5 Clever Design Details from a Small Serene Athenian Apartment

Once divided into narrow rooms and corridors, this top-floor 1960s apartment in Athens has been reimagined by architect Elli Athanasiadou of Space Is Around Us as an open, light-filled home. Now called Kyano (Greek for blue) the layout merges kitchen, dining, and living areas around a bold blue feature volume and white marble surfaces. Built-in cabinetry and fluted glass enhance storage and privacy, while exposed concrete columns and vintage-style details recall the apartment’s mid-century charm. Below we share five design details we love that capture Kyano’s balance of functionality, character, and calm.

1. Glass Block Wall That Glows Day and Night
‍2. The Ultra-Efficient Entrance Hub
‍3. The Rangehood-Free Kitchen
‍4. The Flowerpot VP1 Pendant Lamp
‍5. A Bed That Works Overtime

1. Glass Block Wall That Glows Day and Night

A defining feature of Kyano, the fluted glass-block wall between the bathroom and living area lets daylight filter through by day and casts a gentle glow at night. It adds privacy, texture, and a sculptural play of light that changes with the hours. The blocks soften harsh sunlight, diffusing it across the white cement floors, while at night, they turn the bathroom’s interior glow into a soft lantern effect, subtle, atmospheric, and distinctly modernist.

2. The Ultra-Efficient Entrance Hub

The entrance combines coat and shoe storage, a bench seat, cleaning and laundry compartments, and even a docking bay for the robot vacuum, all within custom white and blue cabinetry. The genuine-leather bench makes it easy and comfortable to sit while slipping on your shoes, transforming a purely functional area into a welcoming one. Every centimetre is designed with intent, with hidden compartments for essentials like the modem and power board, keeping visual clutter completely out of sight. It’s a small-space solution that feels both elegant and effortless.

3. The Rangehood-Free Kitchen

A discreet, built-in cooktop ventilation system keeps the kitchen area open and visually calm. Paired with both gas and induction hobs, it offers flexibility for different cooking styles. The clear counter doubles as extra prep or serving space, perfect for social cooking. By hiding the rangehood below the bench, Athanasiadou keeps sightlines to the terrace uninterrupted, letting the apartment’s main living area remain open, connected, and filled with light. It’s an invisible upgrade that makes a huge difference in how the space feels.

4. The Flowerpot VP1 Pendant Lamp

Designed by Verner Panton in 1968, this pendant is a nod to the apartment’s 1960s origins. Its soft, indirect light bounces gently off the blue cabinetry, creating an inviting atmosphere for movie nights or quiet evenings in. Positioned deliberately to avoid glare from the TV, it also acts as a subtle zoning element, helping define the living area within the open-plan layout. The result is both practical and nostalgic, a single lamp that ties the apartment’s mid-century roots to its contemporary calm.

5. A Bed That Works Overtime

The bed lifts to reveal hidden storage for linens, pillows, and seasonal clothes. It keeps the bedroom serene and clutter-free, a true “cocoon” for rest and calm. By integrating storage beneath rather than around the bed, the room remains visually light, maintaining a sense of openness despite its modest footprint. It’s a simple, timeless trick that makes small-space living feel genuinely luxurious.

While these five highlights capture some of Kyano’s cleverest design moves, the apartment’s most memorable qualities often appear more quietly. Gentle curves in the joinery and mirrors soften the bold blue volume, while exposed concrete beams and retro 1960s details deepen its connection to the home’s origins. Smaller touches, like the sliding pocket door that frees up wall and floor space in the bedroom,  also shape the home’s sense of ease. And the generous terrace, unusual for an apartment this size, extends that openness outdoors into the Athenian light.

If you’d like to explore Kyano further, we've included a selection of professional photography below. These images capture the textures, materials, and subtle decisions define the apartment’s calm, characterful charm.