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It was a race against time to create a design concept for an 8,000 square foot French Country home, in its final stages of being built, on the North Shore. Our clients requested that the interior furnishing be complete by the time they moved in, which would be within the year. They envisioned their family living in this home for years, so a design that could evolve with the growing family was needed. They wanted the home to be elegant, but also practical and welcoming. The décor could not be overly formal since the home would be filled with children for many years. This was the challenge, along with the timeframe, given the size of the home. With a blank palette, an inspiration was needed for each space within this generously sized home. After the furniture plans were decided upon, the designer recommended that the client select the rugs, which were essential, as hardwood or stone flooring is found throughout the home. Once selected, the color scheme for each room emerged, followed by carefully selected fabrics and furnishings, window treatments, and accessories. The elegant great room is a focal point upon entering the home. It adjoins the kitchen, and is the heart of the home, where the family “lives” most of the time. A massive fireplace reaches to the 22-foot high ceiling, made interesting by coffering. Three chandeliers bring it down visually to a more human scale. Two generous sofas are divided by a giant coffee table. A TV armoire was transformed into a dry bar with a glass working surface, a mirrored back, and lighting inside. The fireplace is balanced on the opposite wall with a large built-in for the TV, storage space, and display. An arched architectural feature was installed and filled with a “Paris” inspired scene to add interest to that wall. In the formal powder room, the 18 x 18 Saturnia tiles were installed on the diagonal up the walls as a protective and beautiful wainscot. It is capped with a carved stone listello, that is repeated below as a base trim detail. A little Tibetan rug was designed, inspired by the red silk drapery. Red evolved into the accent color, found throughout the house: red dining chairs, red drapes in the dining room, red silk flowers in the foyer, one red wall in the kitchen.
Each of the children’s bedrooms and baths have a distinct feel. Once again, the rugs were used as inspiration. An unusual rug from India depicting stylized airplanes resulted in a sky-blue painted ceiling complete with clouds and planes. A brightly colored Gabbeh rug lead to a blue room adorned with balloons and animals painted on the walls. Although the builder had provided specifications for the main tile in each bathroom, decorative tile accents were added. These each had a motif that appeal to children, such as animals, insects, or bright colors, but none are too babyish to accommodate maturing tastes. Window treatments with blackout features were selected to ensure small children could nap! The master bedroom is a luxurious retreat for these homeowners. They had the flatscreen TV installed above the fireplace. A chair-and-a-half was placed nearby at an angle, serving the triple purpose of a place for two (or 3!) to snuggle in front of the fireplace and watch TV or read stories before bed. The original plan for the master bath included an enormous tub deck, which would make the bather feel “exposed.” The designer created two pergolas at each end of the tub, flanking the window, to give this area a more cozy and “contained” feeling. It also was practical in that cubbies were designed for towels and bath products to be within easy reach. The home is able to evolve with the addition of new family members. During the original design phase, the second baby was born, and more were planned. When the third baby, a girl, was born, the second son was moved to his own room, and the nursery was transformed to accommodate feminine colors. Another baby girl is expected soon, and now the first floor playroom is to be converted to a nursery. The former nursery is in the process of becoming a room that will eventually accommodate the two sisters. Although the project is now a few years old, the designer is still involved, due to changing needs of the family.
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