Pirajean Lee Designs a Serene Formentera Holiday Home
The sabina tree grows on the Balearic Islands. Its trunk bends under wind, sun, and salt without breaking. Clémence Pirajean and James Lees used its wood to build their house on Formentera. The couple runs the interior-architecture and furniture-design studio Pirajean Lees. Every project begins with a story, and here the resilient tree provided theirs.
“We’re a family of artists,” Clémence says. “We work in an organic way. The sabina timber captured how we evolve as people.”
Reworking a 1960s Family Home
Clémence and James first visited Ibiza twenty years ago. Day trips to Formentera led them to choose its slower pace for their family. Their home stands at the end of a dirt road, bordered by a protected park that separates it from the sea. A Spanish man built it in the 1960s as a holiday retreat. After his divorce, the family lost interest in the house.
“They stopped loving it,” Clémence notes. “That’s unfortunate because the construction was solid.”
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The couple wanted to restore the house so multiple generations could enjoy it together or separately. Strict island protections limited major changes, pushing them to innovate within the existing structure. With builder Jamie, they opened up cramped ground-floor spaces, refreshed joinery and bathrooms, and replaced dark 1960s tiles and beams. Local materials and island artisans gave the interiors a renewed feel while staying true to Formentera’s character.
“We aimed for functionality and authenticity,” Clémence says. She describes it as a healthy house built to resist the island’s damp air. “The sea air is harsher than we realise, but the house stays comfortable even in winter.”
Designing for Longevity
Furniture adds subtle colour. “In the summer, everything outside is so bright—blue skies, green gardens—that a calmer interior feels right.” Many pieces were custom-made, including a long, curved sofa inspired by one shown at WOW!house in 2025. This version uses butter-yellow Perennials fabric and seats twelve while keeping an intimate feel.
“The house is a workshop,” Clémence says. Some custom designs may later join the studio’s furniture collection.
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Clémence comes from a family that’s been in hospitality. James, who studied film design and directed movies, approaches each room by sitting in every seat to study the view. This mix of practicality and creativity ensures the design survives the elements while feeling inviting.
“We focus on narrative interior architecture,” she explains. “It keeps us away from trends and obvious solutions.”
The family visits the island year-round. Summer still offers empty beaches, and Clémence hopes to spend Christmas there. James prefers late October, when the sea stays warm but the island begins winding down. Like the timber that shapes it, the house has endured storms and grown more beautiful for it.
