Gabriel Santos: Clarity, Light and the Charm of Sóller

Gabriel's studio is right in the heart of Sóller, on the Plaza Principal. Imagine an old maisonette transformed into a bright, cosy workspace: wooden beams, white walls, a large balcony overlooking the church tower and the Tramuntana mountains. Gabriel and Susanna did not design the apartment as a showroom but as a place where people actually live and experiment. On the coffee table there are linen swatches, handwritten notes and a small collection of ceramics they found on their travels. What strikes me immediately is the balance between function and warmth. There are work areas with plans, but also a corner with a small library—books about traditional Mallorcan architecture and modern typography sit side by side. Appointments here are relaxed; consultations often start with a walk through the neighbourhood to read the natural light and the fabric of the street. Gabriel says many of his designs stem directly from this first observation. For clients this means no standardized solutions. Instead there are bespoke proposals in which materials and craftsmanship play a major role. And yes, it gets practical: he shows you how to position a window so that it provides shade in summer but captures heat in winter. Simple, effective and honest—that is how he describes his approach.

The studio is located right in the heart of Sóller, on the Plaza Principal. Picture an old maisonette converted into a bright, cosy workspace: wooden beams, white walls, a large balcony with views of the church spire and the Tramuntana mountains. Gabriel and Susanna did not design the apartment as a showpiece, but as a place where life and experimentation happen. On the coffee table lie linen samples, handwritten notes and a small collection of ceramics they found while travelling. What immediately stands out is the balance between function and warmth. There are working zones with plans, but also a corner with a small library—books about traditional Mallorcan architecture and modern typography sit side by side. Appointments are quite relaxed here; consultations often begin with a walk through the neighbourhood to read the natural light and understand the street's structure. Gabriel says many of his designs come directly from that initial observation. For clients this means: no standardized solutions. Instead, bespoke proposals where materials and craftsmanship play a large role. And yes, it gets practical: he shows you how to place a window so that it casts shade in summer but captures warmth in winter. Simple, effective and honest—that is how he describes his way of working.

Gabriel's stance can be summed up in one sentence: quality over trends. He believes in simplicity as a marker of quality—not as a sacrifice, but as a reduction to the essential. This is particularly visible in his work with light. After many years in Central Europe he appreciates Mallorcan brightness; his designs often try to channel that light without letting spaces wash out. Material choice is another cornerstone. Natural materials like lime plaster, solid wood and woven textiles feature deliberately in his projects. Not because they are trendy, but because they age and gain character. A sofa, he says, should be allowed to change over the years—that becomes part of a home's story. He also values respecting what already exists. Old doors, original floors and existing stone walls are not routinely removed; they are read, understood and integrated where possible. The result is often a mix of old and new with clear lines and a relaxed atmosphere. For inhabitants this means spaces that work and at the same time radiate comfort.

If you are renovating in Mallorca or simply want a fresh look at your home, Gabriel has a few simple, practical pieces of advice that are easy to implement. First: pay attention to the light. Observe your home over the course of a day. Where does it get bright in the morning? Where does the sun stand in the afternoon? Small changes, like curtains with different transparencies or a new window arrangement, can make a big difference. Second: sensible material mixing. Use natural materials in high-traffic areas—tiles at the entrance, oiled wood in living rooms, hard-wearing fabrics in family zones. These materials age well and can be repaired locally. Third: work with local craftsmen. A good carpenter or mason knows solutions for local problems, especially with old stone houses. Fourth: flexible furniture. It can get hot quickly in Mallorca; furniture that is easy to move helps adapt spaces to the season. And finally: keep proportions in mind. Too intense colors or cluttered furnishing overwhelm small rooms. Less is often more—especially when the goal is comfort.