Sofia Xanthakou, founder of Athens-based boutique architecture firm Local Local, has completed a stunning renovation of a late 19th-century residence in Plaka, one of Athens' most historic neighborhoods. Working alongside her husband Andreas, an art dealer and gallery owner, Xanthakou transformed the 2,780-square-foot home into a contemporary masterpiece that respectfully honors its classical context while embracing bold modern design choices.

The couple's journey back to their native Greece began when they decided to return from overseas living in the U.K. and the U.S., seeking a home for their young family and a convenient base in the center of Athens. "Having lived abroad for many years, I couldn't picture myself having to commute every day," Sofia explains. "I wanted to live in the center of Athens but, at the same time, we were starting a family and needed space."

Located on a quiet, pedestrianized street in Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in Athens, the house sits on the northeastern slope of the Acropolis among ancient landmarks including the Roman Agora and Hadrian's Library. The area is famous for its narrow streets filled with neoclassical buildings, Byzantine churches, and tiny stores selling jewelry, clothes, and local ceramics. Despite parts of Plaka becoming overrun with tourists in recent years, Sofia notes that her corner feels like "a village in the city center."

When Sofia first encountered the property, she was immediately drawn to its perfect layout and adequate space. "I love restoration and preservation," she says of her design approach, "and I wanted a house with character and history." After purchasing the house in 2021, the couple embarked on an intensive six-month renovation from September 2022 until March 2023, completely transforming the interior while respecting the building's historic significance.

The original five-bedroom, three-bathroom upper floor and ground floor with ample communal spaces, including a small enclosed garden and guest washroom, provided an excellent foundation. However, the interior décor reflected the fashion of the last renovation in the late 1990s, featuring brown cotto tiles in the entrance hallway, dark wooden floors in the living room, and an overgrown garden that blocked natural light from entering the house.

"This building is in the heart of historic Athens, surrounded by important historic and archaeological sites," says Sofia. "My goal with the renovation was to remove materials that seemed out of place and add details and finishes that were more in line with the context of the building." However, she deliberately avoided restricting herself to materials or colors from a specific time period, creating what she describes as a tasteful fusion of contemporary and classical design.

The renovated house now radiates brightness and sunshine, thanks largely to the bright-white minimalism of the walls and ceilings, expanded living room windows, and two doors that open directly into the garden. "I like the envelope to be very neutral to allow the furniture and objects to stand out," says Sofia, emphasizing her philosophy of creating a clean backdrop for the couple's collection of art and furnishings.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the renovation is the custom-made terrazzo flooring on the ground level, featuring a bold red pigment that adds contemporary playfulness to the space. Created by local artisan Nicos Politis and his team, the flooring involved laying down cement, adding pebbles, then sanding the entire surface multiple times to achieve the perfect finish. "Even though terrazzo is a very Athenian material, this floor was a bold move," admits Sofia, though she notes that first-time visitors often assume the red terrazzo has always been part of the house.

Throughout the renovation, Sofia prioritized using Greek materials wherever possible, including replacing shiny white kitchen backsplash tiles with Dionysos marble and swapping exterior cotto tiles with marble from the Greek island of Tinos. The dining area features custom-made chairs by Local Local paired with a vintage Louis Poulsen lamp, while built-in shelving provides ample storage for the couple's extensive book collection.

The design team painted the staircase light gray and added built-in storage, while custom-made white medium-density fiberboard lattice radiator covers create a warm, cozy finish throughout the living spaces. The addition of cornices creates visual cohesion between ceiling, floor, and walls. "Now they read as one entity, not three detached elements," explains Sofia.

Classical British-style bathroom fixtures correspond with the era of the original house, maintaining historical authenticity while providing modern functionality. The theme of a white "envelope" combined with playful bursts of color continues throughout the children's bedrooms on the upper floor, where young Dimitris and Athena enjoy careening through the space on their bikes and scooters, moving freely between indoor and outdoor areas.

"Everything doesn't have to be traditional, as long as it's respectful of the style, the context, and the place," Sofia reflects on her design philosophy. Her approach demonstrates that contemporary design can successfully coexist with historic architecture when executed with sensitivity and understanding of place.

The project represents Sofia's broader belief in thoughtful restoration that honors the past while serving contemporary needs. "I don't want to be a flashy creator; I want things to feel natural," she adds. "I'm proud that the floor looks like it belongs, because it means I chose the right material in the right place." The completed Plaka House stands as a testament to the possibility of creating spaces that bridge historical significance with modern living, offering inspiration for similar projects in historic urban contexts worldwide.