A view from the garden of an 18th-century farmhouse in Provence, France, which was restored by its owners, Patrick and Lorraine Frey. For details, see Resources.
Welcome to the Luberon- la France profonde, the mythic France of the imagination. This is the heart of the particular section of Provence that unfolds over rolling hills and into fields of lavender, dotted with ancient stone villages that time has forgotten. Think red poppies, olive trees, and purple skies at dusk. The Luberon is not a fancy place in the way of the Côte d'Azur to the south, but it is a luxurious one: tranquility being the most elusive luxury of all.
For precisely that reason, the interior designer Patrick Frey and his wife, Lorraine, have made the Luberon their country home. Patrick runs the firm founded by his father, Pierre Frey, which designs traditional fabrics, carpets, and furniture. In a centuries-old stone house that previously belonged to Lorraine's parents, the couple has created both a retreat and a refuge, one that celebrates the colors and textures of Provence with some signature touches of the family brand.
“You have to keep in mind that this house is a maison paysanne at its core—it was a farm in the beginning,” Lorraine says. “I believe that houses should preserve their true history and should remain in their simplicity.” Patrick agrees. “We've done it in a style that's somewhat minimalist, but it's not a precious or fragile house,” he says. “It's what I call a true house. Of course it's contemporary and full of color, as we love color, but really it's timeless."
Patrick and Lorraine Frey on the terrace.
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