C’est Magnifique!
From Faux to Fabulous: Decorative Painting, Lush Fabrics and
Colorful Furnishings Bring the French Countryside to Northern
California
Linda’s
clients’
sun-filled home with beautiful mountain views is located on a hillside
in Kentfield, California. The owners had remodeled the home in
a Mediterranean style and always dreamed of an authentic French Country
interior. They had faux-painted the living room walls and purchased
some
furniture, but the result lacked warmth and cohesiveness, so
they called Linda to help them realize their vision and bring it
all
together.
Below, the
before-and-after photos of the project, along with a few of the details and design principles Linda used to create the stunning
transformation.
Using
the Vertical
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Before: Though the living room had good architectural
bones, including a high ceiling, beams, lintels, and an 18th century fireplace, it lacked warmth and distinction.
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“The
architect had left ledges halfway up the wall in the niches, creating a
horizontal break which stopped your eye at the height of the TV,” Linda
points out. “We placed French-style mirrors and sideboards
- all faux painted blue with gold leaf - in the niches to cover the ledges, then added an architectural element over the fireplace
to draw the eye up to take in the grand height of the room. I call this using the vertical,” Linda emphasizes.
Linda enlisted Shawn Man Roland, artist and master faux
painter, to re-paint
the fireplace and overmantel. Shawn used techniques that give a
more dimensional and aged quality to the plaster walls and stone
fireplace, and
the rich terra cotta color establishes the mantel and fireplace as
the focal point of the room. |
Before:
The great room walls and fireplace surround didn’t have
the richness and depth of old plaster, plus the tall niches
and awkward ledges on either side of the fireplace created a challenge
for
placing furniture.
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Two
new bergère chairs with cane backs were faux painted in a wood tone and
upholstered in Pindler and Pindler
Andalusia Bluestone fabric. The black coffee table has pretty
cabriole legs, and the French theme is
continued with accessories on the sideboard featuring fleur-de-lis and
Eiffel Tower motifs. The colorful antique reproduction Oushak rug
brings a
friendly, more casual tone to the room, and introduces an element from
another country so the look is not too predictable. “After all,”
says Linda, “French country homes certainly contain items from places
outside France, such as Italy, Great Britain, Spain and in this case,
Turkey.”
Another
of Linda’s mantras – good design repeats itself – is in
evidence in the new custom fireplace screen. Its whimsical curved
wrought iron accents repeat the curves in the mantelpiece and on the
bergère
chairs (visible in top right photo).
From White to Warm |
Before: The previously all-white kitchen
cabinets.
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The
dramatic change in the kitchen was achieved mostly through decorative
painting.
Dark green was used on the upper cabinets behind the island, and cream
on the cabinets on the right-hand wall, creating the look of furniture
instead
of a sea of matching kitchen cabinets. A rich pumpkin-colored
accent wall was created, and the wine rack and island base with
legs were
fauxed in a dark wood tone to accentuate the furniture
look, adding warmth and contrast. Finally, the hanging pot
rack was eliminated, a
glowing pendant replaced the chandelier, and new accessories
- including two white French urns - complete the look.
Panels Solve the Problem |
BEFORE: Window treatments frame the stunning mountain views, but
could be taller to accentuate the elegant wall height.
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In
the dining room, Linda’s goal again was to “use the vertical”
to raise the eye to appreciate the grand height of the walls. She
wanted to hang the window treatments higher, but didn’t have any more
of the
original fabric, which was a pretty French blue with gold bumble bees
on it. Her solution? “We found a beautiful contrasting fabric in gold,
and seamstress Laurie Soldmann added panels to the top and bottom for
more height,” explains Linda, “about 24” on the bottom and
6” on the top.” She replaced the old hardware with a more
decorative and substantial-looking French style, painted it bronze, and
removed the tiebacks so the draperies could fall freely. The
silvertoned chandelier was also painted bronze to give it more contrast
against the wall,
and a metal architectural element was hung above the doors. Two tall
upholstered yellow chairs were added at the ends of the dining table,
which was
accessorized, and the doors were opened to the fabulous view beyond.
Are we in France yet? Mais oui!
"Creativity takes courage."
- Henri Matisse
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