Provence Style II: Real Home Remodeling Ideas from the foothills

In Part One of this two-part case study of a house in the hills of Provence, we looked at simple decorating ideas that evoke the look and feel of the region. In Part Two we go a step further, exploring ways of working with land and materials to achieve the same.

The original structure was a bergerie, built into the hillside by shepherds to stabilize temperatures in country where the summer sun can be as harsh as the winter snow. The vaulted rooms of the ground floor that so appeal to us today once served to shelter sheep and goats while the cathedral ceiling of the living room above was intended to make room for hay. The shepherds slept over the livestock too, to take advantage of rising heat.

The grounds were designed to recall the original terraces with their stone retaining walls that hold back soil for olive, fruit and linden trees.

Terra cotta roof tiles

Though the roof on this old stone house has been changed more than once over the centuries, many of the original tiles have been used again and again, and still bear the imprint of the knee on which they were shaped. Use old tiles if you can find them, but many tile makers now manufacture tiles with a vintage look. If you have the patience and an endless supply of yogurt, you can hasten an aged look yourself by coating the tiles. I read about it years ago and have turned many a new terra cotta pot into an old one using the same process. Fortunately this type of roof tile is a common feature in many parts of the world and if you already have them, you've got a head start on a provencal look.

Paint doors, windows and shutters a dusty grey.

The traditional dusty blue-grey of Provencal barns and cabanons derives from the inexpensive but resistant lead paints of old. Today this grey—the matter the better—signals timeless chic. For the homier feel often found on recent Mediterranean stucco houses in Provence, try a glossy lavender or periwinkle blue.

Use a barn door on a rail over large glass or sliding doors.

Barn doors are experiencing a revival, both indoors and out, and there are lots of possibilities to choose from. Aside from adding rustic appeal, attach a padlock or two to a barn door and the system will double as a dissuasion to burglars while you’re away, whether it’s away from home on vacation—or away from your vacation home.

Use simple, inexpensive but natural building materials

Here an inexpensive bare brick floor gives the home a warm natural feel and recalls the clay roof tiles. Leave unfilled uneven gaps between them for a result that looks fabulous and works wonderfully in a country house like this one, which is only used in the summer months when everyone eats outside and a quick vacuuming suffices to eliminate dust. For flooring that must withstand heavier traffic, add grout and use sealer to prevent stains on the porous bricks.

Build a bench right into the wall

This one, built with the same stones as the house, is a great place to set up a telescope for star gazing or watching for one of the rare vultures reintroduced here to make an appearance. Of course it's also wonderful for sitting out a turn at petanque while sipping Pastis and popping olives. It doesn't have to be stone. This works with stucco as well. Pillows could make a nice addition in a less rustic setting.

Plan for Petanque

Extend your gravel terrace or patio far and wide enough to pitch the heavy metal boules without breaking a window!

Build your garden shed into the hillside.

Designing a stone retaining wall? Dig out and fortify an integrated garden shed while you’re at it. Not only will the result be more harmonious than a stand alone shed in some other material, you’ll gain precious square feet of yard or garden.

Integrate fossils in a

stone retaining wall

This house is located in fossil rich country and the fossils used were unearthed during the restoration works. Despite their great age (not to mention their great effect) fossils are relatively inexpensive to buy. Consider working a few into the design of any stone work you’re planning. You’ll want to find fossils whose color marries well with the stone you’re using.

Leave crevices for succulents

Don't be too quick to fill the gaps between the stones in your wall. Not only do they provide excellent bug-eating toad and lizard habitat, but they enable succulents and flowers to take hold.

Climate and soil permitting, plant an olive tree or cypress

Olive trees in particular are slow growers, so buy them as old as you can from a reputable dealer. If you don’t plan on curing the olives, plant the tree where you’re not likely to track ripe black olive pulp into the house. Plant cypress trees so that you’ll benefit fully from the shade or the windbreak they offer.

Winters too cold for olives? Try the provencal classics linden or quince instead. Linden flowers smell heavenly in the springtime when they offer a bounty of herbal tea. The quince, that odd fruit out, was once extremely popular but is very hard to come by in our day of mass-produced apples and pears with no in-between. They ripen (though they remain hard) in late fall, just in time to bake in the dish with fowl or make quince jelly —pure ambrosia—for Christmas gifts.