At Margaux Keller's home in the Luberon
Terracotta, ochre, rosemary, and limestone. The colour names chosen by Margaux Keller should have given us a hint. While design is her true calling, Provence flows through her veins. Just step through the door of her home on top of the heights of the Luberon to see for yourself. Envisioned as a retreat for family and friends, it shows local craftsmanship while serving as the perfect setting for her creations. A joyful blend of styles, it’s the kind of place that invites you to unpack your bags and never leave. Let’s take a guided tour!
Strong link
Fields of lavender as far as the eye can see, blue shutters typical of the region, and a name proudly displayed on the kitchen doors: La Maïoun. "It’s a Provençal term that means ‘home’ around Nice and ‘the link’ here in the Luberon." A natural choice for Margaux, driven by her desire to create a true family home that unites and brings people together. Clinging to the rock face, the country house was untouched just a few months ago. Stripping away its character was out of the question. Balancing bold choices with traditional materials, the designer has skilfully blended two worlds close to her heart.
Redefining the past
The kitchen is the perfect example. Here, beaded curtains are balanced by ultra-contemporary wooden handles, while classic framed cabinetry is given a twist with stained wood doors. “That’s what I love about my work—evoking memories and emotions. There’s no such thing as a misstep.” Designed to keep things cool, the room was once quite dark. Therefore Margaux repurposed mirrors as a splashback, reflecting light and adding a touch of modernity. The archway leading to the entrance has been clad in stained oak panels to enliven the limewashed walls.
Island dreams
The centrepiece of the kitchen, the island has been designed as the centre of the country house. "I couldn't see myself building a family home without one. I dreamt of being able to gather everyone around it! As a counterpoint to the natural colours of the fronts, the garnet-red glazed terracotta tiles used to dress it give it a sculptural dimension, while affirming Margaux's passion for craftsmanship. "They were created in the Var specially for the house". The striped curtains in the same shades add rhythm and lightness at a fraction of the cost.
Carved in the rock
Essential on the exterior, Luberon stone also lends its unique character to the dining room. Once a lavender drying room, it has been left in its raw state, subtly enhanced with natural materials. “I wanted to accentuate the stone with this sunny yellow tile and warm it up with natural wood.” Inspired by the typical Provençal benches, the seating is topped with a shelf that frames a vintage monastery table. Add Margaux’s own lighting designs and a cleverly hidden karaoke speaker, and you have the perfect retreat for unforgettable evenings.
Weightlessness
You’d swear this was a custom-designed piece, as the monumental staircase appears to float in the entrance. But don’t be fooled! “These are large stone blocks embedded directly into the walls. It was one of our favourite features when we first visited the house!” At the top of the stone steps, wood takes centre stage in the children’s bedroom, inspired by the Lost Boys' treehouse from Peter Pan. “I wanted to rethink the children’s dormitory, but I couldn’t find anything like it in stores. So, I designed these three beds with a trunk that recalls the tree around which branches spread out, ready for climbing.”
Evening dew, a promise anew
An enthusiast of unconventional choices, Margaux opted for wood on the beds… but not on the beams. “I love painting ceilings! It immediately creates a warmer atmosphere.” Here, the woodwork is dressed in ochre, while the ceiling is adorned in limestone pink. The designer extended the colour up to the top of the walls, creating an enveloping box effect to enhance the cosy, cabin-like feel.
Detail-orientated
This meticulous attention to detail is indeed Margaux Keller’s signature. Here, a striped board that echoes Provençal imagery; there, brass door ornaments cleverly concealing unsightly holes… Nothing is left to chance. “These are the very first things I buy for projects, because I know that at the end, there’s often no budget left for these little touches, even though they’re what completes the home.”
Let the sunshine in
The bathroom light switches are no exception. Chosen in a vibrant pink, they echo the shades of the encaustic tiles on the floor and contrast with the sunny tiles that make a bright return to illuminate this small space. Look closer: the glass separating the shower is also tinted yellow to enhance the colour scheme. As a nod to the exposed beams, the shower screen and vanity unit are crafted from dark wood, adding warmth to the bathroom. “You just need to protect it with a strong varnish!”
Inside, outside
Limewash paints, a Rosemary-hued wardrobe, and natural materials. When Margaux envisioned her bedroom, she drew inspiration from the view outside her window. Sometimes green, sometimes pink, the walls echo the surrounding land and terracotta-tiled rooftops. “These are colours that respond beautifully to light; they absorb it and reflect it with a soft, poetic touch.” The sleeping area has been designed as a cosy retreat, complete with a dark wooden four-poster bed. An adult-sized cabin!
Tainted love
On the upper floor, colour takes centre stage. The first guest room proudly displays a ceiling in Klein blue. The second plays with architectural elements highlighted by unexpected touches. “Here, I wanted to be bold and create contrasts between the colours!” The ochre used on the lower walls is outlined with a black trim, cleverly repurposed from its traditional bathroom use to create a graphic border. The headboard has been covered in cylindrical limestone-pink ceramic tiles, reflecting light and creating sculptural lines.
Last but not least
As we follow Margaux from room to room, captivated by her attention to detail and the dialogue between design and tradition, we almost forget that we haven’t yet seen the living room. “It’s quite common to find it on the top floor in Provençal houses!” While summer is spent outdoors, winter calls for a cosy fireplace. Margaux has added a bench on either side of the hearth, simply enhanced with wave-patterned glazed ceramic, to reinforce the idea of a cherished family home. Mission accomplished!
Ideas that inspire us
- Painted ceilings to create a warm, enveloping light
- Designer objects coexisting with architectural details from the past
- Trim used to create graphic accents
- Arches found throughout the house, in stone, wood panelling, or woven cane
