Look inside designer Pamela Pierce's Houston home.
I came across a few clients in the San Jose area who wish for a French style home. What is it that makes that je ne sais quoi French? This post is my own list of aspects of a French home, exterior …
J'ai toujours rêver d'avoir un petit cottages comme ceux-ci perdus en pleine campagne ! Ouvrir ma porte et respirer l'air de la comté, cet air magique, apaisant et mystérieux ... ******************** Et comme aujourd'hui c'est la St.Patrick, je vais...
We are now secluded in France, since midday today, requested to stay home and work remotely. I'm wondering how this is working for you?
Harrison Design balances formality with outdoor leisure for a neoclassical French abode
Everything you need to know and do before buying, selling or renting a home. Find tips, research and step-by-step guides to build confidence around your next move.
Indulge your inner Francophile with these gorgeous French country homes. A little rustic and always elegant, they're positively ooh-lah-lah.
The elegant estate has been featured in Town & Country and Vanity Fair
10 favorite homes that make a grand impression. Take a peek at some of our favorite ways to spruce your exterior in style. Happy Monday!
I came across a few clients in the San Jose area who wish for a French style home. What is it that makes that je ne sais quoi French? This post is my own list of aspects of a French home, exterior …
A few months ago, my friend Terry of Architecture Tourist emailed me about a wonderful blog by landscape designer and author Tara Dillard c...
Victorian, semi detached 5 bedroom house with feature courtyard garden. Lots of antiques and interesting objects throughout the location property.
Built and owned by the more affluent members of society and perceived as a status symbol, the conservatory derives its name from the Italian term “conservato”, meaning stored or preserved, and Latin “ory”, meaning a place for. The conservatory would appear to have its origins as far back as the days of the Roman Empire when they created structures capable of allowing light in while retaining heat via sheets of mica instead of glass which was not available at the time. Conservatories became more popular in the late 19th century with the traditional conservatory being a large greenhouse used for growing tender and rare plants. Wealthy citizens erected conservatories on their estates and created glass garden rooms in their urban mansions. Many hired botanists to stock their conservatories with tropical plants from around the world. This became a way to cultivate tropical fruits (hence the term "orangery") as orange and lemon trees were brought back during the great Age of Exploration. These garden rooms evolved into elegant spaces in which patrons might enjoy the experience of truly connecting with nature. Regardless if you call it a conservatory or garden room, a beautiful structure that creates a bridge between outdoors and inside will let you have fun relaxing in your own private garden. French orangerie via Cote Ouest What is the difference between a garden room, a conservatory, and an orangery? Generally all of these buildings fall under the umbrella of “garden room”. source unknown The conservatory began life as a place for potting and preserving tender plants. Originally, they were purely functional outbuildings to country houses and stately homes. However eventually they began to take on a more "decorated" look. via Pinterest People became aware that the conservatory could also be a garden room, a delightful spot in which to enjoy outdoor views and an al fresco atmosphere while remaining sheltered from the outside elements. mousiemasala.tumblr.com lamberts.net Interior designer Axel Vervoordt's Garden Room in his medieval castle on the outskirts of Antwerp, Belgium. Axel Vervoordt linenandlavender.net I adore these old world garden rooms and conservatories. They are so very charming! Who wouldn't enjoy relaxing in a space like this? thelittlemonastery.be Another picture of the garden room above. Photograph by Nicola Berlotti By the early part of the twentieth-century the two world wars and economic instability ended the fascination with conservatories. messynessychic.com Impractical and difficult to maintain, many owners abandoned and dismantled them. source unknown The Victorian conservatory springs most readily to mind when people think of conservatory styles and it seems to work well with almost any design. infojardin.com A lovely green painted garden room. thisivyhouse.tumblr.com I love the way a garden room allows you to enjoy the surrounding landscape while sheltering you from any type of bad weather. davidsalisbury.com thatkindofwoman.tumblr.com I like a conservatory that has mature growth. admagazine.ru providenceltddesign.com Many homeowners are drawn to the more rustic European country style garden room. cat-arzyna.tumblr.com The harlequin floor adds to the casual elegance of this garden room. via Pinterest Today, a conservatory used as a dining room can provide a romantic intimate setting. Imagine how pretty it is at night with candlelight flickering against the glass. dyingofcute.tumblr.com Modern technology has made possible a balance of temperature and ventilation that allows a multiplicity of functions in a garden room creating a wonderful space for entertaining. Carolyn Roehm Another plus of dining in your conservatory is the smell of flowers especially if you choose varieties with heady fragrances. These geraniums are not known for their perfume. I would choose something like jasmine, lily of the valley, gardenias, or orange-blossom. White flowers like the ones I just mentioned seem to have the strongest scents. myfrenchcountryhome.blogspot.com Garden rooms are multi functional today and have become a living space for people to relax in instead of a showplace for plants. country-days.co.uk Although the most charming ones do have an abundance of greenery. Designer Paul Williams Today insulated glass, specialized blinds and curtains that work by remote control make it possible for these garden rooms to be used year round. homemydesign.com There are even specialized floors that include radiant heat. I love this room.....it is so charming! via Pinterest A stunning formal iron conservatory. source unknown What has not changed throughout the centuries is the beauty of spaces filled with light and living things. Conservatories and garden rooms have definitely seen a substantial revival of popularity. periodhomesandinteriors.com Convenient to use and easy to maintain, the garden room is a valuable asset to any home. prweb.com sharrattconstruction.com I love how this modern day garden room has the look of old world charm. greigedesign.blogspot.com The conservatory in Jasper Conran’s country estate, Ven House in Milborne Port, Somerset - as featured in The World of Interiors. To be able to live with nature throughout the year is still as coveted today by modern homeowners as it was in the 18th century. Click here to see the previous post http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-italian-renaissance-painted.html This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
Amazing Dream House of French Country Home Riad BE in Marrakech, Morocco The Best Hotel Pools in the world by Jennifer Rose Smith Camille Styles Papaya Playa Project in Tulum, Mexico The Best Hotel Pools in the world by Jennifer Rose Smith Camille Styles Anaya Resort in Bali, Indonesia The Best Hotel Pools in the world by Jennifer Rose Smith Camille Styles Women's embroidered gown Fillyboo dress (also love this one and this one) - With Love From Kat Cult Gaia bag // Julie Vos necklace and bangles Summer Cocktail: Flirtini Cocktail Molti di voi possono riconoscere questo cocktail è stato reso celebre da un episodio di “Sex and the City” in cui Samantha dà una festa sul tetto della sua nuova casa. È un cocktail semplice e delizioso da preparare. Tutto quello che serve è vodka, champagne e succo d'ananas. Flirtini Champagne Cocktail Recipe - How to Make a Flirtini .. ingredienti per una persona 30 ml di vodka 60 ml di champagne 60 ml di succo d'ananas Indicazioni: Metti assieme tutti gli ingredienti in un bicchiere con ghiaccio! Strawberry mascarpone ice cream with lime sugar Call Me Cupcake – Sweet food and photography Thanks so much for visiting Cool Chic Style Fashion today. We always love seeing you! Click to see other Daily Inspiration: Fashion, Family, Lifestyle & Entertaining Ideas that celebrates everyday life. Moda, Bellezza, Daily Tips, Party & People: le tendenze moda, i consigli beauty, i personaggi, i luoghi e gli eventi. 🌸🌸 with love, Stefania A Italian Kitchen by Stefania: Simple, healthy and good recipes from my home kitchen. Cool Chic Style Confidential Let’s keep in touch! Bloglovin / Instagram / Twitter / Tumblr / Facebook / Pinterest
The wisteria is taking its time to unfold and reveal its true colours. Temeratures are mild, days are sunny; …
Sharon Santoni invites us to her French country home for a beautiful meal and advice on how to entertain -- and live -- well.
a mansion on Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Designed by Albert Kahn
a caelo usque ad centrum - from the sky into the center. A collection of pictures: Colors - threads, yarns, fibers, quilts, fabrics, denim/indigo, and fashion. Patina - leather, wood, satin. The visual - detail, white kitchens, pearls in paintings, pears, skies, sunflowers, lonely roads and...
Happy New Year, Folks! I’m pleased to announce the winners of this (past) year’s McGingerbread Hell Gingerbread House Competition!! First off, I cannot find the words to say how much joy each and...
The construction process is in full swing and I love how fast everything is coming together. Progress is being made daily - just yesterday, our windows were installed! We are in the fun part of the design process where...
Here are 6 French tips to decorate your home with plants and flowers the Parisian way, plus the best indoor plants for a Parisian-style home.
Caroline Gidiere interior design James F. Carter architect Mountain Brook Alabama Birmingham Georgian traditional Southern style classic
I’ve admired Ruth Gay’s Chateau Domingue atelier, warehouse, and gallery for some time. Hidden in a quiet corner of Houston, her company nevertheless attracts designers from around the world for her authentic French architectural materials, the wonderfully aged floor planks, and the compelling scale of her centuries-old chateau doors and limestone fireplaces. When Jean-Louis Deniot and I were on our whirlwind book tour for our Rizzoli book ‘Jean-Louis Deniot Interiors’, one of the favorite parties was at Chateau Domingue in Houston. Ruth Gay’s fantastically stylish antique collections and showroom are her homage to Provence, and proof that style can transcend trends. At the Chateau Domingue celebration, we loved spending time with PaperCity Editor-in-Chief Holly Moore and all our friends. Afterwards, we dashed to Ruth’s magical house surrounded by noble oaks. Ruth arranged cocktails and dinner in the garden and we lingered on into the night in a buzz of camaraderie and good cheer. Come with me this week to meet Ruth Gay. We visit her house, with interiors designed by Pam Pierce, and see latest treasures from the South of France. Ruth Gay’s Houston residence was restored and remodeled sixteen years ago—and feels as if it was built a century or two ago. The secret: limestone salvaged from demolished houses near St. Remy, antique lighting, natural linen, understated décor, old marble, and a paled-down color scheme inspired by natural Provençal tones. Ruth Gay, founder of Chateau Domingue Recently, I sat down with Ruth Gay, who founded Chateau Domingue in Houston in 2002 DDS: Ruth, it is such a great pleasure to visit Chateau Domingue. And your house, with its sequence of Provence-inspired rooms, is a dream, a reverie. How did you start Chateau Domingue? Ruth Gay: Diane, thank you for your kind words about my house. We founded Chateau Domingue just over a decade ago. As with many new businesses, mine started with a dream, a need. Renovating my house in Houston, I wanted to capture the feeling of centuries-old places in the south of France and in Tuscany and Umbria. I had fond memories of spending summers in remote corners of Provence and visiting historic towns in Italy. When I started Chateau Domingue there was no place that I knew of in the U.S. that offered such things as Dalles de Chamaret flooring, or centuries-old window frames, or large-scale fireplaces, and old ironwork balconies or salvaged old marble. For our house, we wanted a warm, soft feeling with old stone, beams, and limestone floors. My husband Jack and I could not find these elements, handmade, and with the soft glow of age. I went back to Europe to remedy that lack, literally by the containerful! DDS: What is the history/background of your Houston residence? Ruth Gay: I wanted the 1950s era red brick, traditional Georgian home that we bought to feel like a bastide, a gentleman's country house in France. When choosing floors, stone walls, counters, and even furnishings, I tried to imagine kids, dogs, family, and lots of friends really relaxing and enjoying themselves. This helped to direct a lot of decisions. I worked closely with Pam Pierce. The interiors of our home now look and feel like the south of France. The red brick exterior (now covered in ivy) reminds us that we are actually in Texas. The new line of plaster Chateau Domingue will be launching this fall will soon transform the exterior. DDS: What do you love and adore most about South of France style? Ruth Gay: I admire the cohesive traditional style you find in France where everything is warm and rustic yet still projects a certain polish and craftsmanship and elegance. The colors are soft, subtle, earth-inspired, and sun-faded. Nothing strident. I love also that through the centuries, Provençal and Southern French style have harmonious proportions. There’s a comfortable sense of simplicity combined with materials that are tough and timeless. Since I founded the company, I’ve also become quite obsessed with French garden ornament, fountains, water basins, garden gates, and outdoor architectural elements. DDS: What makes Chateau Domingue unique? Ruth Gay: Our style is very focused. We love the weather-worn wood, soft patinas, and materials that are unearthed in rural France. Our look is consistently French, with a dash of Tuscany. Our color palette is soft, sun-struck and sun-faded. We collect old tiles, decorative objects, lighting, and ironwork elements, even handcrafted old glass. We specialize in architectural elements such as doors, doorframes, ceiling beams, window frames, mirrors and arches, many of substantial scale. We also offer rustic furniture, and occasionally I find wonderful old country-town signage. My secret: I get up very early to get to country flea markets, to meet dealers, and to roam through villages and find country houses being demolished. Ruth Gay: We have a 15,000 sq ft warehouse, and an outdoor selection on display on three acres. We work with many architects and interior designers, as well as private clients. If they do not find what you’re looking for, we’ll find it in Europe. My sources gathered over a decade run very deep. I have long and close relationships with craftspeople, artists, stonemasons, and carpenters, cabinetmakers that all work in traditional styles. DDS: Ruth, you also follow annual antique markets, as well as specialist dealers. You are a fantastic resource for paintings. The word ‘salvage’ does not quite seem noble enough for your inventory. But it is true that many French homeowners renovate and discard architectural elements like steel spiral staircases, balustrades, finials, weathervanes, cabinets, marble counters and historic signage. You bring these treasures back to Houston. Ruth Gay: Yes, Diane, every summer I set up my base in Avignon at La Mirande, a hotel I love. And our family stays in Eygalieres, a beautiful village south of St. Remy. It has a weekly market, and it’s well located for me to explore, meet dealers, and find new sources. I love the hunt. I’m obsessed. DDS: Ruth, thank you. It was a great pleasure to visit. Atelier Domingue Atelier Domingue is a line of custom metal doors and windows offered by Chateau Domingue. The recent lines of architectural elements (Maison, Bastide, & Atelier) are all under the umbrella of Chateau Domingue. It was during her travels throughout Europe that Ruth first fell in love with the low-profile windows and doors utilized in ancient properties both distinguished and demure. Seeking a resource to recreate this look at home, however, Ruth identified a void and thus, Atelier Domingue was conceived. Committed to providing metal windows and doors that communicate a quiet elegance that is appropriate for homes honoring the contemporary, the time-worn, or an interplay of both, the artisans of Atelier Domingue Architectural Metalcrafts will fabricate custom, steel windows and doors reflecting a streamlined aesthetic with a nod to the sublime. CREDITS: Images courtesy Ruth Gay, Chateau Domingue. For more information on Chateau Domingue, call the Houston headquarters 713-961-3444 or visit www.chateaudomingue.com
Harry and Rebecca Whittaker have brought an eighteenth-century weavers’ cottage in Wiltshire back to life, restoring original features and filling it with salvaged objects for the latest phase of its story.
Find a beautiful photo gallery of inspiring traditional style homes where white plays a starring role and also find ideas for white exterior paint colors.
