Villa Velvet

The brief

I photographed Villa Velvet in Mykonos for Von Poll Real Estate in Greece. Set on a hillside in the Cyclades, the residence opens towards the sea through broad terraces, a swimming pool and sheltered outdoor spaces. White architectural forms sit alongside natural stone and timber, while blue and turquoise accents connect the interiors with the water beyond. My aim was to bring these elements into a coherent photographic story, showing the relationship between the rooms, the terraces and the landscape, with particular attention to the sunset views.

The photographic challenge

The hillside setting gives Villa Velvet its sense of openness, but the photographs also need to explain the property itself. The pool follows the villa facade, stone walls define different levels, and covered areas create quieter spaces within the larger terrace. I wanted each view to clarify these relationships without losing the breadth of the sea outlook.

Light changes considerably between the bright exterior and the sheltered lounges. White plaster, reflective water and pale upholstery sit beside textured stone and the shade of pergolas. Inside, open doors and windows connect the rooms to the terraces. Balancing these contrasts while maintaining natural colour and controlled perspective was central to the presentation.

My approach

The opening photograph brings together the pool, outdoor seating and sunset. Warm colour spreads across the sky and the water, while the white villa provides a clear architectural edge. It introduces the atmosphere of the hillside setting before the sequence moves into daylight views that establish the layout.

Wider compositions show the pool alongside the white facade, with loungers, parasols and planted stone terraces giving scale to the outdoor spaces. Views towards the sea make the openness of the setting visible; elevated perspectives explain the shape of the pool and its relationship to the surrounding terraces.

The covered dining area and lounge offer a different rhythm. A timber screen filters the view beside the dining table, while the stone pavilion combines built-in seating, colourful cushions and fringed woven pendant lights. The sheltered hot tub adds another part of the outdoor arrangement. In the courtyard, sculptural figures and a low timber table sit beneath bougainvillea reaching through openings in the roof.

Inside, the photographs follow the broad white arch between the living and dining rooms. Pale furniture, blue artwork and crystal chandeliers bring character to the open spaces, while the timber breakfast table and kitchen bar introduce warmth. Bedroom views retain the connection to the terraces through open glass doors. The ensuite photographs show the timber-framed mirror partition and double basins, and a skylit shower room adds a quieter study of light and materials.

The final images return outdoors as the light softens. Sunset reflections give way to warm architectural lighting, blue pool water and candlelit dining. This progression shows how the same spaces change across the day, from open and sunlit to sheltered and atmospheric.

The result

The 28-photograph collection presents Villa Velvet through its architecture, interiors and outdoor living spaces, from daylight to sunset and blue hour. For Von Poll Real Estate in Greece, it provides a clear visual account of the residence in its Mykonos setting, bringing spatial understanding together with the materials, light and atmosphere that define its character.