A 70-square-metre apartment in Athens’ Lycabettus area has been reworked by architect Selekou Katerina into a light-filled, open-plan home that blends its 70s character with crisp, industrial touches. The renovation centred on relocating the kitchen, which originally blocked the entrance and felt dark and isolated. Moving it created a long, functional hallway with built-in storage and placed the kitchen opposite the balcony door, where it now reads as a discreet piece of furniture connected to the dining area. Katerina also removed the wall between the living room and bedroom, exposing the building’s concrete column and beams. A new four-leaf metal partition with fluted glass references traditional Athenian sliding doors while allowing light to flow softly between spaces and providing privacy when needed. Materials were used to define the apartment’s zones. Transitional areas feature turquoise tesserae tiles, birch veneer cabinetry and a burgundy threshold, forming a vibrant frame around the calmer main rooms. In the living areas, restored oak parquet is paired with concrete finishes, metal elements and glossy chrome details to create a warm–industrial balance. The kitchen and bathroom are unified through Dionysos marble, used for the kitchen surfaces and in playful tiles in the bathroom. Its elegant reflections contrast with matte off-white cabinetry, adding a refined layer to the palette. The resulting interior feels bright, fluid and contemporary, while still carrying the textured spirit of its 1970s origins.
Athens apartment reconfigured around light-filled open plan by Katerina Selekou
