Two Sanctuaries in a Secret Garden

Corfu, Greece

Type:
Refurbishment,
Interior Design

Date:
May 2025

Status:
Built

Location:
Corfu, Greece

Design Team:
Chaido Kaproulia,
Eva Lavranou 

Photography:
Pierre Littig

Nestled within a hidden garden beside the historic Mon Repos Palace in Corfu, two modest 19th-century storage buildings have been quietly reimagined into serene guest retreats. These once utilitarian structures are now peaceful sanctuaries—each one a thoughtful synthesis of the rich legacy of the area, Mediterranean nature, and masterful craftsmanship.

At the heart of both rooms is a deep reverence for craftsmanship. Meticulous woodworking and high-quality joinery were not just aesthetic choices, but acts of care. Every joint, panel, and custom element was designed at a 1:1 scale and brought to life by skilled local woodworkers and glass artisans. Through natural materials, and exceptional detail, the spaces embody a felling of stillness and timelessness, offering not just accommodation but sanctuary.





The larger guest room was conceived as a gentle, open-plan suite, where sleeping and living areas are subtly divided by sliding fluted glass panels framed in solid iroko wood. The room is a warm orchestration of textures and tones, set against a crisp white backdrop. Underfoot, black stone tiles anchor the space with a quiet weight, while the varied grain of three distinct wood types—iroko, American oak, and lacquered plywood—brings natural richness to the palette.





Every piece of furniture was custom-designed by the architects and handcrafted from 5 cm-thick solid American oak. The closets, integrated into the room’s architecture, combine white-lacquered plywood with detailed American oak joinery. Inside, oak-veneered plywood finishes bring a seamless consistency.











The second room, once the smaller storage building, takes a more compact but equally refined approach. Here, a large architectural wall becomes both a backdrop and a highly functional storage system. Finished in lacquered dark green plywood, it houses the air conditioning unit, closet, stove, electric systems, and daily essentials—all tucked away behind clean lines. This wall-length structure eliminates visual clutter, preserving a calm and breathable floor plan.








The color of the cabinetry connects directly to the lush greens of the surrounding garden, reinforcing the dialogue between interior and nature. Meanwhile, the stone-look beige tile flooring evokes the feel of a Mediterranean courtyard, drawing the outdoors in.











isola studio
Ippokratous 9, 10679
Athens, Greece

All images produced by isola unless otherwise specified.