Renovation is much more than a job for me, it's a real passion. And when I talk about renovation in Aix-en-Provence, I get a special feeling. It's been 30 years since I arrived in this magnificent city from my native Montreal. I was instantly seduced by its Provencal charm, historic streets and buildings steeped in history. Since then, I've seen Aix evolve and beautify, and I'm happy to contribute, in my own way, to this evolution by enhancing its apartments with a modern, functional touch. Today, I'd like to share with you my vision of renovation in this city that I consider my second home (yes second, Canada remains first in my heart). 

A modern take on Aix's heritage

In Aix-en-Provence, every building has its own history. Tile floors, high ceilings adorned with moldings, antique fireplaces... These details always thrill me! But sometimes you need to combine tradition and modernity. For a project in an apartment in the historic center, I kept the original interior shutters, but added a black skylight to separate the kitchen from the living room. This blend of the old and the new is incroyable. Comme vous dites en France, « ça en jette ! »

What I like about this city is the challenge that each space offers. Every apartment, whether in a Cours Mirabeau building or in a little hidden street, has a unique potential to reveal. The key? Respecting the soul of the place while making it suitable for modern living. In fact, we're currently working with a young couple from Aix who want to renovate a magnificent 500m2 Mas (WOW!). Their watchword: keep the authenticity, the Provencal feel of the place. Follow the project on Instagram ! Here are a few photos: 

Space optimization: every square metre counts for a renovation project in Aix-en-Provence

Downtown apartments, especially in older buildings, are not always well thought-out. Sometimes, endless corridors or poorly distributed rooms make the space difficult to live in. That's where my work begins: optimizing every square meter to make it a practical and pleasant place to live.

I remember a 55m² apartment in which we designed a bespoke piece of wooden furniture. This piece of furniture was beautiful It incorporated an office, storage for the kitchen and even a dressing room for the entrance hall. The customer couldn't believe how cleverly her space had been transformed. Below is an image of the plans (the before) and the custom-made furniture we imagined (the after). You can see the before and after below.

Local materials for renovation in Aix-en-Provence: a never-ending source of inspiration

In Aix-en-Provence, we're fortunate to be able to work with local materials that bring a unique authenticity and cachet to our renovation projects. These resources are not only aesthetically pleasing, they also tell the story of the region's history and know-how!

For example, pierre de Rognes is one of my favorite materials. Used for credenzas, floors or even decorative elements, it brings a natural texture and an undeniable Provencal touch. For a project in an apartment near Cours Mirabeau, I used travertine for the bathroom floor. This elegant yet solid material perfectly reflected the Mediterranean style my customers were looking for.

As for wood, it's an essential part of my renovations. Whether it's light oak for a warm, modern feel, or walnut for a more sophisticated touch, each species has its place in my projects. During a renovation project in the Mazarin district, we integrated reclaimed wood strips to clad a wall in the living room. This detail not only transformed the room, but also added a sustainable and responsible dimension to the project.

Traditional terracotta tiles, such as old tomettes, are also treasures that I love to preserve or reuse. It's interesting, for example, to recover original terracotta tiles and integrate them into a new, open-plan kitchen. These elements bring a warmth and history not found in modern materials.

Finally, I like to combine these local materials with more contemporary touches. For example, a black metal skylight combined with a Rognes stone wall creates a striking visual contrast. This blend of tradition and modernity is what makes renovations in Aix-en-Provence so exciting: each material has a history, but also a future to reinvent.

When I design a renovation, these materials become much more than simple aesthetic choices. They are the witnesses of a region, the carriers of an atmosphere, and the allies of a harmonious, sustainable interior. For me, working with these resources means honoring Aix-en-Provence while building timeless spaces.

Aix-en-Provence: a city full of renovation potential

Aix-en-Provence is much more than a charming town; it's a true source of inspiration for my renovation projects. Since I arrived here 30 years ago, I've seen the city evolve, while preserving its unique heritage and warm atmosphere. Every neighborhood, every building carries a story, and that's what makes every renovation project here so special.

Take the historic center, with its old buildings and golden stone facades. These buildings, sometimes marked by the passage of time, are brimming with architectural details to be sublimated. High ceilings, period fireplaces and interior shutters are all elements to be preserved while modernizing the space. For one of my first projects, we succeeded in integrating a contemporary kitchen into a classic apartment, while respecting the original moldings and floor tiles. The result? A perfect harmony between past and present.

New neighborhoods like Val Saint-André also offer interesting opportunities. With their modern lines and open spaces, these homes allow us to explore bolder concepts. For an apartment in a recent building, we used a palette of natural materials and wooden screens to structure the spaces while adding warmth and character.

Aix-en-Provence is also a cosmopolitan city, attracting customers from all over the world in search of their own little corner of Provencal paradise. This influx has transformed the city into a veritable melting pot of influences, and I love drawing inspiration from it to propose designs that blend local tradition with international trends. This house we've renovated is a perfect example! I invite you to take a look at the project.

What I love most is the city's potential to evolve. Every renovation is an opportunity to make a space shine while respecting its history. Whether it's a studio in a picturesque alley, a family apartment in a modern district, or a pied-à-terre in the heart of the city, each project is a unique adventure, carried by the soul of Aix-en-Provence.

If you too have a project in mind, imagine what we could create together in this magnificent city. Because in Aix-en-Provence, every renovation is a meeting of yesterday's charm and today's needs.

Feel free to view our projects or tell us about yours !

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