We first came to Cadaques in 1988 when my eldest son was only two and a half. I fell in love instantly and we came back every year, renting a house each summer until we bought Es Puig in 1997.. When we found Es Puig it was a wreck; graffiti on the walls and the garden used as a parking lot. We rebuilt the terraces, renovated the house, adding a large working kitchen with a dining table that would accommodate family and friends. Dating from 1949 it was built as a shooting lodge and weekend home. We carried out extensive renovations taking over a year; reconstructed the terrace and built a barbecue area and pool. I am a fashion designer and furnishing the house was a huge pleasure for me, giving me the opportunity to explore my love of antique textiles.
There is a special quality about Cadaques that resonates with many people, particularly those with a creative soul. Salvador Dali left a legacy which still attracts artists and musicians from many countries, drawn by its spectacular beauty, ever changing light and temperamental mood, just as Dali was. The house itself was often visited by painters and poets and the atmosphere of those days of friendship and conversation by the fireside lingers on. My children regard it very much as their second home, coming here whenever they can. We have many friends from all over the world who migrate back to Cadaques annually and we feel immensely privileged to have such a house and garden and delight in the fact that we can share its magic with other people.
