Effortless holiday home ownership

At August, every home we design begins with a question: how can we honour the spirit of a place, not just its style? In our latest project, that place is Santanyí, a village that invites slowness, connection, and timeless design. What follows is the story of a townhouse restored with that intention at its core.

Timeshares have long been synonymous with shared holiday homes, boasting shared property usage and cost-effective home management. In recent years, however, they have gained a reputation, relating to high maintenance fees, limited flexibility and aggressive sales tactics… At August, our founders recognised these issues and made it their mission to create a distinct timeshare alternative through a unique co-ownership model. We describe the key differences between concepts, exploring how August stands apart, offering you an effortless pathway to multiple second homeownership in Europe.

What does it take to breathe new life into an old home without losing its soul? We sit down with our Head of Design, Karolina, as she takes us behind the scenes of a quietly dramatic Tuscan restoration and shares her personal blueprint for reworking existing features while preserving their original charm. With its generous proportions, symmetrical bones, and a trove of original details, the home offered a rich foundation. Rather than overwrite its character, the August team embraced it, working with the natural patina of age and layering in a muted, purposeful palette. Here, she shares her top tips for renovating with intention and how to honour a home’s past while designing for the way we live now…

Nestled in the idyllic village of Blockley, a quintessential gem in the Cotswolds, this newly renovated stone cottage is part of August’s Demi-Quartier Premium Collection and offers the perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort. It’s a true haven for those seeking the tranquility and character of the English countryside. Notably, the cottage is a Grade II listed building, recognised for its architectural and historical significance, a designation that ensures its heritage is carefully protected and celebrated. The August renovation honoured this legacy by returning the home to its original charm, with thoughtful details like hand-painted wainscotting, exposed beams and brickwork, and printed botanical wallpaper. The interiors are rooted in a classic Cotswold palette, featuring warm greens, deep reds, and vibrant yellows, bringing the natural surroundings indoors while creating a warm, inviting space that feels both elegant and lived-in.

With interest in European homeownership from U.S. buyers surging, legal red tape, language barriers, and lifestyle unknowns stand in the way. August offers a curated alternative: test the waters of European living, without the complications.

The first apartment in the Montfleury Pied À Terre Collection was completed in January and now welcomes its owners in Barcelona’s prestigious Eixample district. This newly renovated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is located in the heart of the renowned Quadrat d’Or, an area known for its architectural elegance and lively urban atmosphere. The renovation draws from the surrounding cityscape, pairing warm, sun-washed tones with bold, modern accents and a carefully curated palette that echoes the textures and colours of Barcelona’s historic facades, tiled floors, and Mediterranean light.

In the rolling hills of Tuscany, we discovered a villa rich in history and possibility. What followed was a transformation rooted in respect: for the architecture, the landscape, and the rhythms of Italian life. It began with a question, how do you reimagine a centuries-old structure as a modern home without losing what made it special in the first place? From salvaging original terracotta floors to sourcing antiques in nearby markets, every decision became a conversation between past and present. The result is our second Premium home in Italy, one that doesn’t just sit in the landscape, but belongs to it.