07620 Llucmajor
Islas Baleares, España
07620 Llucmajor
Islas Baleares, España
23.10.2026
From Run-Down House to a Dream Home in Mallorca – Exterior Work Begins and Interior Design Takes Shape
Chapter 06: From Construction to Design – The House Slowly Takes Shape
After months of planning, changes and challenges with the original condition of the building, Dave’s house project in Mallorca is entering a new phase. Construction is progressing, and it is finally becoming easier to imagine what the finished home will look and feel like.
In this chapter of From Run-Down House to a Dream Home in Mallorca, the excavator arrives to begin work on the swimming pool and other essential outdoor installations. At the same time, Dave starts tackling one of the most exciting parts of the entire project: designing the interior and exterior spaces.
With the help of professionals, visits to building material suppliers and plenty of ideas to explore, he begins making important decisions. The goal is not simply to build a house, but to create a home that suits his lifestyle and the people who will use it.
The Excavator Has Arrived: Exterior Work Begins
The arrival of the excavator marks an important moment on the construction site. Work can finally begin on excavating the swimming pool, septic tank, new water cistern and other essential installations.
This is about much more than creating space for a swimming pool. The infrastructure required to supply and operate the house also needs to be prepared.
Dave hopes that suitable weather conditions will provide an opportunity to move forward with the next stages. If temperatures cooperate, the pool could be concreted in the coming weeks, while work on the house’s internal service installations can progress at the same time.
Why Is Timing So Important When Concreting a Swimming Pool?
Concrete does not simply dry like a painted surface. It hardens through a chemical reaction between cement and water, and this process needs time and suitable conditions.
When temperatures are too high, the reaction can happen too quickly, increasing the risk of cracks. In a swimming pool, these cracks can eventually lead to leaks.
That is why choosing the right moment is not simply a matter of whether it is sunny or rainy. Temperature and the conditions under which the concrete hardens are also important considerations.
The excavation work also reveals a particular feature of the property: after approximately 50 centimetres of soil, solid rock begins. To work through it, the excavator is equipped with different attachments, including a hydraulic breaker.
A Pool Designed for Exercise and Relaxation
The planned swimming pool will be approximately ten metres long and feature a counter-current swimming system. This will make it possible to swim continuously without needing a much longer pool.
Dave is also thinking about his parents, who are approaching retirement age and enjoy staying active. The pool is therefore intended not only as a place to relax, but also as an opportunity to exercise regularly and spend time together as a family.
The plans include a saltwater pool with filtration equipment and lighting. An additional technical area is also being excavated to accommodate some of the necessary equipment.
There is still plenty of work ahead, but with the excavation underway, the pool is finally becoming a visible part of the project rather than just an idea on paper.
From DIY Plans to Working with Professionals
When Dave bought the property, his goal was to do as much of the work himself as possible. However, the actual condition of the building forced him to rethink the project. What had originally been intended as a renovation developed into a much more extensive construction undertaking.
Following the changes and the lengthy interruption to the work, Dave even questioned whether he should publish the series on YouTube at all. His original vision had involved getting hands-on and doing as much as possible himself, rather than watching other people carry out most of the work.
Nevertheless, he does not want to abandon that ambition completely.
Instead, he is looking for tasks where he can genuinely contribute without getting in the professionals’ way. While the specialists handle the essential construction work, Dave can focus on other important areas: planning the rooms, selecting materials and developing the design of the house and garden.
Every Stage Has Its Right Time
Many decisions on a construction project are interconnected. Some need to be made before certain stages of work can continue, even when the finished appearance of the house still seems a long way off.
Choosing the flooring is a good example. Different materials can have different installation heights, which can affect the planning of rooms and service installations.
That is why Dave is already making design decisions while construction is ongoing. Coordinating aesthetic preferences with practical building requirements early on helps prepare the project for the next stages.
Interior Design Starts with Functionality
Before thinking about wall colours, furniture or decorative details, Dave wants to establish how the house should work in everyday life.
His guiding principle is simple: function comes before appearance. A room can look attractive, but it should also meet the actual needs of the people using it.
To help with this, Dave has put together a list of requirements and preferences that will guide the interior design process.
Making Use of Every Centimetre
One of his priorities is to use the available space as efficiently as possible. Areas beneath stairs, under beds and in other frequently overlooked corners should become useful storage spaces.
The aim is to avoid wasting valuable space because of an impractical layout.
A Home That Is Easy to Use and Maintain
Another important consideration is everyday convenience. Dave does not want to arrive at the house only to spend a significant amount of time tidying up before he can enjoy his stay.
The house should be easy to manage both when it is regularly occupied and when it remains empty for a while. He is therefore looking for solutions that make it possible to keep things organised with minimal effort and simplify both arriving and leaving.
Connecting Indoor and Outdoor Living
Outdoor living plays an especially important role in Mallorca. For that reason, Dave wants the interior and exterior spaces to be designed as parts of one coherent concept.
The transition between indoors and outdoors should feel natural and comfortable. At the same time, the selected materials need to be practical enough that people do not constantly have to worry about dirtying or damaging the floors when moving between the two areas.
Open Spaces That Can Still Be Separated
Dave prefers open-plan spaces, but he also wants the option of separating certain areas whenever necessary.
An open-plan living and dining area works well when everyone wants to use the space in the same way. However, separate areas can be useful when one group wants to eat and socialise while others prefer to work or relax quietly.
Flexibility is also important because the house needs to accommodate different situations. Dave wants to enjoy it with his partner or family, but he also wants to be able to accommodate his team when necessary.
Certain rooms should therefore be able to change their purpose without requiring major alterations.
Keeping Everyday Objects Out of Sight
The visual calm of the rooms is another priority. Dave would prefer to keep everyday items such as the television, vacuum cleaner or hairdryer out of sight when they are not being used.
This should help the rooms feel tidy and uncluttered without sacrificing comfort or practicality.
These considerations demonstrate that interior design is about much more than choosing attractive furniture. The aim is to create spaces that remain functional, flexible and enjoyable to use over the long term.
Choosing the Flooring: Materials, Appearance and Practical Requirements
With the functional requirements becoming clearer, Dave visits a large flooring supplier in Palma’s industrial district. There, he begins comparing different materials for the various areas of the property.
His list includes flooring for the interior, outdoor surfaces and the swimming pool. Materials also need to be selected for the kitchen and bathrooms.
Details such as shower finishes and drainage systems must also be considered. These decisions need to fit into the wider planning process so that the different elements work together.
Tiles or Natural Stone?
One of the first major decisions is whether to choose tiles or natural stone.
Tiles offer a consistent appearance, predictable dimensions and a wide range of finishes. They are also often more affordable to purchase and install, and many options are relatively easy to maintain in everyday use.
Natural stone, on the other hand, has its own distinctive character. Each slab can feature individual variations in colour and texture, giving the finished surface a unique appearance.
However, this individuality can also come with additional maintenance requirements. Some types of natural stone are sensitive to stains and need appropriate treatment and regular care.
There is no universally better choice. The right material depends on the desired appearance, how the surface will be used, the available budget and the level of maintenance involved.
Colour, Texture and Laying Patterns
Selecting the material is only part of the decision. Colour, texture and the way the flooring is laid will also influence the final result.
Large-format tiles, combinations of different sizes and alternative laying patterns can each create a very different atmosphere.
Dave wants to avoid making the newly built house look too uniform or sterile. Instead, he wants to combine materials and colours that complement one another while giving different areas their own character.
During the visit, he explores several possibilities for the flooring and other bathroom elements. One of the options he particularly likes is a freestanding bathtub in a light, concrete-like finish. Similar material and colour details could also be incorporated into the shower area.
No final decision has been made yet. Dave photographs the different combinations so he can compare them carefully later.
The plan is to decide on the largest surfaces and fixed elements first. Once those choices have been made, additional colours, details and materials can be introduced to complete the overall design.
The Garden: A Mediterranean Landscape That Requires Minimal Maintenance
The design of the property does not stop at the exterior walls of the house. Dave also wants to create a garden that suits Mallorca’s surroundings without requiring constant maintenance.
To explore the possibilities, he visits a nursery and looks at different plants and trees. His goal is to create a natural landscape that can cope with the island’s climate, including periods when less water is available.
He is not looking for a perfectly manicured garden that constantly demands attention, but for something more natural and easier to maintain.
Fruit Trees, Natural Shade and Ornamental Plants
Dave divides his ideas for the garden into three main categories.
The first includes plants that produce fruit he can actually use, such as fig trees, citrus trees and olive trees.
The second category consists of trees that provide natural shade. For Dave, having a shaded spot beneath a tree is one of the best ways to enjoy and make use of the property.
The third group includes plants chosen primarily for their appearance. He particularly likes ornamental grasses and other plants that give the garden a more natural feel.
The selection will also need to take water requirements and maintenance into account. The most suitable plants will have to be determined based on the conditions of the property.
A Fig Tree as the First Tree on the Property
During his visit to the nursery, Dave eventually chooses a fig tree.
The decision is both practical and personal. A fig tree can produce fruit, provide natural shade and fit beautifully into the surrounding landscape.
There is also another reason for his choice: he wants the tree to grow alongside the house. Ever since receiving the keys to the property, he has wanted to plant a tree that would allow him to observe the progress of the construction and the passing of time over the years.
The tree is eventually planted near the temporary camp where they have been spending part of their time during this stage of the project.
Dave hopes that, with the necessary care during its early years, the fig tree will establish itself and eventually grow with minimal intervention. It becomes one of the first living elements of the future garden and a reminder of this special stage in the building process.
The Layout of the House Begins to Take Shape
While the exterior work progresses, Dave also shows how the rooms are intended to be arranged.
On the ground floor, the entrance leads into an area with a dressing room and bathroom. From there, the layout continues towards the kitchen and the connected living and dining areas.
One of the most interesting spaces is a room designed to serve more than one purpose. Dave wants it to function as both a bedroom and a workspace. A floor-to-ceiling sliding partition will allow him to separate the room completely when needed.
The plan includes a desk and a Murphy bed, allowing the space to adapt to different requirements without losing its functionality.
The area beneath the staircase is also intended to become a practical utility and storage space.
The Upper Floor and the Master Bedroom
The upper floor will contain three bedrooms, including the master bedroom, which faces south and looks towards the pool.
The planned layout features a bed positioned centrally in the room, with wardrobes around the headboard area. The master bedroom will also have its own bathroom.
The overall layout already reflects Dave’s vision, but many questions about finishes, furniture, materials and additional storage solutions remain unanswered.
This is exactly where he wants to explore new ideas and gain fresh perspectives.
Dave Asks His Community for Help with the Design
Dave openly admits that making the right decisions can be difficult when working on such a personal project.
Even when the room layout is established, that does not mean every design question has been answered. There may be a smarter way to create storage, make better use of a room or combine different materials.
That is why Dave wants to draw on the creativity of his community once again. He previously tried a similar approach with an apartment project, where suggestions from participants played an important role.
This time, he invites his viewers to develop their own design ideas for the house in Mallorca.
An Invitation to Contribute Ideas
Dave explains that he will make various reference materials available, including the ground-floor and upper-floor plans, photographs and additional information about the property.
Participants do not need to design the entire house. They can focus on a single room, a clever storage solution, a combination of colours and materials or any other specific idea that could improve the result.
Dave has also brought in designers whose work he particularly admires. He plans to review the submitted concepts together with them.
The community will then be able to vote on which design they consider the best.
As Dave explains in the video, the winner will receive €1,000 and a weekend in Mallorca.
The participation period announced in the episode is two weeks from the video’s publication.
A New Stage on the Journey to the Dream Home
Chapter six shows how construction and design are increasingly progressing side by side. While excavation work prepares the property for the pool and outdoor installations, decisions about flooring, room layouts and the garden are also beginning to take concrete shape.
It also becomes clear that a construction project involves much more than building walls and installing technical systems. Planning the rooms, selecting materials and coordinating individual decisions are all essential to creating a home that suits its owners in the long term.
Dave wants to build a home in Mallorca that is functional, flexible and connected to its Mediterranean surroundings while still reflecting his personal style.
With excavation underway, the first fig tree planted and the first concrete design ideas emerging, the project takes another step towards its goal.
And with the invitation to his community, a new creative phase begins: bringing together ideas that will help transform the construction project into a truly personal home.
07620 Llucmajor
Islas Baleares, España