MORROCON STYLE Bathroom

 

 White fluffy Turkish Towels
 Will fill 😍 Cubbies 

  Morrocon style  bathroom idea came to fruition over a concern we had. Ikaria has extremely high levels of humidity.

  We countered problem inside house by purchasing a dehumidifier. On certain days hygrometer measures 100% humidity. Using it, we are able to get it to a comfortable level of 62. 

 Bathrooms are of particular concern for mold, mildew. I searched on-line for ideas too curtail this problem. What I found, is a Moroccan technique, adopted by Greeks called Patiti.  It has been used  for centuries in hot humid climates in Mediterranean, to combat this worrisome issue.

Example: Patiti Bathroom 
Santorini 

 Now that I have a solution, question is, can we find a technician who has trained, mastered this ancient technique, on our Island?

Winters months only 8000 people 
Live on Island

 We took to our tried true method that has worked in past for us, it's how we located our property in first place. By  frequenting coffee shops, cafe's, word of mouth. 

Eureka, one our stone guys knew of Albanian named Christo who does this type of work.

 Raches coffee shop
Word of mouth here,
Better than a telephone/internet

  We located Christo working in Evdilos, he took us too view a job he had done at a local hotel. He explained to us, Patiti technique used frequently Santorini, Mykonos, other Islands to curtail mold, mildew.

  Question is, we now know he's been trained applying Patiti, can Christo also build, create a beautiful spa like design, from scratch, following my rough design?  I would be lying if I said my husband and I didn't have our doubts.  We had never seen, or known of anyone who worked with this particular product.

Original  sketch 

 Not only would he be applying Patiti, he would also be building bathroom from ground zero. So with a leap of faith, some coaxing, crossed fingers, holding our breath.We handed over a rough drawn sketch for Christo to build.

Ground Zero

 Job took over 6 weeks, requiring, building  layering, drying, sanding, applying product layer by layer, then more sanding. Finally using a polishing material to complete the process. Bathroom, shower, sink, walls are made from patiti. 

Italian tile

 We ordered  beautiful hand painted Morrocon style tile from 🇮🇹  Italy, for a finishing touch. Only portion of bathroom that's not patiti. 

 Second stage was scary 
Kept me up at night

Sigh of relief 😌  looks exactly as we
Envisioned it

  Bathroom is really taking on its shape. There's alot of work yet to be done, but it's evolving from ugly duckling into a swan.

  I would've felt solely responsible, if results were anything other than how it turned out. Not only that, it could've been a costly mistake, to say I am relieved is under statement.

   

  We both have a love for Mediterranean sea 🌊 with unique azure colors, so we added pops of this color throughout. 

  Bathroom  has really become a collaboration of European union, Baltics, other countries.

  Shell bisque wall lights that are on order, from Czech republic, 🇨🇿 hand painted  Morrocon style floor tiles from 🇮🇹 Italy, technician from 🇦🇱 Albania, technique originated in Morroco, Bidet from Korea, 100% cotton bath Towels from 🇹🇷 Turkey, decorative items from America,  

  I chose products from each country and it represented what they are best known for.

  What a find! Elvis, our stone mason found a well made, old styled Greek wooden door that was taken out of his house, that just happened to be built by grandfather of Petros & Vasilis, brothers who have made our doors windows. Teddy plans too sand it down, refinish it, will be entry door into our bathroom. 

Original glass
 milky "perfect" privacy

 

Korean Bidet

 Interesting fact: I noticed a long blonde horse 🐎 tail, laying on bathroom countertop. Shocked I asked what's that doing here? Socrates our plumber, explained horse hair is used in place of silicone, stating its more effective for sealing than silicone. 

  Footnote : I was assured no horse was hurt during this haircut, horsetail will grow back.

Bronze rain Shower
Model  from 🇬🇷 Greece 

HERMÈS

Winged sandals

w

Hermès 


Greek God Hermès adorns corners our of red tiled,  Mediterranean roof

Hermès Greek God protector of traveller's, thieves,merchants,
known to all for his winged sandals

 We  have a lot to be grateful for as we near end of 2022.  

Been a challenging, sometimes frustrating, yet rewarding year. 

Patience is a Virtue 

 

 Renovating a house, tests both patience, resiliency of even strongest of marriages. My husband & I are both passionate people, we have had to learn to yield, bend to each other. Testing ourselves, patience, more than any other time in our marriage. 

 After taking on this project, we can truly understand movie, Money Pit!

Learning to Yield

 Oddly enough Greeks aren't required to obtain an occupancy permit. Nor has any inspectors come to inspect our home at anytime. 

Our only guidance, has come from Architect Kosta, talented, skilled,workers, who have been building on Ikaria's Island since 7th century. We couldn't be happier with results.

  

 Hero of whole project is my husband Teddy. He has a working knowledge of construction after serving many years in trades. He has been there every step of way, working tirelessly to assure everything done correctly.

Foreman extraordinaire 

 Outside stonework is complete, awaiting a barbecue, railings to finish off terraces. 

 Inside, ceilings, plastered walls await Teddys finishing touch of fresh paint. Tiles, wood floors need to be installed.

Kitchen marble countertop will be mined, shipped, from  north of Greece. Island to be built by local well known for his amazing woodworking skills. Top is to be hand crafted from stunning olive wood. 

Stairway to Heaven 

 2023 looks to be epic year as we grow near to finish line. Plan is, to move in as soon as Moroccan  bathroom is done. I am anxiously waiting to see how finished project turns out.

 It's been a long, bumpy, arduous journey . In near future we'll  be setting up temporary  residence in restored portion of house, whilst work continues on rest of property.

  

It's  been  well over 2 1/2 years since we owned our own place, I can't wait for day to finally wake up

                        In Our Home Sweet Home

 

Our wish & prayers for all of you in 2023. God please protect our children, grandchildren, family, friends. 

Keep them safe from harm. Grant them gift of peace in their hearts & good health. For those struggling, reach out to each other to offer love &support. May our hearts minds heal, pray for a kinder, gentler world for all.

 

Huff Puff "Can't blow this house down"

We are obsessed 😍 Front Door 

  Trades have been hard at work, some working seven days a week.

    Time is of essence, feeling of urgency is palpable.  House must be buttoned up, before cold rainy season hits Ikaria with its full force.

 

  Winds on Island can be ferocious during the winter. Rainy season can start early as October, bringing with it torrential downpours, continuing through March. Making it extremely challenging to work outside. 

  Thanks to our Albanian stone mason's, who are here faithfully all week,  first floor fully enclosed, minus doors, windows. If the weather holds they plan to button up 2nd floor. We have our fingers crossed. If anyone can do it these guys can. 

A TEAM

  We had hoped our carpenter Petros  & brother Vasilis would have doors & windows installed by now, but that was wishful thinking on our part. After all this is Ikaria. Ikarians work at their own pace. So our plan is to cover them with plywood for winter to keep element's out. 

  In all fairness most Ikarians not only have their primary jobs, they also have their gardens, vineyards, olive trees to tend to. Fall is harvest time for them.

Teddy  helping harvest 🍇 

We have hired Ari &Panagiotis, two locals to raise roof. Teddy has been told, they are best on Island, from what we have seen so far, we tend agree.

Panagiotis & Ari
Roof Maestro 

  Teddy ordered a crane to lift heavy center beam onto 2nd floor. Joist is 13cmX30cm, is carefully guided, put in place by Ari & Panagiotis. 

  If I were to be honest, I couldn't watch, or take photos, as huge, heavy, center beam was hoisted up, swinging freely too and fro, with only two guys on staging high up in air to receive it.

 After that hair raising experience. Rafters are  carved out to fit perfectly.  Carefully positioned into notched openings, allowing them to nest securely in place. 

Nesting rafters into notches

  Rafters are 3 meters long, weigh approximately 100 kilo, 220 pounds.

 One by one rafters raised up, put in place by Ari & Panagiotis, whilst standing on staging high in air. A feat not for faint-hearted.  To our amazement, trepidation, at no time, harness or any other safety equipment were worn. Icing on roof will be beautiful red Terracota tiles.

Studio apartment 
1bedroom with balcony-sleeping loft, kitchen,bathroom
Large terrace  alfresco dining
Views Island Chios & Turkey 🇹🇷 

 Teddy and I continue to be awestruck, witnessing lost arts, trades. Jaw dropping accomplishments with simple, rustic techniques, tools,ingenuity.

Rustic ladder

  While Teddy continues to manage, mason's, electricians, plumbers, roofers.

 Master Bath well under way, beginning to take its form. We hired Albanian named Christo, his specialty Morrocon style bathrooms. We are impressed with his ingenius, unique methods, we hope end results will be beautiful. 

  I will take you  from my crude sketch too his finished work, in my next blog. 

The beginning of 💡 Idea
Morrocon  bathroom

  This weeks glitch, one of many, involved an ordinary white ceiling light for master bath. 

  We have a small electric store that carries light fixtures. We stop by, only to find store owner wife who runs it wasn't there. Please check back later, husband says.  Later that afternoon we swing by only to find shop closed.  It's customary shops to close for afternoon naps 😴but never with a set schedule.

  Following day, store is open. I'm sorry, wife still not here. He offers us a manual to take home, maybe as a consellation prize.

  We find a fixture to our liking in catalog. Following day we return to order light fixture, eureka I see wife outside shop. Pull in, pull in, I excitedly say, afraid Teddy might not see her drive by.

  Upon parking, existing car she yells, don't come any closer, our son has covid I must quarantine for 5 days. Come back next week. We let out a joint Sigh 😕 drive away. 🚗 

  We look at each other to say, now famous saying.

                                  "ONLY  in IKARIA "

Chestnuts Galore 

 

   

Up Up and Away

 Happy place under 
 Beautiful Moria Tree

  We now officially have electricity, we're able too disconnect extension cord from our sweetheart of neighbors Dimitri & Kiki.  I never thought I would feel so excited to plug in our new full sized German made Liebherr refrigerator.  Geez I sound like I am  doing a commercial for them, but I am over moon when  I open its door, it's like heaven,  bright light comes on, and ohhh all that space inside. What a pleasure to reach inside grab a frosty cold drink on these hot, balmy, Mediterranean summers days &nights. 

Ice cold drinks

 Last few years we have been using a college dorm sized refrigerator, not self defrosting. If we turned temperature up, froze our eggs, turning it down left everything lukewarm. We could only freeze one thing at a time, that's only after you dug out iceberg.

Things I use to take for granted 🇺🇸 USA.

Ideal for what???

  We had looked online in Greece for light fixtures, we really didn't find any to our tastes. Visiting states, last September, we purchased lighting we loved, had them shipped over with our household items. We held our breath as we uncrated them hoping nothing was broken, we also took  a risk 🙏  that our electrician could convert them from 110 to 220. 

So grateful they all look work beautifully .

Farmhouse Dining room fixture

 I wanted to save you from writing too much, about drudgery and incessant waiting of long process of cement work. It takes 10 long days for cement ceiling in our bathroom to cure, then roughing in of electrical, plumbing . When completed, we can start long awaited finish work in master bathroom. 

Before photo's Master b/r being built

 

 What I am most excited about, besides having a toilet  with a Bidet seat installed,which my daughter Holly convinced me is a must have in our master bath. 

 We will be using a Technique in our bathroom called    (Tadelakt)  otherwise known as Moroccan plaster. It's been around for thousands of years, orginated Africa adopted method in Mediterranean, Middle east. Its a waterproof, decorative  lime plaster, mold, mildew resistant, with no grout lines involved.  Shower, countertop, sink, walls will all be constructed  from this  amazing ancient  technique.

 Looking forward to sharing outcome with you.

  

Studio Suite takes form
1st floor can see completed structure bathroom 

  I wanted to share a project my talented husband has been working on. Teddy built this artistic looking fence, that I fell in  love 🥰  with on pinterest. It adds character, interest to area we are developing  behind terrace.

Future area Ancient Clay pot & cactus 

 

 We cannot  believe how fast this summer has flown by. We hope by next May to open our doors invite family, friends to join us here in Greece  for spring, summer, fall 🇬🇷 😊 2023.

FYI Delta now offers direct flights Boston  ✈  Athens

 

Expect Unexpected

Time to stop smell flowers

Time to take a break from renovations, share lifes moments, storys, photos with you on Island of Ikaria. I hope some will make you smile, even laugh.

Gigantic Stone rightfully
named by Locals 
The Colo

We wanted to share a story that happened just last week. 

Our friend, Stone Mason, Mitsoe, asked for our help. He received a call from someone who wanted work done. Clients spoke only English, could we come along to interpret. I was very happy to oblige, it would  give me a chance to speak in my native tongue. 

Mitsoe hands his flip phone to Teddy to talk, get directions. 🙃 Service was terrible that day. My husband, thought he heard, our house is wooden brown house. Ok, Teddy says, I know right where that is, we will be there in 5 minutes. 

 Just to clarify there are no street names on our Island. Directions are given like this. Drive till you see 👀 a chicken coop on your right, take a left at olive tree then drive up hill till you pass a vineyard, look for a red car parked in driveway!  And thats folks is how GPS works on Ikaria.  

Sorry I got side tracked, back to story.

Three Wheel Truck
Great on ⛽ 

Four of us arrive at wooden brown house, myself, my husband, Mitsoe, his son Elvis. There are no doorbells on Ikaria. You make your arrival known by announcing yourself in a loud voice. Theodoros here, my husband says, they  respond, over here.

We walk around side of house to where they are relaxing on their terrace, sit down they say, can we offer refreshments, cold beer, something to eat. We politely accept drinks, small talk is made. Finally after a long silent pause, my husband finally  speaks up, so what type of stone work do you want Mitsoe to do? Quizzically, they look at each other, we have no need of stone work. Confused we look at each other, didn't you call Mitsoe to do some work? No they said.  

It became abundantly clear at that moment, we are at wrong 🏠 house. We awkwardly got up thanked them for their hospitality, left. 

  You are always offered Coffee, food whatever Ikarians have to share, even if you are at wrong house, you are always made to feel  welcome. We are still laughing about our faux pas.

Another day at office

We were driving through Platea ( Town Square)  

Noticed this sign.

NO CARS
NO MOTORCYCLES 
NO DONKEYS 
I GUESS THEY WANTED
TO BE INCLUSIVE

We hope we brought a little sunshine 🌞  to your day!

Coming Soon Renovation updates............

 

Spring has sprung

Spring has arrived Greece

Vagelies crew has finished forms for our foundation. We are excited to join old section to new.

We are ready to pour cement, Vagelies informs us in recent years new building codes have come into play, requiring structures to be inspected, before we can proceed.

Ok we say, when will that happen?

Beauracacy 

We have a problem, on Ikaria, we don't have inspector. 

 😳 Perplexed we ask, then how can we get inspected?

 Vagelies says, we wait for inspector to come from another island, maybe from Samos. If you are lucky they don't come at all, they just ask you to send photo's. We hope for latter

We have come to expect the unexpected on Ikaria.

 After weeks pass, we call to find out where we stand.

Kosta Architect says, regretfully inspectors they are on Strike. This is a frequent, challenging occurrence  in Greece.

Three weeks we are at Standstill 

While Teddy sorts out construction issues of new building.

 

I am working on interior of old section, searching diligently online for appliances, to compliment a rustic kitchen design.

 We have been told by our friend Georgia who has been great resource person,  Italy 🇮🇹 makes most stylish, functional ovens.

  After scouring internet, I whole heartily agree. I have found  Italian made stove, manufactured in Italy, by Franke. I chosen a bronze color, for its rich brown tones that will compliment, stone wall.

 Bronze Italian Oven

Oven arrives via ferry, 

transported to Frantato.

We excitedly un-crate it, cardboard  falls away,

You guessed it!  

Right model, ✅ Right brand

Wrong Color.

Same model, same style
Wrong Color

Its not that I don't like black stove, I actually  like it alot. 

My heart  been set on Bronze color. 

If you notice,  stove top, call it a Hob here in Greece. Comes separate from oven, hob has bronze knobs to match  stove that was ordered. I will have to order a new hob, with stainless steel knobs, if we choose to keep  black oven.

Looking for feedback!

                            

                                 🗳  Vote for :Bronze 

                                         Vote for: Black

Spring poppies