Fineline Studio gives a 1960s Athens apartment a second life

In a city where old apartments are often stripped back and rebuilt, Fineline Studio has taken a different approach to renovating a 1960s flat in Thiseio, Athens. The 90-square-metre apartment had much of its original character hidden beneath layers of laminate, including parquet, marble and stone flooring that the studio chose to uncover and restore. Where sections were missing, discarded marble recovered from construction skips was carefully fitted alongside the existing pieces, bringing new life to the traditional Palladiana floors once common in Athenian apartment buildings. “The skip is where Athens loses its best material,” says studio founder Nefeli Eforakopoulou, reflecting on how easily these details disappear during renovations. Designed for short-term stays, the apartment combines its restored surfaces with a handful of practical contemporary additions. Limewashed walls, open wardrobes and microcement finishes keep the interiors simple, while a built-in bench provides seating and storage between the kitchen, dining and living areas. Behind the scenes, new glazing, insulation and updated services have improved the apartment’s energy performance by three classes, from Z to D, while eliminating the need for oil heating. The result is a thoughtful renovation that makes a convincing case for working with what already exists, preserving the materials and character of an older Athens home while preparing it for a new chapter.