rooms with a view
Peter Illsley and Rose Medlam decided to build a traditional Greek hilltop house that pays homage to its magnificent setting from every angle
Peter Illsley and Rose Medlam’s rustic stone-built home in the hamlet of Agia Sophia is a world away from their traditional Victorian townhouse in the UK. The couple had been seduced by the relaxed way of life in Greece after several summer visits and, having toyed with the idea of buying a property there, they finally decided to build their own.
After looking at several options, the pair settled on a dilapidated house that needed knocking down. Many prospective buyers would have balked at the idea, but Peter, a management consultant, and Rose, a retired teacher, were up for the challenge. ‘Ideally, we wanted a place to renovate, but even though we knew we’d have to start from scratch here, we were won over by the incredible views and the peaceful location near the sea,’ says Peter.
What the couple didn’t count on was a five-year wait for planning permission. The land, owned by a village local, turned out to be part of a conservation area. It meant that the couple’s application to build was shunted first to Kalamata, then on to the Department of Byzantine Antiquities in Athens, and finally to Sparta before getting the green light. Fortunately, the house build itself was straightforward and was completed within a year.
Creating an authentic property that paid homage to its surroundings was top priority. ‘ We wanted the simple country aesthetic of houses in the area,’ says Peter. ‘ We found a local builder whose stone masons were especially good, taking trouble to get the style of pointing and colour right and recreating the type of walls that had existed before, which included unusual slivers of terracotta tiles.’
Maximising the views was key to the success of this two-storey build so the sleeping quarters are on the ground floor, while a large living area and kitchen on the first floor opens out onto a terrace with spectacular 360-degree views, including the Taygetos mountains and Profitis Ilias to the east and the Gulf of Kalamata to the west. ‘We worked with a local firm, Aiolou Architects, and they improved our initial ideas, creating a fantastic array of external areas on every side of the house to make the most of the views,’ says Peter.
When it came to the interior, the couple have gone for clean lines and a gentle palette of white, blue and grey. Favourite artwork decorates the whitewashed walls, while furniture picked up at antiques fairs in the UK adds a rustic feel. Reclaimed oak flooring, sourced from a 1,000-year-old Turkish church via a salvage yard in Athens, introduces a mellow note across the first floor. ‘ We decided to buy the main pieces in London and have them shipped over, as we didn’t have time for endless shopping trips in Athens,’ explains Peter. ‘However, that did mean that a scary day ensued, shepherding an articulated lorry along narrow mountain roads.’
After a lengthy and challenging project, the couple finally have their dream home in the spot that stole their hearts. Days spent here involve an enviable routine of swimming, reading and relaxing. ‘The breeze, the wildlife, the sun and the stars remain the best things about living here,’ reflects Peter.