My Houzz: A Centuries-Old French Estate Charms Again

Harry Dolman and designer Chantal Dussouchaud came across a deteriorating centuries-old structure nestled between lavender fields and orchards in Provence. Its location was a huge draw for Dussouchaud, who had grown up in the south of France. But it took work to turn the place into the family summer retreat they envisioned — seven years' worth.

Teaming up with local artisans, including stonemasons and ironworkers, the couple carefully restored the sprawling five-bedroom property using traditional building techniques, creating a contemporary take on traditional French provincial design. “Being 300 years old or older, the house is a storybook in itself,” Dussouchaud says. “Imagine all the events it has encountered, all the lives it has cherished and embraced.” The previous homeowner had lived there for 50 years.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Harry Dolman, Chantal Dussouchaud and their daughter, Sophie
Location: Goult, France
Size: 300 square meters (about 3,229 square feet); 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

The property is composed of two main wings gathered around an inner courtyard and surrounded by charming gardens. One wing has three bedrooms and three baths, while the other has two bedrooms and two baths; they're joined by an open-plan kitchen and dining room.

A covered patio near the entrance overlooks a limestone fountain in a rose garden, a neighboring truffle farm and raised herb beds.


It took a total of seven years for the couple and a local craftsman to complete the design overhaul. The main remodeling of the house took two years. "We hired a local young contractor, William Riva, who is the king of renovating old stone houses," Dussouchaud says. "Rebuilding a house in stone is an art, and it takes quite an army of talented craftsmen to chisel the very hard rocks."

The pool was added in the third year, followed by a tennis court and Dussochaud's workshop, which aligns with the guest quarters. Last year the outdoor covered patio was added, and the couple is currently finishing the garden and a cabana.


The front door opens to a spacious central hub created by the kitchen and dining room, which opens onto two terraces. "I believe in creating spaces which are comfortable and easy to maintain, yet have charisma, a sense of uniqueness and a definite wow factor," says Dussouchaud.

Kitchen range: Lacanche


"My philosophy is to mix all kinds of interesting pieces, no matter what the price tag is," Dussouchaud says. The wooden cabinet that holds dishes and tableware was inherited from Dussouchaud's father; it complements a custom oak table made by a local carpenter.

Chairs: Alinéa


The couple plastered over some of the home's original 2-foot-thick stone walls but left a portion exposed in the kitchen.


A built-in bookshelf in the living room displays art and accessories from flea markets and garage sales. The couple hired local artisans of every trade, from stoneworkers to ironworkers, for the renovation, sometimes waiting up to six months to begin a project. "We wanted the people of the region to understand that we appreciate their work," Dussouchaud says. "The people of this region are very proud of their work and their land, and they should be."


Four delicate glass pendants draw the eye toward the exposed timber beams above. The floors are polished cement with radiant heating and cooling.


The designer frequently incorporates natural color palettes, materials, textures and artwork into her interiors. "Nature inspires my personal style," she says. Through the French doors on the right is a covered patio with a stone fireplace, the most recent addition to the house.





In daughter Sophie's bedroom, a soft palette of rose pink and white, combined with antique furniture and vintage art, contrasts with concrete floors and shelving.


Dolman and Dussouchaud aimed to uphold the style of the quintessential provincial country house using traditional building techniques and leaving intact as much original charm as possible. For example, the bedroom floors are terra-cotta tiles dating back to the 19th century.

Dussouchaud stuck to crisp white cottons and natural linens in the bedrooms.


The bathroom off the master bedroom features a semiopen tiled shower and bath. Dussouchaud turned an antique side table into a vanity by placing a modern sink on top.


The main bedroom opens to a stone staircase that leads down to this inner courtyard. Local tradesmen re-created much of the stonework seen throughout the property.


Evenings on the terrace are particularly memorable for the couple. "We leave all the French doors that lead into the kitchen and the living room open, light the candles throughout the house in the evening, and it is simply magical," Dussouchaud says. "You see the stars in the sky, you smell the scents of nature, and you hear the silence."


Dussouchaud plans to add a greenhouse at the back of her studio behind the fig tree. "Right now we just want to enjoy what we have. It is perfect the way it is," she says.


The covered patio leads to a pebbled rose garden along the side of the property, with views over the neighboring farm and its recently planted 300 truffle oak trees.

Despite splurging on a geothermal system for heating and cooling, the remodeling was finished on budget and without any major setbacks.


Dolman and Dussouchaud purchased additional land from the neighbors four years ago. The addition enabled them to create this pebbled rose garden with a fountain and boxed herbs. Dussouchaud plans to plant more roses and lavender in the coming months.


A local craftsman who goes by the name Monsieur Slobodan built the rose garden fountain. Slobodan, whom Dussouchaud describes as "the master of chiseling stones," was also responsible for much of the stonework on the property.


One of the key elements of any provincial house is wooden shutters, hand crafted locally according to age-old methods. Ironworkers are encouraged to continue crafting the delicate window latches of the 18th century, details as effective now as they were hundreds of years ago. The best way to keep the house cool in the summer is to close the shutters during the hottest part of the day.

Because architects in this region are strict about creating new buildings that echo the past, historic elements and methods continue today, such as gently sloping Roman tiled roofs, traditional wooden shutters, natural stone, and stucco work painted in earthy tones to reflect the natural pigments of the earth.

The couple's primary residence is an Amsterdam apartment, though they return here every month and during the holidays. While unoccupied the house is available for rent.

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