Pibernet: Renovation Brings Out Natural Charm

It had sat on the market for some time, most likely because of a strange configuration: the main living room on the second floor was accessed by a narrow winding staircase. One could only imagine trying to balance a tray with aperitifs up its steep steps! But not to worry, there was another route up — a rickety elevator had been installed from the central kitchen. When previewing the house one afternoon, John Dean (Founder of Provence Life) and partner Ludivine (Bacon Immobilier) dared to see if it actually worked. It shouldn’t have been a huge surprise when it ceased to move halfway up to the next level. Hmmm, what to do?  There was a keypad with several options to call for help— buttons for “Mami” and “Babu,” but with the house closed up and dark and cold, it was clear neither would be coming to the rescue. Thankfully, After a few false starts and some panicky fits of laughter, the elevator resumed its ascent, and doors opened to the second-floor living room.

Like most houses on the market in Provence, the list of imperfections at Pibernet was long — the elevator and second-floor living room were only the beginning. The cave and downstairs kitchen were dark and musty, the bedrooms tiny, and you would never have known there were sweeping views of not just one but two villages - Lacoste and Bonnieux - through the thick and overgrown trees that surrounded the house.

There wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that purchasing this property would require a full renovation to bring it into its next glory. And this is the part of our job that we love — seeing the grace and charm of a place underneath the not so pretty parts most see on the surface. For as many faults as Pibernet might have had at that moment, her inherent beauty was undeniable — you just had to put on a different pair of glasses.  With some creative vision and the right team on board, we set out to stitch this lovely home a new dress.