A Beautiful French Country House

I have a few photos I want to share with you of a friend's very beautiful French Country House. It has a wonderful flow from inside to out, and is the very definition of comfortable elegance.

A wonderful courtyard at the entrance warms up the front of the house, and functions more like a terrace, than a driveway.

My gardener friend worked with landscape architect ,Chip Callaway, of Callaway and Associates in Greensboro, North Carolina, to recreate the charm of the French countryside. Architect Gregory Koester  currently of  A Classical Studio in Atlanta, collaborated with the owner to achieve a new, old house. Lawrence Snively, of Acanthus Architecture in Winston Salem worked extensively on the interior and exterior architectural designs. I think you will agree that he demonstrates a stunning sense of scale, that is so often out of kilter in modern interpretations of traditional European style homes.

The scene is set using traditional stone in the entry way and artisanal wrought iron on a gracious, yet unimposing scale. Muted antique area carpets of different patterns contribute to the patina new houses require to feel like a home--consistency balanced with a subtle variety.  Perhaps the art of parenting applies to design.

 

The architectural integrity found in reclaimed timber floors and beams counterbalance the newness of the house, endowing the space with a sense of continuity so vital to home life. I love the harmony and comfort of these rooms. Slip covers cohabitate sensibly with a few precious pieces. 

It is a real space saver to combine the living and dining areas of house. In the end you get one airier, multi-tasking room that actually gets used.

The contrast of a rustic chair in a relaxed office brings the piece to life. When furniture is properly balanced between high and low, all the pieces are visible while seamlessly flowing together.

Nobody is arguing about the kitchen/ T.V. space. It is here to stay, and this pretty rendition complete with clean subway tile and wrought iron pot rack flows perfectly with the rest of the house.

As the house is united to the outdoors via terraces, double French doors and double hung windows, the covered porch areas on the rear of the house continue the transitions.

I am standing on one porch looking at the other, which extends from the master bedroom. My friend says the Japanese boxwood, new to me, has been a hardy evergreen choice for containers.

Use mirrors outdoors in your porch areas. They bring the lush greens and blues of the landscape back into perspective. They are also well positioned in the house opposite a window to draw the outside--in.

We will be photographing the garden as it progresses 

through the seasons. 

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