I’m happy to still have photos of doors and windows from Grete, as they allow me to take part in both Thursday Doors and Monday Windows; for me, these themes are closely linked. I also have some images from our trip to Norway I will be sharing. Currently, we find ourselves making frequent trips between our home and summer place due to the renovations at our summerhouse, and with all the preparations needed before construction began—especially the extensive tree removal—we now need to chop and stack what’s been cut, which is quite time-consuming as my husband is mainly doing it by himself due to my health issues. The rainy weather isn’t making this task any easier, meaning there’s little opportunity to travel in search of new doors and windows. Hence, I’ve been leaning on my archives.
Walking down a narrow, sloping residential street in Argyroupoli, that is framed by a weathered historic stone building and a newer peach-colored apartment house. I noticed the aged structure has mottled plaster, exposed masonry, wooden doors and windows, a deep stone balcony supported by carved brackets, and an arched ground-floor entrance, this I notice first, while the neighboring home has metal-railed balconies, red roof trim, awnings, satellite dishes, and multiple air-conditioning units. Bicycles, a scooter, potted plants, and a green door add signs of everyday life, contrasting with the crumbling textures and muted beige, gray, and terracotta palette. The low-angle composition emphasizes the close, layered architecture and conveys the character of an old, lived-in Grete neighborhood.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 