The paneled wood doors and window frames are reproductions, painted to match the sea and sky on Sikinos, one of the most secluded of the Cycladic Islands. But far from being a cookie-cutter update, what’s remarkable about this historic villa update by Marianna Kapsimali and Alexandros Kapsimalis of Kapsimalis Architects is its deft melding of past and present—and sense of restraint.
“We seek the values and customs, the old aesthetics and pre-existing memories, the construction techniques and materials of each place in order to show them in a modern twist,” write the architects, whose firm is 10 years old. “The wishes and hidden desires of future users are mixed with the project’s background in search of a new perception of space and identity.”
As the chill encroaches, join us for a fond look back at simple, sophisticated indoor-outdoor living, Greek island style.
Photographs by Yiorgos Kordakis, styling by Ioli Chiotini, courtesy of Kapsimalis Architects (@kapsimalisarchitects).
![the public entry, on the south side of the property, is off an old pedestrian s 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-from-road-kapsimalis-architects-1-733x489.jpg)
![the gate opens to a planted pathway leading into the back of the house, which i 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-kapsimalis-architects-2-733x489.jpg)
![the doors lead to a double living area bisected by the first of many archways t 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-kapsimalis-architects-3-733x489.jpg)
That said, this was a thorough renovation, and though the floor plan was preserved, the “geometry and the structure of the interior spaces” and the connections between them received a sophisticated fine-tuning.
![the rooms have tall ceilings with their original beams and reconstructed floors 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-kapsimalis-architects-4-733x1100.jpg)
![the other half of the room is the dining area. the newly exposed rafters throug 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/house-in-sikinos-kapsimalis-architects-3a-733x1100.jpg)
![the new kitchen is charmingly rustic modern. there\2\17;s a range vent t 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-kitchen-kapsimalis-architects-5-733x489.jpg)
![a plate rack hangs over a prep table. for more ideas, see \10 easy pieces: wall 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-kitchen-table-kapsimalis-architects-6-733x1100.jpg)
![a dutch door leads to a courtyard and series of gardens—there are lemon 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-kitchen-kapsimalis-architects-7-733x1100.jpg)
![the outdoor dining room is just outside the kitchen. 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-outside-table-kapsimalis-architects-8-733x1100.jpg)
![an internal stair from the kitchen leads to the guest room with a garden view. 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-bedroom-kapsimalis-architects-11a-733x1100.jpg)
![the architects detailed the room with an artful open closet. the room has its o 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-bedroom-kapsimalis-architects-11b-733x489.jpg)
![the full length mirror is lit by a jielde signal \1 arm wall sconce. 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/house-in-sikinos-kapsimalis-architects-19-733x1100.jpg)
![the bathrooms are all newly appointed with built in fittings. this one has twis 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-bathroom-kapsimalis-architects-12-733x1100.jpg)
![in the main bedroom, an arched slatted doorway draws light and sea breezes into 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-ensuite-bedroom-kapsimalis-architects-13-733x489.jpg)
![refurbished interior shutters open to the sitting/dining room. 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-bedroom-wardrobe-kapsimalis-architects-12-733x1100.jpg)
![a clean lined bathroom refurbishment. the brass faucets throughout are by bongi 32](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-bathroom-kapsimalis-architects-14-733x1100.jpg)
![the house and its terraces and gardens unfold in the back, overlooking the aege 33](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-in-sikinos-exterior-kapsimalis-architects-15-733x412.jpg)
Floor Plan
![nestled on a hillside stepped back from the street, the villa has an open livin 34](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/house-in-sikinos-floor-plan-kapsimalis-architects-1-733x732.png)
Take a look at three more skillful updates of historic villas:
- Collective Composition: A Villa Renovation in Auckland By Katie Lockhart and Jack McKinney Architects
- A Villa in the Puglia Countryside with Rooms to Let
- Villa Lena: A Creative Hug (and Hotel) in Tuscany
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