Living And Designing Between Two World Heritage Landscapes
From the Lakes to the Tramuntana: A Life in Design, Part 1
Award-winning UK interior designer Sarah Jane Nielsen brings the creative spirit of Nielsen House to your Mallorca interior design project, bridging two breath taking locations, from the English Lake District to the mountain range of Serra de Tramuntana.
Creative Roots: A Life Shaped by Nature and Design
My life’s journey—and that of Nielsen House—has always been shaped by creativity and sensory design. For me, design has never been separate from nature. It flows through how I see, feel and respond to the world around me.
From my early years as a fine artist and printmaker, my personal expression evolved into interior design. Texture, colour, form and layering became my tools. Each interior scheme I create begins with nature, interpreted through my own lens.
Rural Beginnings and Deep Influence
I’ve always absorbed my surroundings. I’m fortunate to be so visually led, drawn to every nuance of colour, shadow, and shape in the landscape. The connection between sky, land, and sea has the power to clear my mind and uplift my spirit. That emotional shift drives my creativity, and its influence can be seen in every Nielsen House project.
No matter where they’re located, the homes I design are deeply rooted in place. They reflect their setting, whether that’s a Lakeland fell, a Scottish coastline, or a sun-drenched Mallorcan hillside.
A Heritage in Design
Designer History
Design runs in my blood. I was raised in Scotland by couture designer parents and brought up with a strong appreciation for craftsmanship and bespoke detail. My father was an exceptional Danish tailor, and my mother, a model, art student, and designer, brought flair and creativity into our everyday lives.
The drama and wildness of the Northern Hemisphere, Scotland, Iceland, Scandinavia, have always called to me. The rugged beauty of the Highlands and islands shaped my aesthetic, while my education in Edinburgh gave me a foundation in the arts.
Although it broke my heart to leave Scotland when my parents moved south, the English Lake District soon became home. It’s now where I’ve lived and worked for more than 30 years. It’s where I met my husband, raised a family, and grew my practice.
I couldn’t say the Lakes are more beautiful than Scotland, as each have their own characteristics and idiosyncrasies. But to live and work in the Lake District National Park is a complete pleasure.
A Shift in Priorities; Business and Family
As Nielsen House thrived and evolved into a signature design studio, life was full—but fast. With one daughter approaching adulthood and another just starting her teenage years, it became clear that time together as a family was something we needed to prioritise.
After more than three decades of pouring myself into client projects, I began to seek a new kind of balance. Our studio was in capable hands—young designers were coming into their own, bringing fresh energy and technical fluency. The time felt right to step back, re-evaluate, and pursue a long-held dream.
Taking a Leap: From the Lakes to Mallorca
In 2020, like many others during the pandemic, we reflected deeply on how we lived. My husband and I had always visited Mallorca—with family, with friends, with our children. It had been a place of sunshine, simplicity, and release from the intensity of work.
We began to imagine something more lasting: a move to the island. A period of change, of reconnection, and of cultural experience for us all. After considerable planning, we relocated to Mallorca in September 2022, just in time for the new school year.
Finding Our Place in the Serra de Tramuntana
We’d always been drawn to the northern mountains and the quiet charm of traditional villages. But holidaying is very different from living. After some research, we realised that while Pollenca and the rural northwest were breathtaking, they might be too quiet in winter and less practical for school life.
We wanted an authentic experience, immersing ourselves in Mallorcan culture, even with limited Spanish. Community, festivals, local rhythms, these were the things we hoped to share with our daughters. Santa Maria del Camí became our home base. A small but lively town with a strong local identity, a train station, and an international school.
A New Home, A Fresh Perspective
We found a rustic finca to rent just outside the town, overlooking the mountains. It wasn’t grand, but it was beautiful. Waking up to the Tramuntana landscape each morning was creatively inspiring. A true home from home.
Naturally, there were hurdles: learning the language, adapting to new systems, finding our way. But this journey brought growth, connection, and a new outlook for us all. It was a chance to live differently, more deliberately, and it has enriched every part of our lives, including my work.
Our beautiful home in the Lake District held its own, but this adventure added opportunity, excitement, and individual growth for us all.
A Natural Extension of My Design Practice
Our interior design projects in Mallorca are deeply influenced by the island’s natural beauty. Every space we create aims to reflect the landscape, capturing its essence in materials, colours and form.
As an interior designer in Mallorca, I focus on designing homes that are luxurious, but never disconnected. They must feel grounded, comfortable, and in harmony with their setting. By weaving together nature, personal experience, and design expertise, we create interiors that support well-being and truly reflect the lives within them.
Read more about this journey, find part two here
