05 Aug Home renovations in costa brava
Masias, Village Houses & Mediterranean Homes
Choosing the Right Home for Your Mediterranean Lifestyle
From centuries-old stone farmhouses hidden among olive groves to charming village houses and contemporary villas overlooking the sea, the Costa Brava offers an extraordinary variety of homes. Each tells a different story, reflects a unique way of living, and presents its own opportunities—and challenges—when it comes to renovation.
At D’Aussy Interiors, we believe every project should begin by understanding the architecture of the house itself. Rather than imposing a style, our approach is to preserve its character while adapting it to modern living through thoughtful design, natural materials, and a deep respect for the surrounding landscape.
1. The Catalan Masia: A Timeless Rural Retreat
The traditional masia is perhaps the most iconic home in the Empordà. Originally built as working farmhouses, these properties were designed to respond to the Mediterranean climate with thick stone walls, shaded porches, natural ventilation and a close relationship with the surrounding land.
Today, many buyers are drawn to their authenticity, generous volumes and peaceful settings. Renovating a masia, however, requires sensitivity. Preserving original stonework, timber beams and traditional lime finishes while discreetly introducing contemporary comforts is what allows these historic buildings to continue evolving without losing their identity.
At D’Aussy Interiors, we see each masia as a conversation between past and present, where handcrafted materials, bespoke joinery and local craftsmanship create homes that feel both timeless and deeply personal.
2. Village Houses: Life in the Heart of the Empordà
The medieval villages of the Costa Brava are filled with narrow streets, stone façades and homes that have witnessed generations of local life. Behind their modest exteriors often lie beautiful courtyards, vaulted ceilings and unexpected connections between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Renovating a village house is about revealing its hidden potential. Careful space planning, improved natural light and the use of authentic materials can transform these historic homes into comfortable residences while respecting their architectural heritage.
For clients looking to immerse themselves in the local lifestyle, village houses offer the opportunity to live within walking distance of cafés, markets and village squares, while enjoying the quiet rhythm that defines the Empordà.
3. Contemporary Mediterranean Homes in Residential Areas
Not every dream home in the Costa Brava is centuries old. Over the last few decades, a new generation of houses has emerged, combining contemporary architecture with the principles of traditional Mediterranean design.
These homes prioritise natural light, seamless indoor-outdoor living, generous terraces and carefully framed views of the landscape. Rather than replicating traditional architecture, they reinterpret it through clean lines, locally sourced stone, oak, lime plaster and sustainable building techniques.
Whether newly built or recently acquired, these properties benefit from interiors that balance functionality with warmth, creating spaces designed for relaxed family life, entertaining and year-round living.
Our interior design projects often begin during the construction phase, allowing finishes, lighting, bespoke furniture and landscaping to be considered as part of one coherent vision from the very beginning.
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Renovating with Respect for Place
Every home in the Costa Brava deserves an approach that reflects its origins. A farmhouse should not lose its rustic soul, a village house should continue telling its story, and a contemporary villa should feel rooted in the Mediterranean landscape rather than disconnected from it.
Our work begins by understanding the architecture, the history of the property and the way our clients want to live. Only then do we shape interiors that feel authentic, comfortable and enduring.
Whether restoring a centuries-old masia, transforming a village house or designing the interiors of a newly built residence, the objective remains the same: creating homes that belong naturally to the Costa Brava.
Thinking of Renovating a Home in the Costa Brava?
Whether you are searching for a traditional masia, a village house full of character or a contemporary Mediterranean residence, D’Aussy Interiors accompanies clients from the earliest stages of the process—from understanding the property’s potential to designing interiors that celebrate the beauty, craftsmanship and lifestyle of the Empordà.