Interior Design & Renovation Support for Expats Moving to Greece
We help you plan, design, and manage your home renovation & decoration in Greece — even before you arrive.
Most homes available, especially resale properties, need serious updating.
Here’s why:
1970s–1990s tiles, tiny closed kitchens, awkward or storage non-existent storage, exposed plumbing, work done “in the black" and not registered
Old electrical layouts that don’t match how people live now + outdated electrical, or worse, exposed and dangerous wiring
Bathrooms that are… let’s say 2nd-world-country-like
A mix of random furniture “included with the sale” that doesn’t suit you at all
IF YOU ARE BUYING, THIS IS A MOMENT TO GET IT RIGHT
Kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, built-ins, how to age in a home—these are long-term decisions. Done well, your home becomes a calm, efficient base that ages gracefully with you.
IF YOU ARE RENTING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SPEND 2-3 OR 5 YEARS IN A SPACE THAT FEELS TEMPORARY
There IS a smart way to design a rental so it feels like home without overinvesting.
A typical 1970s kitchen transformed with proper planning, lighting, and layout fixes.
Who We Help
Greek Diaspora Returning Home
You want a home that feels modern without losing your heritage.
You worry about flying in and discovering the house isn’t what you expected.
You want a space where family can visit and actually feel comfortable.
You don’t want to chase workers, deliveries, or deal with “siga-siga.”
➡️ You want a home that honours your roots and supports your new life.
Expats Starting Fresh
You need the home ready before you land—no camping on the floor.
You don’t speak Greek and don’t have time to manage deliveries or customs.
You want an interior that feels grown-up, polished, and functional.
You want someone who understands international standards and local realities.
➡️ You want an expert who makes your move smooth and stress-free.
What You See Online Isn’t Always What You Get
Many homes in Greece need more work than expected — they can come with poor renovations, mismatched finishes, or incomplete details.
A smart plan saves you time, money, and arrival-day stress.
What We Offer For Residential Clients
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Full-Service for Renters (Pre-Arrival Setup)
For expats and consulate employees renting long-term in Athens and surrounding areas.
We:
Can help you find a place with our Real Estate Partners
For consulate employees and contractors, we manage installation of required safety checklist items
Review your lease terms, existing furniture, and what can stay or go
Coordinate with your landlord on what’s possible (paint, lighting, fixtures, minor upgrades)
Plan your layout so every room functions beautifully, even with your existing furnishings and accessories
Select and source needed furniture, art, lighting, rugs, and decor that feel like home
Manage deliveries, installations, and styling so you walk into a home that is fully set-up
You land, open the door, and the house is ready: beds made, sofa placed, lamps lit, art on the walls. No IKEA marathons. No “we’ll deal with it next month.” Just bring your suitcase.
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Renovation Design for Buyers
For Greek diaspora and expats purchasing a home or apartment that needs modernization.
We handle the full design concept and technical direction:
Space planning and layout improvements
Kitchen and bathroom design
Materials, finishes, and fixtures that look good now and in 20 years
Lighting design that flatters the space (and the people in it)
Built-in storage and coves that work with Greek stone buildings, not against it
We create the design roadmap, so your contractors (or ours) know exactly what to build, and you’re not making big decisions on a job site.
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![Contemporary living room professionally designed in the heart of Athens, featuring soft golds, turquoise and grey, with a fully stocked bar at the left.]()
Turnkey Interior Design & Move-In Ready Service
For buyers and long-term renters who want the “just bring your suitcase” service.
We:
Develop the overall design concept
Specify all materials, finishes, and furnishings
Oversee procurement and logistics
Coordinate with the contractor and trades
Supervise installation and style every last detail
By the time you arrive, your home is fully finished:
Art hung, curtains installed, dishes in the cupboards, towels in the bathroom, candles on the table. It feels like you’ve lived there for years—without the years of hassle. -
![Virtual Design Services]()
E-Design as a Support Option
E-design is available for clients who want to save time on design, and save money by installing it themselves. Perfect for smaller scope projects.
We create:
Concept boards
Floor Plans
3d renders so you can visualize your space
Shopping lists curated for your budget and taste
You (or your local team) handle ordering and implementation, guided by our vision.
It’s a lighter-touch option for those who prefer to manage the process themselves.
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Property Inspection + Floor Plan Drawing
The Property Design Inspection is a focused audit for expats who are about to buy or rent sight-unseen in Greece and want clarity before committing:
We will have an eagle-eye look at property conditions, electrical, plumbing, flooring, fixtures + and answer:
What needs to change immediately?
What can wait?
How much will it roughly cost to make this feel like home?
A clear-eyed unbiased view of the property’s condition, renovation / repair needs, and furnishing scope so you can make a smart decision.
This service is for clients abroad and realtors serving foreign clients.
Thoughtful design turns a property into a home.
Create a space that feels calm, functional, and truly yours.
How Full Service Design Works in 4 Easy Steps
What You Get
Depending on your project scope, a residential design package may include:
Design concept and mood boards
Space planning and furniture layouts
Kitchen and bathroom design
Materials, finishes, and fixture schedules
Lighting and electrical layouts
Furniture, art, decor, and textile selections
Procurement support and/or full purchasing
Installation oversight and styling
Turnkey move-in preparation
Every project receives a custom proposal based on your property, needs, and timelines.
For clients living abroad, we share detailed photo and video updates you can enjoy from the comfort of home, ensuring you feel fully involved and confident in every stage of the transformation
Welcome Home Walkthrough
When you arrive in Greece, we do a final walk through, in person or virtually, to ensure everything feels right and any final tweaks are made.
You didn’t move to Greece for a dark hallway, exposed plumbing and 30+ year old kitchen cabinets.
You want a home that feels like you: part Greek, part the life you’ve built abroad, elevated and effortless, not a DIY project that eats your first year in the country.
Why clients choose to work with Violeta
There are a lot of wonderful designers in Greece, there are not a lot of interior designers who are also expats.
I moved here in 2020 and have remodeled several homes, designed a dozen of short term rentals, and know exactly how Greece works. I also know how hard it can be at first, as a foreigner, to get things done here.
That’s exactly why I started Studio de la Serna-to help expats and foreigners, like me, get things done in a way we are more accustomed to, transparently and in a modern fashion.
Today, I have a team I trust, trade partners that know how I work, and know what to look for in new & old properties.
I sincerely look forward to helping you create the lifestyle and dream home you moved here for.
Here’s to your new journey,