Interior Design, Renovation & Property Setup FAQs for Expats in Greece
Answers for expats, diaspora families, Golden Visa buyers, executives, second-home owners, and foreign investors planning an interior design, renovation, furnishing, or rental-ready property project in Greece.
Studio de la Serna provides English-led, design-led interior services across Athens, Piraeus, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Kifisia, the Athens Riviera, and the Peloponnese, with select islands and remote projects considered by scope.
Working With Studio de la Serna
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We work with expats moving to Greece, Greek diaspora families, Golden Visa buyers, second-home owners, executives relocating to Athens, embassy staff, and foreign investors preparing homes, villas, or rental properties in Greece.Why is that, you ask?
The reality is that durable, quality sofas are mostly made to order, and mattresses are kept in warehouses outside of Athens. Estimated shipping times vary and can take up to 30 days.
We also account for unforseen circumstances likes strikes and consider official / unofficial holidays.
Our Virtual Design Packages are delivered within the timelines stated with your selected service.
After your design strategy call, we provide a detailed timeline. -
We are expats ourselves and know western standards.
Each project we create is unique. We do not have “cookie cutter” design systems in place and do not use greige you see everywhere in Greece.
We combine interior design, sourcing, renovation planning, trusted trade coordination, and English-led project communication.
The goal is simple: a property that feels finished, functional, elevated, and ready when you arrive-with the same comfort levels you are used to at home.
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We work on properties where the client values quality, clarity, and professional execution.
That may be a full villa remodel, an Athens apartment refresh, a rental setup, or a design-led renovation. The common thread is not size. It is standards.
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Start with a 30-minute Design Strategy Call.
We review your property, goals, location, timeline, and budget, then recommend the correct service level: Refresh, Redesign, Renovate, Remodel, Turnkey Setup, STR Design, or Pre-Purchase Review.
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Yes. Start with the Before You Buy: Greek Property Design Review.
We assess photos, plans, listings, layout potential, kitchen and bathroom risks, renovation priorities, furnishing needs, rental potential, and likely design scope before you commit.
Services: Refresh, Redesign, Renovate, Remodel
Renovation & Trade Services
Budgets, Fees & Payment
Timelines & Process
Remote, Expat & Arrival-Ready Services
Locations & Service Areas
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A refresh is for properties that need polish without a full renovation.
It may include paint, lighting updates, furniture edits, rugs, mirrors, art, textiles, balcony styling, and small fixture or carpentry improvements.
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A redesign improves how a space works.
We focus on layout, storage, flow, furniture placement, lighting direction, sourcing, and contractor briefing notes where needed.
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A renovation upgrades the property without fully rethinking the structure: kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, electrical, plumbing, finishes, painting, carpentry, flooring, and storage.
A remodel is deeper. It may involve layout changes, wall moves, full kitchen or bathroom reconfiguration, technical coordination, architect or civil engineer collaboration, and a more complete transformation.
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Start with a Free 30-minute Design Strategy Call.
I will send you a questionnaire and map out the perfect plan for you.For your knowledge, we will do a Refresh if the property needs visible improvement, and a Redesign if the layout, storage, or flow is the main problem.
Renovation is the answer if kitchens, bathrooms, electrical, plumbing, painting, or carpentry are involved.
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Yes. Turnkey design is full-service delivery: concept, design development, sourcing, procurement, contractor coordination, logistics, site supervision, installation, styling, punch list, and final handover.
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Turnkey may include concept development, space planning, sourcing, project management, installation, inspection, styling, art, linens, kitchen setup, accessories, and photography styling where relevant.
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Yes. Virtual Design is delivered online and may include strategy, concept, mood boards, visuals, scaled floor plans, shopping lists, and sourcing guidance. It is best for clients who want professional direction but will manage ordering and installation themselves.
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Yes, with selected packages.
Studio de la Serna charges a flat rate for procurement, we do not add a percentage on top of retail pricing like some other studios.
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Yes. For select projects, Studio de la Serna can coordinate trusted trades including carpentry, electrical, painting, and plumbing.
Scope depends on property condition, location, timeline, technical requirements, and availability.
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Usually no. Trade services are offered as part of a design-led scope, not as standalone handyman work.
This protects the final result and keeps the work aligned with the overall design direction.
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Yes. We provide kitchen and bathroom design and direction, finish selections, lighting recommendations, fixture guidance, custom storage concepts, and coordination support for relevant trades.
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Yes. We can provide renovation priorities, design direction, finish selections, contractor briefing notes, red flag review, and scope clarification.
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Yes. Many clients live abroad. We manage through structured approvals, site visits, supplier coordination, progress updates, and local oversight. Your homepage already states that clients use a portal, approve remotely, and receive clear progress reporting while the team handles site work, deliveries, and installation locally.
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Turnkey may include concept development, space planning, sourcing, project management, installation, inspection, styling, art, linens, kitchen setup, accessories, and photography styling where relevant.
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Yes. This is one of our core strengths.
We assess what should stay, what should be upgraded, and what needs to be replaced so the property becomes cohesive, current, functional, and appropriate for modern living.
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Common problems include vague contractor quotes, unclear scope, missed timelines, inconsistent finishes, poor waterproofing, weak lighting plans, limited storage, exposed wiring, and under-planned kitchens or bathrooms.
A designer-led renovation process reduces costly decisions made too late.
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Budget is shaped by three factors: property size, quality level, and speed.
We separate the investment into clear buckets such as design fees, furnishings, works/labor, delivery, installation, and contingency.
Our design fees are flat rate and not by the hour, square meter, or percentage. Full Service Design includes: design, sourcing, ordering, receiving, quality control, site visits and project management.
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Because the design budget and the project spend are different things.
Your design fee covers the professional work: planning, creative direction, drawings, sourcing, coordination, approvals, and project control.
Your project budget covers the items and works: furniture, lighting, materials, trades, delivery, installation, and styling.
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We define the scope early, track expenses, use a client portal where appropriate, and recommend a contingency buffer.
Any changes after approval are discussed before they affect cost or timeline.
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Yes. For renovation and furnishing projects, a contingency is smart, not optional.
We include a 10% - 15% contingency in case of surprises on site, supply chain issues or price changes. -
Yes, within reason. Most design contracts include one round of revisions. Additional changes may affect fees, sourcing, delivery dates, contractor scheduling, and project timeline.
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Turnkey may include concept development, space planning, sourcing, project management, installation, inspection, styling, art, linens, kitchen setup, accessories, and photography styling where relevant.
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Studio de la Serna accepts bank transfers, credit cards, and online payments. Invoices are provided for services and transactions.
VAT applies to most of our services, most trades and furnishing.
Some residents of Third Countries (not EU) and registered companies can qualify for VAT return or exemptions. Feel free to bring this up during our initial call.
Airbnb, Villa & Investment Property Design
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A room refresh may take 4–6 weeks.
A turnkey 2- or 3-bedroom Airbnb without major renovation may take 6–8 weeks.
Full-home renovations and remodels vary based on technical work, scope, permits, sourcing, and trade availability. Usually, anywhere from 3-6 months.
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Quality sofas, mattresses, lighting, and custom items may involve production or warehouse lead times.
Greece also has seasonal slowdowns, public holidays, unofficial closures, strikes, and supplier delays.
For example, many supplier factories in Greece accept their last order at the end of June, make their last delivery at the end of July, and close for all of August. Work resumes in September.
The solution is planning.
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The process is structured:
Strategy Call → Property review → Scope and priorities
Design direction → Sourcing and approvals → Trade coordination or procurement
Installation and styling
Handover
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No. Send what you have: photos, videos, listing links, floor plans, measurements, contractor quotes, inspiration images, or inspection notes.
We can advise from there.
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Yes. After the strategy phase, we define a realistic timeline based on scope, procurement, renovation work, delivery windows, and installation needs.
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Yes. Studio de la Serna is built for remote clients.
We work through photos, videos, plans, calls, client portals, sourcing boards, structured updates, and local site coordination.
You get your very own client portal to see designs, make approvals, and communicate about the project-all of it is accessible by your smartphone, too.
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Yes. We can furnish, style, coordinate deliveries, arrange installations, and prepare the home so it is functional, comfortable, and visually complete before arrival.
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Yes. We edit existing furnishings, keep what has value, remove what weakens the space, and add what the property needs to feel coherent, current, and properly finished.
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Yes. Studio de la Serna can help update rental units or homes to address required safety, electrical, alarm, utilities, security, and health standards, while also helping with setup, existing furnishings, flow, and mood.
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Yes. We can support furniture placement, lighting, textiles, storage, art, styling, and practical setup for executives, diplomats, and expats moving into rentals in Athens or surrounding areas.
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Yes. We design STRs, villas, guest suites, boutique rentals, and hospitality-led interiors for stronger photography, better guest experience, durability, reviews, and rental performance.
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Good rental design improves first impressions, photography, guest comfort, perceived value, reviews, and repeatability. In a saturated market, the interior is part of the revenue strategy.
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Depending on scope, we may include guest profile, concept story, layout improvement, durable furniture sourcing, lighting, sensory details, styling for photography, guest-readiness recommendations, and on-site or remote support.
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Yes. We can source beds, sofas, dining pieces, lighting, rugs, linens, kitchen essentials, terrace furniture, artwork, accessories, and styling details so the property is guest-ready.
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Yes. Rental interiors need to be beautiful, but they also need to survive guests, luggage, humidity, cleaning cycles, sunlight, and operational wear.
Pretty but fragile or cheap is not a business plan.
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Yes, for selected projects.
Styling for photography starts at €500 plus VAT for a half day.
Yes, it’s more than what some stylists in Greece charge. Why? We provide narrative styling. This includes on-brand scene planning, it’s own mood board and meetings with the photographer.
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Yes. We work with an interior, yacht and hotel photographer specialist.
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Studio de la Serna works across Athens, Piraeus, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, the Athens Riviera, and the Peloponnese.
Select islands and remote projects may be considered depending on scope.
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Yes. We work with clients buying, renting, furnishing, refreshing, renovating, or remodeling apartments and homes across Athens.
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Yes. We work in Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and surrounding Riviera locations.
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Yes. Kifisia is a strong fit for residential refreshes, redesigns, renovations, family homes, executive relocations, and second-home projects.
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Yes. The Peloponnese is a core service area for second homes, villas, family properties, renovation planning, and investment properties.
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Selected island projects may be considered depending on scope, logistics, timeline, budget, and installation requirements.
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Yes, where the scope supports travel.
Choosing the Right Service
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Book the Pre-Purchase Design Review. It helps you understand renovation risk, furnishing needs, layout potential, hidden costs, and design opportunity before purchase.
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If you need answers, book a Design Clarity Session.
If the property needs works, book a Renovation Readiness Audit or Free Design Strategy Call for a quick consultation.
If you want execution, move into Refresh, Redesign, Renovate, Remodel, Turnkey Setup, or STR Design. -
Book a Design Clarity Session. It is best for layout questions, color direction, material choices, sourcing in Greece, renovation priorities, contractor concerns, and early-stage decisions.
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Book a Design Strategy Call and ask about Turnkey Design, Renovate, Remodel, or Turnkey Property Setup.
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That is exactly what the Design Strategy Call is for.
We review the property and recommend the correct level of support before you overspend, under-plan, or hire the wrong team.
Not a lot of checklists exist before you hire a designer 6,000 miles from home. Here is the one I wish every client had before they called the first name on your search result.