a family story, and
an epic adventure
Nestled in the heart of Aix-en-Provence lies “La Chenevette” a beautiful 5-acre expanse just outside the historic center. This grand house entered a fresh chapter when Jennifer & Brian became its new custodians…
An epic ADVENTURE
Our family moved in in 2020, as confinement came into effect across France.
Buildings on the property are many. The old farmhouse, from the Napoleonic era, rests above a 20-meter underground cave where the original owners made red wine. The baskets with which they carried their grapes and empty wooden barrels remain where we found them. Over seven months, the home was transformed into a liveable space again. One original stone wall in an upstairs bedroom remains exposed to show the home’s origins.
The journey of restoration extended to the grand Bastide, built in 1890 by a Baroness. With each brushstroke and every careful renovation, we found ourselves not just restoring bricks and mortar, but reviving the essence of another era. Enlisting the help of our design partners at Hammer & Spear, we created the spaces with articles found in brocantes and salvage yards, from Paris to Isle Sur la Sorgue.
Contemporary pieces are now contrasted with vintage furnishings to infuse the impressive Bastide property with American design sensibilities while honoring the heritage of the space. An accompanying apartment was renovated to be imaginatively furnished guest space.
The garden that looks upon the agricultural fields was transformed from where our goats and sheep roamed. Not to worry, they have been upgraded to a much larger space as their little families have grown.
La Chenevette was were our story began, reimagining our historic buildings and the culture which defines them. See the renovation in pictures, and join the guest list to experience La Chenevette yourself at one of our events.