A home by the sea!
Roussa homes are the fruit of the Cretan landscape: they reflect the majestic coastline and are nourished by the rich surrounding soils.
Enchanted by the seashore and its hues, five functional and sophisticated houses allow for a unique and comfortable retreat. They have been conceived as both your first stop in Crete, and a proper anchorage to return to while exploring the plentiful sights of the island.
Inspired by the wholesome products of the island’s fertile earth, Roussa developed gastronomic experiences for a deeper dive in the local culture. Dishes, conversations and tasty paths, have been curated towards an exploration of Cretan food through cookbooks and artisan workshops.
Our team
Lida Papamatthaiaki | hostess, cookery curator
As a trained chef and an anthropologist focussing on food and the senses, Lida curates the custom experiences offered at Roussa homes. Inspired by the intersection of food heritage, culture and history in Crete, she has tailored cookery workshops, visits to local artisans and producers, tastings, and tours around the island’s seasonal festivals.
Lida has a diverse professional experience in the food and the arts. She has worked in professional kitchens in Greece and London, consulted artisan food companies, joined food conferences and culinary seminars and organised cooking classes, wine tastings and pop-up dinner experiences. She has worked for Oliveology at Borough Market, where she documented trends around greek products, developed recipes and delivered workshops. As an anthropologist passionate about tangible and intangible heritage, Lida has participated in an oral history research project documenting food practices in Northern Greece and worked for museums in Greece, developing food-related creative learning programs.
Reach her at: lida@roussahomes.gr
Eva Kokkinidou | hostess, designer
Eva crafted the context and envelopes for Roussa homes using and highlighting what the landscape provided, from the warmth of the bright sunlight to the deep red colors of the fertile land. What’s more, having experience in teaching the architectural and achaeological past in Crete, she joins Lida in curating the tasty heritage routes.
With more than thirty years of experience practicing architecture and design, Eva has designed and implemented numerous awarded projects related to new buildings, either public or private, landscaping, interventions and additions in traditional buildings, bioclimatic designs, and interiors. In addition, she has taught design and architectural history at the Technological Institute of Crete and the Greek School of Tourist Guides. Eva enjoys bringing together her personal ideas with references to the landscape and its history, combining the two through forms, materials, colors and textures. Her love and interest in the visual and applied arts motivates her to research and discover how they were practiced through the traditions of the place and how they continue to live through the creations of modern workshops and artisans.
Reach her at: eva@roussahomes.gr