I'm taking you on the exciting adventure of renovating a 400 m² Provencal farmhouse in the Aix-en-Provence region. As an interior designer in Aix en Provence, it's a wonderful playground! Imagine: a stone building, French ceilings, doors transformed into arches to enhance the light and space of your interior...

All while preserving the authenticity of the place (with its shutters, its stone, and that little je-ne-sais-quoi that makes all the charm of Provence). If you follow me on Instagram, as you already know, we worked on the vaulted openings, the master suite and the 3D images of the future kitchen,, illustrating our expertise in interior design and architecture..

But before we dive in, I'd like to tell you about the mistakes to avoid when undertaking such an interior design project, so that your renovation goes as smoothly as possible and truly reflects your personality... Ready to take notes? We're off!

Forget the building's authenticity

The Provençal identity is precious: solid stonework, French ceilings, wooden shutters... When renovating a mas, it's best to understand its history before breaking everything. An interior designer is there to advise and guide you.

What you need to know

Thick stone walls

My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been stone walls accumulate coolness in summer and insulate well in winter. Covering them with an unsuitable contemporary rendering can impair thermal comfort and the natural breathing of the walls.

I invite you to watch this video after digging out the facade, where you can clearly see the thickness of the wall, it's impressive from the house in Aix-en-Provence! 

French-style ceilings

My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been french-style ceilings (visible wood) are often a testimony to local know-how. They can be sanded, treated or even glazed to enhance their beauty, rather than hidden under a false ceiling.

Recently, Franck, our general contractor, explained to us what a French-style ceiling is on Instagramso check it out. A house like this in Aix-en-Provence is full of surprises! 

Wooden shutters

My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been wooden shutters can be restored (sanding, painting, damp-proofing). Changing to more modern materials (PVC, aluminum) can spoil your home's façade, especially in an area subject to heritage regulations such as Aix-en-Provence.

For this 400 m² farmhouse, the owners' priority was not to betray the soul of the place. We therefore chose to :

• Preserve the original stonework on exterior facades.
• Maintain the wooden beams and shutters, for which we called in a local craftsman who specializes in renovating old joinery.
• Preserve the original roof structure while modernizing the roof (insulation, new tiles) to retain its charm while improving energy efficiency.

Good to know If you live in a protected area or near a listed site, contact your local town hall or the Architecte des Bâtiments de France to find out about the rules and obtain advice on authorized materials and colors.

Underestimating stylistic coherence when renovating a Mas Provençal

It's normal to want to be modern. But you can't stick an ultra-contemporary style on an 18th-century farmhouse without a guiding principle. The risk? An incoherent decorative patchwork, far from the original charm. Our architecture agency in Aix-en-Provence is here to help you maintain a coherent DNA in your decorating and layout choices.

What you need to know

The Modern - Retro mix

The transition between old and new must be thought through: for example, combining a modern kitchen with Burgundy stone brings a designer touch to interior architecture, while remaining warm and inviting.

The arches

My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been arched doors offer a beautiful visual opening, but if you opt for vaults on the first floor, keep a stylistic echo in the other spaces (rounded, curved, etc.) to avoid the “deco accident” effect.

The choice of colors

The color palette is crucial: opt for natural tones (terracotta, linen, stone) or Provencal pastel shades (olive green, lavender blue) to maintain coherence and unify the decor.

In the case of the renovation of a house in Aix : 

• We worked on transforming the interior doors into arches to diffuse light and evoke the southern style of your living spaces. See it here.
• The owners wanted to enlarge the openings to the outside, as you can see in this video. We therefore designed large bay windows, while taking care to preserve handcrafted ironwork the spirit of craftsmanship.

Choosing unsuitable materials in an old Provencal building

In a Provencal villa, materials must be breathable, durable and adapted to the interior architecture and climate. In summer, you want to be cool, and in winter, you want to feel cocooned.

What you need to know

Natural stone

The natural stone (Burgundy, travertine, etc.) is highly prized for its authentic look and robustness. It blends perfectly with the stone of the building.

Solid wood

My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been solid wood (oak, chestnut) are ideal for beams and interior joinery. Avoid woods that are too exotic or laminated, which may not withstand temperature variations or humidity.

Lime

My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been lime coatings respect the breathability of old walls, unlike some synthetic coatings that lock in moisture.

We opted for :

• Burgundy stone flooring in the living areas, to reinforce the Provencal ambience and continuity with the exterior façade.
• The Wood for details (beams, doors) and to renovate the existing framework.
• Ecological paints and lime coatings to guarantee a healthy interior and enhance the value of the original material for your interior decoration.

Neglecting space functionality

A 400 m² house may seem huge, but if circulation is poorly thought out, you soon find yourself with half-used rooms and spaces, or endless corridors. Once again, the interior designer is there to think practicality, not just aesthetics!

What you need to know

The master suite

Theorganization of the master suite must take into account sunlight, calm and proximity to other rooms (or not, depending on your desires!).

The kitchen

The kitchen is a strategic location: open or closed, it must be designed according to lifestyle and interior design (large family, convivial kitchen, etc.).

Storage units

My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been storage spaces are often underestimated in old farmhouses. Take advantage of high ceilings or alcoves to create discreet, well-organized closets..

For our renovation : 

• The owners wanted a a spacious master suite.So we knocked down some partitions to create a large bedroom with en-suite bathroom and dressing room.
• We integrated custom-made storage units under the beams to avoid wasting space.
• We took a 3D visit (available on my Instagram) to validate the circulation and make sure that every nook and cranny was well used.

Poor budgeting and contingency planning

Renovating an old building means hunting for treasures... or unpleasant surprises. Worm-eaten beams, fragile load-bearing walls, obsolete electrical installations: it's best to think ahead. Too many people think that hiring an interior designer will cost you too much, that it's “out of your budget”. Well, if you make mistakes, it can cost you more and exceed your budget.

What you need to know

• Allow a 10-15% margin for unforeseen events
• Some authentic materials (stone, solid wood) may be more expensive to buy, but last much longer.
• My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been finitions (ironwork, joinery, eco-friendly paints) can quickly add up if they are not budgeted for from the outset.

Forcing a style that's too modern (or too rustic) without nuance

The charm of Provence, of Aix-en-Provence, is the subtle blend of tradition and contemporary comfort in your interior. To modernize too much is to betray the history of the place; to remain too rustic is sometimes to lose comfort.

What you need to know

• Owners often appreciate modernity in the technical rooms (kitchen, bathroom), but want to keep the Provencal atmosphere in the living areas of their interior design.

• My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been contrastes can be aesthetically pleasing: you can mix designer furniture with a period stone wall, as long as the colors and materials match.

On our site :

• The kitchen will be contemporary, with built-in storage and a central island, but we'll keep an exposed stone wall in your interior design.

• In the salon, a modern hood is combined with vaulted ceilings to retain the visual warmth of stone and arches.

• My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been arched doors combine perfectly with more contemporary tiles and designer fixtures, creating a “rustic-chic” style.

Neglecting the importance of natural light

In the Aix-en-Provence region, light is a major asset, especially on sunny days. Failing to exploit this natural potential in your living space means depriving yourself of a unique ambience.

What you need to know

• My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been openings extended outwards to let in more light and better connect the farmhouse to its garden or terrace.
• My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been interior vaults act as light frames: they channel light and direct the eye towards the strong points of your interior design.

Closing without rigorous follow-up

Last but not least, it's a mistake to believe that everything is finished once the bulk of the work has been done. In a renovation, details and interior finishing can change everything.

What you need to know

• Follow-up includes coordinating craftsmen, adjusting schedules and managing any delays (materials, weather, etc.). coordination of artisans, adjusting schedules and managing any delays (materials, weather, etc.).
• My true and all-encompassing passion throughout my life has been finitions (paints, plasters, coatings) must be checked on site, as a store sample doesn't always look the same in a room built of stone or lit by Provencal light.

In our construction site

• I hold regular meetings with the owners to validate the final choices (colors, door handles, lighting fixtures).
• Once the job is finished, we plan a post-renovation follow-up to ensure that everything is stable (no cracks, no residual moisture, etc.).

Renovating a 400 m² Provencal farmhouse in the Aix-en-Provence region is an extraordinary adventure. As an interior architect in Aix en Provence, my role is to help you avoid mistakes that could tarnish this heritage. By preserving authenticity (French ceilings, shutters, stonework...), choosing materials suited to the climate, and taking care to ensure functionality, layout and stylistic coherence, you'll achieve a harmonious renovation that's both faithful to the soul of Provence and in line with your desire for modernity.

In our construction siteTo take a closer look at this renovation, discover the interior vaults, the master suite or the 3D tour of the future kitchen, go to my Instagram.

Don't hesitate to ask me any questions you may have. I love to share my experience with my customers and my little Canadian touches to liven up Provençal decor!