saint of athens converts 1920s apartment into the eclectic ‘upper house’ in kypseli

step inside saint of athens’ renovated upper house in kypseli

Located in the heart of Kypseli, one of Athens’s most historic urban areas, the floor-through Upper House apartment occupies the first level of an iconic building designed and constructed in the 1920s following the architectural style of eclecticism. Saint of Athens founder Nikos Palaiologos teamed up with A&O Architects to renovate his understatedly luxurious 220 sqm property, devising an interior space reminiscent of New York’s Upper East Side apartment houses of the aristocratic flats on the 7th arrondissement of Paris. The house was originally built for the family of a wealthy Greek industrialist of the previous century, which explains many of its rare and inherent features, such as the five-meter high ceilings, the intricate plaster motifs, and the genius overall layout offering easy access to all spaces and a soothing, flowing sense of comfort.

combining retro aesthetics and modern convenience

The Upper House apartment’s recent renovation by Saint of Athens (see more here) and A&O Architects (more here) joins together a selection of premium materials and appliances — chevron wood flooring, Greek marbles, Internet of Things (IoT), state-of-the-art heating and cooling technology — resulting in a sui generis combination of retro aesthetics and modern convenience. Complementing the overall eclectic atmosphere are a perfectly preserved one century-old wooden staircase, two reception rooms (living rooms), a dining area, a master bedroom with a walk-in bathroom, a guestroom and a guest bathroom, a library, a kitchen, and a pantry. Together, they constitute parts of a functional home synthesis that blends practicality with fine craftsmanship and unique taste.

Furthermore, the design team introduced upscale custom-made creations like the one-of-a-kind closet, the Japanese wallpaper, and the boiseries gracing the walls give the house an eye-pleasing added value, while lavish bits and pieces — from designer furniture and light fixtures to hip ceiling fans and memorabilia/works of art — bless every single space with a careful touch of arty elegance. As Saint of Athens describes it, the Upper House is the epitome of a modern living experience in the heart of Athens, grounded in the finest aesthetic principles of a glorious past. 

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project info:

name: Upper House

location: Kypseli, Athens, Greece 

interior design: Saint of Athens | @saintofathens

architecture: Saint of Athens, A&O Architects

art curation: Saint of Athens, Nikos Palaiologos 

photographer: Giagkos Papadopoulos