REBIRTH
“Rebirth” residence serves as the modern nest of a family in Ellinikon, Greece, which is widely known for being the largest urban regeneration project in Europe. From the entrance itself, the orthogonal architecture of the building is balanced by dynamic elements of curvature.
The design of the home’s interior was based on the family’s need for rejuvenation and comfort. A key objective, of course, was also to maintain the broader stylistic atmosphere of the Athenian Riviera. The colors that prevail in the space are bold, vibrant, yet also earthy and warm, complementing the aquatic features and rich greenery that surround the house. Additionally, both the manufacturing and placement of the furniture inspire a combination of familiarity, innovation, openness, and a touch of mild surrealism.
Upon entering the house, the family is welcomed by the kitchen area. Given its northern placement in the building and its corresponding lack of much sunlight, we chose to highlight it with a brighter color palette. White lacquer was used for the cabinet bases, while the marble countertop features a warm pink pattern that flows into the living room. The central kitchen island, along with the comfortable stools that frame it, reflects the family’s desire for a more casual use of the kitchen. On the other hand, the organically custom-designed wooden dining table that follows can accommodate a variety of meals — both casual and otherwise.
The sideboard, also custom-designed by our studio, has a dual function. On the one hand, it serves as a partitioning yet unifying element between the dining area and the living room, separating the two spaces while also serving each of them. On the other hand, it acts as a display area for the family’s collectible drinks and as storage for their dinnerware.
The transition to the garden is made smoothly through a side glass door. This bright corner is embraced by its serene surroundings, while it is in direct communication with the kitchen and the living room. The distinctive pop pattern of the cushions matches the aesthetic of the interior, thus ensuring visual coherence.
The living room is on the lowest level of the ground floor, just one step away from the outdoor pool area. Thus, it is dominated by earthy, warm tones and materials, with the intention of conveying a sense of grounding. Specifically, the natural porolith stone in the fireplace area, the cabinet cladding, the soft pink velvet of the sofas, and the central wooden table. The table, which was custom-made by our studio, is designed to serve a multitude of uses. With a single movement, one can replace decorative items with utilitarian ones (plates, cutlery), sit on the comfortable sofa, and enjoy a movie with their loved ones!
The pool area is designed for entertainment and relaxation purposes. A large natural weave rug frames the outdoor seating area, subtly defining it with an essence of “barefoot” luxury. Meanwhile, the lively patterns of the poufs and the colors of the coffee tables highlight the color of the pool, which is the focal point of the entire space.
In the interior of the house, the blue palette re- appears in one of the ground floor bathrooms. The sink reminds us of spring, transporting us to times when we quenched our thirst from natural sources: rivers, streams, and natural springs.
Right before one ascends to the upper floors, they encounter the owner’s personal reading corner. Utilizing the grand height of the residence, we chose a wall-mounted shelving system for her favorite books, as well as for her husband’s travel memorabilia. In front of such stands the iconic “Big Mama” chair, which the owner had specifically requested for this space. We ensured that the layout of the room allowed the chair to take center stage. Moving towards the stairs, we see a vertical light fixture that expands through the full height of the house, discreetly unifying all the spaces in between. The stairs themselves have a similar effect, giving the impression of a sculpture flowing between levels.
Moving to the upper floor, we encounter the master bedroom whose aesthetic alludes to the 1970s — the couple’s favorite decade. Here, bold colors and clean lines complement the neutral canvas of the luxurious wallpaper. The bathroom, although directly connected to the main room, differs in design and atmosphere. Notably, while the sink area is visible from the bedroom, the toilet and shower are secluded. The result is a combination of openness and privacy.
For her bedroom, the eight-year-old girl in the family envisioned an endless jungle. Said vision was brought to life with hand-painted trees and animals that were digitized and seamlessly integrated into the space, given the fact that we calculated the wallpaper’s design to perfectly complement the room’s structural features. In order to comfortably accommodate all design elements, the desk and boudoir —extending from the bedside table— were custom-made to optimize space utilization.
The bathroom emanates a summery aura. The sink cabinet is painted in the favorite color of its young user, while the lower part is designed to resemble the waves of the sea.
The third (and last) room on the first floor serves both as an office and a guest room. A circular bookshelf acts as the passage to the ensuite bathroom, complemented schematically by a round mirror. The room is designed to be isolated from the rest of the house, facilitating a state of concentration within it.
On our way to the basement, a colorful, lively light heralds our entrance into a space meant for entertainment and relaxation.
Indeed, the basement contains the playroom of the house. Being the second of the two spaces dedicated to the youngest family member, it was designed as an outlet for creative expression and play. Naturally, it can also serve as a relaxation space for the entire family. We therefore used a soft color palette, which is enlivened by playful elements inspired by Harley Quinn, the child’s favorite fictional character. A distinctive feature of Harley Quinn is the knob on the iron display case that frames the corresponding giant poster, which we have specifically designed in the exact style of the character’s real mallet. Moreover, inspired by the same mallet, we crafted the legs of the handmade pink craft table.
The empty space between the sitting area and the storage drawers was requested by the family, so that the youngest member could freely express her love for dance. This feeling of movement is also implied in the space’s design, through the wooden curved steps, the irregular rug, and the dynamic light fixtures.
INTERIOR DESIGN: IOLI CHIOTINI STUDIO
PROJECT: PRIVATE RESIDENCE
LOCATION: ELLINIKO, ATHENS
DESIGN DIRECTOR: IOLI CHIOTINI
DESIGN TEAM: EIRINI SPYROPOULOU, LILA KREATSOULA
PHOTOGRAPHY: YIORGOS KORDAKIS
VIDEO: LÈA MARTIN ABAZOGLOU
COPY: DIMITRA CHIOTINI
FURNITURE, FABRICS, WALLPAPERS & RUGS: SØLØ
LIGHTS: CHRIS BASIAS
LANDSCAPE: EVA PAPADIMITRIOU
ARCHITECTURE: PAVLOS NINIOS
PROJECT ARCHITECTS: MICHALIS SYRIGOS, MELAHRINI KOURTINA
CONSTRUCTION: PSI CONSTRUCTION