4 things we LOVE about Greek architecture and interior design

Like most builders, we can’t travel anywhere without observing and learning from different cultures and their architecture and interior designs.

On our recent holiday in Greece, we had the privilege of staying in different Cycladic homes, including this beautiful one on the waterfront in a fishing village on Milos.

Famous for their white stucco walls and blue feature accent doors and windows, Cycladic homes are masterpieces of bioclimatic design, built to withstand the strong Aegean winds and regulate the Mediterranean heat.

Here are four things we love about Greek architecture and this particular home:

1) Natural materials

Most homes in the Greek Islands are made from materials easily available to them. What they dig out of the ground, is what they typically use to build the home including rock, stone and sand (for render). Not only is this the most sustainable way to build, but it means the home integrates beautifully with its surroundings. This home was built into the side of the cliff, and so they utilised this wall in the bathroom. This natural wall not only looks beautiful but feels organic.

2) White homes

 These stunning white homes reflect heat, keeping the home a beautiful temperature all day. The white also integrates perfectly with their natural surroundings and cliffs. Here in Margaret River, we find that people often fear white but the truth is, darker homes have to work a lot harder to stay cool in summer. We adopted this in our Two Gables home and haven’t regretted it!

3) Self sufficient

With solar panels, rain water and a grey water system, this home is completely self sufficient. Like Margaret River, the Greek Islands are a major tourism location and experience seasonal infrastructure strain so being self sufficient is incredibly important.

4) Less is more

From an interior design perspective, they have opted to keep the property minimal. They have limited the use of plastic within the home and decorated it with all natural, timeless materials. This makes it look and feel beautiful and organic. And with a view like that, why would you do anything else?

Another thing we learnt, is that most greek homes are maintained yearly. Greek's take a lot of pride in their homes and it shows. Before every holiday season, maintenance work is carried out. 

For most Australian's, their home is their single biggest investment that they'll ever make. However, when it comes to maintaining their home, it's often the first thing that's forgotten or pushed to the side. 

If you're buying, building or renovating, it's important that you invest in quality, and maintain, maintain, maintain ❤️🏠