Then and Now in the South of France

At the centre of the home sits the staircase, a feature that always held presence, but needed purpose. Our first instinct was to treat it not simply as a structural element, but as a piece of architectural expression.

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Custom wrought iron railings were introduced, drawing directly from the region’s design language and giving the staircase a sense of permanence and place. To complement this, three silk pendants were suspended above, their softer forms drawing the eye upward and adding dimension to the double-height space. Positioned against the backdrop of the expansive windows, they help bridge the interior with the landscape beyond, ensuring the staircase feels part of a wider composition rather than a standalone feature.

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The surrounding layout was approached with the same intent. By opening up the kitchen and introducing a muted green palette, we were able to soften the space while subtly reflecting the tones of the landscape outside. Moving the dining area in front of the kitchen allowed it to read as its own “room” within the open plan, creating a natural flow without the need for division.

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Here, curved dining chairs echo both the sweep of the staircase and the softer lines found throughout the architecture, while a second set of silk pendants, varied in form, creates a quiet dialogue between spaces. The result is cohesive without feeling overly coordinated.

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Throughout, antiques and local market finds were introduced, a sideboard here, smaller collected pieces there, ensuring the space feels layered over time rather than deliberately assembled. It’s this balance that shifts the home away from a blank canvas into something more rooted, more personal, and ultimately more reflective of its setting.

In the bedrooms, the transformation was more subtle, but no less impactful. Originally lacking texture and warmth, these spaces became an opportunity to introduce a softer, more enveloping atmosphere.

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In the principal bedroom, heavy cream drapery was used to frame the windows, softening the light while adding a sense of depth. A four-poster bed, finished with linen drapes, anchors the room, creating a space that feels both calm and quietly elevated. It’s a balance between comfort and formality, one that feels entirely at home in a Provençal setting.

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Across the remaining bedrooms, the introduction of custom headboards marked a defining shift. Designed specifically for the South of France, these pieces range from more restrained, structured patterns reminiscent of countryside homes, to softer floral designs that nod to a more romantic, decorative tradition often found in village interiors across the region.

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These headboards establish each room as its own space, with fabric choices that bring both texture and identity. Around them, smaller details complete the picture: wrought iron lamps that echo the language of the wider home, and vintage bedside tables and desks that feel naturally placed rather than styled.

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Bathrooms underwent a more complete renovation. The previous, pared-back finishes were replaced with materials that feel both more grounded and more considered. Wooden vanities introduce warmth and a sense of craftsmanship, while heavy marble countertops bring a level of weight and permanence. Together, they remove the “white box” feel entirely, replacing it with something that feels both functional and quietly luxurious.

Outdoors, the architecture had already done much of the work. The infinity pool, overlooking the hills and the distant sea, was always the defining feature. The focus, then, was on ensuring the surrounding spaces felt equally intentional.

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New seating areas were introduced to extend the living experience beyond the house itself. Just outside the principal suite, a more intimate space was created using woven green chairs, their tone chosen to sit comfortably against the limestone and the landscape beyond, blending rather than competing.

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Materiality played an important role here. The decking was re-stained in a deeper wood tone, grounding the outdoor spaces and allowing them to sit more naturally within the wider setting. It’s a subtle shift, but one that changes how the space is perceived, making it feel more integrated and considered.

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The final layer came through custom umbrellas, finished with a green trim. Both functional and quietly decorative, they introduce rhythm across the terrace while ensuring nothing disrupts the view. Instead, each element works with the landscape, allowing the outdoors to feel as composed as the interiors themselves.