The Krouzeri Estate

Engineer and Project Management
Yiannis Kakarantzas

Contact
francis@krouzeri.com
yiannis@krouzeri.com

Scroll down for property details

The Stone House

Much of the stone used in the building of this charming house was quarried out of the hillside on which it stands during excavations and levelling of the site. Unexpectedly, many of the rocks proved to include petrified sponges that now form part of the décor and architecture of the house. These factors contribute to the unusual harmony between the villa and its surroundings and make The Stone House such a peaceful and serene setting for a holiday.

A pathway made of huge flat stones, hammered into shape on site, leads up to the house. The first glimpse of it takes the breath away – the impression is that of a perfect Provencal house somehow transported to this entirely Corfiot setting. Pale grey stone walls are pierced by many windows, the shutters of which are painted in exactly the same clear blue as that of the plumbago flowers that line the paths and terraces.

Within the house, walls, floors and furnishings in various tones and textures of white reflect the light and provide a wonderful background for some carefully chosen art and photographs, as well as those fossilised sponges and shells that remind us that this elevated rock terrace must once have been part of the sea-bed. French and Gustavian Swedish furniture lend delicate touches of muted colour, and beautiful cushioned window seats, a gracious feature so rarely found in modern houses, make a wonderful spot for sitting and allowing your attention to drift between a book and the view. The whole of the ground floor is made up of cool spaces, divided by arches, that flow into each other effortlessly. At one end of the house, windows open on to a cushiony lawn where a fountain splashes against a stone wall. On a separate terrace above this sits a secluded pavilion of Asian inspiration, a retreat for two with day beds and the soothing sound of water flowing from a Zen-like water feature.

At the opposite end of the house the faultlessly modern kitchen and dining room open on to the swimming pool and its fine terraces, with a fully-equipped outdoor bar and comfortable seating. At the far end of the pool area, a circular pavilion houses a Jacuzzi, the rim of its basin made from the stones of an old olive press. Along one side of the pool there is yet another decorative feature with fossils and other objects displayed on the shelves of three arches, drenched in constantly running water.

Upstairs, the two Master suites, at each end of the house, have their own surprise features. One opens on to a private terrace presided over by a large Indonesian day bed, roofed, canopied, curtained and draped with embroidered Indian fabrics. Adjacent to this is an outdoor bathroom, discreetly hidden, with shower and hand basin. At the other end of the house, the second Master suite opens on to a small balcony and in addition has its own outdoor shower and Jacuzzi. All the bedrooms, including the twin bedrooms, are equipped with satellite TV, DVD player and are connected to the sound system. In addition, they have iPod chargers and plugs. They all have window seats, too, for those more ‘old-fashioned’ moments that call for nothing more than a quiet and comfortable spot from which to enjoy the view in peace.

The beautiful formal terrace in front of the house has a wonderful view and enjoys sun almost all day long. This is the location for the outdoor dining area, shaded by a huge fixed sail. A walk of just a few minutes leads to the beaches below the property, and to the convenient jetty and boat moorings. The Stone House is a marriage of two styles – French Provencal and Corfiot olive press. What these inspirational styles have in common is stone, and here on the hillside at Krouzeri, stone has been shaped and tamed by local craftsmen, into a house and garden of unusual beauty.

Site by Scott Harrison Designs and ZELOcreative Limited