The ultimate Provencal Escape

One of my favorite books is called Provencal Escapes. Caroline Clifton-Mogg travels throughout the South of France taking pictures of beautiful homes one can escape to. I wanted to share my favorite home in this book and tell of its history.

This home is a hunting lodge located about an hour away from Aix-en-Provece, France. It sits in a clearing in the middle of an ancient forest in the South of France. It was built in the 17th century and was provided as a hunting lodge for Louis XV; it's called Le Pavillon St. Lambert.

Blahnaid Behan is a British interior designer who restored this home to its former charm. Blahanid had been looking for a house in Provence for some time; she wanted something that would lend itself as "a Project." She came across St Lambert from a local realtor who even told her it was "a ruin." She said, "The first time I went there, I fell in love with the magical situation-in the middle of a valley, far from everywhere except a medieval chateau on the hillside above." All I can say is she did an incredible job! This kitchen is so beautiful with its La cornue oven range, stone sinks and butcher's block. I love the french gray/blue windows and doors; so soft and timeless.

From the kitchen you go into an inner hall that walks into the dining room. I love the huge stone fireplace and the large painted armoire holding beautiful glasses and plates. Notice the beautiful color palette, cream and soft muted greens. All the stone on the floor are local stone flags.