private beach minimal design awarded quality innovative technology

Vi l la QuardaBest Inter ior Design in Europe

Best Property in Greece

b 1unique location

View from the balcony. The villa is situated on the edge of a cliff,

with uninterrupted views of the sea. In

designing the villa everything was done

to utilise the spectacular views. There is

a private footpath leading in to the golden

sandy beach of Avythos just 50m away. villa quarda

stunning views

The reasoning behind the design was for the house to fully compliment the view. The villa is set in a magical location on the edge of a cliff surrounded by outstanding natural beauty. It is situated meters away from the water’s edge in one acre of lush green land which extends to a secluded sandy beach. Because of the unique location there was the potential to create a truly exceptional house, it was very important that the interior design was just right.

In designing the interior of the villa everything was done to utilise the spectacular view. The house has an “upside down” layout with the interior living space (lounge, dinning are, kitchen and wash room) on the top level. There are three bedrooms, family bath-room, shower room, home cinema and utility room on the lower level. All bedrooms have sea views and open to an expansive lower balcony.

The living area is dominated by a huge window with sliding doors which open onto a large balcony. The concept was for the view to be the first thing that one would see upon entering the living area and to create the feeling of being at sea – permanently cruising. The interior decoration with its simple, elegant, minimal style does not distract the eye with busy patterns and colours, instead it frames the view and creates a relaxing envi-ronment.

b 1minimal white style

The villa has a nautical style.

The use of materials complement the

surroundings.

reasoning & concepts

beach villa

Because of the villa’s location and view it was important to us that we reflected the beach style in the interior. The materials we used were chosen to be in keeping with the nautical style of the villa, for example the all wooden bespoke kitchen and the arched wooden bath surround which follows the curves of the boat. The use of white washed paint on the wooden roof is reminiscent of washed beach wood.

b 1lighting

Art work in alcove.

reasoning & concepts

ambient

At the earliest stages of the project, the lighting was considered of great importance to the overall interior design. During the day the sea is spectacular and the interior design features do not detract from it. It is at night, when the only views are the distant lights of Zakynthos and the night sky, that the interior living spaces are designed to come into their own. Carefully positioned ambient lighting spreads warm light across the white walls and ceilings illuminating the interior architectural features.

In the lounge coloured down lights in alcoves accentuate the recesses and light up art pieces. The lights change into 12 different colours at a press of a button. Behind a recess below the wall mounted television there is a light which creates soft “sun set” glows. The colour can be adjusted at the flick of a switch and all the lights are on dimmer switches.

b 1materials

View from the balcony. Fure place.

villa quarda

surfaces

Lounge

• SpecialorderedextralargelinencornersofafromUccello(330cmx275cm)• Woodandleathercoffeetablewith1cmthickcrystalglasstop(130cmx130cm/120kg)• 2alcoves(175cmx55cm)withcrystalglassshelvesandchromespotlights (on dimmers)• Minimalstylewoodburningselfventilatedfireplace(90cmx55cm)• Custommadeunit,housingentertainmentsystemandradiatorswithsmokedglassdoors(4,3mlong)• Tubelightingbuiltintorecessinunit(ondimmers)• Silkblinds(beige)• Linencurtains(lightbeige)• Woodencurtainrails• Silkandsuedecushions• Chenillethrows• Highwoodenceilingwithwhitestain• Chromelightsrunalongthelengthoftheloungeanddiningroom (on dimmers)• Custommadewallmountedhousingforvoltageadapter• 4nonbreakableglasspanelsrunthelengthoftheloungeanddining (6,5m x 2,2m)• Electricshuttersprotect4glasspanels• 3industrialbuilt-instainlesssteelair-conditionunits• Woodenpergolawithslatsstainedwhiteandsupportedby2circularpillars

b 1materials

Kitchen units. Chrome sink.

reasoning & concepts

surfaces

The design is of understated elegance with the use of high quality materials. Great attention was paid to the choice of items, materials and the treatment of surfaces.

Kitchen

• Chromehandles,tap(extendablehead)andspotlights(tasklighting)• Stainlesssteelfridge,freezer,winecoolerframe,oven,extractorfan,coffee machine, double sink (built-in soap dispenser) and other appliances• Allwoodbespokekitchenworktopandunits(includinglargedrawsandcup boards with carousel mechanisms)• Kitchenislandwithelectricsocketsanddoublesidedstorage• Marble(semimatt)splash-back• Glasswinecoolerdoor,partofextractorhoodanddrinkscabinets• Wide(90cm)ceramichobwith5rings• Wide(60cm)built-indishwasher• Granitefloortiles(60cmx60cm)• Recycledmetallights(accentlighting)• Tubelightingunderallhangingcabinets• Kitchenstoolsforlongbreakfastbar• Longradiatorhiddenunderbreakfastbar• Uniquecustommadewindowabovebreakfastbar(265cmx60cm)

b 1materials

Oak dining table and leather chairs.

Custom made hanging lights.

reasoning & concepts

surfaces

Dining

• Leatherdiningchairs• Largebespokeoakwoodentable• Handmaderecycledmetalhanginglights(custommadetoourdesign)• Recycledmetalfreestandingsculpturallight(custommadetoourdesign)• Verticaltubelightinginrecessbydinningtable• Linencurtainswithsilktie-backs(lightbeige)• Custommadesilkblinds(beige)• Granitefloortiles(60cmx60cm)• Hiddenradiatorinsidewallalcove(155cmx90cm)

b 1materials

Staircase.Staircasewindow.

villa quarda

surfaces

Staircase

• Plasteredconcreteframewithwoodensteps• Custommadecurvedwhitehandrail• Longrectangularwindowprovidingnaturallightforstaircaseandhall• Chromeandsmokedglasswalllight

Homecinema

• Soundproofingbuiltintowallsatconstructionstage• Wallpaintedwithspecialcoatwhichisidealforprojectedimagery (260cm x 240cm)• 2sofas(6people)• Ceilingair-conditionunit• Ventilationsystem• Chromeceilingspotlights(ondimmers)• Custommadeprojectionunit• LargeDVDshelfunit(180cmx210cm)• 10speakersurroundsystem

b 1materials

Masterbedroomandensuitebathroom.

Floating book shelf and full length mirror.

reasoning & concepts

surfaces

5. Masterbedroom

• Uccellorattankingsizebedwiththickheadrestandsurround• Lowsidetableswithdrawsindarkwood• Smokedglasssidelamps• Darkwoodenfloatingbookcase• Ratanstoragebox• Wideframedfulllengthdarkwoodwallmirror• Narrowleatherfreestandingfulllengthmirror• Ceilingchromespotlights(ondimmers)• Ceilingair-conditionunit• Walkinwardrobe(280cmx180cm)• Granitefloortiles(60cmx60cm)• Squarewindow• Beigevelvetblinds• Beigelinencurtains• Widebalconydoors(190cmx220cm)• Hiddenlowheightradiator

b 1materials

Sinkunitandtowelheater.Showerroom.

reasoning & concepts

surfaces

En suite bathroom

• Largestonelikeceramictiles(50cmx33cm)• Whitetoiletwithlowflowoption• Largewalkinshower• Crystalglassdoorwithchromehandle• Chromeshowerandfittings• Builtinshelfunit• Custommadewoodenshelf• Whitebowlsink• Tallchromemixertap• Longrectangularmirror• Window• Chrometowelheaters• Chromeceilingspotlights(ondimmers)• Wickerboxesonstorageunit

b 1materials

Mainbathroomandoakwoodbathsurround.Designer toilet and walk in shower.

reasoning & concepts

surfaces

Mainbathroom

• Longrectangularbeigeceramictiles(57cmx15cm)• Darkglassmosaicborder• Whiteovalshapedtoiletwithlowflowoption• Largewhiteovalbathtubwithchromehandles(184cmx104cm)• Woodenandceramictilessurround• Chromemixertapandextendableshowerbuiltintosurround (accessible from utility room) • Largeovalshapedwhitesinkwithchromemixertap(84cmx49cm)• Darkwoodenpedestalcabinet• Mirroreddarkcabinetwithglassshelf• Chromefittings(towelhooksandtoiletrailholder)• 2chrometowelheaters• Largewalkinshowerwithcrystalglasspartition• Chromeoverheadshower(20cmdiameter)

b 1materials

Guest bedroom.

Floating book shelf.

reasoning & concepts

surfaces

Guest bedroom

• Whitebamboodoublebed• Whitebamboosidetables• Wallmountedpaperlightshades• Whitecurtainsandwhiterails• Verylargefittedwardrobes• Chromeceilingspotlights(ondimmers)• Ceramicfloortiles• Ceilingair-conditionunit• Ceilingmusicspeakerforsmarthomeentertainmentsystem• Largepatiodoors(180cmx220cm)

b 2functional

design innovations

stylishThe upside down living arrangement is practical because the front entrance is on the first floor level. The layout cre-atesaveryimpressivelivingspacewithitsamazingviews.Ifwehadbuiltthebedroomsonthetopfloorwewouldhave had to break up the huge space available for a window. Instead we could keep the living space open plan and enjoy the views throughout.

Industrial air-conditioning units add a unique feature to the design and are very practical in the summer. There is a bespoke unit in the lounge which includes ventilated radiator covers. This not only disguises the radiators but makes a visually stunning feature at night when the recess behind them is illuminated.

The unit contains the entertainment system. All the machines are hidden behind smoked glassed doors and the large flat screen television is wall mounted and appears to float above the unit. Therefore there are no ugly devices or wires to break up the simplicity. The light built into the recess creates a bias light that improves contrast by introducing ambient light which dilates the pupils without washing out the screen. The surrounding glow creates ambiance, stimulates more relaxed viewing, improves perceived picture detail, contrast and colour.

The long narrow window in the kitchen was designed to bring natural light onto the work surfaces and also to allow space for cabinets above. As a design feature keeping the window narrow gives the viewer a sneaky glimpse of the sea. Below the window we have been able to create a long breakfast bar. This has created more work surface and is a great place to eat while watching boats go by.

The custom made wooden bath surround which follows the curves of a boat is in keeping with the nautical style of the interior. In addition, it is useful because it fills the space between the bath and the walls. It also serves as a shelf for soaps, shampoos, candles etc.

c 1functional

working criteria

d overview

View from the balcony.

villa quarda

unique

Villa Quarda is unique in Kefalonia. The setting and the interior design work hand in hand to create a relaxing and calming environment. Created with great respect for the scenery, a mix of high quality materials and thoughtful design it is a property with understated elegance and simplicity.

It was interesting to be set the challenge to create an interior which would have such contrasting uses. We believe that the project has been successful because the villa is a practical minimal living design which is also stylish and impressive.