On the slopes of Paros, a residence rises in quiet harmony with the land, combining the timeless language of Cycladic architecture with a contemporary approach to interior design. This private home, with interiors by Babatchas Design Studio, distills the essential qualities of the Greek islands into a calm and welcoming retreat. Each element has been chosen with care to support a life attuned to nature, simplicity, and comfort.
From a distance, the home appears as a series of whitewashed volumes stepping down the hillside. These geometric forms echo generations of Cycladic buildings, shaped by necessity and climate. Flat roofs, thick masonry walls, and soft, mineral tones create an impression of permanence that feels natural in the landscape. Sunlight moves across the facades throughout the day, highlighting subtle shadows and reflecting a soft glow back into the surrounding terrain.
The architecture organizes living spaces across multiple levels to follow the site’s contours. Terraces extend outward in all directions, inviting outdoor living through every season. Stone walls define sheltered areas for dining and relaxing, while openings are carefully oriented to frame the Aegean Sea and distant islands. Whether approached at sunrise or dusk, the house maintains an atmosphere of calm that seems to emanate from the land itself.
Inside, Babatchas Design Studio has composed interiors that feel as grounded as the architecture itself. The material palette includes white plaster walls, polished concrete floors, aged oak cabinetry, and marble surfaces sourced from Tinos, an island known for its stone craftsmanship. Built-in seating, recessed shelving, and sculptural lighting fixtures create a sense of clarity and quiet sophistication. The furniture combines custom-designed pieces with timeless classics, all in neutral tones that echo the muted colors of the surrounding landscape.
In the main living area, kitchen, dining, and lounge spaces flow seamlessly together. Large glazed openings draw in daylight and sea breezes. The kitchen includes oak cabinetry handcrafted by Dimitrios Patavalis, paired with pale marble countertops sourced from Tinos. These surfaces catch and reflect light, adding subtle richness without excess ornamentation. Built-in benches and shelving keep the spaces uncluttered, emphasizing clarity and purpose in their design.
Bedrooms are designed as individual sanctuaries within the larger composition. Each suite opens to a private terrace or garden planted with native vegetation. Soft textiles and natural fibers create a gentle atmosphere that encourages rest. Linen curtains filter the strong island sun into a warm glow, while woven rugs and cotton bedding add texture and comfort. Wardrobes and desks are integrated into the walls, maintaining a sense of openness even in smaller rooms.
Outdoors, the swimming pool stretches along a lower terrace, mirroring the horizon in its calm surface. Low walls built from local stone define the pool deck and create protected spaces where guests can lounge out of the wind. These drystone enclosures are inspired by traditional agricultural walls that have shaped the Paros landscape for centuries. Their presence adds depth and texture, emphasizing the home’s connection to the island’s cultural heritage.
Sustainability played an essential role in the design process. The thick masonry walls regulate heat and promote passive cooling, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. Water is collected and stored in underground cisterns, while native planting helps restore habitat and strengthen the site’s resilience. The architecture supports a lifestyle that is in rhythm with the climate and the seasons, without sacrificing the comforts expected in a modern retreat.
As evening falls, the house takes on a softer character. Pools of warm light spill onto terraces, and the sea turns to a field of silvery reflections. In these quiet hours, the project reveals its deeper purpose: to create a setting where architecture, interior design, and landscape form a single, cohesive experience. Babatchas Design Studio has shaped interiors that feel both timeless and personal, supporting a lifestyle that honors tradition without compromising contemporary ease..
This residence stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Cycladic architecture when reimagined with sensitivity and skill. Every surface, proportion, and material choice has been guided by a respect for tradition and a desire to create spaces that feel essential and lasting. It is a house that encourages reflection and invites those who experience it to slow down, observe the play of light and sea, and reconnect with the elemental qualities of the Greek islands. – Bill Tikos
Source: The Cool Hunter