This designer's Cretan vacation home, shed of initial assumptions, is a joyful retreat designed with the question, "What should it feel like?"
In a picturesque corner of Crete, renowned designer Cari Giannoulias has created a modern masterpiece that seamlessly blends the essence of traditional Cretan village homes with contemporary luxury. The home, which serves as a sanctuary for Cari and her family, is nestled within a lush Mediterranean garden, complete with a swimming pool, vegetable gardens, and a small olive grove [1][5].
The architectural design, masterminded by Scope Architects and Fytron Landscapes, focuses on a harmonious connection with nature and the outdoors. A central walkway, acting as the home's spine, winds its way through the property, offering privacy and filtering natural light via a series of independent patios [2]. Each bedroom opens onto this central path, creating a rhythmic sequence that echoes the passage between shadows and light [2].
At the heart of the home lies the living area, which boasts expansive glass doors that slide open to reveal breathtaking sea views. The adjoining dining and kitchen spaces are bathed in natural light, with a patio featuring a minimal staircase leading to a rooftop terrace offering panoramic vistas [2]. The design philosophy behind the home is encapsulated in Cari's words: "We designed the home for how we live now, and also for what's ahead, ensuring it accommodates contemporary lifestyle needs while respecting the traditional essence of Cretan design" [4].
Authenticity was paramount in every decision made during the design process. Traditional techniques were employed for various elements, and sustainable materials, custom-made fixtures, handmade finishes, and a wabi-sabi aesthetic were incorporated into the home's design [6]. The walls were hand-applied with all-natural Greek material patiti, giving them an aged appearance that adds to the home's charm [6].
Cari Giannoulias, who resides most of the year in Chicago where her design studio is based, finds this project transformative and rekindles her appreciation for meaningful connections. She considers the modern home in Crete to be her favourite place on Earth and expresses a desire to spend more time in Greece in the future [1][3]. For now, the family lives full-time in the US and visits Greece every summer [3].
The Greek lifestyle speaks deeply to Cari, and she finds solace in reading, tending to the garden, immersing herself in history and art, and reconnecting with the simple pleasures of life during her visits to Greece [1][4]. The home in Crete, a contemporary interpretation of traditional Cretan village houses, stands as a testament to Cari's love for Greece and her commitment to creating spaces that reflect her personal connection to the land and its culture.
References:
- Architectural Digest
- Scope Architects
- Fytron Landscapes
- Interior Design
- Luxe Interiors + Design
- Dezeen
- The modern masterpiece in Crete, designed by Cari Giannoulias, seamlessly blends traditional Cretan village homes texture with contemporary luxury, creating a distinctive interior-design style.
- Each bedroom in the home opens onto a central path, allowing for a rhythmic sequence of light and shadow that echoes the trend of sustainable living and wabi-sabi aesthetic.
- The living room, kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor living spaces are designed to harmoniously connect with nature, instances that reflect the home-and-garden lifestyle philosophy.
- Authenticity is emphasized in the design process, as traditional techniques are employed, and sustainable materials, custom-made fixtures, and handmade finishes are incorporated into the home's design.
- The minimal staircase leading to the rooftop terrace, with its panoramic vistas, represents an artistic element that enhances the overall living experience and color palette of the home.
- Cari Giannoulias's design for the home reflects her personal connection to Greece's culture, representing a lifestyle choice that prioritizes sustainable living and immersion in art and history.
- During her visits to Greece, Cari finds solace in tending to the vegetable gardens, reading, and reconnecting with the simple pleasures of life, a testament to her profound engagement with Greek lifestyle and culture.
