Design

The ambiance of the Oyster can be attributed to the audacious creative flair of The Oyster Residences owner Günsenin Günel.

A well-respectedinterior designer in Turkey and graduate in interior decoration at the Chelsea School of Art, Günsenin has put her heart and soul into the residence. From the unique art pieces in each room to the quirky, whimsical details throughout Günsenin has created a unique home away from home.

 

Architecture

In 19th century, early steamships and fast merchant sailboats shipped the rich goods of the Anatolian Plateau and the middle-east to Europe, bringing wealth to the harbour towns of the Aegean and the local merchants who lived there.

They built modest but robust houses for their families. Surrounded by solidstone walls, these cool wooden floored houses with shutters and olive tree shaded gardens were like protective oyster shells for the big families providing them with security and privacy.

These buildings, once widespreadin Fethiye, were the inspiration behind the two main buildings at the residence.

Although built under a decade ago, these buildings emanatethe feel of an old Mediterranean manor. White washed exteriors are accentuated by locally sourced and carved volcanic stones from Cappadocia. Symmetrical façades with identicalentrances and grandstaircases lead to the first and second floor rooms.

The window shutters torooms are made from recycled timber from the Black Sea region of Turkey, which fold back to reveal a French balcony, framed by unique handcrafted decorative wrought-iron balustrades.

Designed and built to have a minimal impact on the natural environment, these buildings are now comfortably establishedamong ancient olive trees and matured garden surrounds.