Steal This Look: Greek Bamboo Canopy

If I ever have the opportunity to stay on an island in the middle of the Aegean Sea, rest assured that I’ll want that vacation to include ample amounts of lounge time. A shady hammock on a balcony overlooking the crystalline waters? Perfect.

At the San Giorgio Mykonos, the designers have gotten the look just right. Simple and understated, there’s nothing to distract an eager lounger, but enough to keep her comfortable. Read on for how you can recreate the look.

Above: Photograph courtesy of San Giorgio Mykonos.

A whitewashed balcony shaded by a simple canopy of bamboo looks luxurious without necessarily costing a fortune. No vacation home on a Greek island? You can still recreate the island look with a few simple components.

Above: Canopies offer welcome respites from summer sun, at the risk of feeling stuffy. But a canopy made of bamboo poles? It offers shade while also allowing a cool breeze to filter through. To recreate the look, position Bamboo Poles that are 1 inch in diameter by 6 feet long across an existing or just-built frame; $39.97 for a bundle of 25 poles at The Home Depot. Alternately, consider Bamboo Reed Garden Fence, which comes pre-attached. A 6-foot by 16-foot length of fence is $23.97 at The Home Depot.

Above: To secure the bamboo to the canopy frame, it looks like the San Giorgio has used square dowels. Poplar Square Dowels that are 36 inches long by 1 inch thick are $1.77 each at Home Depot.

Above: To cozy up your outdoor nook a bit, a simple throw pillow or two will do the trick. For pillows similar to the ones shown here, I found the Napoli Vintage Belgian Linen Pillow; from $75 to $110 from ABC Carpet & Home.

Above: Maybe the most important element of all: a comfortable hammock. The Big Sur Hammock looks breathable and plenty roomy at 84 inches wide and 72 inches long; $179 from Yellow Leaf Hammocks. (For more hammock options, see 10 Easy Pieces: Nap-Worthy Hammocks.)

Above: To complement the rustic look, the San Giorgio affixed its hammock using sturdy rope. A 1-inch thick Natural Manila Rope is $80 for a 75-foot-long crown bolt at Home Depot.

Above: In the doorway to the right, a gauzy curtain blows in the sea breeze. For a similar option, try the French-Belgian White Linen Panel; it’s from $49.95 to $69.95 at CB2. 

To recreate the classically Greek whitewashed walls, see DIY: Whitewashed Greek Walls. To steal another look from the San Giorgio, see Steal This Look: San Giorgio Mykonos Hotel Bathroom on Remodelista.