Harry Dolman and designer Chantal Dussouchaud came across a deteriorating centuries-old structure nestled between lavender fields and orchards in Provence. Its location was a huge draw for Dussouchaud, who had grown up in the south of France. But it required work to turn the place into the household summer retreat they pictured — seven years’ worth.
Teaming up with local artisans, including stonemasons and ironworkers, the couple carefully revived the sprawling five-bedroom property with conventional building techniques, creating a contemporary spin on traditional French provincial design. “Being 300 years old or old, the house is a storybook in itself,” Dussouchaud says. “Imagine all of the occasions it has struck, all of the lives it has embraced and cherished.” The former homeowner had lived there for 50 years.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Harry Dolman, Chantal Dussouchaud and their daughter, Sophie
Location: Goult, France
Size: 300 square meters (roughly 3,229square feet); 5 bedrooms, 5 baths
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The property consists of two chief wings gathered around an inner courtyard and surrounded by gardens. One wing has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, while the other has two bedrooms and two baths; they are joined by an open-plan kitchen and dining area.
A covered patio near the entrance overlooks a limestone reservoir at a rose garden, a neighboring truffle farm and raised herb beds.
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It required a total of seven years for the couple and also a local craftsman to complete the plan overhaul. The most important remodeling of the house took two years. “We hired a regional young builder, William Riva, who is the king of renovating old stone homes,” Dussouchaud says. “Rebuilding a house in stone is an art, and it takes quite an army of gifted craftsmen to chisel the very hard stones.”
The swimming has been added in the third year, followed by a tennis court and Dussochaud’s workshop, which aligns with the guest quarters. This past year the outside covered patio was added, and the couple is currently finishing the backyard along with a cabana.
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Front door opens to a spacious central hub produced by the kitchen and dining area, which opens onto two terraces. “I think in creating spaces which are comfortable and easy to keep, yet have charm, a feeling of uniqueness and also a certain wow factor,” says Dussouchaud.
Kitchen stove: Lacanche
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“My doctrine is to mix all kinds of interesting bits, no matter what the cost is,” Dussouchaud says. The wooden cabinet that holds dishes and tableware was inherited from Dussouchaud’s father; it complements a custom oak table made by a local carpenter.
Chairs: Alinéa
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The couple plastered over a few of the house’s original 2-foot-thick stone walls but left a portion exposed at the kitchen.
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A built-in bookshelf in the living area displays art and accessories from flea markets and garage sales. The couple hired local artisans of every transaction, from stoneworkers to ironworkers, for its renovation, sometimes waiting up to six months to commence a project. “We wanted the people of the region to understand that we appreciate their job,” Dussouchaud says. “The people of the region are extremely pleased with the job and their land, and they ought to be.”
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Four brittle glass pendants draw the eye toward the exposed timber beams above. The floors are polished cement with underfloor cooling and heating.
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The designer often incorporates natural color palettes, fabrics, textures and artwork into her interiors. “Nature inspires my personal personality,” she says. Through the French doors on the right is a covered patio with a stone fireplace, the most recent addition to the house.
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In daughter Sophie’s bedroom, a soft palette of rose pink and white, together with antique furniture and vintage artwork, contrasts with concrete flooring and shelving.
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Dolman and Dussouchaud planned to maintain the fashion of the most bizarre provincial state house using traditional building techniques and leaving intact as much original charm as you can. By way of instance, the bedroom floors are terra-cotta tiles dating back to the 19th century.
Dussouchaud stuck to crisp white cottons and natural linens in the bedrooms.
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The bathroom off the master bedroom features a semiopen tiled shower and tub. Dussouchaud turned an antique side table into a vanity by placing a modern sink on top.
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The main bedroom opens to a stone staircase that leads down to the inner courtyard. Local tradesmen re-created much of the stonework seen throughout the house.
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Evenings on the patio are particularly memorable for the couple. “We abandon all of the French doors that lead into the kitchen and the living area open, light the candles throughout the house in the evening, and it’s simply magical,” Dussouchaud says. “You see the stars at the sky, you smell the aromas of character, and you hear the silence”
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Dussouchaud plans to add a greenhouse in the rear of her studio behind the fig tree. “Right now we just want to enjoy what we have. It is perfect the way it’s,” she says.
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The covered patio contributes to a pebbled rose garden along the side of the house, with views over the neighboring farm along with its own newly planted 300 truffle oak trees.
Despite splurging to a geothermal system for heating and cooling, the remodeling was completed on budget and with no major setbacks.
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Dolman and Dussouchaud bought additional property from the neighbours four years ago. The addition allowed them to create this pebbled improved garden with a fountain and boxed herbs. Dussouchaud plans to plant more roses and lavender in the coming months.
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A local craftsman who goes by the name MonsieurSlobodan built the rose garden fountain. Slobodan, whom Dussouchaud explains as “the master of chiseling stones,” was also in charge of much of the stonework on the house.
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Among the key elements of any modular home is wooden dividers, hand crafted locally based on age-old procedures. Ironworkers are invited to continue crafting the delicate window latches of the 18th century, details as effective now as they were hundreds of years ago. The very best method to keep the house cool in the summer is to close the shutters during the hottest part of the day.
Because architects in this region are strict about producing new buildings that echo the past, historic components and techniques continue today, such as gently sloping Roman tiled roofs, traditional wooden dividers, natural stone, and stucco work painted in earthy tones to reflect the organic pigments of the earth.
The couple’s main home is an Amsterdam apartment, although they return here every month and throughout the vacations. While unoccupied the house is available for rent.
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