Open House in Athens

Athens Technopolis

Iliou Melathron

Open House is one of the most important global institutions for the promotion of architecture. The idea began at London in 1992 and until today it has spread to many cities around the globe. The Open House project invites the public to explore and understand the value of architecture.  

Every year for one weekend, private and public buildings open their gates to everyone for free and the city is transformed to a big museum with its buildings and architecture being the exhibits.

The third Open House Athens is scheduled for the 15th, 16th & 17th of April 2016, with a numerous public & private historical buildings waiting for us to explore them...

Tainaron Blue Retreat

In the southernmost geographical point of mainland Europe, in the Cape Tainaron in Greece, a beautiful restored 19th century stone tower, has been transformed into a luxury traditional hotel which has lately opened its doors to the public.

It is situated in a unique place where the rough rocky landscape meets the tranquillity of the sea and the endless sky. 

What I loved most about it, is its bold stone walls combined with cement surfaces, wood in its natural color and contemporary design furnitures.

Plan an escape in... Critamo Cottage

Critamo Cottage is a 200 years old Cretan house, located near the historic town of Chania.... It is built at the beginning of the Ottoman conquest in 1724 and since then passed from father to sun. Now, after its restoration, it has been transformed into a wonderful guest house which can accomodate up to five persons.

It' s about a unique traditional cretan building with exposed stone walls, arches, wooden coloured windows and a spacious yard with trees and flowers...

Its name "Critamo" is borrowed from the homonymous herb, well known in Crete, rich in vitamin C and mineral content, used in herbal medicine...

The evolution of a feta cheese tin in the years

Once upon a time, in a small country which its name is Greece, it was a humble blue and white little tin (tenekes) which was made to contain feta cheese or oil olive. Poor people, after have consumed its content, they were always finding a way to use this tin in their every day life as a useful object. The majority of them, loved to paint feta cheese tins in vivid colours and use them as flower pots on their white washed yards... Those repurposed pots was usually accommodate geranium, fragrant basils, marigolds and gardenias. 

As the years passed, in this little country design and interior architecture were started to grown and this humble tin acquired personality and started to seek a leading position in everyday life. Many interior designers are infused by feta cheese tins and they use them in the decoration of commercial spaces, restaurants, cafe and bars, creating imaginative furnishings, decorative objects or lighting.  The biggest surprise however was when STUDIOLAV designed Atlas Shopper, a tin and leather tote bag, a really inspired object which could perfectly stand as a decorative object in our spaces.... 

Summer Adventures

                         Sunset hour: Castle & Lakki

                        Mylos fish restaurant - Agia Marina

This year, our summer holidays was for first time too early... Just in the first days of July! In 10 days, we managed to fit two different destinations. A three day trip to North Evia to attend a wedding and then departure straight away for Athens to catch the plane for Leros, which was departing at dawn. 

In our beloved island we spend the rest 7 days of our holidays enjoying the sea, the sun and delicious sea food.... What I liked most this year, was the calmness that prevailed everywhere in the island!(Unfortunately, because of the Greek people difficult economic situation and the capital controls which have just been implemented in the country). Ιt was magnificent to get up early  in the morning and walk along to the sea coast, listening only to the light sound of the ripples. After a lot hours of swimming and sunbathing in the pure and crystal water of the island and taking pictures of everything around me, it was time to go back in the everyday life... This is always a hard time!!! 

During August, we had also the opportunity for a short break of two days in Marmari with some friends and then we spent all of the rest August weekends swimming in Attica's beaches all day long with the company of our beloved friends... 

In a few words, it was a great summer which offered me the relaxation I needed after two very difficult years and such a gruelling winter, giving me the opportunity to come again close to people I couldn't see during the last two years, due to lack of time.  

note: you can find many of my holiday pictures & my everyday life on my Instagram

Plan an Escape in...

....Sophia Suites, in Santorini. A recently renovated mansion, originally built more than 150 years ago, turned into a group of luxurious suites where everyone would dream to spend at least a couple of days! Its magnificent rooms and suites are really spacious and wonderfully decorated, combining the contemporary design with the traditional Cycladic architecture and decoration with some moroccan touches... Plus, it offers an uninterrupted volcano-sea view, which allows the visitor feel like "is flying" above this breathtaking view while he is enjoying his breakfast or sunbathing during the day. The visitor can complete the day by relaxing in the hot water of the private hot tub while he is enjoying a chilled glass of the world's awarded local wines watching the stars and the unique Santorinian moon reflected in the sea. The most dreamy spot of this amazing hotel is the indoor cave heated pool, with led lighting, of its honeymoon suite!

Oh... I really would like to spend my holidays there!!!

TR2 the rooms

When Georgios C. Carabellas (an entrepreneur based  in London who is the founder and creative director of TR2 the lifestyle brand) in 2007, stumbled across four derelict shacks in the traditional part of the main village of Skyros, he felt in love by the first sight with their atmospheric views and  their aura. 

I 'm pretty sure that you will fall in love with this guesthouse too... It combines perfectly the Skyrian traditional architecture with contemporary eclectic design and touches of moroccan style. The renovated buildings share a common patio which is tiled with reclaimed old handmade tiles... It is the guesthouse's candy eye which looks like a traditional embroidery! There, you can enjoy your breakfast or a Greek coffee, sitting in a set of traditional Greek round metallic table and rattan chairs. And latter, if the noon doesn't find you in one of the wonderful beaches of the island, you can take a nap in the hammock under the fig trees go the guesthouse. 

Images via skyros-suites

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Plan an escape in...

...Andros and give your holidays an aristocratic touch by staying in the chic and so stylish hotel of "Micra Anglia"(Little England) that was once the private house of one of the greatest Greek poets of the 20th century, Andreas Embiricos.  Its name is referred to the past and glorious epoch when the island was the most important naval power in the world and the great captains were calling it as "Little England".

The well known interior designer Eleni Psaltis curated the hotel's style, taking into account the history of the island and combing the building's inspirational details with the comfort of today's accommodation standards, creating a wonderful boutique hotel which can makes you daydreaming of another glamorous era...

Sunday Morning Tales

The first Sunday of May is ideal for some sunbathing under the warm sun while reading a book near the sea, in order to charge our batteries for the new week... And later enjoying a glass of cool hand made lemonade with thyme! Have a great Sunday!!! :)

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Imaret Hotel

Imaret is a historical building situated in Kavala, Greece, built by Mehmet Ali Pasha in 1817. It occupies an area of 4.500 s.m. and it was a religious and educational high profile centre that functioned throughout the 19th century until the early 20th. Since 1902 ceased to function as a seminary and it was transformed into a charitable institution till 1923, where they found shelter thousands of refugees who came this period from Asia Minor. 

In 1953 Imaret characterized by Greek government as a protected monument. 

Later in the 2000, a private company undertook the restoration of the historical building..

After four years of rehabilitation projects, the building was completely renovated, revealing not only its original architectural beauty, but also the spirit and the atmosphere of a space which offered education and hospitality.

From then until today, this masterpiece of Islamic architecture operates as a luxury hotel of unique beauty. In fact it is the first hotel in Greece that operates in a historic area.

Let the Spring begin

Happy March my friends!!! Spring is finally here with its beauties around us... The nature awakes from hibernation and everywhere around us little flowers starting to bloom! As the winter treated me badly (so many serious health problems which forced me to stay in bed at home, almost two months) I can't wait for the weather to become warmer, in order to start walking around with my camera. The start was made yesterday, as we went with my husband for a stroll by the sea in the National Park of Schinias. An amazing place for walking especially this time of year where you can both enjoy sea and forest, as there is a unique ecosystem here!!!

Snowy suburbs

Thursday, on the way home I faced the view of the snowy mountain of Penteli... Oh, this view was really breathtaking, as the sky was totally sunny and the snow was shinning. As I couldn't resist to this totally white snowy view, instantly I changed my plans and I follow the road to Penteli in order to take a break from the routine and fill my lungs with fresh, cold air. It was really a refreshing moment for my mind as I have spent the last two months housebound and mostly lying in bed, cause of a serious health problem...

Sunday Morning Tales

            

After years of economic turmoil, Athens's self-confidence and creativity are stirring again, with new restaurants, shops and a blossoming of local pride.
Here is the tribute of the New York Times for the city of Athens called "36 Hours in Athens"...     
                  

THE DETAILS

1. ­Hill of the Muses.

2. Manimani, 10 Falirou Street, Koukaki, Fresko, 3 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street

3. Acropolis Museum, 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street

4. ­Meliartos, 65 Ermou and Aiolou, Lukumades, 21 Aiolou and Agias Eirinis, Osterman, 10 Agias Eirinis Square

5. ­Heteroclito, 2 Fokionos and Petraki Streets

6. ­­TAF, 5 Normanou Street, Six d.o.g.s., 6-8 Avramiotou Street

7. ­­Cafe Taf, 7 Emmanuel Benaki

8. ­­The Museum of Cycladic Art, 4 Neophytou Douka Street

9. Avocado, 30 Nikis Street

10. ­­Koukoutsi, 81 Skoufa Street, Zeus & Dione, 21 Ploutarchou Street, Forget Me Not, 100 Adrianou

11. ­­The Panathenaic Stadium. The National Gardens. Aigli Cafe, Zappeion

12. ­­Mavro Provato, 31 Arrianou. Funky Gourmet, 12 Paramithia and Salaminas Streets

13. ­­The Nice N’ Easy cafe, 60 Omirou & Skoufa, Kolonaki; Vouliagmeni Lake, Astir Beach, 40 Apollonis Street, Vouliagmeni

*See here another amazing video for the city of Athens...

Happy September

One of my favorite months is here... Full of color as a lot of autumn plants blossom this period, warm enough for sunbathing & swimming & in the same time pretty cool in order to enjoy an evening walk near the sea or watch a film in an outdoor cinema....

Happy September my friends!!! 

Summer Adventures

Here I am again, after a little break for my summer holidays... This year we visited our beloved island of Leros for a week (unfortunately we could not stay further due to our work) of ultimate relaxation!!! The only thing we had to do those few days, was to spend endless hours in the beach (my favorite is Aghia Kioura, see photo No 18) enjoying the tranquillity and the turquoise pure water of the sea, gathering with our friends and family every evening or riding our bikes late in the night, across the coast road between Alinda & Aghia Marina, where we enjoyed the special night view of the castle and the beauty of the sea which was every night so calm... It looked like a swimming pool where the island's lights was mirroring in it! 

Now back in reality with full batteries, tanned skin and beautiful memories from an amazing place and wonderful people, I am ready for new projects and challenges!!! 

Sunday Morning Tales

The only thing I want for August days is hanging out on a secluded sandy beach, enjoying the hot sun and the calmness of the nature... and when I will feel thirsty & hungry in the middle of the day, to enjoy a piece of cool watermelon!!!

Happy Sunday my friends!

Ideal Summer Destination...

The 1st of August today and for the majority in Greece is the 1st day of Summer holidays... All of us we are day dreaming during all the year for those days of ultimate relaxation under the hot sun and near the sea, without no worries on our minds! One of the most famous destination for Summer holidays in Greece are the numerous islands of Cyclades. Today, we are going to visit an amazing place to spend your holidays, in the island of Folegandros!

Blue Sand Hotel is a white pearl jewel situated on a rocky surrounding golden sand beach called Agali. Its privileged position offers a mesmerizing panoramic view of the beach and is literally one step away from the crystal blue waters.

The hotel follows the traditional Cycladic architecture and aesthetics combined with modern interior design with minimal and avant-garde furniture which help to offer a relaxing atmosphere and luxurious accommodation for its guests.

I would really love to spend a couple of days there but our holidays plan for this year is for a wonderful greek island of Dodecanese...

Sunday Morning Tales

Good morning to all!!! As Summer starts officially today, it is a good opportunity to visit the nearest beach for your first sea bath or to hang out in a beach bar gazing at endless blue of the sea while enjoying a summer crush cocktail! Happy summer my friends!!!

Images via Georgia Samartzi, penguinbooks.co.za

Hand painted floors

This is the lowest cost and most inspired way to make a change in your home's floors if you have been bored of them or they are in need of renovation and you cant't afford it now. 

So, you have only to decide which colors you will prefer to use in your floors' renovation, what kind of designs or patterns you will paint on them and in what dimensions. The next step is to go buying the colors and start working...

I think that I would working on this project without stoping until finish it, as I would be desperately impatient to see the result of my effort.

Today, I took inspiration from Paola's Navone holiday home in the island of Serifos... Her home is traditionally constructed according the Cycladic architecture with stone walls, whitewashed surfaces, wooden ceilling and of course cement floors both inside and outside home. 

Traditionally, every year the inhabitants of Cyclades used to whitewash not only the external surfaces of their homes, so as to protect them from the hot sun rays, but they used to paint  designs on the floors of their homes' patios or on the alleys with the same pigment, made by plaster and water!

In the same way, Paola Navone modernizing this method of Cycladic floor painting, created very interesting floors for her home. In some spaces she used a white pattern on the grey cement background. But, I found brilliant the idea of painting faux carpets on the floor... 

Sunday Morning Tales

Sunday at least... and the weather is ideal for a walk near the sea ether for enjoying a coffee gazing at the deep blue or trying to make our first sea bathing of the season!!! Have a wonderful time whatever you! :)