My photo in Architectural Digest, US edition…for Atelier Vime

Today, I am really proud to share with you both a bit of good news and to introduce you to a wonderful new design company, Atelier Vime. 

Quite a few of you have been following with interest the various adventures of my friend, Anthony Watson, since I featured his perfect village house that was for sale and afterwards, the transformation of the Hôtel Drujon, a unique 18th century hôtel particulier that he is renovating with his friend, Benoît. It is through the discovery of the property’s history in the village of Vallabrègues, known for its tradition of weaving rattan or wicker that an idea was born. Both have a true love and breadth of knowledge for design and antiques, as does their third partner Raphäelle Hanley (who also has a covetable career in the fashion industry, including ten years as an accessories designer both for the houses of Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent). This, combined with a respect for the work of local artisans and the environment, led to the natural evolution of bringing the village’s former renown back to life…but with a modern twist. And that is where the interest lies.

The style of Atelier Vime is modern and vibrant, even while giving a strong clin d’oeil to the glory periods of French design. In their work, I feel the sun of Provence breathing through the rattan that has been harvested in the nearby Camargue since centuries but also a truly elegant simplicity that gives the line an international appeal. So perhaps it is no surprise that the company is on a meteoric rise, with clients and commissions from some of today’s leading interior designers (such as Mark D. Sikes and Frank de Biasi) with more arriving daily. Along with their ever expanding audience on Instagram, where style-setters such as Aerin Lauder snap up the company’s vintage pieces (by such luminaries as Tito Agnoli and Audoux-Minet) comme les petits pains, I have watched with great pride as Atelier Vime has continued to expand, all while reviving a local dying art in the process. As they say in French, it is gagnant-gagnant or win-win.

So I was especially delighted when Anthony approached me about doing a photo shoot for a future story for the US edition of Architectural Digest. Time was of the essence as I had to be in Arles the same day. But I love what we did together. Does it help that Anthony is incredibly handsome and easy to shoot? Yes. And that we had already worked together before for a portrait that appeared in I Heart magazine? That too. And I have a nearly proprietorial love for the hôtel particulier itself, which I have documented since the beginning of its renovation. At times, I am moved to tears when I see the progress that is being made, to watch it literally come back to life. Still, I did not know if any of my photographs would be selected for the final cut. I am delighted to say that one was (see above and below) and can be found in a wonderful article written by Hannah Martin in the June issue of Architectural Digest in the United States, which is on newsstands now. This is my first international photo credit. Needless to say, that makes me smile and it is an honor to be featured in such a prestigious publication.

But I am equally delighted to introduce you to Atelier Vime, as I have been waiting a year to do so. I hope you will enjoy a few of the other photos from that shoot and will discover their beautifully done website at the address below. For me, Atelier Vime is stunning proof that sometimes, when you take a great risk, life rewards you ten-fold.

Bonne Continuation, Atelier Vime!

To discover the world of Atelier Vime:

In English, click here.

En Français, cliquez ici.

They can be found on instagram at: @ateliervime

If you would like to see more from my series concerning the renovation of the Hôtel Drujon, see below…

http://lostinarles.blogspot.fr/2015/12/an-amazing-home-renovation-project-in.html 

http://lostinarles.blogspot.fr/2015/12/the-blue-rooms-part-one.html 

http://lostinarles.blogspot.fr/2016/01/the-blue-rooms-part-deux.html 

http://lostinarles.blogspot.fr/2016/01/climbing-staircase-chez-anthony.html 

http://lostinarles.blogspot.fr/2016/03/renovating-kitchen-floor-chez-anthony.html 

And finally, as we are talking about Anthony, here is his fabulous vacation rental in Paris…

http://lostinarles.blogspot.fr/2016/06/a-perfect-vacation-rental-in-saint.html 

I hope that you enjoy all of this and by all means, let me know if you pick up a copy of Architectural Digest.

With my Best from Provence,

As always, thank you for being here,

Heather