The Energy Of The City In The Home We Create
From Athens to New York City: how the places we live in shape our homes
Dear Reader,
There’s something truly wonderful about how every home tells a story. Each space located in the heart of its city, reflects the energy, history, and essence of that place. Homes in every corner of the world carry echoes of their surroundings, whether through architecture, materials, decoration or the feeling they evoke. This became especially vivid to me during my recent stay in New York City earlier this month.
THE NYC DREAM FLAT
We all know New York as a world-famous metropolis, iconic and ever-present in media. The house I stayed in – an incredible flat in the heart of Chinatown - with its marvellous decoration, art and iconic red brick walls, seemed to echo the city’s energy as we know it perfectly. Walking through the flat’s door each day, it felt like entering a movie set. It felt both grounding and uplifting, allowing us to feel a sense of connection not only to the space but also to the unique vibe that the city carries.
I fell in love with how harmonious the house existed within its surroundings. It was something beyond the design, it was a feeling, an unspoken dialogue between the place, the city and the people living within it. It was a seamless blend of the old and new, mirroring the city’s ability to merge vintage charm with modern energy. And it left me wondering: after experiencing such a beautifully timeless place, how would it feel to return home?
RETURNING TO ATHENS
Coming back to Athens and the ARONIA flat after my NYC experience, felt incredibly warm and familiar. I was reminded of how each home carries its own sense of place. As I walked through my door, there was a familiar energy that greeted me, and no matter how captivated I’d been by the dream flat in NYC, I felt so grateful to be back home. Just like New York’s red bricks added character and beauty, the old, laminated floors (typical of an old-style Athenian apartment), the Hermes antefix, ceramics from the Greek islands, and vintage treasures from the Monastiraki flea market tell their own stories here. Together, they reflect my personality and blend of aesthetics and taste. It’s a space that feels true to its environment and equally true to who I am.
Homes, after all, are extensions of ourselves and the places we live in. They offer a sense of grounding, a way to feel connected to the world outside our doors while offering a retreat from it. And when we find harmony between our homes and the places we live in, we experience a beautiful sense of balance, belonging, and beauty.
Love,
Andriana
