Set in a 14th-century townhouse in the medieval village of Lagrasse in Southern France, Danish design brand Vipp opens its 12th guesthouse. OnOffice pays a visit
Few brands have pivoted and expanded while staying true to their design DNA as much as Denmark’s Vipp, which began life as a maker of pedal bins in 1939. Since then, Vipp has expanded into everything from kitchens to sofas and home accessories. The creation of the first Vipp shelter in 2014 signalled a growth in ambition and Vipp has cultivated a portfolio of architecturally significant properties in spectacular settings around the world, from Puglia to Tasmania. Each property, usually available as a holiday rental, displays key Vipp pieces and innovations. Rather unusually, its 12th guesthouse is in the charming village of Lagrasse in southern France, located in a 14th-century townhouse.
With its thick stone walls, small medieval windows and sloped tiled roof, the spirit of the house has been carefully preserved. The exterior draws its character from its medieval surroundings, but the interior reveals a quiet contrast. Danish interior designer and longtime Vipp collaborator Julie Cloos Mølsgaard has transformed the ancient stone shell into a home where Vipp furniture, a tactile material palette and locally crafted objects are beautifully combined.
“For this project, we looked to a focused set of materials: wood, stainless steel, marble, plastered walls and coarse pebble floors,” says Cloos Mølsgaard. “The idea was to create a sense of calm and coherence; a home that respects its surroundings and lets the history of the space form the foundation of design.”
The three-storey townhouse faces the village square and once inside, it opens out into a tranquil lounge area. The entire ground floor is laid with coarse pebbles, referencing the original cobblestones of the square, blurring the distinction between the indoor and outdoor spaces. “Having this historic house in the middle of the village square prompted my decision to bring a piece of the square inside,” says Cloos Mølsgaard. “It’s a tribute to this historic site.”
A custom-designed staircase, crafted by a local metalsmith Alejandro Berconsky, leads to the second floor, where the kitchen and dining space unfold. “The staircase acts as a sculptural, connecting element, almost like an integrated art piece, tying the three levels of the house together while paying tribute to local craftsmanship,” adds Cloos Mølsgaard. The third and top floor houses the master bedroom and bathroom, which features a vast freestanding shower in locally sourced red marble.
To accompany the guesthouse’s outdoor areas, Vipp has introduced its latest outdoor furniture collection, named ‘Lagrasse ’after the medieval village. The elegant collection is intended for smaller outdoor spaces or as versatile and easily movable garden furniture and fits perfectly into the scheme. Another novelty is Vipp’s Swivel chair, which has been upholstered in a bold, two-tone patterned fabric inspired by a medieval coat of arms. The historic motif, originally designed by the esteemed French textile house Maison Le Manach, has been reinterpreted by the Pierre Frey workshops in northern France.
“The transformation of Vipp Townhouse acts as a bridge between the historical memory of this building and its future, as a cultural getaway in the village of Lagrasse, and as a new chapter in Vipp’s guesthouse story,” says Kasper Egelund, CEO and third-generation Vipp owner. “Each guesthouse reflects its setting. Rooted in centuries of history, this latest property offers something truly different from our previous destinations.
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