PROVENÇAL RETREAT
With generous windows that frame breathtaking views of the Luberon, this reimagined farmhouse is now an irresistible mix of natural materials and modern country charm
Breathtaking views across the Luberon greet the owners of this impeccably reimagined farmhouse.
There is a certain graciousness that touches life in rural Provence. “We don’t have any noise here at all, only the birds and the wind,” says Parisian Jacques Ballemont, who escapes to the country retreat he shares with his wife, Laurence, as often as time permits. The couple purchased this stone farmhouse in the Luberon in 2002, having been charmed by its tranquil setting and peerless views of the mountains. They were, however, in no hurry to renovate: the house had already been extended by the previous owners and was perfectly comfortable.
OUTSIDE INTERESTS
With no immediate adjustments to the house required, the Ballemonts turned their attention to the terraced garden, which is typical of those in the region. “We were planning for the future,” says Jacques. “Our two daughters had just left home when we bought the farmhouse, and we thought that one day we might have grandchildren. The house could wait, but a beautiful garden must be cultivated over time.”
Landscape gardener Gérard Truc helped restore the terraces to their former glory, before planting native trees and shrubs to ensure the space had an authentic feel. Fast-forward several years and the established garden is a joy to behold, with well-placed coppices providing respite from the sun and fragrant blooms sweetening the air.
SMALL BEGINNINGS
It was not until 2015 that the Ballemonts’ burgeoning family prompted them to reassess the interior of their farmhouse and to engage the services of interior designer Marie-laure Helmkampf. Initially, Marie-laure was to oversee the removal of an unsightly pillar in the
family room, but the project quickly escalated and soon every room in the house was drawn into the plans. “After all, we hadn’t done anything for years,” says Jacques.
In addition to removing the offending pillar, upper storey windows were gently widened, while changes to the ground floor layout allowed Marie-laure to turn two unused downstairs rooms into a bedroom and adjoining bathroom for Jacques and Laurence. On the first floor, meanwhile, a studio for Laurence, plus an extra bathroom, was carved out of the space. “The house feels more logical now,” says Jacques. “There’s a natural sense of flow.”
RAW MATERIALS
When it came to the decoration, Jacques and Laurence were inspired by the tranquillity of the property’s setting. “We wanted something contemporary and quite muted with lots of natural materials, but it had to feel warm and inviting,” says Jacques. Modular sofas in greys and browns helped to shape the relaxed look that they sought, while stand-out midcentury pieces, such as the playful Roger Capron ceramic coffee table, add interest to the scheme without overpowering it.
The furnishings, however, are but a finishing touch to the textural backdrop that Marie-laure has created, particularly in the main living areas where the stone walls have been left in their natural state to show off their textured form. Elsewhere, timbers provide a richer element: from the pale, deep-grained boards of the cabinets in the kitchen to the reclaimed oak used on the stairs and in the bedrooms. Carved, stained, burned or sanded according to the requirements of the space, the wood is further complemented by sheets of oxidised raw steel that appear on the stairs and in the bathroom. Like the garden, these elements will alter over time and their loveliness only increase.