A holiday haven in the South of France

Over the next year, the team transformed the place into a bright, airy vacation home with French Country flair ... or, as Carol says, "It's what North Americans imagine as French Country." In reality, she says, most village homes are stuffed with knick-knacks and modern furniture. The women, however, wanted their version of the dream. "We chose a very soft palette, wheat yellow tones with persimmon to punctuate," says Carol, which gave the sunlit rooms a soft glow and created an easy flow between spaces. Wood beams uncovered in the renovation, new honey-toned pine flooring upstairs, stone-look ceramic tile downstairs, and a few mellow-toned antiques all complement the soothing palette, inducing a comfortable and carefree, relaxed mood.

"We knew we needed a fair-sized kitchen because food is such a focus in France," says Nancy. "It's all about cooking, eating and relaxing here." With that in mind, the five first-floor rooms were converted into one great room to accommodate those activities. Of course, this is the south of France, so a lot of lounging goes on in the garden and poolside, too. "We just pass plates of food through the open window," says Carol.

Ease and comfort are key throughout. Upstairs, one bedroom was converted into a luxurious bath (previously there'd been a tiny second-floor room with a bidet and tub, the toilet and sink were downstairs). But this didn't mean losing a bedroom. Remember the less-than-cinematic 1950s garage? It got a new role as a master bedroom suite accessible via charming French doors in the kitchen. Two more bedrooms upstairs look out over the garden and across vineyards.

It's a view that soothes the soul. Exactly what you imagine life in the south of France should look like. It's what film directors travel here to shoot. Except it's not a movie, it's real. "We love it so much and our friendships are stronger than ever," says Carol. "Dreams do come true." Fade to black and roll credits.