Known for his famously glamorous-yet-welcoming interiors – in private homes as well as hot hangouts at hotels such as The Berkeley – Bryan O’Sullivan Studio was presented with an intriguing challenge when it came to updating this villa on the southern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula.
How to create sophisticated, relaxed spaces that would flow seamlessly between indoors and outdoors, without reverting to the traditional blue-and-white villa style most commonly associated with the Greek islands?
‘A holiday home should feel like a total escape, rooted in its location and somewhere you feel instantly at ease, a real retreat’ says Bryan.
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‘You can push the boundaries a little further. You also might not want to have your guests on top of you all the time, so it can be a good idea for guest suites to have their own mini bars and relaxation areas. The landscape can be particularly compelling; in this case it was about maximising the mesmerising views of Spetses.’
The property consists of a main house spread over three floors plus three guest cottages set in lush gardens – landscaped by Tomasso Del Buono – that lead directly to the sea.
Bryan’s biggest challenge? Deadlines! ‘We were approached in fall 2020 and the couple planned to be in by summer. This was a challenge as we ended up doing a total gut renovation, rather than the light touch renovation originally envisioned.’
His team completely reworked the layout, creating free-flowing rooms, relocating the stairs, extending the kitchen and rearranging all the guest bedrooms and en suites. Widening the windows enhanced the dreamy views of the island of Spetses.
The living room, divided into two casual seating areas, opens onto a covered porch with more sofas and chairs – all designed to encourage conversation and time together. People can gather in the generous dining room or outdoors beneath one of the many pergolas.
To achieve the desired cosy, relaxed atmosphere, Bryan opted for a warm yet neutral palette for the rooms, harnessing Bauwerk’s subtle shades and finding inspiration in the colours of the hydrangeas in the gardens to inspire the deep pastel tones of the furniture and soft furnishings.
Timber flooring by Arbony in some rooms adds a touch of rustic warmth underfoot, while others are clad in limestone in different finishes for a subtly layered effect. In the bathrooms, local marbles were used on the monolithic vanities and the monumental bathtub, with ironmongery from Van Cronenburg and brassware by Water Monopoly.
‘I particularly love how the kitchen turned out’ he says. ‘It has this uniquely finished stainless steel cabinetry and soft yet striking green marble, which make it feel very special.’
The finished result has a fresh, easygoing charm, with comfortable spaces inviting guests to sit down and relax. The outdoors – both immediate and at a distance – is an integral part of the interiors, with carefully positioned windows and doors framing the vista. ‘The clients are spending more and more time at the villa, so I guess that is a good sign!’ smiles Bryan.
‘Whilst the house is always welcoming extended family and friends, the owners also inevitably need to get away from it all and use it to find some peace and quiet. Their suite for example became a separate world on the second level. It's important to have this balance and a space for calm when needed.’ bryanosullivan.com.
