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. 

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...   

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...

 

...Nisyros, where a special house cough my eye!!! You can't but fall in love with this house by the first sight, as it excuses a warm and elegant air from the past.

It's about a 1890's residence's restoration, where the architect and owner George Koukourakis showed a great respect for its history maintaining its main characteristics. These are the original 1890 cement tile flooring which is dominant in the majority of the house's spaces, the vivid palette of colors used on the walls, the traditional wooden ceiling panelling and the wooden openings.

As far as the house's decoration there is an adorable mix of past and future. Old pendant lights are present to every room, an old console welcomes the visitor in the entrance and some meters away they are standing an elaborate stove, an antique mirror and other excellent pieces of another era. All those decorative items and furniture combined perfectly with some vintage pieces or a set of modern tulip table and chairs.

My favorite room is the lemony painted kitchen with its custom made old style cupboards in my beloved color of mint!

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?

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....

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.   

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.

Themonies Luxury Suites

In Folegandros, “Themonies” (a word originated from the ancient Greek verb "to collect") are called the agricultural complexes that were forming independent rural entities in the past! These small rectangular stone structures are completely harmonized with their surroundings.

Themonies Luxury Suites is a complete agricultural stone complex of the late 19^th century, with its intact “aloni” which was renovated with great respect and amplified with three new stone buildings, to form a contemporary high quality hotel where the visitor relaxes in an absolute atmosphere of  “Cycladic Zen”! Furthermore, their outdoor spaces offer breathtaking views of the city, the Monastery and of  course of the Aegean...

Themonies are combining in a successful way the traditional with the contemporary and the thrifty with the luxury... It's a unique destination to spend your holidays there!!!

Orloff Resort

In the Old Port of the cosmopolitan Spetses island, the heart of its historical tradition where the visitor can wander through the old marvelous mansions, there is situated Orloff Resort. This guest house was born with the aim of creating a unique space for mind relaxation and rest of the body! 

Ohh... I would like so much to spend a couple of days in that wonderful resort!!!

Summer Semi-terrace Area

A unique summer house's outdoor dining area, where you can spend a lot of hours during your holidays... I love the white raw plaster on the walls and the cement floor which indicate the home's traditional character in combination with the tree trunks and canes on the ceiling and the bold built-in seating and dining table. The addition of rattan accessories and linen cushions and tablecloth in off-white and black hues transform this semi-terrace area into the absolute summer nook!!!

Image via purplearea.blogspot.com

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Discrete luxury & Breathtaking view

Today is such a wonderful sunny day with summer temperature.... So my mind traveled to the absolute summer destination which is nothing else than Santorini and especially to a dreamy multi-villa property with luxury suites and a breathtaking view! I would really like to be there  for a few days in order to enjoy this amazing scenery and relax my mind and my body.... 

Have a happy weekend my friends! Take care and make always happy thoughts!!!

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...

Colourful Home in Symi

An old house in Symi was transformed into a wonderful summer home for a family from abroad. The combination of the stone walls with the pastel colors and the cotto tiles on the floor make it a unique destination for the summer holidays! 

Folder: Bathroom

This bathroom could be part of a traditional Greek island home... I love the unrefined plaster on the stone walls, the cement screeds on the floor with the inserts pebbles in its edges and the raw wood ceiling!!! In addition, its minimal decoration is amazing; a simple branch of tree on the wall is used as a towel hanger. The white linen drapes give some extra romanticism in the space!

Image via menossifotografo.com

Full of light

The sunlight captured inside a traditional  island home, may be somewhere in Cyclades, and remind us that Spring is just around the corner....

Kyrimai Hotel

An impressive tower encounters historical sites and relics. Stone stairs lead to cliffs where the Ionian meets the Aegean Sea. It's about Kyrimai Hotel located in Gerolimenas a picturesque small coastal village of the Mani, in the Peloponnese, Greece. This luxurious, yet traditional hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of Europe, because of its particular history of the 19th century, when the tower and the wine warehouse became a point of maritime trade between Syros island and Marseille. Now the renovated space is a friendly hotel which consists of cozy rooms with magnificent sea view. For the decoration of the space which respects the tradition of Mani have been used warm traditional furnishings, earthy colors and cool linen fabrics combined with all modern facilities. The stone, wood and fireplaces in all rooms of the hotel, transforms it in the ultimate romantic destination, a feeling that strengthens by the unique architecture of Mani's settlements and the area's Byzantine grandeur.