Pillars of a successful French farmhouse exterior
Provence is a region in the southeast of France. If you discover it, you’ll experience and find out the joy of living outside all year long. Its climate offers the possibility to enjoy contemplating the garden throughout the seasons. When we speak of Provencal garden, it is impossible not to associate the element of farmhouse which creates a beautiful masterpiece of the outdoor space.
The Provencal garden is easy to manage, you only have to know where to start from, it all begins from its perspective; architectural elements and dealing with vegetation (lines of trees, shrub beds of perennials, and water points).
The Provencal garden is characterized by several elements that contribute fully to its charm:
The terraces or patios
Most land in Provence are steep. In order not to waste space, the solution therefore, is to create terraces… Also called “restanque,” they were originally used for all kinds of crops (vegetables, wine, olive …). Today, this type of arrangement works very well and is most suitable to the terrain. They prevent landslides and slow erosion.
By being superimposed, they draw a beautiful staircase and enable the creation of planting flat surfaces. These staircases also prevent gully erosion of rainwater and irrigation. The height of the walls depends on the slope and the desired number of terraces.
The construction of dry limestone walls
The oldest terraces are supported by dry stone walls. These walls are built by some expert of an ancestral tradition. In contemporary gardens, they opt to reinforce walls with a binder. (For long-term solid).
The importance of the stone wall is primary to the balance between stone and vegetation and add harmony to it.
The old stones
They were the base of every Provencal buildings, there are still some fine examples of this in Provence saved heritage.
The terracotta tiles
Whether they’re used for the interior of the house or the garden, installed on walls or ceilings, the terracotta tiles are traditional Provencal materials.
The fountain
Water is a precious element and nowadays droughts are frequent.
Our water Practice changed: ponds and wells are used for water supply for watering gardens and crops back in the 18th century. Today they have become relaxing spaces and decorating architectural elements. What better than to cool off in a swimming pool?
The fountain, is a decorative element. Its different forms provides and adds a sensual touch for your garden.
The pool
Favorite place to refresh, it fits perfectly in a Provencal-style garden.
The stone well
Back in the days, the well was indispensable to the daily water consumption of residents. Today it is rarely used but it always charm to the garden mixing the old with the new.
The pots and jars
They are present everywhere in the garden; careful not to overload the terraces by their accumulation. This option is ideal for plants that stand the cold as they may well be sheltered during the winter.
Limestone benches
It is quintessentially French to have an old limestone bench The patina created by centuries of exposure to natural elemental forces is in its own right an art worthy of preserving.
These limestone bench seating scattered all through your farmhouse pool patios and barbecue layout, gives your garden an old contemporary genre in a rather new and modern look.
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