Interior Inspiration: rustic materials and wall murals bring this centuries-old Provençal house back to life
As was the case for so many of us, Covid-era confinements had the owners of this sprawling historic Luberon property spending more time at home and reconsidering how they used their living space. Practically, they found they needed more spaces to work, and although the house had been renovated by renowned Provençal architect Alexandre Lafourcade only a decade prior, the owners felt that for them something was missing from the spirit of the home, so they called on Paris-based Peruvian designer Diego Delgado-Elias to transform their already beautiful farmhouse into a warm, inviting dream home.
The final design reads as contemporary, elevated, and earthy. Delgado-Elias achieved this feel in part by reimagining most of the home’s surfaces in raw, natural materials, which serve as a backdrop for an artful mix of rustic antiques, vintage Art Deco pieces, and a collection of artisanal and crafted wares. Rough plastered walls complement the original centuries-old stone floors. Wicker and rattan accents are peppered throughout the home, such as the woven-straw armchairs and dining chairs by local brand Editions Midi and wicker valances by Atelier Vime, also made on their doorstep in Provence. In the kitchen, a luxe travertine island and matching light fixture quietly overlook the grand antique French farm table in the adjacent dining area and an even grander tapestry in shades of ochre, ivory, and terra cotta that adorns the wall. The tapestry, inspired by the work of Salvatore Fiume, a 20th century Italian painter, was a collaboration between Peruvian artist Elvia Paucar and a group of Andean weavers. These warm tones are echoed throughout the house. Above the table hang custom cast iron and leather cord chandeliers designed by Delgado-Elias himself (he created several original pieces for the interior), which add a handmade flair to the mix.
Perhaps the home’s most striking feature are the wall murals created by decorative painter Elvira Solana, who drew inspiration from the lands surrounding the farmhouse, and in her representations of horses, wild boars, and olive trees brought elements of the Provençal landscape to life indoors. The home’s main entrance opens to reveal an elegantly curved staircase that beckons upward, but just on the adjacent wall, one of Solana’s horses peeks out from behind double doors which open to the lower level. It’s difficult to choose which path is more inviting.
Indeed, the home offers an abundance of choice. As requested by the homeowners, Delgado-Elias ensured there are several potential workspaces. There is the dining table, of course. Elsewhere, in a cozy wood-paneled library, a sturdy, custom concrete table (a Delgado-Elias design) is paired with vintage chairs upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric. A separate rattan wallpapered office is outfitted with a glass-topped Carlo Mollino desk and a vintage Italian credenza. In another corner, a Thomas Serruys desk and vintage Frits Spaniaard sit under a Porta Romana pendant light.
The primary bed and bath are equally as appealing, maybe even more, we imagine, so after a long day of work. In the bedroom, crisp white linens allow the custom curved headboard (also designed by Delgado-Elias) to take center stage. Sconces by Robert Ogden for Lostine rest on either side, and a vintage Amsterdam School lamp adorns the corner. The bathroom vanity recalls the style and tone of the headboard, but the soaking tub and fixtures by Rubinetterie Stella are the focal point here.
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Words by Kristin Hood and photos by Matthieu Salvaing for Architectural Digest.
