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Artful Escapes

Artful Escapes: Cortijo Genesis

In Gaucín, Spain, Victoria-Maria Geyer orchestrates a quiet sanctuary with splashy swaths of saffron, marigold, and aqua, alongside textural notes of terra-cotta and raw wood

By Jill Sieracki
Cozy living room with striped couches, colorful wall art, and a wooden ceiling with decorative light fixtures.
In the living room of Cortijo Genesis, a Gordon Hopkins artwork overlooks a Roger Capron table and a pair of sofas by designer Victoria-Maria Geyer covered in a Manuel Canovas fabric. Photo: © Matthieu Salvaing

Tucked into the sun-soaked hills of Andalusia, Cortijo Genesis offers a quiet sanctuary that’s just as intimate as it is laid-back. Interiors orchestrated by Victoria-Maria Geyer typify the Brussels-based designer’s propensity for color, with splashy swaths of saffron, marigold, and aqua, while textural notes of terra-cotta and raw wood lend an earthy appeal. A once derelict hacienda brought back to life, Cortijo Genesis encompasses five bedrooms, each named for a different gemstone, such as lapis lazuli, citrine, or morganite, to reflect its palette.

Cozy room with a colorful hammock and vibrant painting, rustic wooden ceiling beams, and striped couch in foreground.
Cortijo Genesis. Photo: © Matthieu Salvaing
Cozy bedroom with wooden ceiling, colorful patterned headboard, pink bedding, and white walls with small windows.
The Cornaline room at Cortijo Genesis. Photo: © Matthieu Salvaing
Cozy living room with colorful patterned sofa, striped ceiling, framed artwork, lampshade, and wooden side tables.
Cortijo Genesis. Photo: © Matthieu Salvaing

Further infusing the distinct spaces with personality are artisan accents, including raffia busts, exuberant tapestries, and totem-like rattan lamps that join with textiles in punchy hues from Pierre Frey and Manuel Canovas. Just a short distance from glamorous Marbella or picturesque Gibraltar, it’s the perfect hideaway for those looking to explore the region while ensconced in a peaceful oasis.

Rustic kitchen with wooden beams, yellow tiles, bar stools, and striped chairs, featuring a cozy Mediterranean style.
Cortijo Genesis. Photo: © Matthieu Salvaing
Spanish-style courtyard with red cushioned chairs, fountain, and umbrellas surrounded by lush greenery.
Cortijo Genesis. Photo: © Matthieu Salvaing
Outdoor patio with a large table, colorful cushions, and scenic hillside view under a partly cloudy sky.


A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2026 Summer Issue in the section “Artful Escapes.” Subscribe to the magazine.