Interior Design Laboratorium, Porto Fira Suites
Inspired by the Greek culture of Santorini, Interior Design Laboratorium transports guests into a new world of luxurious design, beauty and tranquillity.
If you have been looking to escape the British Summer drizzle for something luxurious and a little more exotic, chances are that you are already familiar with the beautiful Greek island, Santorini, the must-visit destination for any luxury seeker. With its perfect weather, stunning views and iconic Greek architecture, Santorini is the portal to paradise, a place to relax and take it all in. With a beautiful destination, an equally beautiful hotel is needed and luckily interior design studio Laboratorium was on hand to refurbish the Porto Fira Suites, located in the picturesque area of Kato Fira.
Thirteen luxurious suites built into the iconic cliff face make up the hotel complex, looking out across the Aegean Sea. The design brief for the renovation was to capture the mystic energy of Santorini, creating the ultimate luxurious getaway for guests. Seven suites were entirely renovated and the exterior of the hotel, pool area and building facades were also updated during the project. Much of the inspiration has been drawn from the oldest part of the hotel which originally served as a house for the Saint John Theologos Church close by. Similar construction processes and architectural features have been followed to keep in with the traditional and iconic island style, allowing guests to experience the true wonders of this magnificent Greek island.
As seen throughout the design, arched doorways and windows are a prominent feature of suites renovation, referring to the architectural form of the monastery passages, with heavy materials such as the dark woods and rustic metals contrasting against the pure surface of the white walls. The clean lines and contemporary construction allow the archways to open up each space with dramatic effect, flooding the suites with natural light whilst framing the picturesque views across the sea, mesmerising guests and visually extending the spaces into nature and the great outdoors.
Every material on the project has been specially selected to contribute to a much larger vision, each adding its own unique layer of luxury and serenity to the finished design. Many of the decorative elements such as the doors, furniture and accessories have been custom made for the project, allowing traditional references to be established and personal touches to be made. The perforated black doors of the wardrobes, made of Viennese straw and sandblasted oak, are a subtle reference to the confession boxes found in monasteries, as is the style and pattern of the stone flooring used throughout each of the suites.
A simple colour palette of black, white, soft blue and natural tones has been selected and applied throughout the hotel, coloured by the materials and furniture used within each space. Black has been introduced through the select woodwork of the wardrobes and metalwork of the door handles, lighting and abstract towel rails. Natural tones help soften the space, adding a welcoming touch through the use of untreated and natural woods in furniture pieces, desks and mirrors. Carefully selected bohemian fabrics, handwoven textiles and rugs mirror the tones of the Greek sky, adding a soft injection colour and a classic finish to the bedrooms and terrace.
A remarkable black infinity swimming pool is the finishing jewel in the crown, creating the illusion that the calming waters of the pool extend out into the deep Santorini sea and up to the darkened rocks of the volcano in the distance. The waters; constantly moving, adapt to the light of the day, influencing the ambience of the hotel, creating a perfect setting for guests as they watch the sun set into the sparkling sea.