Scope: Design, Sketches, Contracting, Restoration, Remodel, Renovation, Landscaping.
Details: Kitchen update and replacement of all surfaces and appliances, Walls and Floors: New finishes, Bathroom updates, Systems updates, update and renovations to bedrooms.
Style: French/ Traditional
It was time to remodel the Old Town Alexandria Town House. Williamsburg Blue dominated throughout and the style was heavily 1980’s chintz. In its place, favorite colors and a more subdued, sophisticated style that reflected the new owner’s personality replaced the cheerful, but outdated look. Inside the foyer, a 19c. Empire-style armoire was set off beautifully against the luminous, trompe-hued taupe that she juxtaposed against original rich latte-cream molding. the new owner painted the library persimmon red to contrast with the rich cream crown molding and bookcases that cover the walls. A collection of French classics dating from the 18th century through the existentialists spans an entire side of the room. A family heirloom silver platter sitting on a cast iron base serves as the coffee table. A 19 c. leather-embossed desk sits in the corner.
Down the hall, the living room serves double duty as a dining room for special occasions. It was drastically changed to suit her love for sage green. She painted the shadow boxes with a diamond motif green sage wash over the silver sage background. Over-sized armchairs are covered in a Cowtan and Toutlarge-print paisley blue sage damask and the Louis XV and Louis VI antique chairs and the table are covered in a Bruschwig et Fils silk and jute stripe fabric.
The kitchen had been remolded recently so it required only a bit of decorating to leverage the décor of the previous owner who had put in aPierre Deux tile back splash and terracotta tiles. French ceramics hang from the walls and adorn the shelves. A French iron café table and chair set were painted in Provencal blue with a vine motif to match the tiles. Topiary animals of Provence hang from the ceiling alongside bunches of dried lavender.
The former dining room is painted in an ochre lime wash with white and red trim. This family room is where the owners eat at a drop-leaf table. An antique French country armoire dominates the room. It is filled with linens made by Belgian nuns at the beginning of the 20th century. Two sets of French doors flanked by Provencal yellow paisley stripe damask drapes open to the lush landscaped patio where they eat most meals, spring to fall. The rest of the year, they spend their down-time relaxing on a sofa and armchair with slipcovers made fromSchumacher Arrangiamento Di FioriItalian striped poppy, olive and champagne damask. 1930’s side tables that double as bookcases were given a new face by the owner with Fleur de Lis motifs. They sit at either side of the sofa. TV and stereo are hidden in cabinets on either side of the fireplace mantle.
The Master bedroom was transformed from blue, yellow and white floral to taupe, beige and linen. A wedding present of taupe locust fabric from the market at Isle-sur-la-Sorgue was made into a bed throw. Around it is a room of restful colors and complementary fabrics. The walls were dragged with a taupe glaze over a base of linen. Closets and trim are painted in mat beige. Overhead, linen catches the light and complements the custom shades. The striations of color on the walls reflect the sun that flows through the south and west-facing windows. The curtains and headboard are Stroheim & Romanbeige and cream toile fabric with a country squire motif. Around the room is a collection of the owner’s grandmother’s Italian painted canvases from the “boiseries” of her Rue de Passy home. They were part of a collection of 16 18th century “toiles” in gilded moldings surrounding shadow boxes throughout entire first floor of the Parisian duplex apartment in the 1930’s. In Alexandria, the five surviving ones have been framed in molding-like frames and hung around the room to simulate French “boiseries decoratives”. An Empirechest and two Louis VX Bergèresupholstered in their original tapestry blue sage sit on either side of a delicate 19 c. vanity. A local artisan in Vaison-la-Romaine made two flower-pressed arc shades for converted gas lamps. They match the motif in the five paintings of theboiseries. A Marqueterieantique card table serves bedside.
Translucent green Opaline lamps on either side of the bed lend a touch of color contrast to the soft beige and taupe palette.
The top floor, home to the two daughters of the former owners, both grown, has been restyled to accommodate the younger daughters of the current owners. Leveraging the light that predominates on the fourth floor, white damask and a mix of Souleiado’s Collection Petits Bleusfabrics was used to upholster the daybed, curtain and cushions of the sofa. The room serves as a sitting room as well as a bedroom. The second bedroom is decorated in feminine blue, pink and white. On the third floor, the guest room doubles as the owner’s office.
