Seriphos Estate

Two steps away from Agios Ioannis beach in Serifos is the two-part residence Seriphos Estate; comprising Kelyphos (upper apartment) and Edaphos (lower apartment), it is a product of modernization, (re)formation, and overall inspiration from Cycladic aesthetics.

The design incorporates, in various ways and intensities, the characteristic Greek horizon between sky and sea, the element of dry and rugged land, and mainly the bright summer light. It's no coincidence that the common denominator of all the names (Kelyphos, Edaphos, Seriphos) is the suffix ‘-phos,’ which phonetically alludes to the word “light” in Greek.

This integration of authentic Cycladic elements is achieved through the selection of specific materials (cement mortar, lime paint, linen fabrics), the design of the furniture, and the use of color palettes corresponding to the different symbolic elements of each residence.

Furthermore, since the Seriphos Estate was formerly the family home of our young client, we considered it important to incorporate personal elements and memories from the place. Therefore, the aforementioned enhancement of Cycladic aesthetics was ensured to nostalgically align with the owner’s memories of the location.

In Kelyphos, for instance, we placed the master bedroom in the exact space where the owner’s childhood bedroom used to be, and we consulted him to transfer as many positive elements from the past into the present space. The feeling of protection and warmth was revived with the incorporation of natural materials, while emphasis was given - as requested - to the horizon view, bringing it inside the room through the two-tone curtains leading to the balcony, with the white linen of the curtains representing the sky and the blue representing the sea. Finally, we placed objects that remind the owner of his memories in various spots in the room.

Additionally, a unique feature of the two houses is the plethora of cultural references we have "hidden" (Easter eggs) in many places. Among these are the kitchen cabinets’ material (natural stone), mimicking the aesthetics of Serifos’ historic metallurgical sites, the bedroom mirrors that resemble the traditional entrances of houses in Serifos’ Chora, and specially designed lights shaped like a bee’s trunk, referencing the island’s famous apiaries. Of course, the most characteristic Serifian reference is the guest bathroom mirrors depicting Polyphemus' eye, the famous Cyclops from Homer’s epics, since urban myths claim that Odysseus fought Polyphemus in the southwestern part of the island.

Lastly, regarding the structure of Seriphos Estate, it is worth noting that although the two separate houses (Kelyfos and Edafos) are independent, they are connected through the common outdoor kitchen. Thus, all guests can meet in a common space specially designed to cater to diverse tastes.