Hotel to Home: Capture a Greek Haven's Divine Design
Bliss and style get along swimmingly at Mykonos Blu resort in Greece, with aquatic colors, breezy decor and incredible views
Summer is in full swing, and nothing says "dreamy vacation" like Cycladic villas perched by the Aegean sea — a description that perfectly describes Mykonos Blu resort, a string of island bungalows and private villas overlooking the famous Psarou Beach in idyllic Mykonos, Greece. Let's look closely at the bedrooms, baths, patios, and pools of the resort — we might just learn a thing or two about creating gorgeous and relaxing indoor and outdoor spaces in our own homes this summer.
Mix prints and textures. Solid blue, light blue; thin stripes and thick stripes; tufted and plain. This bathroom sitting area would make a lounger out of anyone, with its artful mix of blue and green throw pillows and its tufted seat cushion. The prints and textures on the banquette contrast nicely with the smooth and neutral finish of the cement floors and whitewashed walls. Plastered ceilings were painted white, forming a base for the bluish patina coating that was made from a traditional coloring method.
Throws, cushions and banquette fabric: local market
Throws, cushions and banquette fabric: local market
Bring indoor furniture outdoors. Who says that your rattan daybed can't see the light of day? The only thing I'd change here would be the placement of the furniture piece; I'd rearrange it according to where the shade is at any given time of day.
This villa suite is another great example of bringing the indoors outdoors. The television, speakers, sofa — and yes, even the bed, are just steps away from a small outdoor pool; the division of indoor and outdoor spaces is virtually nonexistent when the glass doors are pulled to the side.
Stretch your outdoor time with a little shade. A canopy in the form of shade sails or an actual roofed section makes a big difference when you are spending lots of time outdoors. I would probably soak in this pool for an extra couple of hours — simply because you can with this kind of partial shade and coverage.
Don't underestimate the design power of trees. Sure, it's nice to have an unobstructed view of the sea from inside an infinity pool. But something about the palm trees' presence heightens the calming effect of this outdoor pool, don't you think? Deck chairs with head cushions and overhead shade sails mean an extra hour outdoors — and a tan instead of a sunburn.
Four-poster bed frames make great sun loungers. Perfectly suited for parents who want to nap in the shade together with the little ones or for people who want to stretch out completely, this bed-turned-lounger would make it easy for anyone to exhale. And inhale. And exhale.
Get the look of falling rainwater with a rain shower. We've all dreamed of soaking underneath a waterfall, which is why a rainwater shower that's perched high in the bathroom ceiling is so great. The pairing of this rain shower and skylight gives the illusion of an outdoor shower — it's soothing to look at, and showering in it in real life is likely mind blowing.
More:
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More:
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Ceiling paint: Admiral Blue, Benjamin Moore