OUR CRETE HOME (Updated)

WELCOME to our Crete home. It's a traditional stone built house some 120 square meters in size. Although we know it is old, we are not sure of the original date, but it certainly goes back more that 80 years. Although it was certainly not a wreck when we bought it, we understood that the house needed our attention, and were happy to work with the original design of the house. We have tried to create modern house, but have retained much of the old style. Here is a selection of before and after pictures showing the work we have carried out on the house.

   Now we have a property of three bedrooms, one a study/office. There are many traditional features, including a large stone arch in the main lounge.

   On the first floor we also now have a smart conservatory, which is great when it turns chilly, but light enough to sit out. There are two terraces, the second, smaller one houses the BBQ . and water system.

   Our first priority was to replace the kitchen, and we stayed close to the character of the house, with modern cabinets in traditional style. Next came the lounge, which was easier, new stone fireplace and then it was on to the bedrooms. Again we retained the sense of the old, putting in new tongue & groove wooden ceilings throughout

   When we turned our attention to the outside, the task was easier of course, and by picking a colour that was modern, but in still in keeping with the village, we have ended up with a house we love to live in and entertain friends and family in.

   We have just updated the main lounge, so here are a few new shots of the interior. Staying with the traditional theme, but added twist of modern.
This winter (2013-14) has seen us very busy. We started to update the smaller of the bedrooms, but with a wooden floor had to continue through to take in the stairs. Long time to sand down and prepare, and then had to work out how long for the stain to dry, otherwise would not been able to go up stairs.
We then decided that the kitchen, although only ten years old was looking drab, so we found a carpenter, through a friend, and, as a result have a new-look cabinets and draws. A short break would have seen us off to another island for a few days, but decided to change the cooker and work-tops instead, we had been before. Result - excellent, New tiles, to compliment the effort, an all round success.

BELOW A SELECTION THROUGH THE YEARS INCLUDING THE UPDATES