How a family of seven lived simply in a tiny stone home by the sea in Greece

On the quiet Greek island of Serifos, a modest stone home by the sea stands as a symbol of family, childhood memories, and lasting love.

Located in the old mining village of Megalo Livadi, the two-room house once belonged to Giannis, a retired naval engineer, who grew up there with his four siblings.

Though small, the home by the sea was full of joy. One room was for their parents, while the other served as a kitchen, living area, and sleeping space for all five children.

Giannis recalls laughter in the village, games with neighborhood kids, and the warmth of returning home by the sea each night.

Now in his seventies, Giannis has restored the tiny stone home with his wife, Popi.

Painted bright white like the nearby church, the house still overlooks the calm bay once busy with ore ships.

The renovation is more than a project for the couple — it’s a heartfelt return to a simple life built on strong family bonds.

An island of rugged beauty and quietude: A home by the sea

The Greek Isles is an enchanting collection of over 6,000 islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, each with distinct allure.

However, the draw of Serifos for some lies not in the typical image of sun-drenched beaches but in its raw, untamed beauty and a sense of profound seclusion.

As the narrative unfolds, Serifos, a modest island spanning 29 square miles, offers a sanctuary far removed from the bustling tourist hubs.

Remarkably, the island had no hotels just three decades prior, underscoring its remote and untouched character.

While 36 villages now dot its landscape, the population remains small, a close-knit community of approximately 1,200 residents, many of whom carry the wisdom of their long years.

This tranquil atmosphere and the strong sense of community are key elements that define life on this unique Greek island.

A traditional home through generations of island life

The home by the sea holds a deep and personal history for Giannis, a tangible link to his family’s enduring presence on Serifos.

This home has been passed down through the generations, a silent witness to the island’s ebb and flow of family life.

Born within these very walls, Giannis experienced a childhood shaped by Serifos’s traditions and close-knit community.

He recalls when large families often shared small living spaces, a common practice in older, traditional island homes.

“You see the very old uh people, they like only one room, one family.”

The heart of this cherished home by the sea is undoubtedly the kitchen, where the aromas of home-cooked meals mingled with the warmth of familial bonds.

Even the fixtures within this space carry the weight of history.

An old marble sink, a beautiful and functional piece passed down from Giannis’s grandfather, is a testament to the home’s enduring legacy.

While thoughtful, modern updates have been integrated into the surrounding area, the sink remains a tangible connection to the past.

“This is old, this is from grandfather. I put here I changed something because I need to make more modern.”

Two rooms, a home by the sea of shared memories

The layout of the traditional home is characterized by its simplicity and functionality, a reflection of the practicalities of island living.

It comprises two main rooms, each holding a wealth of shared memories.

The tiny stone home had only two rooms—one for the parents and another shared by the children.

Giannis said this simple layout was typical on the island in the past when families often lived in small spaces and made do with what they had.

The second room served as the central hub for the five children, transforming throughout the day from a sleeping area to a living and playing space.

The bathroom, while now equipped with modern plumbing, was a later addition, a testament to the evolving needs of the home by the sea.

Giannis updated the tiny stone home by building a bathroom, which wasn’t part of the original design.

He took on the tough job of installing the plumbing using his engineering background.

The project was challenging but necessary, allowing him to modernize the space while preserving its original character.

His engineering expertise proved invaluable in modernizing the stone home while carefully preserving its original character.

Even the construction of the home’s walls speaks to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of traditional island-building methods.

Giannis describes how his grandfather utilized local materials to create sturdy and enduring structures.

Giannis explained that the home’s walls by the sea were made from a mix of simple, locally available materials.

Some parts used stone and earth, while others combined stone, sand, and cement.

This method reflected how islanders once built homes using whatever they had on hand, blending tradition with practicality.

The beds within their childhood home were small and functional, designed to accommodate a large family in a limited space.

“You have the beds, but uh a small beds,” Giani said, explaining that two kids need to share a small bed.

Notably, the house features unique built-in beds with rounded corners and ventilation holes, showcasing a thoughtful and space-saving design.

These ingenious pieces of furniture also served as seating during the day, highlighting the adaptability of the traditional design within the home by the sea.

A peaceful life at home by the sea

Life by the sea on Serifos offers a peaceful escape for those who call it home.

The home stands in harmony with nature, surrounded by rugged hills and views of the Aegean.

Giannis summed it up, saying the area brings a sense of calm, with the soothing sound of waves, time for fishing, and space to breathe.

History, nature, and tradition come together in this corner of Greece. Gianni and his family’s is more than just a place to live—it reminds us of Serifos’s rich past and the enduring beauty of a life shaped by the land and the water.

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