First, let’s start with the basics… what exactly is this “contemporary” style and why, on earth, do we need to achieve it? How can I explain it better to you… contemporary is a term you would find in architecture and design magazines and refers to anything modern and minimal. I’m starting the blog with this exact topic because it is by far the most beloved style in Greece. Mainly, it is the style that is represented by imported Italian furniture (although in recent years, other countries have entered the game, but we’ll get to that later), and for some reason, it suits Greek people. It makes sense… because it has simple, modern lines that give a sense of simplicity (the opposite of the loaded feeling created by more classic lines), it doesn’t require a lot of effort compared to other, more complicated decorative styles, and it makes the home look modern and fresh. In my mind, it’s an easy, safe solution.

So, we conclude that contemporary = modern… Hmmm… not exactly, but please don’t hate me. To educate you, and I’ll stop here because you don’t want a sudden history lesson on decoration, these two styles share common elements in minimalist lines and the colors they use (mainly white, black, and beige), but the main difference is that modern refers to the style between 1900 and 1950, while contemporary refers to the most recent and trendy styles. Now that we know what’s what, let’s look at how we can create this style for our place.

The contemporary style is characterized by minimalism and simplicity, defined by open-plan spaces, plenty of natural light where possible, simple clean lines, and not many frills. Great… but now what? Do we just paint everything beige and call it contemporary?

No… we can make it a bit more interesting than that. It would be good to set some minimalist foundations in the space by using natural materials, like wood, stone, bamboo, metals, etc., for flooring, walls, and even small furniture details to integrate them into the space.
As for fabrics for furniture that would complement this look, nice options are leather or linen and cotton fabrics.

For colors, we generally choose neutral tones like beige, cream, white, black, and gray, and we can either complement them with smaller touches of pastel colors or opt for bold colors but in smaller details like a vase, a lamp, or sofa cushions. Here, I would suggest choosing colors we love because it’s our space, and it should make us happy, but at the same time, we shouldn’t overdo it with too many different colors.

The minimalism we aim for requires balance, and if we love color but don’t know what to choose first, an intelligent solution would be to add various colors through a central artwork. Why not?

Now, let’s look at some stores that cater to this style, at a price though, but the truth is that some design pieces come with their corresponding price.

• Boffi e DePadova Studio | Aper: Kifisias Avenue 204, Chalandri. Designer furniture from major Italian brands like Boffi Studio, è DePadova, French brands like Ligne Roset, and more. For example, they also import furniture from the German designer Rolf Benz, the English Paul Smith, and many others. They offer holistic solutions for the home, including kitchen and bathroom ideas, but what impresses me most is their customer service having employees who are impressively knowledgeable about furniture and minimalist design. They can offer fantastic customized design suggestions and will be focused on you since they mainly work by appointment. Of course, the brands they represent are not cheap, so you won’t find low-budget furniture here, but as the very friendly staff will inform you, these are not only stylish pieces but also high-quality furniture that promise to last a lifetime. For example, their sofas start at 8,000 euros and go up to 15,000 euros on average, with some discounts offered to their customers. Quite pricey, but compared to similar stores, their prices are comparable, and they are certainly superior in quality. For anyone who can afford it, this store will surely impress you with its collections and provide excellent service from the incredibly well-informed staff. After all, what design geek wouldn’t want to own a Togo sofa from Ligne Roset…

Togo sofa, Ligne Roset, Boffi e DePadova Studio | Aper

• B&B Italia Maxalto Deloudis: Kifisias Avenue 358, Chalandri. Another wonderful store with furniture that every design geek would love. They collaborate with Flos for lighting, they represent Italian contemporary design by B&B, and this year, they bring some color to our lives, with the beautiful living room set with an accent coffee table in a striking royal blue color for outdoor use, which is also available in two other colors, burgundy and beige. Maxalto furniture following more classic lines, using earthy shades and marble. The Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini is a classic piece I dream of having in my living room one day. First created in 1970, it’s still considered contemporary, a modular furniture that can change shape and size and fit anywhere. Just iconic…

Camaleonda sofa, B&B Italia Maxalto Δελουδης

• Interni Store: Kifisias Avenue 188, Chalandri. Contemporary but also classic style. Maybe a little less contemporary for my taste. They import Italian brands like Minotti, Baxter, etc., as well as some Belgian brands. The prices are quite high, and I felt the store less inviting when I visited it since the staff was quite distant. Still, it’s definitely one of those high-end stores representing contemporary design with furniture from famous designers. Some of their standout products, for those who can afford these prices, include the Koba Low side table by Zanat, starting at 2,633 euros, and the Vincent Oval dining table by Gommaire, at 8,920 euros. These prices are during non-discount periods, so it might be worth waiting for some offers to get the pieces you dream of!

Koba Low side table, Interni store

• Casa di Patsi: Kifisias Avenue 188, Kifisia. A store with a history of bringing in pieces from excellent designers, including Cattelan Italia, Porada, Moroso, lighting from Foscarini and Tom Dixon, and, of course, their own Casa di Patsi furniture. Whether it’s the Moroso Pebble Rubble sofa or the Casa di Patsi Cloud sofa with beautiful curves that are becoming trendy, or minimalist lines like the Ody from Casa di Patsi and Abacus from Porada, it’s always about impeccable style and quality. I personally loved the sofa and matching armchair, Redondo by Moroso. I adore its quilted fabric, and the Olo coffee table set by Mogg, made from cement with a wax finish in various sizes, looking like a sculptural piece.

Redondo sofa and armchair, Moroso, Casa di Patsi

• Komfy by Sofa Company: Kifisias Avenue 282, Chalandri. More affordable options here. A Greek company with a factory in Amaliada that makes its own sofas, beds, and dining tables along with complementary furniture. Simple lines that would also be ideal for a vacation home or  a house at a Greek island. I particularly liked a bed with an extended headboard, which is the latest trend. In a size of 170 x 215 cm, it ranges from 1,229 euros with velvet fabric to 1,264 euros with boucle fabric, both of which are my favorite choices for this particular bed. However, if you happen to visit during discount periods or special offers, the company usually gives an additional 20-25% off. So, perfect for those who don’t want to leave their kidney at checkout!

Lady κρεβατοκαμαρα, Komfy by sofa company

• Kave Home: Alimos Avenue 14, Alimos. Their furniture follow the contemporary style but they are also quite minimalistic. Personally, I love their sofas with curved shape, retro-style bookshelves, and TV consoles, as well as amazing decor pieces, which I’ll revisit in a future article because they definitely deserve special mention! Beige tones and wood dominate, creating a zen-like atmosphere. You don’t need to go crazy and looking for something extravagant… this is what you need in your cozy little nest!

Licia έπιπλο τηλεόρασης, Kave home

And now that I’ve talked you through this style a bit and mentioned some of my favorite stores for furniture I love, I’ll leave you with my quote so to close the article offering some wisdom… you don’t need to try to achieve or copy any particular style, but just follow what your aesthetics tell you and, most importantly, what makes you happy. And a little mix and match never hurt anyone, if you ask me….

Until next time!!!

Design Geek in Athens

Note: The prices are indicative as of my visits and may change. Also, the brands mentioned are often available in multiple stores, so you can find them elsewhere as well.