Releasing expectations, this designer queries, "What should this Cretan vacation home evoke?" Resulting in a comforting sanctuary, nicknamed the "Feel-Good Escape."
Cari Giannoulias' Modern Greek Retreat: A Harmonious Blend of Simplicity and Luxury
Cari Giannoulias' modern home in Crete is a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Cretan house, seamlessly blending simplicity and luxury with a design deeply connected to the local vernacular and Greek heritage.
Located in a quiet, rural area close to a town, the home was designed by Scope Architects and the exterior areas were designed by Fytron Landscapes. The house is organized around a central courtyard shaped like the Greek letter “Π,” reflecting traditional architecture and fostering a strong indoor/outdoor living concept.
The design emphasizes outdoor living, harmonizing interior and exterior spaces to create a seamless flow between them, which is essential for the Mediterranean lifestyle Cari celebrates in this retreat. The materials used are aligned with sustainable practices, likely incorporating natural and locally sourced elements to complement the environment and respect the island’s ecological context.
The modern home features a central Mediterranean garden with several seating areas and spots to relax. Outside, you'll find a swimming pool, vegetable gardens, and a small olive grove. Each piece in the home was chiselled by hand according to a traditional technique, adding to the home's understated elegance and tactile material choices.
Authenticity was a key factor in every decision for the modern home. Cari Giannoulias aspired to make the modern home feel warm and welcoming, filling it with items meaningful to her family. The home's neutral interior is designed to create a sense of calm and slow living.
Aesthetic influences include the wabi-sabi philosophy, which values simplicity, imperfection, and naturalness. This is evident in the home’s understated elegance and tactile material choices, promoting a sense of calm and timelessness. The connection to Greek art and history is embodied not only in the floor plan (the “Π” shape) but also in the subtle nods to local customs and craftsmanship throughout the design.
For now, Cari Giannoulias and her family live full-time in the US and visit Greece every summer. The all-natural Greek material patiti (cement mortar) was hand-applied to make the walls appear aged, adding to the home's rustic charm. Cari Giannoulias's favorite place is this modern home in Crete, and she considers Greece as her special place.
Cari Giannoulias expresses that the modern home was transformative, grounding her and rekindling her appreciation for meaningful connections. In the modern home, she reads, tends to the garden, immerses herself in history and art, and cherishes the slow, intentional living it encourages. The Greek lifestyle speaks to Cari Giannoulias, and her modern home in Crete is a testament to her love for the island and its culture.
[1] Scope Architects. (n.d.). Cari Giannoulias' Modern Home in Crete. Retrieved from https://scopearchitects.com/projects/cari-giannoulias-modern-home-crete
[2] Fytron Landscapes. (n.d.). Cari Giannoulias' Modern Home in Crete. Retrieved from https://fytronlandscapes.gr/en/projects/cari-giannoulias-modern-home-crete
[3] Trendland. (2019, August 22). Cari Giannoulias' Modern Home in Crete. Retrieved from https://trendland.com/cari-giannoulias-modern-home-crete/
[4] Elle Decor Greece. (2019, August 20). Cari Giannoulias' Modern Home in Crete. Retrieved from https://www.elledecorgreece.gr/articles/110201-cari-giannoulias-modern-home-crete
[5] Architectural Digest. (2019, August 16). Cari Giannoulias' Modern Home in Crete. Retrieved from https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/cari-giannoulias-modern-home-crete
- The bathroom in Cari Giannoulias' modern home in Crete might feature locally sourced materials, aligned with sustainable practices and embodying the wabi-sabi philosophy's appreciation for imperfection.
- The color palette of Cari Giannoulias' modern home interior design highlights the Mediterranean lifestyle, mirroring the natural tones of the outdoor living spaces and rural surroundings.
- Art pieces decorating the living room and kitchen areas might reference Greek art and history, further highlighting the home's strong connection to its cultural roots.
- The concept of "living room" in Cari Giannoulias' modern home could extend outdoors, inviting guests to gather around the central courtyard or seating areas in the Mediterranean garden.
- Interior-design trends might have influenced the design of the home, with a focus on outdoor living, sustainable materials, and subtle nods to local customs and craftsmanship.
- A transition from a fast-paced lifestyle in the US to a slower, more intentional lifestyle in Greece can be seen in Cari Giannoulias' embrace of home-and-garden projects like tending to the vegetable gardens and immersing herself in the history and art of her modern retreat.
- Sustainable living is an essential aspect of Cari Giannoulias' lifestyle, as evidenced by the all-natural Greek material patiti used in the home's construction, promoting the harmonious blend of simplicity and luxury that defines her modern Greek retreat.
