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Whitewashed Villa on Greek Island of Mykonos

Bright whitewashed walls reflect light and keep you cool even under a hot Mediterranean sun.

The Douglas Villa on the island of Mykonos, Greece is built in the traditional style we associate with this most legendary of Greek islands.

The villa is set on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea with open views from every room out across a large flat platform carved from the rocky hillside.

The soft curves of a traditional whitewashed bench, hand shaped from earth, is echoed by the white bedspread.

Simple furnishings are in the most muted dusty blues and beige, a restful combination with the traditional white.

Whitewash is actually quite easy to make, and it is also a natural antiseptic that deters insects and fire-resistant – no doubt some of the reasons for its popularity down the ages.

Mix 25 pounds mason’s hydrated lime with 3 gallons of distilled water, and in a separate container dissolve 7 1/2 pounds salt in 2 1/2 gallons hot distilled water.

Once the salt is dissolved in the hot water, combine both mixes.

Pre-wet masonry, brick, plaster or concrete, and then paint on the whitewash.

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An Extremely Minimalist House is Best Appreciated While it’s Empty

Architects: MDBA designed this house in Sant Cugat del Vallés, Spain.

Let’s step in this door…

Wow. That’s one very long view! It is possible to walk right out into it.

Photos taken before the house is furnished make it possible to experience the extreme minimalism of its spare design.

The street access is from the back of the ground floor, and the master bedroom is on this floor.

Not the fully glazed walls are open towards the long view.

Upstairs, three more bedrooms also confront the huge view.

The living room is at right angles to the main house, forming an L with the kitchen anchoring the corner.

The most spartan possible fireplace and chimney are perfectly placed to encourage well-organized seating around it on both sides.

Likewise, the clean design of the scrupulously minimal kitchen can be understood most clearly when viewed with no furnishings. Read the rest of this entry »

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A Resort in a Series of Tropical Pavilions on Koh Samui

A symmetrical pavilion layout distinguishes Villa Mia at Chaweng Beach on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand.

The symmetrical layout places a rhythmic series of outdoor spaces and pavilions spaced around a central pool.

In its midst, a sunken seating area is cooled by its surrounding water.

Each of the surrounding pavilions overlooks the pool.

In one of the outdoor spaces, lush jungle planting and rustic wooden roofing supply an evening soak with a tropical ambiance.

In a cool all-white bedroom, deeply recessed niches at the head of the bed provide display space for traditional sculptures. Read the rest of this entry »