Living the ooh-la-la life

Set in sprawling woodland just outside the French resort of St Tropez lies interiors guru Linda Barker's vacation villa. The former B&B cost a cool £1.25million, plus a further £80,000 for a major facelift.

But the overhaul was no problem for TV makeover expert Linda, 47. She fell in love with that part of France after holidaying there with her husband, TV producer Chris Short, 49, and daughter, Jessica, 18, over the years. "I adore the area - the food, the climate, the lovely people," says Linda, who's taking lessons to brush up her French.

Last spring, she and Chris, along with close friends Vanessa and Mike Wilderink, found the 20-year-old house and the four of them stayed the night at the B&B before together putting in an offer on the property. Since then, the six-bedroom house, named Villa De La Verne after the river that runs through the surrounding wooded valley, has been given a complete makeover.

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Linda redecorated it with calming neutrals to create the perfect relaxing pad for family and friends.

And sticking with what she knows, Linda imported much of her furniture - from beds to sofas - from the UK. However, she adds: "I didn't want to ship an entire UK look to France. I go to the local brocantes [markets] to pick up Provençal pieces."

The villa's pool is surrounded by stylish lanterns

The two couples holiday at the villa and rent it out at other times of the year. But it's not just the interior that received Linda's magic touch - she transformed the courtyard too. Mixing old and new - with a contemporary table and rattan chairs on rustic terracotta tiles - she created a stylish BBQ area.

Lastly the family installed a heated pool to put a luxurious finish to the French retreat, which Linda decorated with some oversized silver lanterns to give it some extra va-va-voom!

Click here to find out how to get the Linda Barker look

TOP TIPS:

• The most weather-worn outdoor dining table can be stylishly hidden beneath a crisp tablecloth

• Whitewashed walls, terracotta tiles and natural rattan will give that holiday feel - whether you're in St Tropez or St Albans!

• Use cream or beige for a cool, calming interior - but try adding some texture with faux fur throws and rugs

COMPILED BY: SALLY GILLAM PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOPE FEATURES FOR RENTAL DETAILS VISIT VILLADELAVERNE.COM

• Bring the seaside to your garden!

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