Interior Inspiration: Atelier Vime, the revived rattan workshop in the south of France
Although the Paris weather didn’t get the memo, we’re slowly moving into Spring, and with this change, I’m beginning to set my interior sights on warmer climes. Namely, the dreamy home and gardens of Atelier Vime, located in Vallabrègues, in the Gard department between Arles and Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Founded by Anthony Watson and Benoît Rauzy, this 18th century home and workshop beautifully combines rustic Provençal craftsmanship with curated French antiques.
The pair began their journey with the purchase of the old hôtel and its gardens in 2016. Whilst beginning the renovation work, they discovered an abandoned basketry workshop in the garden. Following further research, they found out that Hôtel Drujon (as it was formerly known) was initially home to a large rattan-making and basketry headquarters that profited from its warm climate and proximity to the Rhone river.
With this in mind, the duo set out to revive the lost craft and Atelier Vime was born in 2016 to celebrate the local art of vannerie or basketry. The name comes from the French word vime meaning wicker and originally, the Latin vimen (soaked wood). The couple initially specialized in selling vintage and original wicker products (which can be found on their website), with a commitment to slow production and sustainability.
However, due to the popularity garnered thanks to their Instagram Account, the Atelier has since become so much more. Aside from the workshop, much of their content now includes their own home and lifestyle. Recently, the couple purchased the home adjacent to their own to open “La Maison Vime”, described as an “arte de vivre” shop; it’s an entirely furnished show home, displaying everything from antique and new rattan, to vintage glassware and ceramics.
Apart from the workshop and showroom, the home itself references the original hôtel’s noble history. As with the atelier, the couple wanted to emphasize the artisanal history of the region, and so worked closely with local craftspeople. Its tranquil palette of muted blues and yellows combined with the abundance of wicker, makes the home feel like it’s straight out of a Van Gough still life. Watson and Rauzy worked hard on restoring this atmosphere by collaborating with Elise Orrier (a natural paint specialist) to restore the original 18th century pigments. The process involved stripping back layers of wallpaper and recreating the pigments in lime paint. Since then, they have partnered with Farrow & Ball for the Paris Déco Off to recreate these colors, to make them more widely available, whilst retaining the same commitment to sustainability.
The ultimate magic of the home comes from its unique emphasis on slow production and locally-sourced materials, two qualities which have become a rarity in furniture production today.
With this in mind, many of the products that we’ve sourced below (so that you can replicate Atelier Vime’s aesthetic in your own home) are vintage and one of a kind pieces found on Etsy to help support originality and individual craftsmanship in interiors - we hope you find a wicker treasure to add interest to your space.
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Words by Clemmie White.
