Last year we got the amazing opportunity to work with a young family on decorating their dream home…in the South of France! After both the husband and wife’s jobs transitioned to being remote during the Pandemic, they decided it was the perfect time to relocate permanently to their favorite vacation spot.

the space

At just over 1,800 sq feet the rustic home was only about half the size of the family’s previous home in Utah. Because of this, smart solutions for storage had to be top of mind. Our team was also tasked with making sure that each space within the home was as multi-functional as it was beautiful and interesting.

The family had purchased the home partially furnished, but the existing pieces felt too traditional and ‘stuffy’ for this colorful family of four.

our inspiration

This project was heavily inspired by the eclectic work of British designers like Kit Kemp and Rita Konig, plus the clients’ love of midcentury silhouettes. The clients’ were also interested in incorporating some of their Japanese heritage into the design, and playing up the natural beauty of their surroundings through the interior selections.

the design

Inspired by classic French gardens, and a certain kind of patinated beauty, ‘Garden of Delights’ is a concept built on cool colors, organic motifs and subtle nods to the history of the Provençal region.

It feels like a crisp spring breeze, the scent of lemons and lavender on the air.

Let’s start with the entryway…

A handsome antique bachelor’s chest brings character to the space and provides the perfect drop zone for keys, wallets, and dog leashes.

An oversized print by Slim Aarons connects with the floral motifs in the salon.

In the salon, built-in cupboards with exterior millwork and wallpapered panels double as added storage and enveloping artwork. The beaded details on the cupboard doors mimic the classical architecture of a Parisian pied-á-terre. An antique chinoiserie secretary adds storage and functionality, with a drop-front desk that becomes a convenient nook for working from home.

Durable performance fabric in a Josef Frank print and sumptuous silk bullion fringe come together to create an unexpectedly chic corner dining spot.

The round, white dining table can be expanded with a leaf to seat additional guests. A palette of soft greens creates a restful environment and brings a bit of the landscape inside.

Swathed in de Gournay’s “Coco Coromandel” panels, the adjacent powder bath becomes an unexpected jewel-box experience. The pattern is inspired by hand-painted panels in Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment, and features tones of peach, mint and gold on a burnt umber ground.

A custom roman shade made from dramatic cut velvet echoes the movement in the foreground of the wallpaper. A brass and Lucite mirror accents the exotic theme of the wallcovering without distracting from it. A console-style vanity allows for maximum visibility of the wallcovering. A wall-hung toilet in Kohler’s “Thunder Gray” disappears into the dreamlike backdrop.

And lastly, the den or ‘salon de famillie’.

The foundation of this room is the earthy green paint swathing the walls and cabinetry. The limewash finish beautifully enhances the natural movement of the plaster walls. Limewash can be layered onto woodwork to show or hide as much grain as is desired.

The history of Provence is referenced through the mix of many periods of artwork, from Ancient Roman to Elizabethan and Post-War Modernism. A soft but durable performance tweed gives new life to an existing glider, which is accented with a tonal plaid pillow.

18^th century tapestry fragments suspended between two pieces of acetate create a further sense of history and carry through the natural motifs created in preceding spaces. Ceramic sconces emphasize natural materials.

The bench/coffee table provides a comfy spot to put your feet up, or becomes additional seating when entertaining. It can also easily be moved out of the way and under a window when the sofa bed is extended.

An interesting challenge of this project was that we needed to source as many of the products and materials from within the EU as possible to minimize the amount of import/export fees the client had to pay. I had so much fun discovering new vendors and antique dealers along the way.

Are you ready to create your dream home? Get in touch with us to start today.