Angeliki Lo - architect
House renovation
PROJECT DETAILS:
Interior architecture design | Custom furniture & joinery design | Lighting design | MEP design | Construction supervision
Status: Completed
Country: Greece
Site: Chios
This project involved the complete renovation of an existing residence in Chios, transforming a conventional home into a contemporary living environment while respecting the owners' personal history and lifestyle.
The design was driven by four primary objectives: to create a modern and functional home, reorganize the layout into clearly defined day and night zones, integrate valuable existing furniture and personal collections into the new interior, and replace the outdated electrical and mechanical systems with modern installations.
The front part of the residence was redesigned as the daytime zone, accommodating the living room, dining area, and kitchen while taking full advantage of the home's large glazed openings and abundant natural light. The rear section was dedicated to the private sleeping quarters, creating a clear functional separation between public and private spaces.
The living room was intentionally furnished with only a few carefully selected elements, allowing the generous sofa to become the focal point of the space. A significant piece of the original handcrafted cabinetry was preserved, carefully divided, restored, and reimagined as the television unit. This transformation retained its craftsmanship while giving it a refined contemporary character.
Adjacent to the living room, the U-shaped kitchen creates a natural transition between cooking and social activities. The layout partially screens the preparation area while maintaining visual connection with the living space, allowing the owners to interact with guests while cooking. Beside the kitchen, a bespoke dining table designed specifically for the project enjoys generous natural light and views, while a custom illuminated wall installation replaces the traditional dining cabinet, creating a distinctive architectural feature.
Lighting played a fundamental role throughout the open-plan living area. Three lighting scenarios—ambient, functional, and accent lighting—allow the atmosphere to adapt to different activities throughout the day. A bespoke pendant luminaire designed specifically for the project provides intimate illumination above the coffee table, while recessed spotlights, concealed LED lighting beneath the kitchen cabinets, and dedicated task lighting ensure optimal functionality within the kitchen. Above the dining table, a sculptural pendant light is complemented by concealed lighting integrated into the custom wall feature, highlighting decorative objects and adding visual depth.
The entrance hall, originally lacking natural light, was transformed into a multifunctional space featuring a custom-designed library, integrated workspace, concealed lighting, and a cloakroom adjacent to the main entrance. The remaining section of the original handcrafted cabinet was preserved within this space, creating a dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary architectural design. Decorative artworks collected from around the world reflect the family's maritime heritage while honoring the memory of previous generations.
Within the private zone, both bathrooms were completely redesigned. The main bathroom incorporates custom vanity cabinetry with integrated laundry storage and a mirrored cabinet concealing additional storage and lighting. Carefully designed built-in storage visually encloses the bathtub, creating a clean and cohesive composition.
The guest bathroom was designed from scratch with a more expressive character. Patterned ceramic tiles combined with coloured grout create a timeless geometric composition, while a bespoke vanity, vintage-inspired orange-handled fittings, a custom mirror reflecting the tile geometry, and a sliding steel-and-coloured-glass partition give the compact space a distinctive architectural identity.
The bedrooms were designed using fresh materials, clean-lined furniture, bold wallpapers, textured fabrics, and vibrant colours to create individual identities while maintaining the overall architectural language of the residence. Bespoke details, such as handcrafted wooden wardrobe handles in the master bedroom, introduce warmth, originality, and refined craftsmanship throughout the interior.
