Loading...
Buyahomemallorca header

From Portugal to Palma

From the narrow Mallorcan alley and the crowded cafés, it is only a few steps up to the apartment which manages to combine what many would say is the best of both worlds.

On the outside – the Spanish charm with small balconies, beautiful shutters and rustic stone walls. On the inside – newly renovated, Scandinavian style with light hardwood floors and a modern kitchen. It is the home of currency broker Nick Jones, Managing Director at Premier FX.

Nick Jones, at the balcony of his apartment in Palma Old town.

“When I have guests visiting I always take a photo of them on this balcony with the church in the background.”

Apartment in Palma Old town.

The area of Old Town is a throbbing part of the city.

Living room and art.

A two bedroom apartment, located close to everything the city has to offer is exactly what Nick was looking for!

modern-charm-central-old-town-nick-jones-21

Nick likes having the neighbours close and they invite him to Mallorquin street parties. But it took some time to get used to!

The balcony doors are open and you can hear the buzz from down the street. Chatter, laughter and the sound of porcelain coffee cups.

– You are surrounded by people when you live here. It was a bit of a shock at first when I realised that there are people everywhere, Nick says with a smile. On the streets, on their balconies and terraces, everywhere. But once I got used to it, I loved it!

The characteristic narrow streets in the central part of the Old town really do situate the balconies very close to each other.

– It took me a while to get used to it, but now I sometimes stand on the balcony, drinking some wine and having a chat with one of my neighbors across the street.

Nick describes this neighborhood like a tiny village. The people who work here usually live nearby and sometimes they have small street parties and invite him to join.

The bright guest room.

The corner guest room certainly has an unique charm!

The Rolling Stones, signatured by the photographer.

A photo of The Rolling Stones with the photographers signature.

modern-charm-central-old-town-nick-jones-7

The master bedroom with art from an artist friend. The bedroom has a bathroom en-suite.

modern-charm-central-old-town-nick-jones-6

From every room there is access to a small balcony or a French balcony which makes the entire flat very luminous.

Close to the Palma nightlife

For Nick this part of Palma was the obvious choice to stay in. He wanted to be close to the restaurants and the bars, and within walking distance to his office in La Rambla.

– The location couldn’t be better for me. Although it can be quite noisy during the day, it is very quiet at night. And if I feel the need for some peace and quiet, I get in my car and drive to some restaurant in the mountains with stunning views.

Nick, who is originally from the UK, had been living in Portugal for several years, but after opening a new office in Mallorca in 2013, he decided to make it his permanent home.

– Living in Portugal was different to this. It is beautiful, laid back and relatively quiet. But when I first came to Palma I fell in love with the place and thought “Oh yes, I could live here!”

It is hard not to feel Nick’s enthusiasm when he speaks about Palma. The people, the places, the experiences and the atmosphere.

– The city is so full of life. The weather allows you to have more of an “outdoor lifestyle”, and people tend to be more sociable, open and spontaneous. There are always things to do here, events, festivals and street parties to participate in. The favorites are San Sebastian, when the streets turn into a big barbecue, or The Art Night in Palma.

modern-charm-central-old-town-nick-jones-11

Art is a new hobby for Nick and he enjoys buying paintings from local artists.

The dining area next to the kitchen.

The dining area and the kitchen are slightly separated from the living room but still gives you the feeling of an open plan kitchen.

Modern kitchen

White and modern kitchen with a touch of Mallorquin charm.

Art and music

Nick has lived in his apartment in the Old Town, since 2014, and has no plans to move. 100 square meters divided into two bedrooms, kitchen and living room suit him perfectly.

– And this is my music corner, Nick says and shows one of his favorite parts of the apartment. Two guitars, an amplifier and a photo of young Rolling Stones on the wall, signed by the photographer.

– I really love music. This is a Les Paul. All my musical heroes used to play this. Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin…

modern-charm-central-old-town-nick-jones-26

The music corner, a favorite spot in the apartment.

Nicks guitar, a Les Paul.

“I really love music. This guitar is a Les Paul. All my musical heroes used to play this. Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin…”

modern-charm-central-old-town-nick-jones-22

The apartment has a nice open feel, with beautiful and colourful paintings in contrast to the white walls and kitchen.

Nick’s interest in music goes way back, but he discovered a new passion when he moved to Mallorca. Art. An exhibition by local artist Andrea Castro led to his first painting purchase and he was hooked.

– I started to love art! And the art feeling in Palma is amazing.

And no matter if it is art, cooking, wine tasting, sailing, hiking…Mallorca has got it.



Nick also has a keen interest in cars, both beautiful classics and modern performance cars, and he was excited when he found “Driving Mallorca”, a group of car enthusiasts who meet up every week and go for a drive on the island.

– It is the best! I love cars and I love people. I’m living my dream. This is a truly beautiful island, with a throbbing and lively city in the sunshine. What more could you ask for?

modern-charm-central-old-town-nick-jones-14

Nick found the apartment for rent online and rushed to see it before everyone else. He was one of the first to choose from all of the refurbished apartments in the building.

Wine

Another great thing about Palma: Affordable wines in every food shop!

modern-charm-central-old-town-nick-jones-9

The street below Nick’s apartment is very charming with two nice and popular cafés, and bars just around the corner.

Text: Maria Strömqvist

Photo: Ida Carlsson

You might also like

No Comments

Leave a reply