Summer Seclusion: Inside Swarovski Heiress Marina Raphael’s Family Home in Greece 

The handbag designer channels the spirit of childhood summers into her charming coastal estate

Over the last four years, Marina Raphael’s collections – which summon architectural codes and champion sustainable material choices – have become a favourite among celebrities and jet setters alike.

 “I always had an innate desire to express myself creatively,” says Marina, who launched her eponymous brand in 2018. “Perhaps this is due to my dual background; my mother’s side is Swiss-Austrian while my father’s is Greek. Growing up in Greece and being a member of the Swarovski family definitely instilled valuable lessons in me that have contributed to my entrepreneurial endeavours.”

The 23-year-old Swarovski heiress and handbag designer’s childhood summers were spent in Porto Heli, a historic community surrounded by UNESCO-protected ruins, prized for its supreme privacy and wild, sprawling landscape. Her family’s summer home, a sweeping eight-bedroom estate, is set into the hillside on the south-eastern side of the Argolis Peninsula, gazing down upon the Aegean coastline.

“I still remember the day when we first moved in,” she reminisces. “I was fascinated by the open space, striking scenery and crystal clear waters of the Aegean unfolding just below our address. Those days were spent swimming, exploring the garden and taking boat rides to the island of Spetses with my family. Each day ended with a breath-taking sunset.”

Constructed so that each window might take in a sea view, the Raphael family home honours the local landscape through its exterior palette of beige and terracotta. Inside, a shared appreciation for the natural environment guides material choices. Upon entry, guests are greeted by a bronze olive tree by acclaimed Greek sculptor, Aggelos Panayiotides.

“My mother and I chose warm, neutral hues in a spectrum of textures to invest the home with a sense of serenity,” says Marina. “We wanted to infuse it with the beauty of the surrounding landscape, which we did by maintaining the open-plan configuration and by adding generously proportioned windows.”

Earthy tones and the glow of the outdoor light extend a sense of space inside while interjections of colour add vibrancy to the interior environment. In the living room, cushion cases are adorned with hand-embroidered coral forms in bold crimson, a contrast to the subtle furnishings that echo the local design vernacular. Clay-bottomed lamps and slices of rattan and raffia form and thread between the rooms.

Much like Marina’s brand, there is a seamless fusion of heritage and modernity in her home. The cultivation of a timeless aesthetic was top priority and accordingly, Marina placed a firm focus on craftsmanship and investment pieces designed to last. Tables have been sustainably refashioned from traditional wooden doors, drawing Porto Heli’s past into its present.

As the family travels, they each collect items that contribute to the ever-evolving space. During a vacation in Sardinia, Marina picked up a collection of kaleidoscopic bar glasses from the Esmeralda Concept Store while her favourite mirrors, framed by a cluster of seashells, were sourced from the quirky, local Las Palmas boutique. Sculptural works by Petros Vlitidis, a Greek artist and jeweller, are treasured by the family.

The natural world offers an abundance of inspiration to the designer, so plant life is never far from sight: “Orchids and roses are dotted around our home,” smiles Marina. “Nature’s codes have influenced my designs not only aesthetically – in prints and patterns – but also in approach; I utilise sustainable methods and materials wherever possible.”

Bedrooms are architecturally distinguished by angular walls, and there is a perfect balance between privacy and a sense of connection to the rest of the home. A private bathroom extends from each bedroom, where veined marble runs throughout to maintain continuity between living spaces. Some bedrooms are below ground level, yet the exterior terrain has been sculpted to facilitate access to views of the grounds and sea.

Under the shade of thick wooden beams, the open-walled dining area was designed with Greek hospitality in mind. Here, the Raphael family and their friends gather for long lunches in the midst of the fragrant garden. Marina, an appreciator of art de la table, takes time to craft centrepieces and floral arrangements before welcoming her guests. For her, each meal should feel like an occasion: “I just love to entertain friends and family by hosting intimate summertime dinners.”

Marina introduced a cosy couch and sunbed to the dining space so that guests might relax and recline long after lunch is over. Beyond, a 25-metre swimming pool stretches across the lawn. Adjacent to the sea, the alignment of the pool has been calculated to optimise the environment. Built into the low-stone wall, the sunbed has been positioned to ensure that it enjoys the very last rays of daylight. It is a space that forms a sanctuary for the designer.

“Porto Heli is where I come to unwind, I take long walks with my dogs by the beach, appreciating the environment around me. Breakfasts are enjoyed in the garden, with my laptop by my side. I start the day by attending to emails and pressing tasks. My favourite part of my morning is just before lunchtime, when I go for a long swim in the crystal-blue Aegean Sea and snorkel around the coastline.”

Nestled into the unspoiled hillside, the garden has been landscaped with the utmost regard for the surrounding terrain. The vegetable garden beholds a field of olive trees while an antique wooden carriage, discovered in the nearby town, has been transformed into a planter that spills over with herbs.

The all-in-one sports court is where the Raphaels practice football, basketball or tennis. Head down the hill and you will alight at a private sandy cove and dock – the hidden jewel of the family’s Porto Heli address. “The natural setting is the real focal point,” says Marina. “It was important that we maintained the topography that existed before we arrived here. Our garden is home to olive trees, lemon trees, jasmine, bougainvillea, oregano, basil, and lavender. It is here that I sketch new designs for my collections.”

This home is Marina’s unwavering oasis; a space to submerge the senses into the serenity of nature which, as the designer affirms, “continues to be one of my greatest sources of influence”.

Photography by PANOS DAVIOS

From Harpers Bazaar Arabia Interiors, Summer issue 2022