This Crumbling Saint-Tropez Farmhouse Became One of the French Riviera's Most Colorful Homes

Bright open-plan living room with exposed beams, a gray sofa, an orange sofa, and kitchen island — (Image credit: Kate Martin)

For Peter Mikic, it was a case of great minds thinking alike when he was commissioned to renovate this sprawling old farmhouse overlooking the breathtaking Gulf of Saint-Tropez for an English couple he had worked with on previous house projects. 'The clients love colorful, playful interiors,' Peter explains. 'They like pattern and texture, and they really encourage you to go in that direction – which I love.'

Originally, the plan was simply to refresh the farmhouse, but the project quickly evolved into a full structural renovation after a massive crack was discovered running through the middle of the property. 'We had to tear down half the house and rebuild it because it was slowly shifting,' says Peter. 'We managed to reconstruct one side while preserving many of the original features.' The terracotta roof was also replaced, and the outdoor spaces were reimagined, with Peter Mikic redesigning the pool area.

Dining room with a glossy table, cream leather chairs, and a tropical scenic mural on the wall — **Dining room:** A garden room aesthetic is evoked with the beautiful lakescape mural, trellis-patterned paneling and classic conservatory-style flooring, conjuring a sense of escapism. Chandelier, Cox London. Bespoke chairs, dining table and console, all Peter Mikic Studio. Taxidermy parrots, clients’ own. Lamps, 1950s.

One of the priorities was creating interiors that suited the clients' lifestyle. This is a highly social home – the owners love to entertain, so there are plenty of gathering spaces, and get-togethers are often spontaneous.

'The clients wanted furniture that could easily be moved around so you could have dinner inside, then open the doors and extend the table outdoors depending on how many people showed up,' Peter says. 'It's one of those houses where dinner can grow from eight guests to 20 at a moment's notice, so the design had to accommodate that spontaneity.'

To that end, the terrace features dedicated lounge and dining areas with cheerful yellow-and-white floor tiles handmade by a local company. 'The flooring works beautifully in such a summery home,' Peter says. Earthy ocher polished plaster walls create a softly textured backdrop for elegant rattan furniture and a sculptural coffee table while grounding the overall palette. Much of the furniture is antique or vintage – a hallmark of Peter's style – and was sourced on buying trips to Nice. Whimsical rattan birdcages, a favorite of the clients, hang from the ceiling and add a playful finishing touch.

More formal entertaining takes place in the dramatic dining room, where an exquisite mural depicting a lakeside landscape filled with lush foliage and birds creates a striking focal point.

Patio sitting area with a brick fireplace, rattan chairs, a stone coffee table, and tiled floors — **Terrace:** Jaunty yellow and white chequered tiles add interest underfoot, while the eye is drawn upwards by the delightful birdcages. Walls in Clay, Little Greene. Floor tiles, Carrelages Pierre Versace. Armchairs, antique. Mirror, vintage from a market in Nice. Coffee table, clients’ own.

'We installed dado paneling with a trellis detail so the room feels like a garden setting, inspired by a traditional French conservatory,' Peter says. A limestone cabochon floor and an elaborate chandelier by Cox London enhance the timeless atmosphere, while a custom pink glass-and-brass dining table, commissioned by the clients, brings a bold contemporary note.

'It really reflects their personalities,' Peter says. 'They love the eclectic mix of the table, the wallpaper, and the chandelier. They enjoy interiors that feel slightly imperfect and a little unexpected.'

In contrast to the dining room's refined elegance, the adjoining open-plan kitchen strikes a balance between modern farmhouse style and utilitarian design. Limewashed beams draw attention to the soaring vaulted ceiling, while custom rustic wood cabinetry with metal trim introduces an industrial edge. Against the restrained palette, statement artwork adds vibrant bursts of color.

Lighting the kitchen seating area presented a challenge because the ceiling beams made it impossible to center a single pendant over the space. Peter's solution was to suspend antique globe pendants, sourced from a London antiques shop, in clusters on either side of the central beam. 'We thought a scattering of lights around the seating area would be much more interesting than trying to force one central pendant when the beam is positioned so awkwardly,' he says.

Vintage and antique pieces also take center stage in the primary bedroom, where soft pink walls provide a warm yet calming backdrop for a 17th-century tapestry displayed behind the antique bed.

Ornate cane bed with gold trim against a large forest tapestry backdrop, flanked by brass lamps — **Main bedroom:** Nods to period French style include the elegant bed and 17th-century tapestry, which add a sense of gravitas. Bespoke bed and tables, Peter Mikic Studio. Lamps, vintage.

'We found the tapestry in Nice, folded up in the back of an antiques shop,' Peter recalls. 'It needed restoration, but we knew it would make a beautiful backdrop for the bed.' A collection of architectural drawings creates an engaging gallery wall nearby. 'The clients had a very clear vision for the interiors,' Peter says. 'Without question, this home reflects their personalities and their eclectic style.'

White porcelain double vanity with vintage brass faucets and gold-framed mirrors against cream walls — **Bathroom:** Art deco-inspired lights and curvaceous double washbasins bring a touch of glamor to this scheme. Walls in Dimity, Farrow & Ball. Washbasins, Volevatch. Mirrors, bespoke. Wall lamps, Collier Webb.

Q&A with Peter Mikic

The designer shares his style inspiration.

GREATEST SUCCESS
The dining room. The mural was sourced from New York, and the flooring was sourced from the highway between Nice and Saint-Tropez.

BIGGEST INDULGENCE
The stone staircase.

SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT
The yellow-and-white outdoor tiles.

GO-TO COLOR
Pink.

FAVORITE DESIGN DETAIL
Patterned rugs.

YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS
Playful, colorful, luxurious.

SECRET ADDRESS
Carrelages Pierre Versace – the supplier of the French tiles used throughout the house.

WORDS TO LIVE BY
Be adventurous. Don't hold back. Be bold. Be courageous. Be open-minded.

LAST PIECE OF ART YOU BOUGHT
A painting by Peggy Kuiper.

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Interiors have always been Vivienne's passion – from bold and bright to Scandi white. After studying at Leeds University, she worked at the Financial Times, before moving to Radio Times. She did an interior design course and then worked for Homes & Gardens, Country Living and House Beautiful. Vivienne’s always enjoyed reader homes and loves to spot a house she knows is perfect for a magazine (she has even knocked on the doors of houses with curb appeal!), so she became a houses editor, commissioning reader homes, writing features and styling and art directing photo shoots. She worked on Country Homes & Interiors for 15 years, before returning to Homes & Gardens as houses editor four years ago.