Plan a Christmas escape in...

Although it's the last day of November, here the weather is still warm enough and the sun shines! Nonetheless, my mind is daydreaming of cosy country guest houses with unobstructed views of snowy landscapes and an enormous fireplace which warms up the space... 

A place like this, is Teresa Country Lodge, in Eptalofos village near mount Parnassos. It's about a traditionally built stone guest house with wooden additions, which features tastfully  decorated rooms with fireplace and views of the mountain and the garden.

Oh... I really would like to spend a couple of days there, during Christmas period, in order to "fill my batteries" and relax...   

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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Outdoor Lounging Area

Create atmospheric outdoor lounging areas in order to enjoy your summer evenings & nights as best as you can... I really adored the splash of yellow (used in pillows, numerous candles and sunflowers), the extra cozy built-in sofa, the enormous coffee table constructed of old beams and of course the original handmade chandelier by paper pulp!!!

Plan an escape in...

...Patmos, one of the most picturesque islands of the Aegean sea. In Chora, the capital city of the island which is characterised as an UNESCO world heritage site, a complex of old manors, stone houses and high yard walls create a wall around the city, erected by the residents of Patmos to protect themshelves from the invasion of pirates during the Byzintine period. Villa Amalia is a part of these wall around Chora... Due to its privileged location gives generously breathtaking views -especially from its magnificent terrace- of the imposing Monastery of Saint John, the Aegean sea and the old town! 

Traditional characteristics of  Patmos local aesthetic as colors, stone floors, high ceilings with exposed beams and exposed stone details around the openings were preserved in the best way during the property's recently renovation! Its exquisite spaces are accentuated by the unique choise of furniture (in a combination of traditional Aegean handmade pieces with some vintage findings), the atmospheric lighting and the cozy nooks, decorated with fluffy pillows and mattresses from crispy linen in order to create the ultimate relaxation spots. 

I would give anything to be there right now!!! Is there something better from living in an island like this, in a house with such a long history? To be able to enjoy every morning  this amazing view from your bed and then going out for a walk in the picturesque alleys of the old city? What do you think?

Escape to Panormos Retreat

This is exactly what I imagine when I am thinking of a traditional Cycladic home... Little cubic structures placed in different levels as they follow the natural slopes, white washed walls, colored windows, bougainvilleas, pergolas with built-in stone sitting areas that offer a good shelter during hot months of the greek summer and a breathtaking view of the Aegean sea! All those characteristics are perfectly combined in this amazing property situated in Panormos, one of the "hidden" areas of Mykonos...If you like it and afford it, off course :), you can spend your holidays there as it is available for renting here.

Family home in the heart of the nature

This dreamy home is owned by a Norwegian family who decided to move to the Italian countryside near a lake... After a thorough renovation, the owners respecting the character of the old construction and maintaining the old details which made it a unique rustic house, they created an amazingly renovated country house ideal to accommodate a family! What I loved most about this house is its living room with the unique glass roof which in combination with the floor to ceiling opening, gives you the  impression that you are sitting outside while you enjoy the fireplace's warmth!!! A house with enormous yet cozy  internal spaces due to the use of natural materials and colors such as the wooden  off-white beams, the stone wall and the grey cement floors covered with hand made kelims and cow skins for more warmth. And what about the claw foot bathtub in front of the large opening with this breathtaking view to the garden? I would really like to spend some days in this tiny paradise...!!! You?

Let it snow!!!

In the middle  of an idyllic landscape covered with a blanket of snow, this wooden house consists the perfect refuge during cold winter days... What I loved most about this house is the warmth that exudes as the main material of its construction is the wood. I like the wood paneled walls painted in dark colors, the open beamed ceilings and then the recycled flooring and the imposing open stone fireplace mentioning to another era! A modern contrast is created by the simple metallic construction for log storage by the fireplace, the leather couches, the cement countertop in the kitchen and the contemporary spot lightning. I really would like sitting by this amazing fireplace covered with  a warm blanket and enjoying the snowy landscape drinking a cup of tea with honey and cinnamon...

French Farmhouse

Today, we are going to visit a reconstructed French farmhouse, in Dordogne which is owned by a British couple who live here with their two daughters. They tried hard to maintain the original character of the construction! The walls and beamed ceilings are original while the fireplaces and stone floors were reconstructed to blend in the original features. 

As concern as the decoration, the owners chose to equip their house with cozy off-white sofas and armchairs, combined with old rustic furniture found in the local market and fur carpets in the floor for more warmth! 

In the kitchen there is a touch of modern in the rustic background, by the use of inox and plastic.... I believe that they perfectly macht each other!!! In the other hand, in the bedrooms' atmosphere there is so much romance by the use of the old metalic beds!

My favorite nook of the house is the room with the stove... I imagined myself sitting in that comfortable leather armchair (photo no5) near the warmth of the stove and drinking a cup of hot chocolate while gazing the landscape from the balcony doors. Just amazing!!!

Images via rosesandrustblogger.blogspot.fr

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A Charming House in Costa Brava

In Costa Brava, Spain, it is situated this fascinating rustic house! As it is mostly a summer house, emphasis has been given in its outdoor spaces... I like the cozy built-in seating area near the pool and the large rustic dinning table with the benches in the semi outdoor area near the BBQ. Stone walls, cotto tiles, cement and raw wooden beams gives a charming note to the house, bringing thoughts of old Mediterranean mansions!

   

Images via el mueble

Mantri Cottage

Set in a serene landscape on the quiet southeast side of the island, Mantri Cottage enjoys a privileged location between two of Serifo's most attractive beaches... Lia and Agios Sostis!

Constructed by the local stone without the use of plaster  in its exterior, has the advantage to be harmonized with its surroundings, while the blue color of the openings remind us the blue color of the Greek sky. In the interior, the traditional character of the house is stronger, as there is the addition of a lot of everyday objects of another era combined with some contemporary accents.

Kalo Ambeli Beach House

A stylish and tastfully decorated beach house builded in a gorgeous hillside setting overlooking the sea on the south coast of Serifos. Although it is secluded, it has a wonderful and unobstructed view of Milos and it is  just a 5 minute walk to the amazing sandy beach of Kalo Ambeli. It is a serene and bright house, builded according to the traditional Cycladic architecture... Bold stone walls coated with white plaster, blue wooden shutters and doors and beautiful ceilings paneled with wooden boards or canes and raw wooden beams. Although, the ornament of the house is its unique swimming pool which is designed to look like a sandy beach. I really love it! 

I would really like to spend a couple of days  right there, enjoying the beauties of the environment and gazing at this wonderful view while sunbathing near the pool...

Folder: Corridor

What a great corridor!!! So bright, so fresh and so serene with its white washed walls, floor and stairs with this detail of a black runner and those wonderful asymmetric logs in the ceilling. I am really in love with it....

Image via cococozy.com

Lovely Country House in Spain

Some days before I gave you a little sample of this amazing house... Do you remember that serene living room with a cozy hanging chair near the built in library? Here there are some other photos of the whole place! I believe that this is my dream house... Constructed by a stone shell, with wooden wide openings, cement floors, exposed beams, a cozy fireplace and surrounded by a lush garden seems to me as the ideal place for a family to stay... What do you think?

Folder LIVING ROOM: Serene Atmosphere

I love so much the spaces that exudes serenity and this living room seems to be like this! Built with a combination of natural materials like stone and wood so as to feel close to nature, with a lot of windows which allows the sun to illuminate and warm the space with its sunrays and tastefully decorated with simple in design pieces which serves perfectly the owners' needs. A built in library occupies much of the stone wall  and in the center of the space a cozy white sofa and a leather armchair are waiting the owners and their friends in order to offer them moments of relaxation! I already imagine myself  sitting in that marvellous hanging chair reading a book and relaxing after a hard week... Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Image via homeadore.com