Home Design Ideas
Inside the Dreamy Provencal Life of Vivi et Margot’s Charlotte Reiss
If you’ve ever dreamt of escaping to the French countryside, Charlotte Reiss is living that dream—beautifully. The founder of Vivi et Margot, a thoughtfully curated French homewares brand, Charlotte left behind the fast-paced world of fashion in California to embrace a slower, more intentional way of life in Provence. From renovating a 200-year-old farmhouse to growing her own olives and lavender, she’s crafted a home and business that celebrate authenticity, artistry, and everyday elegance. We caught up with Charlotte to chat about life in France, her advice for taking the leap, and of course, her favorite picks from our Rustic Riviera Collection.
R: Tell us everything about life in Provence—what do you love and what are the biggest differences from life in the states?
C: Visually, life in Provence is a storybook, but like everything, there are challenges. I feel very fortunate that my children adapted very quickly to a new language and schools. I am a city girl, but in my heart I craved the countryside. Provence has offered me the peace and calmness that Los Angeles did not. It has afforded me new learning experiences in language and horticulture. It has introduced me to new cultures and traditions and a much calmer way of life. Its landscape has captivated me and inspires me creatively for my product line and in the design and interiors of my home. Nature has given me the chance to slow down.
The biggest difference that I have experienced (especially coming from LA) is the outlook on life. It’s very family oriented here, less wasteful and less competitive. There is zero importance placed upon material possessions. I love that my children are experiencing a childhood outdoors learning alongside me how to harvest our olives, how to grow lavender. They are outside all the time. Myself, I enjoyed a more pared down life, makeup free and unconcerned by the latest trends. I do miss my friends, but it makes it even sweeter each time I go back to visit. Plus, now my friends all have a place to stay in Provence, and there’s no complaints there!
R: You’re an inspiration to everyone who dreams of leaving the corporate grind to live abroad. What advice would you give to someone about to make the jump?
C: For me personally, it’s about the chapters of life. It was never a matter of feeling burnt out by corporate life—in fact I loved my career, truly. It was about needing change. After 28 years in the corporate world and becoming a mother later in life (38 and 43 years), I was devoted to my job and neglecting my own life. I felt that if I could change the narrative of my life to create a new chapter, I should put aside the fears of doing that and work towards it.
We had owned a second home for ten years that we barely got to use, and so I spent a few years building my own company in the evenings and weekends until I felt financially stable enough to take the leap. It takes a lot of planning, preparation, and sacrifice to move from corporate stability to being self-employed. This is my next chapter. The goal was to be 50 and have the freedom in life to enjoy a chapter in a new country. To give my daughters the lessons of a different culture, experience, and language and for myself to lean into the woman and mother I wanted to be. I am a proud American citizen who will always maintain both worlds.
My advice would be to truly research where you imagine your next chapter to be. To visit when you can, to research, and to be properly educated on what living in a new country entails. Most of the time what holds us back from change is fear—fear of the unknown and failure. But if you don’t try and you let that fear affect your decision to go for it, then to me that would be living a life with regret. If it’s your dream then you can make it happen.
R: Provencal life looks beautiful, but we know that real life can be messy (it’s why we make washable rugs). Can you share some less-than-perfect moments or funny mishaps you’ve encountered along the way?
C: We live very much in the Provence countryside and one morning I woke up and could hear sheep. It sounded like sheep, but we have no sheep nor do our neighbors. I looked out to see about 20 sheep casually grazing in our olive grove. A couple of ducks and a goat had joined them too. We discovered that farmers often make arrangements to move their animals to graze the land and these animals had all decided to walk our driveway and make themselves at home. Now I want sheep! But first up is chickens, who are coming next month. I am fully prepared for them to come into the kitchen. Like you say, your rugs are washable so...
We adore your style! What are your top rug picks for anyone who wants the @vivietmargot vibe?
Thank you so much! Honestly, I had a hard time choosing as this collection is all so very aesthetically pleasing. I went with the Provence Sage in my living room as the color is a very soft sage green with a little pink in it. It has an almost vintage feel to it, which I love. For a classic French Provençal charm, I would also suggest the Calabria Coral. For an outdoor space, the Sambuco Stripe Celadon is beautiful and you can add a Lenora Vintage Blush Woven Throw Pillow for a really gentle palette. I have to say the rug covers are very easy to lay down on the rug pads, and the fact that they’re washable is just so practical.
And lastly, if you were to host your dream dinner…who would you invite and what would you serve? Indulge us!
You know, I get asked this question a lot! There used to be so many intriguing people I would answer with, but honestly, as I get older it’s my circle—my family and friends who I consider family. The circle gets smaller and those friendships more precious. Those people are my heart—they know who they are. I would fly everyone in (one lives here, so he would just drive) and hire a fabulous local chef to surprise us. I’d love to watch someone passionately cook with all local produce in my own home. We would eat, laugh, cry, and regale memories. Memories can never be lost and new ones created. They are the fabric of our life. Oh, and goat cheese would be heavily involved!
To learn more about Charlotte, her online shop, and her journey, visit vivietmargot.com and follow @vivietmargot on Instagram.
Want to bring a touch of Provence into your own home? Shop her favorite picks from our Rustic Riviera Collection now.