When Los Angeles-based designer Clare Vivier began decorating the 19th-century house she'd bought in her husband's hometown of Saint-Calais, in France's Loire Valley, she had a particular aesthetic in mind. I love color and patterns but wanted something peaceful, so the intention was to create a dialogue between those two things, she says. She wanted the house to have a blend of contemporary pieces, antiques, and textiles from heritage maisons to create a space that, much like her namesake handbag and fashion label, channeled both California fun and French sophistication. She also knew that she wanted her longtime friend Kate Berry, a designer and creative director, to help her make it happen.
Ceramics from the 18th century at Atelier Vime.
So this past May, the pair, along with Vivier's husband, Thierry, hit the road from Saint-Calais and ventured south to an area of Provence renowned for its artisanal wares and plethora of secondhand designer furnishings and textiles. This is where the vendors at Paris's flea markets shop then sell at higher prices in Paris, says Berry.
Inside Jour de Fête.
This story is from the September - October 2024 edition of Condé Nast Traveler US.
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This story is from the September - October 2024 edition of Condé Nast Traveler US.
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