Villa Ostraco

The brief

I photographed Villa Ostraco in Mykonos for Von Poll Real Estate in Greece. White Cycladic forms, natural stone and timber give the residence a clear architectural identity, while the swimming pool connects a series of open terraces and sheltered outdoor rooms. The sea remains present throughout, from the broad pool views to the windows of the interiors. My aim was to show how these spaces relate to one another, presenting both the structure of the villa and the atmosphere of living outdoors in the Cyclades.

The photographic challenge

The pool terrace has several layers: sun loungers beside the water, platform daybeds on a shallow ledge, stone walls and dining areas beneath timber and reed pergolas. A photograph needs to make those relationships easy to understand while retaining the openness of the sea-facing setting.

Strong daylight creates another consideration. White plaster and bright water contrast with the shade beneath the pergolas, where stone textures, woven seating and timber furniture deserve equal attention. Inside, windows and open doors bring the bay into view. I approached these transitions with balanced light and controlled perspective, keeping the rooms readable alongside their exterior outlook.

My approach

The opening image captures the pool at sunset. Pink clouds appear in the water, a timber daybed gives the foreground a human scale, and the stone dining pergola anchors the view beyond. It introduces the materials and outdoor character of Villa Ostraco before the sequence moves into the clearer spatial information of daylight.

Wider photographs establish the white villa above its stone terraces and show the arrangement of the swimming pool. Lower views explore the reflections beneath the platform daybeds, while views along the water connect the loungers with the covered dining pavilion. The sea provides a consistent point of reference across these different perspectives.

Under the pergolas, the emphasis shifts towards texture and shelter. Reed roofs cast striped shadows across the floors and furniture. Built-in benches, woven chairs, a rope hammock and timber tables show the different ways these terraces can be used. Closer compositions allow the stonework and framed views to become part of the story, rather than background decoration.

The interiors continue this material language through exposed timber ceilings, pale plaster and grey-framed windows. The dining and living rooms explain the open arrangement, while the kitchen introduces warm timber cabinetry and dark worktops. In the bedrooms, open shutters and doors frame the bay; a bathroom detail brings attention to the black basin and timber mirror. The arched lounge and sunlit corridor add a quieter rhythm through curves, repeated windows and changing light.

The sequence returns to the pool as daylight softens. Evening reflections give way to illuminated water and warm pendant lights beneath the pergolas. The final terrace and stairway photographs show how the same architecture takes on a more intimate atmosphere after sunset.

The result

The collection brings together 28 photographs of Villa Ostraco, covering its architecture, interiors, swimming pool and open outdoor spaces. For Von Poll Real Estate in Greece, it offers a coherent visual presentation of the residence in its Mykonos setting: enough spatial clarity to understand the property, with the light, textures and atmosphere that make its character visible.