Past Meets Present In This Spanish Country Home

Rip & Tan: What are the hallmarks of a Las Perelli design? 

Elena & Beatriz Perelli: The hallmark of Las Perelli is the balance between antique and modern. As we often say, “antiquity is our modernity”. Our projects combine the beauty and warmth of the past—pieces with patina that tell a story—with the comfort and ease of the present. Our work honors craftsmanship and the handmade, the quiet art of preserving what came before. 

In recent years, we’ve restored many historic buildings, where conserving their soul has been as important as creating a space to live beautifully today.

Rip & Tan: Can you walk us through your approach for this project? What was your vision for this home at the beginning of the project?

Elena & Beatriz Perelli: In the case of the Cáceres project, the house was conceived as a warm and welcoming country family home. Set on an estate surrounded by olive trees, nature seems to flow inside, creating a bright and relaxed atmosphere. Natural materials and fabrics blend seamlessly with antique pieces—such as tapestries and portraits—that lend the spaces a sense of identity and timelessness. It is a place to slow down and enjoy good company, a home designed for family gatherings and long afternoons shared with friends.

Rip & Tan: How did the surrounding landscape impact your design choices?

Elena & Beatriz Perelli: For us, every project begins with the house itself. Beyond understanding the needs of those who will live there, we study the building—its history, its past uses, its period. We find ways to preserve its beauty and reveal its essence, highlighting original architectural elements such as fireplaces, arches, doors, or floors. The surrounding landscape naturally plays a key role. We seek coherence between the architecture and its setting, ensuring that the property feels part of its environment. In every project, we aim for a seamless dialogue between indoors and outdoors—so that when you’re outside, the house invites you in, and when you’re inside, it draws you out.

The surrounding landscape played a central role in shaping the interiors. Large windows connect the houses to the outdoors, allowing nature to become part of the decoration itself. Each view is framed like a living painting that changes with the light and the seasons.

Rip & Tan: Can you talk about how you use accessories to add warmth and texture in a room?

Elena & Beatriz Perelli: Linens, books, candelabras—there are key elements that bring life to every room. They add color, balance, and warmth. We like spaces that feel lived-in, where every object has meaning. Textiles, ceramics, and pieces collected over time soften the architecture and create depth. These accessories are what turn a house into a home—they tell stories, reflect personality, and make each space feel effortlessly complete.

Rip & Tan: You included beautiful antique elements like the tapestry and portraits—how did you choose these pieces? 

Elena & Beatriz Perelli: In Cáceres, the tapestry was a key element we found early in the process, and it became the starting point for the entire palette of the house. We used its tones as a thread that runs throughout the project. Often, there’s one defining piece—like the tapestry in Cáceres—that we like to keep at the center. We give it space and presence, allowing its beauty to guide and balance the rest of the design.