Upon first glance of this home – white cubist architecture archetypal of Ibiza, a swimming pool surrounded by a mosaic of zebra-hued zig-zag tiles, and a sense of the tropics evoked by pineapple-yellow sun loungers and mango-orange parasols – it’s impossible to not think: wow, this is going to be fun. A carnival, of sorts. And when you discover the owners are none other than the visionaries behind the iconic Bestival, husband and wife duo Josie and Rob da Bank, the temptation to get your hands on a ticket inside is all the more alluring.
Carnivàle resides on a prime clifftop position overlooking the sea on the Isle of Wight; the same south-coast island where thousands of fancy dress-clad and glittered festival-goers descended every summer from 2004 when Bestival was born, until it set sail for Dorset 12 years later – the same year Josie and Rob purchased their home. “I watched the house on the market for a few years,” notes Josie. “I must have looked at it online over a hundred times.” Carnivàle was clearly destined to be theirs and, in typical Josie and Rob fashion, what better way to celebrate than to throw an elaborate Seventies party for all their friends before the hard work began.
When reminiscing on how Carnivàle took hold of them, they explain “It was quite forward-thinking with its 1970s' design, and still had many of the original features intact." “I couldn’t bear to knock it down, start again and waste all those materials,” Josie adds. “But I was most keen to raise the height of the kitchen and living room, and extend the size of the terrace so it felt like one amazing indoor-outdoor living space.” And sociability is undoubtedly one of this home’s key draws; where some can be cooking, some reading or painting or playing Bananagrams, and some curling up by the fire – but all remaining together in one space. They worked closely with Guy Morgan Harris of Morgan Harris Architects: “Guy was amazing. The layout was a key element for us, and he really made sure it flowed as a family space, as well as thinking ahead to make it suitable for the boys as they got older."
As expected, the interiors of this home are wonderfully eclectic and a true representation of Josie, Rob and their lives together; featuring vintage Indian doorframes, a tuk-tuk won at auction, art created by their children, and a crocheted peace sign taken from Bestival’s main stage. Rob a former BBC Radio 1 DJ and record producer, and Josie an artist, designer and owner of wellness brand Slomo. “Bestival was like one of our homes…it’s everything Robby and I like, but on a much bigger scale,” Josie notes. “Both Bestival and our home are filled with colour, props, art, textiles and music that we have collected together over the last 30 years.” Each of the five double bedrooms has its own genre; be it pink and floral or mustard and complete with papier-mâché animals. Akin, perhaps, to the different stages at Bestival which has welcomed a kaleidoscope of acts over the years, from Florence & The Machine to Snoop Dogg, Elton John to Pendulum.
Outside, there’s a heated swimming pool, woodfired hot tub, sauna and yoga studio on hand for those looking to indulge in a little me time, or kayaks, paddle boards and a garden skate ramp for those inclined. “We are very close to freshwater and the west coast which is the nicest, most rural part of the island,” Josie adds. “It’s great for walking and surfing and the beaches are beautiful.” This idyllic best-of-both-worlds setting was one of the main attractions for the pair when considering their purchase: “We loved it mostly because of the access to the sea, the fact the woodland is next door and there are three acres for the boys to run around and for us to create a mini wonderland in.”
When Josie and Rob are away travelling, they choose to rent out their home exclusively with Unique Homestays to enable others to enjoy it as they do. Whether that be picnicking in the meadow, barbecuing on the seafront or, of course, partying around the pool – for they are the life and soul of the party, after all. And when I ask Josie if there are any fun stories she can divulge from their time as custodians of this colourful estate...her response? "Ha, lots! But I'm not sharing them here."
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