Sunday Morning Tales

After a long period of rainy days, finally Spring is oficially here with a wonderful sunny day... Today, I would like to be in the country side, lounging in this super comfy makeshift sofa, gazind at the sea view from the hillside and enjoying the warmth of the sun with my friends! 

It would be a good idea to celebrate the coming of the Spring with this smashed Pavlova with mulberries and roasted rasberry jam 

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Stone residence in Peru

Reconstruction of a traditional house in Mani

The architectural office hhharchitects took over the reconstruction of a typical traditional house in the settlement of  Lefktro, in Mani, back in 2011... 

The guiding principes in designing this project were both the preservation of the existing stone shell of the house and the clear differentiation of the new integrated constructions, creating a wonderful mix of  traditional architecture with modern design and materials, like metal and glass. 

A 18th century mansion in Hydra

An imposing stone mansion, built by Genovese architects back in the 18th century, is situated in the hills of Hydra, in an estate of 4.600s.m., overgrown with olive and cypress trees...

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 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...   

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...

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...

Summer bedroom

I felt in love with this amazing bedroom by first sight!!! I am just imagine waking up in this dreamy bedroom and enjoying the view (I am dreaming of a sea view) from the enormous opening... 

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?

When ancient meets modern

When a 17th century oil mill in Salento turns into a family vacation home, by the italian designers (& the property's owners) Ludovica & Roberto Palomba, the result couldn't be anything else than excellent! 

Enjoy this traditional structure perfectly combined with contemporary style furniture designed in their majority by the owners!

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 retreat in Sifnos island

It's the right time for a mind trip to Sifnos island, in order to admire a small family summer retreat among old olive trees and an amazing view of the Aegean sea....

Luxury Industrial Bathroom

What an atmospherical bathroom is this? It gives us the impression of a totally industrial design bathroom yet so luxurious, with an impressive use of lighting! 

A home perfectly decorated for Christmas

I really adored this living room from the first sight ! It's so perfectly decorated for my favorite season of the year…of course Christmas!!! I love the enormous illuminated christmas tree, filled with hundreds of twinkle lights that looks so magestic during the night and the double sided stone fireplace with its inspired decoration. 

And...of course I believe in Santa (photo 1 & 5)!!! :) I 'm waiting for my gifts!

I imagine myself hanging out on that cozy leather couch, enjoying the fireplace's warmth and the atmospheric light of the christmas tree, drinking some hot aromatic gluhwein! 

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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Rustic house with ethnic touches

This is a really cozy place to spent your weekends.... A traditional construction with bold stone walls, build-in bathroom equipment and beds (ohhh.... I love so much the bedroom of the 6th photo) and off course an enormous fireplace in the living room that offers its warmth into the space during the cold days and nights! 

Look at that amazing hanging chair near the fireplace... It looks so comfortable and inviting! I'd like sitting there right now!!!

What I like also with this house is the vivid colors used in throws, pillows and towels which create a very interesting contrast with the natural colors used in the construction and the furnishings.

Spanish 14th century restored villa

Spain is one of my favorites destinations and I love also the charming decoration and the design of its restored houses. So, today we will make a mind-trip in this wonderful country and especially in the historical region of Emporda, in Girona, where a lot of the old country houses have been rescued from oblivion by their owners, who love this area.

A house like those, we will visit today... A 14th century building which rehabilitated fully respecting the original materials of its construction. Its thick stone walls and stone curved ceilings (photo 9 & 11) consist an important part of its decoration. The plastered walls and ceiling blocks of the living room are painted in a vanilla hue in order to help the natural light be reflected in the interior and make an interesting contrast with the natural color of the stone walls and the cotto tiles.

What I liked also about this house was its built-in counter tops finished in polished cement both in the kitchen (photo 7) and the bathroom (photo 11), and then the built-in bench (photo 2) in the living room, topped with a beam of reclaimed wood, completed with a mat and numerous cushions, creating a comfortable nook for social gatherings or reading...

Other interesting pieces in the decoration are the old recovered trunk coated with fabric and used as a side table in the living room (photo 3), the old retro leather chair (photo 4), the rescued aged suitcases (photo 6) and off course the stone sink in the kitchen (photo 7).

A Greek fisherman's house in Koroni

This lovely traditional house is located in the historic town of Koroni, in the Peloponnese, Greece. It is situated below the historic Venetian castle of the town and above of a small beach, offering a dreamy view of Mani while you are seating in its garden.