Trigono Lamda - Greek Design

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Design Ideas

It may not be possible to import the warm climate of Greece to colder parts of the world, but we can import ideas for brightening up our homes, or just adding a few elements to remind us of far off places. What better way to spend a cold winter?

Interior Design

Greek Interiors can be grand and classical but the basic Greek design is invariably simple and understated, even when refined. But what is often most appealing to holiday-makers is the "accidental" design style caused by the juxtaposition of everyday objects, an indoor-outdoor life where colours are enhanced by the light and interest added by the interpaly of light with shade.

Colours

For painted exteriors City colours are perhaps more subdued than in the countryside or seaside dwellings.

Fashion must also play a part these days as a number of previously restrained, white painted homes on the Peloponnese have been repainted quite strong colours - terracotta, ochre and terracotta.

Interiors are often white, making the most of light as windows are traditionally comparatively small, to keep buildings cool in summer and warm in winter. Many interiors I've visted have pine board clad walls and/or ceilings. This was a common mid 20th century trend for use on rough walled interiors as well as insulation.

is great to see so many buildings which have suffered the ravages of time and earth tremors, now being removated.

Exterior Design

We associate Blue and white with Greece and this is typical of island homes; but traditional Peloponnesian buildings were stone and there is a pleasing trend for building new stone houses at present. Marble was used for window sills and staircases, if they existed, were often external. Windows were shuttered - plain boarded or louvred, and it was common on smart, two storied houses, to have small balconies with wrought iron surrounds.

Plants are often in pots rather than gardens, perhaps because cultivated ground too close to the house might hide scorpions and snakes.

Changing trends

Doors

Old Greek Houses had wooden doors, and window frames with marble window sills.

Doors are one of the main decorative features of Greek homes, and a feature beloved of artists. While many doors were painted, I've seen some of olive wood - very beautiful.

A phase of mid 20th century metal and glass doors is ending now as Coated aluminium takes over. Though practical and inevitable, something special is lost by the replacement of old doors, their furniture and shutters. However, modern windows are smart and easier to live with.

featured Methoni Doors

Easy design ideas

• Painted woodwork, Greek tourist areas by the sea favour blue but in villages pale green, grey and brown are common
• White or pastel Painted walls - or features of exposed stonework
• Traditional terracotta or metal wall ornaments (fish, sun, etc)
• Bougainvillea - unlikely to survive in Northern Europe - try a climbing rose instead.
• Traditional simple fireplace or a cast iron woodburning stove
• An olive tree in a tub on the patio - they seem to survive in towns - but note that this is a tourist view of olive trees.
• Geraneums (Pellargoniums) and carnations in pots and tubs
• Traditional woven rugs and other soft furnishings
• Traditional pottery replicas
• City apartments seem to favour heavy furniture symetrically placed. A sense of balance and space is important.

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