La Casa de Arcos is a unique place where tranquility, beauty, and Andalusian charm come together. Located in the picturesque countryside of Arcos de la Frontera, this accommodation offers the perfect balance between nature and comfort. In this interview, we delve deeper into what makes Casa de Arcos so special – from the serene atmosphere and stunning surroundings to the careful interior design and the cherished memories the house holds for its owners, Justine and Emmanuel. We explore how the house came to be, the unique features it offers, and why it’s the ideal destination for guests seeking an authentic experience in the heart of Andalusia.
We are Justine and Emmanuel, and our two children, Ito and Ninn, are 16 and 13 years old. We’ve been living in Andalusia for nearly 4 years, in Arcos de la Frontera, in the province of Cádiz.
We’ve both loved Andalusia since we were young. Emmanuel is half Spanish and, because of that, has been immersed in Andalusian culture from a young age. Emmanuel is a graphic designer by profession, and I ran a children's store in Belgium for 10 years. We love traveling, decorating, music, and our work: welcoming guests to Casa de Arcos. Our children are passionate about surfing, skateboarding, tennis, and music.
We discovered Casa de Arcos by renting the house every summer for six years for our family vacations. We didn’t know Arcos de la Frontera at all, but it was love at first sight. In 2019, we had the opportunity to buy the house… Initially, Casa de Arcos was only meant to be a holiday home for our family, but then the pandemic happened! We were lucky to be there for renovation work just before the Spanish borders closed. This meant we spent the entire lockdown together as a family at Casa de Arcos. After those months of quarantine in Andalusia, it was difficult to return to our old life in Belgium… So, we decided to move permanently to Spain. That was the beginning of our new life!
The house was already beautiful by nature. We barely altered the original architecture, but we did make some renovations and decorative changes.
The major works included the installation of the swimming pool, the renovation of the kitchen and one of the bathrooms, and the creation of a play/cinema room.
Casa de Arcos will always hold a special place in our hearts.
We’ve spent unforgettable vacations there with family and friends, and later it became the starting point of our new life. We’ve lived there for two years, and the house is designed and furnished for true living.
Every occasion we celebrate at Casa de Arcos has a magical atmosphere…
We’ve tried to create a simple and warm atmosphere, paying attention to detail.
There are many!
The kitchen in winter with its fireplace, the patio for long summer evenings, the mirador with views of the olive grove and the village…
And the pool, the unmistakable heart of Casa!
The central location of Casa de Arcos provides an ideal starting point for visiting the "pueblos blancos" (including Arcos de la Frontera) and also for the beautiful beaches of the Costa de la Luz, stretching from Cádiz to Tarifa.
And for those who just want to relax… the Casa is ideally located in the countryside :)
The house is powered by solar panels.
The plan to settle permanently in Spain became feasible when we considered renting out Casa de Arcos year-round.
For that, we needed a second project: a house for our family!
We visited many houses in the region, but none of them felt quite right...
The experience with us varies depending on the seasons...
In autumn, with its beautiful light, the milder temperatures that make it possible to explore the region while enjoying the outdoor spaces of the Casa...
In winter, for evenings by the fireplace, cooking delicious meals, and enjoying the cozy atmosphere...
In spring, as nature comes back to life, enjoying the outdoor spaces with the beautiful temperatures on the way and the longer days...
In summer, for days by the pool, afternoon naps in the mirador, aperitifs at the end of the day, and evenings in the patio under the stars :)
There is a special serenity at Casa de Arcos, like an invitation to relax.
The location in the Andalusian countryside, with its wheat fields, sunflowers, and olive trees stretching as far as the eye can see, certainly plays a large role in this…
The best compliment is when people say that the Casa is even more beautiful in real life :)
And that the decor is thoughtfully done, with much attention to detail!
We hope they feel at home during their vacation :)
We also give them a few souvenirs so they can take a little bit of Casa de Arcos home with them… like the oil from our olive grove.
Listen to a good vinyl record, relax, and enjoy the moment to the fullest :)