Consult the Oracle

From high inside his new Athens lair, jeweler Nikos Koulis holds forth on mixed metals, good light, and the secrets of veal lemonato.

- STELLENE VOLANDES

When looking at the jewels Nikos Koulis designs, you often find yourself asking, "Wait, what is that?" The Greek-born jeweler is known for his way with innovative materials. Is it onyx or jet outlining that emerald? A proprietary enamel, actually. Is that diamond collar set in aluminum? That happens to be blackened gold softened with a steel brush.

A similar line of inquiry occurs to you when you walk through his newly renovated apartment in the Kolonaki neighborhood of Athens. Is that bar antique? Actually, it's custom built and designed by Koulis himself, from wood and bronze, and deep consideration. Is the carved wood door at his entrance original? No, but it was redone to perfectly match the ones in the lobby from the building's 1935 opening. While we're at it, note also that the marble in the building entrance as well as the banisters, staircases, and windows, were all revamped by Koulis. "I was so happy," he says, "that the other owners trusted me to refine the elegance of the building with grace and substance." One look at the modern elegance of Koulis's jewelry, and we all would likely have done the same.

Followers of his work have chronicled its evolution, the introduction of new materials, the increasing boldness of shape and volume. A similar shift has taken place in his surroundings. "I have designed three houses so far, Koulis says, "and each one reflected a certain period of my life. I'm the same person, but my taste has evolved and my needs have changed. Now I emphasize comfort more than ever. My previous apartment was more idiosyncratic, with bold Art Deco elements. It also mirrored my jewelry creations at that time."