"I Let Go of Preconceived Notions, and Asked Myself: 'How Do I Want It to Feel?'" This Designer's Cretan Holiday Home Is a Feel-Good Escape

Hallway with warm off-white walls, exposed ceiling beams, stone floor, arched glazed door, round wood entrance table and sculptural wood chair.

"This is my favourite place on Earth," says Cari Giannoulias, of the very personal property in Crete that she shaped down to the smallest detail. The gently sloped stone modern home appears as if it is a continuation of the surrounding rocky landscape and was designed by Scope Architects, with the exterior areas by Fytron Landscapes.

Residing most of the year in Chicago, where her eponymous design studio is based, Cari thinks of Greece as her special place. "My husband’s parents are from Greece," she says. "He spent his summers travelling around the country, but Chania [in Crete] was always home. When he introduced me to the city, I quickly fell in love.

We were married there, baptized our children there and every summer visited his yiayia [grandmother] in her home. After a few years, we decided to spend more time here and began searching for land to build."

"Multiple lounge spaces were layered throughout the garden and pool area, designed to suit every mood. Since we host often in the summer, there’s something for everyone here," says Cari. (Image credit: Credit: Helen Cathcart. Styling: Sania Pell. Design: Cari Giannoulias )

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Soho Home

Noah Outdoor Chaise Lounger

As this poolside scene shows, neutral lounge chairs don't need to be boring — we love this Soho Home find as an alternative.

The couple found a plot in a quiet and rural area close to the town and moved to Greece during COVID to oversee construction, while managing their three children’s remote schooling.

"When starting the creative process, I drew inspiration from village homes, noting their construction with the simplest materials and the warm, welcoming feeling they evoked," remembers Cari. "I aspired to make our house feel this way, filling it with items meaningful to our family."

"Living in the city most of the year, I missed the connection with nature. By blending my indoor and outdoor living rooms, I was able to restore that bond," says Cari.  (Image credit: Credit: Credit: Helen Cathcart. Styling: Sania Pell. Design: Cari Giannoulias)

"One side of this space invites rest and reading, but this side, organized around a deep corner sofa, naturally draws people in. It’s where our best-laid plans are made for the vacation," says Cari. (Image credit: Credit: Helen Cathcart. Styling: Sania Pell. Design: Cari Giannoulias )

Designed in a Pi-shape layout with references to the vernacular architecture and guided by an indoor/outdoor living concept, the house has a central Mediterranean garden — with several seating areas and spots to relax — that is the core around which interior spaces are organised.

Large openings with minimal frames unify the inside with the outside, which comprises a swimming pool, vegetable gardens, and even a small olive grove.

Of the cloakroom, "From the very start of the design, I envisioned a large window with a tree outside. Paired with a thoughtful balance of modern and traditional elements, it’s what makes me love this space," says Cari. (Image credit: Credit: Helen Cathcart. Styling: Sania Pell. Design: Cari Giannoulias )

"I let go of any preconceived notions about what a kitchen should be and instead asked myself, 'How do I want it to feel?’" says Cari. "The result is simple, unfussy and functional — yet, at its core, just another inviting room in the home." (Image credit: Credit: Helen Cathcart. Styling: Sania Pell. Design: Cari Giannoulias )

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H&M

Straw Table Lamp

Natural textures help layer the neutral scheme of this home, and this straw lamp is a great way to emulate those little touches.

"The home’s neutral interior is meant to create a sense of calm and slow living," says Cari. She used natural, sustainable materials, custom-made fixtures, handmade finishing, and wabi-sabi aesthetics to create the desired ambience.

"Simplicity and luxury harmoniously coexist in this modern version of the traditional Cretan house," says Cari.

"A peaceful retreat from the rest of the house, this versatile library space serves many purposes," explains Cari. "It’s a place to read, work, play music, and more." (Image credit: Credit: Helen Cathcart. Styling: Sania Pell. Design: Cari Giannoulias )

"Sometimes construction pivots lead to the best design decisions. When I saw how dark this stairwell was becoming during the build, I opened up the ceiling and added a skylight, letting natural light filter down," says Cari. (Image credit: Credit: Helen Cathcart. Styling: Sania Pell. Design: Cari Giannoulias )

Authenticity was at the heart of every decision: "Each piece was chiselled by hand according to a traditional technique used by tradesmen for centuries."

Cari also decided that the all-natural Greek material patiti [cement mortar] should be hand-applied to make the walls appear as if they had been there for years.

"Perched above the rest of the home, this bedroom suite offers breathtaking views of the city and ocean. Its intentionally simple design allows focus to remain on the surroundings and the natural light that fills the room." (Image credit: Credit: Helen Cathcart. Styling: Sania Pell. Design: Cari Giannoulias )

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Anthropologie

Florine Hand-Tufted Wool Shag Sculpted Rug

A high-pile rug is perfect for a chic-but-cosy bedroom, and this one fits the bill.

"This project was transformative, grounding me in unexpected ways and rekindling my appreciation for meaningful connections," says Cari.

"Here, I read more, tend to the garden, immerse myself in history and art, and reconnect with the simple pleasures of life. For now, while our children are still in school, we live full-time in the US and visit Greece every summer.

"Maybe one day we’ll spend even more time here. The Greek lifestyle truly speaks to me."