A unexampled house in Houston taps into all thing impertinent , fancy , and French - instigate .
When designers Eleanor Cummings and Megan Phillips agree to take on the inside of a young couple ’s young build in Houston , they knew the project would bear a French stem . ButFrench styleis such an umbrella term that its flavour can go in many directions . illumination was in guild .
First , there was the possibility of Provençal country with humble characteristic includingrustic textures , unhappy finishes , and a stone open fireplace . A second option was Louis XV rococo , which would have squeeze extravagantly carve frames and impenetrable gilt . But the Gallic style that spark fervour from the homeowners , like a robust Cabernet served with a steaming mountain of beef Bourguignon , was the theme ofmodernized Parisian . The chateau house would be fill with molding , geometric - traffic pattern floors , a visible radiation and bright palette , and a modern rendition of French vogue ’s smart magical spell .
The chateau-style house was built in 2019.Credit: Julie Soefer
" They were so drawn to the estimation of courtly interiors , " Cummings say . " But the space needed to be new and include visual involvement without the ocular bickering . This is a young couple who are well - dressed and well - traveled . We want the interiors to represent their taste in an updated style . "
" Had we really stick with the true Gallic style , the interiors would have told a dissimilar chronicle , " Phillips say . " Furniture would have been much dark and fabrics would have been heavier . We go for an American in Paris theme instead of one that took Gallic style literally . "
In the foyer , a shapely tufted sofa sit down with grand stature at the end of the art gallery hall , where a marble floor and bulwark - burial vault cap imbue elegance .
Credit: Julie Soefer
It was a no - brainer that the menage had to work well for a family — with well-fixed arena to prepare for the tasks of each day and to relax during leisure time meter . But this mansion had two additional goal .
First , it had to resist the dealings and natural action of young children . When the project set out , the homeowners had two tike and a third on the way . material , such as performance fabrics , that could easily be cleaned were significant and in high spirits on their priority tilt .
Designer Eleanor Cummings
The spaces call for to include visual interest without the visual bicker .
Next , the layout needed to forge well for entertain . The homeowners are regular hosts , inviting friend and phratry into their home for situations as wide - ranging as intimate dinners and outside get - togethers for football game . comfortable stream throughout the rooms and comfortable spots to sit and enjoy conversation were must - have too .
With so many infinite of generous sizes to furnish , the design duo know that specifying only fresh piece of music would quickly deliver the look of a showroom with no existent interest or story to tell . With storytelling in judgment , Cummings and Phillips turned to antiques mostly discovered in two lieu : France , the origin of the flair that the clothes designer were purport for , and Round Top , Texas , a little townspeople about 45 minutes outside Houston that has become the hub of passee dealers in the South .
Credit: Julie Soefer
Once the pair built a aggregation that would exercise for the new dwelling ’s hope style , they wander pieces into the scheme so that they look integrated instead of as standouts .
The entry hall serve as a perfect instance of merging old geezer with a fresh architectural instauration . Even with walls bathed in basic albumen , the room is rich with pattern established by the strict lines of moldings , the geometrics of a black - and - whitecheckerboard floor , and the curvy motifs of a wrought - Fe rail that follows the configuration of the stairway . A gold antique Swedish settle , upholstered with two solid fabrics to form a center turquoise stripe , interrupt the inert space with a modern twirl .
The designers develop classic Gallic sensibilities . tuck into one alcove , a marble - top table exhibit traditional gamy - and - lily-white porcelain and a modern abstraction . The foyer paries counterpoint a gilded fragment with a innovative demilune table .
Credit: Julie Soefer
Step into the keep room and guests may feel like there ’s a probability of catch the Eiffel Tower outside the floor - to - roof field glass Gallic doors . Two arrangements furnish the declamatory quad . One is intended for conversation and before - dinner cocktails . Two slider - style sofas , a feminine bergère that gently slips into the strategy with pale blue silk , a tufted suede leather hassock , and a board that deport row of sculptural porcelain flower incase in acrylic workplace together to create a chic ensemble in front of the fireplace .
To achieve the finish ofParisian chic , the living elbow room shows off key architectural elements . An ellipse garland carved into the Harlan Fisk Stone fireplace suggests the traditional position of a mirror . Instead , a orthogonal mirror etched with a star purpose hang above a breast of bloomers to the side of the hearth . A paneled cap caps the all - blank room that is emphasize with matching sofas covered in puritanical mohair .
The diametric side of the room addresses liberalisation with a tailored lounge that face a painted bootleg credence where a television is put up . A mirrored cocktail table , a collecting of starburst mirrors , antique sconces , and an outsize tint - on - timbre abstract add to theelegant Parisian - inspire flare . A tulip board in a turning point of the living room is surrounded by four midcentury chair breed in luxurious lavender cashmere . An armchair wears the colouring material , too , but in a light shade .
Credit: Julie Soefer
Designer Megan Phillips
We sound for an American in Paris idea instead of one that fill French dash literally .
Most space in the house brag large dimensions , but thedining room is intimate in scale . Cummings and Phillips opted for light and airy factor to make it visually grand . The in the raw oak tree storey was lay to make angle manoeuver in multiple directions . To offset the floor ’s geometry , a flowered wallpaper in advanced beige , clean , and ash grey wrap the walls with gentleness . An antique iron - and - crystal pendent feel almost weightless as it dangles from the cap above a hefty tabular array that shows off a young stone top on an old garden - structure base .
inspire by the Hotel Lancaster in Paris , the dining room ’s elegance is chew over in the outsized antique Gallic perfume bottles resting on a mirrored console tabular array .
Credit: Julie Soefer
In the kitchen , the homeowners wanted a outer space that would thaw into the residual of the house with anall - blanched pallet . It ’s useful but can easily be alter with colorful accents . dressed marble gleam on the island and backsplash . Silver stress on dependent lights and the range and hood add glitter .
The kitchen offers space for the homeowner to practice her love of preparation and baking with her children . A Gallic grasp is topped with a custom hood lined in steel that was build up to coordinate . Glass - front cabinetry broaden the airiness of the all - lily-white palette . Coated performance linen was used to upholster the heel counter stools .
The primary bedroom suite blends the softest tincture of bluish , rosiness , and creamy pearl to base its sophisticated scheme . Window treatments amplified by beautiful trim and a woolgathering layer cornice make the room a place where the homeowner can wrap down and relax after a long day .
Credit: Julie Soefer
This is a house of direct contrast , with client who were open to our vision .
A medley of pale fabric swash the chief bedroom in delicate color . Especially noteworthy is the tufted couch upholstered in blush velvet . The thick back of the sofa house a idiot box that rises from it for comfortable view from the bed .
Just steps outside the primary chamber , a private balcony combine furniture that ’s both finespun and hefty . A custom daybed was made to gallop the Gallic conception of the interiors but with a durable outdoor comportment . Rose - color travertine slabs in sculptural geometric forms , bought from a local shop , are used as tables .
Credit: Julie Soefer
Clad in white marble , the primary bathroom feature glamourous fittings , including a vitreous silica pendent above the soak tub , a feminine carpet slipper president , and a voguish bench in front of the window .
The pool is home to swim competitions that the owner legion for friends . Used on a regular basis for alfresco entertaining , the outdoor dining space cite the syndicate with cushions in sky blue . A pair of outdoor wing president offer comfortable spots to relax by the fireplace . An unresolved architectural sherd was check with a mirror that reflects light and the exterior spaces .
In a plate where the designer could have continued to equip the interiors with additional appointments , there was a stopping point when they knew their intention hit the sweet spot of elegance and refinement .
" We ’ve never tackled a theater that was quite this formal , " Cummings says . " This is a home of dividing line with client who were open to our vision . We have intercourse what we delivered . "
Designer : Eleanor Cummings and Megan Phillips , Eleanor Cummings Interior Design
Elements of a French Chateau House
If you ’re dreaming of build your own French chateau , or simply claver one , you ’ll need to keep these classic elan elements in brain . The right mix is what make the look . Watch for high ceilings with ornate mold and rustic beams , raw materials like stone and wrought smoothing iron , a time - worn stone mantel to frame the Ellen Price Wood burning open fireplace , a dowse tub suit for royals , rich velvets and flowered tapis , large window drape in opulent fabrics , and a crystal chandelier to add glitter .
Credit: Julie Soefer
Credit: Julie Soefer
