--- title: "Pastoral allure at Villa Thola: Interview with Christos Kavathas" description: Perched in the heights of Sifnos, Christos Kavathas and Markella Karella’s Villa Thola bridges luxury and country charm overlooking the Aegean Sea. image: https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-owner-min.jpg --- [![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/logotype_stories-01.svg "Le Collectionist")](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/) [![Discover our holiday homes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5524673/c201153e-599f-45ae-afb2-42030f16b9c2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5524673/c201153e-599f-45ae-afb2-42030f16b9c2) [![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/logotype_stories-01.svg "Le Collectionist")](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/) ![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lecollectionist_Blog_July2020/images/search.svg) - [Destinations](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/destinations) - [Homes](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/where-to-stay) - [Holiday Inspiration](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/inspiration) - [Concierge Services](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/luxury-concierge-services) - [Destination Guides](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/guides) - [Catalogues](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/our-catalogues) - [About Le Collectionist](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-added-value) - [Beautiful Destinations](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/destinations) - [Holiday Intel](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/inspiration) - [Exploring Our Homes](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/where-to-stay) - [Our City Guides](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/guides) - [Our Catalogues](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/our-catalogues) - [About Le Collectionist](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-added-value) - [Contact Us](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/lp/contact-us) - [| FR](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/fr) [![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lecollectionist_Blog_July2020/images/language.svg) | FR](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/?hsLang=fr) ![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lecollectionist_Blog_July2020/images/search.svg) [![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lecollectionist_Blog_July2020/images/mail-v2.svg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/contact-us) 31 July 23 [Owner Interviews](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/owner-interviews), [Inspiration](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/inspiration), [Where to stay](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/where-to-stay) # Pastoral allure at Villa Thola: Interview with Christos Kavathas Perched in the heights of Sifnos, Christos Kavathas and Markella Karella’s Villa Thola bridges luxury and country charm overlooking the Aegean Sea. ![Pastoral allure at Villa Thola: Interview with Christos Kavathas](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-owner-min.jpg) The [Cyclades](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/cyclades) are known for their **pristine sand**, the **turquoise blue of the Aegean Sea**, and their **whitewashed villages** dotted with blue shutters and fuschia flowers. Beyond the quaint cobbled towns, **mountains** stand tall between the **rolling Mediterranean hills**, providing stunning lookouts over the islands. This was the perfect setting for **Christos Kavathas** and **Markella Karella** to plant their roots. From above the **bay of Vathy**, they built the stunning [Villa Thola](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/villa-thola-sifnos), bringing together **comfortable luxury** and the **charming rural air** that makes the island of [Sifnos](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/sifnos) feel so unspoilt. [![villa-thola-full-house-min](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/villa-thola-full-house-min.jpg?width=1666&height=1112&name=villa-thola-full-house-min.jpg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/villa-thola-sifnos) Come along as Christos walks us through this marvellous home, revealing the secrets that make **Villa Thola** and the **island of Sifnos** so unique. And, for all our **very best tips and addresses** across the Cyclades, don't miss our exclusive [Le Collectionist guide to Mykonos](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/eng/mykonos-guide-from-the-collectionist) or our [exclusive guide to Paros](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/le-collectionist-paros-guide). After 20 years living and working in the United States, Christos wanted to return and **plant his roots** in [Greece](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/greece). He had **visited several islands in the Cyclades**, and found **Sifnos** to be the most fitting for his needs. Having spent years **visiting the island with friends** on and off, he was especially drawn to the **wealth of experiences** it offered in a **small and intimate setting**.  [![villa-thola-outdoor-dining-min](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/villa-thola-outdoor-dining-min.jpg?width=1666&height=1112&name=villa-thola-outdoor-dining-min.jpg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/villa-thola-sifnos) ![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-interior-painting-min.jpg) ![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-owner-in-living-min.jpg)   [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5524673/8e882e15-33cb-4c98-9e61-134d1e2a6151.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5524673/8e882e15-33cb-4c98-9e61-134d1e2a6151)   Unlike other Cycladic islands, Christos found Sifnos **compact**, with each village only a short distance from the next. Boasting **over 5,000 years of history**, you can often stumble upon **ancient gems** between the **picturesque towns**, like **ruins from Antiquity** which formerly served as guard posts, or a wealth of **churches and monasteries**. Sifnos is also known for its **culinary exploits**, home to the **most celebrated Greek chef**, **Nikos Tselementes**. All across the island, **gourmet restaurants** lure celebrities to its shores, the likes of which include Tom Hanks and Barack Obama! With all of these attractions to draw you in, Sifnos proved to be the **perfect place to call home**.When Christos came across a **plot of land atop the mountains**, overlooking the **village of Vathy** and the **Aegean Sea**, his vision of **Villa Thola** crystalised. Inspired by the **traditional shepherds’ houses** that characterise the area, he teamed up with architect **Alexander Pavledis**, the son of a friend, to bring his ideas to life. ![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-exterior-design-min.jpg) ![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-outdoor-pool-shower-min.jpg)   [![villa-thola-pool-1-min](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/villa-thola-pool-1-min.jpg?width=1666&height=1112&name=villa-thola-pool-1-min.jpg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/villa-thola-sifnos) As this was Pavledis’s first project, the young architect was happy to **work in close collaboration** with Christos, who had very **specific ideas** of how he wanted his home — down to the height of each step! In keeping with **pastoral traditions**, **Villa Thola** is made up of **several rectangular structures**, built from **stones from Sifnos, Crete, and Festos**, all interconnected with a **central courtyard**. The courtyard features a lush **Mediterranean garden**, planted with over 150 **olive, almond, and fig trees**. Christos designed the interior **in line with traditional styles**. For instance, the typical limewash paint known as **asvestis** was used throughout the home, creating an airy and breathable atmosphere, bed frames were built into the rooms in keeping with **Cycladic architecture**, and the **stone floors** were designed to look like marble as an **ode to classical Greece**. ![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-greece-book-design-min.jpg) ![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-interior-chair-min.jpg)   [**![villa-thola-exterior-sunlight-min](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/villa-thola-exterior-sunlight-min.jpg?width=1666&height=1112&name=villa-thola-exterior-sunlight-min.jpg)**](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/villa-thola-sifnos)   **Villa Thola**’s decor was kept **clean and simple**, owing to Christos and Markella’s taste. Bedrooms are **minimalist yet comfortable**, the kitchen was **custom-built by a renowned carpenter**, and the fine Italian couch the couple moved from their other home. A unique part of the decor is the artwork, featuring **roughly 20 pieces created by Christos’s sister**. They range between styles, having been painted throughout her life. Christos’s favourites are the **nature paintings** with floral notes, but also the forestscapes. While the house is **still very new** and the couple haven’t had much time to stay there yet, they nevertheless cherish **special memories** from their time there. One of these is visiting a secluded cove where you can **pick salt crystals right off the rocks**! But the couple is most excited about the **memories that they have yet to make**. Hosting parties for their **family**, getting to taste their first batch of **home-grown olive oil**… The best is surely yet to come at **Villa Thola**! And who knows, maybe your best memories will be made there too. ![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-design-coffee-min.jpg) ![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-thola-poolside-min.jpg)   When creating this home, it was important to the owners that guests feel **settled and comfortable** here, like once you drop your suitcases at **Villa Thola**, you don’t want to leave. This is partially achieved through the **calm and serene atmosphere**, but also the property’s **self-sufficiency**. For instance, Christos and Markella planted the **olive trees** in hopes of one day starting their own **olive oil production**. They also intend to build a **chicken coop** and grow a **vegetable garden**, further reinforcing the pastoral setting in which **Villa Thola** is planted. The locals who live and farm nearby also contribute to this **convivial rural atmosphere**, sharing their food with Christos and Markella. The owners are lucky to savour **delicious staples of Sifnos cuisine**, like **revithada**, a chickpea dish baked in a wood-burning oven, **mastelo**, a goat cooked in dill sauce, and **manoura cheese** to accompany their dishes. The couple even gets visits from the neighbour’s **goats** sometimes, making **Villa Thola** a true **intersection of luxury and traditional country lifestyles** on the island of Sifnos. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5524673/ecfebead-94fe-426e-879e-f1e97ad027ad.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5524673/ecfebead-94fe-426e-879e-f1e97ad027ad) [![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/greece-boat-trip-zakynthos-water-min%20%281%29.jpg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/connecting-with-the-seas-in-greece) [20 July 22](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/connecting-with-the-seas-in-greece) [Destinations](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/destinations), [Greece](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/greece), ## [Connecting with the seas in Greece](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/connecting-with-the-seas-in-greece) Follow us on our wanderings through the best addresses on these wild coasts, where we got lost only to find ourselves again through the serenity of the Mediterranean. [![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/villa-avlaki-sifnos.jpg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/villa-avlaki-sifnos-with-daphne-and-clement) [11 August 23](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/villa-avlaki-sifnos-with-daphne-and-clement) [Destinations](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/destinations), [Greece](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/greece), [Owner Interviews](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/owner-interviews) ## [Villa Avlaki: a patchwork of beautiful memories with Daphné and Clément](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/villa-avlaki-sifnos-with-daphne-and-clement) Villa Avlaki is a dream come true for this French couple, who built an eclectic yet harmonious nest overlooking the Aegean Sea from the heights of Sifnos. #### ABOUT US We unite spectacular homes with bespoke services and experiences, creating unforgettable holidays. 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