves infuse the room with life and movement. Rough-hewn limestone dominates the room, whilst hanging from structural timber beams crisscrossed with steel plates, we find an industrial trio of oversized pendant lamps which punctuate the lofty ceiling. Meanwhile, in the corner lounge area, a brass sconce draws the eye without demanding attention – a masterclass in quiet eclecticism. Tavis and Nora, who styled the property themselves without the help of an interior designer, decided to introduce a solid-wood, long farmhouse dining table to anchor the space. Eight mid-century dining chairs around the table, with playful bright red steel trim, blend seamlessly against the traditional Spanish terracotta flooring and imbue a rustic-chic vibe. The decorative sensibility favours a high degree of lived-in appeal, as opposed to styled and staged.
Just one corner of the expansive barn, this sunlit lounge with limestone walls topped with original art by co-founder Nora Bullerjahn is the perfect blend of refined Ibiza elegance.
The palette is one of richness and warmth with caramel, red, terracotta, brown and wood shades to ensure the huge barn remains cosy. A vintage Persian rug in deep red draws the lounge area together and artwork gathered from international talent who have taken part in program, lift the aesthetic to a new dimension. The curated art adorning the raw limestone walls is in a state of continual reinvention, reflecting the spirit of the art residency.
¨Most of the artworks displayed here were created within these very walls — by resident artists or by our co-founder Nora. Friends have also donated or lent their works to us during their stay¨ – Tavis, Co-founder, Las Cicadas
Throughout the property the furnishing styles we find inside the finca are encompassed of tasteful influences from Mexico, Morroco and Ibiza, with rustic country style and of course, the international art being the main protagonist. The barn is filled with charm and rich in history, making you feel as though you are ambulating around a museum or movie set.
The grounds at the estate are occasionally dressed up to radiate with romance for wedding nuptials. One detail includes beautiful flowers spilling out of a procession of green, glass blown vases and thatched umbrellas adding Ibiza bohemian touches.
The Mediterranean garden, located just beyond the barn, showcases a variety of trees that produce seasonal fruits such as apricots, lemons, olives, figs, misperos, and “kumquats,” which comes from the Chinese word meaning “golden orange.” This stunning backdrop enhances the enchanting atmosphere at Las Cicadas, particularly during orchard ceremonies where couples make their wedding vows. The large pool area is dressed with daybeds and sofas, surrounded by olive trees and quiet lawns, and the sunlight filters through foliage. At dusk, warm lights accentuate the texture of stone, the scale of the patio, and the intimacy of gathering spaces.
All routes lead to the living room – the characteristic design of the Casa Payesa sees rooms branching off from the central gathering space. The ceiling has raw, exposed, historically important ancient wood beams that were possible to maintain during a restoration in 2023.
In the living room, the mid century coffee table is topped with a hand-painted vase and fresh flowers, a bowl of grapes and the much-loved neon pink coffee table book, Ibiza Bohemia. The crushed velvet sofa in burnt orange is accented with cool mint and charcoal pillows, while mustard yellow adds another bold note.
The aesthetic at this estate was never meticulously planned; rather, it has naturally evolved and unfolded. It exudes a genuine rustic charm, with in the kitchen, the remnants of blackened stone walls that bear witness to the smoke drifting through the farmhouse kitchen hundreds of years ago. It can almost go unnoticed as it melds naturally with the stone.
In the farmhouse kitchen, this open shelving vignette feels more like a still life than a storage solution. Every object, from the cobalt blue ceramics, earthenware jugs, hand-painted plates to the glass bottles glinting in the afternoon light — has been chosen not just for function, but for art.
A charming assortment of earthenware jugs and hand-painted plates, reminiscent of Andalusian pottery traditions fit neatly into the pale blue wooden cabinet. Additionally, a weathered bull print is a nod to Iberian folklore, while a collection of playful ceramic mushrooms adds a touch of whimsy to the arrangement. To enhance the vintage flair, a pair of antique shears hangs casually on the raw stone wall.
The preserved olive press dating back to 1816, sits outside of room six anchoring the space with historical gravitas alongside bold red and white contemporary art, by local artist Dom Blonde.
¨In the past we have sourced chairs from flea markets or re-upholstered them ourselves¨ – Tavis, Co-founder, Las Cicadas
At the finca, each of the six bedrooms are unique in color and character all with en-suite bathrooms with striking colorful tiles. Many have private entrances or patios, reinforcing the sense of individual refuge within the whole. One historic architectural highlight at the property is a beautiful olive press which dates back to 1816 and sits proudly outside of bedroom six. The authentic feature is styled with a pair of unusual looking chairs that were re-upholstered by Nora and Tavis in a 1970´s fabric which feels arty, customized and cool. Paired with a graphic deep red Mexican kilim rug underfoot, bold artwork hung on the wall and books in the middle, it makes the ideal private sitting area-cum reading nook.
Two vintage metal framed chairs either side of a wicker table have been re-purposed with a 1970´s bohemian print offering a soulful corner to read and unwind.
Inside one of the bedrooms, an old rustic door has been up-cycled into a headboard; the result is very appealing and not obvious to the eye on first glance.
This sunlit corner has an ornately carved dense walnut vanity, paired with a vibrant striped kilim rug on dark flooring. The antique pedestal sink, a porcelain basin set within an iron stand, evokes 19th-century European craftsmanship.
At the finca, each space has its own personality. This design features a matching yellow color scheme across the bedroom and the en-suite bathroom. His and hers marble vintage sinks and old brass tapware add more rustic charm but the contemporary mosaic tilework packs a dramatic punch.
Las Cicadas is just like a beautifully realized dream home—generous without being pretentious, artistic without being precious, huge yet cosy and warm. The design celebrates creativity: art is everywhere, whether original works on the walls or inside books and design objects in communal nooks. A finca that once served as a farmhouse has evolved into a canvas for not only art, but also for slow living and celebrating life. Stay long enough, and you’ll find your days sync with the cadence of the island: time marked not by clocks but by sunlight, farmhouse meals, and the sound of cicadas at dusk. Whether it’s summer or winter, Las Cicadas is always a delightful experience.
Atop rustic cabinets and tables, fruits, books, a hand-blown green glass vessel and colorful vases filled with a variety of fresh or dried flowers, add sculptural quiet. The petite library recessed into the wall framed with a wooden beam is a typical feature of the Casa Payesa.
A collection of photography by Landry A, is seen on the walls of the private sitting area, outside one of the bedrooms at Las Cicadas.
