A tour of Malene Birger’s artfully restored 18th-century townhome in Mallorca

When Malene Birger left her eponymous fashion brand to pursue art and interior design over a decade ago, a love affair with Mallorca was already well underway. Sure, over the past 17 years, the self-described nomad has lived in many of the world’s most exquisite hideaways, from the Greek island of Skyros to Lake Como. But it is Mallorca she continues to return to, living on the Balearic island on multiple occasions in various locations. And most recently, Birger returned to Mallorca to the rural town of Felanitx for a two-year renovation of the townhouse she’s currently residing within. This meticulous process is the subject of her latest book, Creating a New Home in Mallorca, out now.

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“I always thrived better under the palm tree than the birch,” Birger says when reflecting on how Mallorca came to be her chosen home. Originally from Copenhagen, the Dane describes the island as a destination where she’s always felt most at ease. “I’ve spent over a decade and a half here, across two different periods, and the island’s mix of authenticity and warmth continues to inspire me.” She was drawn to Felanitx, the location of her current outpost, for its raw charm. “People still take their time, greet one another on the street, and live with such genuine manners and calm energy. There’s a sense of community that feels rare today.”

Birger wasn’t necessarily searching for a new project when she came across her current home, Casa Birger – an 18th-century townhouse that had gone uninhabited for 40 years. “When I saw it, I knew immediately it had potential,” she says, adding that when she first stepped inside, the house was completely full of furniture across all three floors. “The space had a wonderful atmosphere, even though it was in need of care.” Though she is no stranger to home renovations (to date, she has completed eight), this was the largest of them all. The house is 600 square meters, and there were several original details that Birger and her team were determined to keep intact.

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“I’ve always felt a responsibility to respect the history of the buildings I work on,” she says, pointing to traditional craftsmanship unique to older homes as a vital quality to maintain. “My role was to bring the house back to life without losing its character.” One of her most cherished vignettes is the central iron staircase that features a wooden handrail and ornate gilded detailing. “Also, the original hexagonal tiles from the first floor were salvaged and reinstalled on the second floor.”

In the book, Birger describes the house’s history as guiding its future. “For me, every old house already holds the blueprint for what it wants to become,” she says. With Casa Birger, the history of the building was her starting point. “I didn’t want to erase anything. You can feel its age, but everything functions for how I live today. That balance between preservation and renewal is what guided every decision."

In addition to protecting the historic details, Birger also wanted to keep an authentic Mallorquín feeling. “The handmade glass lamps from the Gordiola factory add a strong sense of place,” she says. These light fixtures have been locally made since the 1700s and possess imperfections that Birger describes as particularly beautiful. “Also, for me, the combination of the original wooden double doors, inner wooden shutters, ceramic tiles – and the fabrics, cushions, and carpets – are all a tactile connection to Mallorca.”

Of course, the home’s interiors were rendered in Birger’s signature monochrome palette, which she explains is a reflection of her appreciation for simplicity and balance. “It also creates a calm backdrop for art and vintage furniture, which I like to rotate and re-curate over time,” she says. “For me, it’s not about minimalism, but about creating a space where every detail has room to breathe.”

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Now that the restoration is complete, Birger is spending her days in the kitchen cooking, lounging on the sunbed at the pool, and working in her studio. She also recently opened a gallery and studio in Felanitx just around the corner from her house. “It felt like a natural extension of my creative work, to be more visible and a way to stay connected to the local community and to the rest of the world since Mallorca is so international,” she explains. The village community is a mix of Mallorquins and Moroccans, and has yet to be overly commercialised, she notes. “After living in the countryside, I had to adjust to being closer to neighbours and the sounds of daily village life again, but now I adore it. It feels genuine and alive.”

Creating a New Home in Mallorca by Malene Birger is out now.