Boutique by design – D Shop
D Shop is a textile design studio and showroom in Santa Gertrudis that fuses heritage, craftsmanship and innovation across interiors, soft furnishings and creative collaborations.
The ancient farmhouses of Ibiza display a very considered aesthetic. Of course, functionality was imperative to the architecture and interiors of these beautiful homes, but in the details, one can witness a sensitivity to beauty that remains an integral part of the island’s design heritage. In today’s Ibiza homes, every corner has a story, and one of those stories begins inside a 300-year-old finca just outside Santa Gertrudis. Behind three stately arches is D Shop, a connected series of rooms stocked with luxurious fabrics, helmed by Kate Tilbury Cooke, her husband Damon and their trusty canine assistant, Roxy.
Originally, D Shop was the studio of Chiqui Uruñuela Zunzunegui, an interior designer, effervescent socialite and woman of the world. On retirement, Chiqui passed the reins to her daughter Paola Madurga, who continued her mother’s legacy by outfitting the homes of the island’s glitterati with sumptuous fabrics for decades, until 2020, when she handed the reins to Kate and Damon. While the essence of Chiqui and Paola imbues the shop, what’s changed is the scope and pace, and what remains is a deep commitment to beautiful fabrics, excellent service and a fiercely loyal client base.
With experience working in interior design in London and New York, Kate brings both technical skill and an intuitive approach to D Shop. “We do everything from start to finish,” she says. “From the first consultation to measuring, installation and all the details in between.” Nearly all of D Shop’s production – curtains, cushions and upholstery – is fabricated on the island, by makers and seamstresses who’ve worked with the brand for years. “It’s something I’m very proud of,” says Kate. “We’ve got great relationships with our suppliers and we try to keep things local wherever possible.”
The showroom at D Shop is more like a fabric library than a retail space. With over 80,000 samples and counting, it’s a place to slow down, touch, compare and get inspired. Kate keeps the collection current with frequent updates and a constant eye on what’s new. She’s not one to chase trends, but she does have a soft spot for bold textures and rich tones. “Off-whites will always be elegant,” she says, “But I do love it when someone comes in looking for something with a bit of punch.”
In addition to her intuitive ability to tap into classic aesthetics that are just right for each project, Kate also has a keen eye for innovation and creativity, recently adding a substantial number of new options including a huge expansion of the D Shop eco range – fabrics made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials. One such new addition comes from Ecoplen, with a sustainable, self-cleaning, waterproof, antibacterial and air-purifying fabric. “It’s quite a find,” says Kate. “Perfect for outdoor projects and no nasty chemicals in sight.”
Kate’s also invested in cutting-edge textiles for the D Shop collection, including a new generation of blackout fabrics. “Blackout is essential in Ibiza,” she explains. “These fabrics used to have a very ugly plastic look and feel, but the tech has advanced so much that now they resemble linen, so if you see them from the outside, they still look pretty.” Other improvements include antibacterial and fire-retardant fabrics that don’t skimp on style. “We’re high-end but not showy,” she says. “We offer the very best quality.”
Long-established European brands still hold pride of place at D Shop: Gaston y Daniela, Elitis, Dedar and Loro Piana among them. These are companies known for their craftsmanship, refined palettes and decades of textile expertise, and they sit alongside Balearic locals and new European names like Teixits Vicens, Papiol Alfombras and Barbara Osorio Fabrics. Whether it’s a classic Spanish linen, a Mallorcan cotton Ikat or a contemporary eco-blend, each fabric is selected as much for its beauty as for its performance. The result is a layered, evolving collection fluent in both tradition and innovation.
Not only is D Shop an emporium of home style – a recent renovation has now provided a space to give back to the community. The team host coffee mornings, art exhibitions and live music events with local artists like painters Helen Sadler and Gabby Abdala often appearing alongside partners like furniture and accessories supplier Balar Design. One recent opening featured a six-piece band led by Cuban vocalist Ada Esteves. Kate has no interest in making D Shop a gallery but simply took the opportunity to help champion local creatives. “It’s about connection,” she says. “We’ve got this great space – why not fill it with beauty?”
Service has been the guiding principle at D Shop from the start. Deeply attuned to their clients’ visions, Kate and her loyal team, which includes long-term Ibiza local Lou Yellowlees, are dedicated to delivering exceptional results. “We are a boutique service by design,” she says. “You’ll deal with one, maybe two people the whole way through. We’ll help you choose your fabrics, measure everything and make sure it’s installed beautifully.”
The D Shop team is small but dynamic – long-time collaborators work alongside design interns from all over the world, adding fresh energy and new ideas each season. Recent projects have included everything from finca restorations to installs on yachts. “Every project is different,” Kate says, “But the care we give stays the same.” As Ibiza swings into summer, D Shop is already buzzing. The showroom is alive with new textures, updated displays and vital colour. Visitors leave with ideas, plans and a feeling that they’ve found something quietly special. And if you’re really lucky, Roxy may even see you to the door.
D Shop is a textile design studio and showroom in Santa Gertrudis that fuses heritage, craftsmanship and innovation across interiors, soft furnishings and creative collaborations.
Set just outside Santa Gertrudis, the location is ultra-convenient for interior designers, restaurateurs, hoteliers and private homeowners who are looking to find inspiration or breathe new life into old spaces.
