In the village of Goulediana in Crete’s Rethymno region, Soulspaces Co has restored an older stone house into a contemporary getaway called Sterna Slow Living. The update keeps the building’s rough stone walls, arched openings, and timber roof structure front and center, then layers in a calm palette of white plaster, natural wood, and terracotta ceramic details.
The house sits among stone terraces, vegetation, and strong Mediterranean light. Rather than flatten the site, the design follows the natural terrain, using outdoor rooms, stone steps, and retaining walls to create a sequence of terraces for different parts of the day, from shaded morning coffee to quiet corners of the garden.
For mason contractors who work in restoration, the masonry scope is the heart of the story. The existing masonry was repaired with local stone and limestone, with the goal of keeping the wall’s natural irregularities and tactile feel. Original arches were maintained, and exposed timber roof beams were left visible so the building’s construction and age still read clearly inside.
The plan is split across two levels. The lower floor, once used for storage and animal shelters, now holds two bedrooms and a bathroom. Upstairs, the shared spaces include a kitchen, dining area, living room, plus another bedroom and bathroom. Larger openings and added skylights bring daylight onto the stone surfaces, emphasizing texture as conditions shift throughout the day.
Sterna’s approach is a useful reminder for anyone restoring stone buildings: when new work stays discreet, the original masonry can keep doing what it does best, shaping space through mass, proportion, and real material.
Read the full, original article from Archisearch here.