French Urban Cottage

3 Fav's.....

R, R, & R. This little cottage deep in France just may have all the elements that I could require in an urban French home. A cleverly decorated cottage in the French countryside. Just the right blend of old and new, sleek and rustic, all the while looking rather smart, clean and pure.

The similar treatment, I used in a client's home.

 

I have done a similar concrete finish for a client's fireplace surround. The sleek looking surround does look great here. I love the pairing with the antique chesterfield club chairs in worn, soft leather. An instant warm up to the sleeker and more modern finishes in the room. Coffee table is industrial chic, as are the brushed lamps and shades around the seating arrangement. Another great addition is the high, rustic beam ceilings.

Glorious!

How about kitchen to die for? I love the metal windows, hues of greis, cream and natural tones.

How about the metal kitchen island? The abundant light from the large scaled windows?

Pendant lighting, open glassfront pantry doors and overhead spot lighting way up in the beams. The practical bases seem covered, but the playfulness and the openness seems to say " Come in & sit, cook or talk a while". Maybe my favorite room.

What is not to like here?

Talk about a lofty bath here. The floor is herringbone tile in vintage pattern, brushed metal vanity, and old metal cabinet now storage closet beams masculinity. The oversized chair, brushed lighting is complemented by the over scaled parchament shade. I know this feels dark, but look at how much light is coming in.

Love this bath!

A peek into a bedroom with natural colors and textures. A more light and airly approach to feminine decor.

Not too refined, natural elements and rustic touches are present with more sleek and sophisticated simplicity. Simple texture in sisal rug and clean lighter color on walls and on surfaces.

With open space, lack of walls there seems to be a repition in the industrial furnishings, large windows and long full linen window coverings. Dark, light, sleek and textures play off one another to send a comfortable and lived in feeling. Track lighting is integrated with pendant lights to mix and cast different pools of light in the room.

Flea markets from Normandy were scoured on weekends to pull the indoor and outdoor rooms together.

I think that is what I love the most of the French countryside life. The three season room is also a place to be near the outside, nearly all year long. Outdoor spaces are so important and used to keep the nature a daily part of life. The ability to slow down and take in your surroundings is a way of life, so often hurried through in day to day routine.

The pool and sun terrace was excavated from the foundation of the old barn, located on the property.

I also like the long table surrounded by high backed chairs. Keeping with less formality, the chairs are slipped with colored and hand dyed natural linen slipcovers. The three large metalic cone can lights are lowered for a softer glow of light and to make the dinind experience more comfortable and intimate. The colors from the fabrics are similar to natural clay, ground, and field colors. Muted in tone and natural in feel and texture of the linen.

A cottage garden just outside the arched openings and large windowed doors. The table and chairs are black in color and design from Fermob. Pea gravel beneath your feet and edged with antique pavers, add a relaxed feel to a more formal garden. The rustic brick walls are lit up by antique garden lanterns.

More concrete simple floors open to heavy metal doors, industrial tables and interesting mirrors & accessories. Beyond the old shop door is a lounge area lined with dark light filtering black natural window panels.

The view from inside the shower. Dark textural tiles, a rainshower style shower head and high ceilings with natural light shining in.

In the connecting hall, rustic antique walls of brick add texture to the space. A rustic table is topped with more architectural pieces as well as new accessories. The old is slowly taking over the space and creeping into the main room of the cottage. When thinking of a French cottage, this does not instantly come to mind, but is a wonderful surprise. I think of this look more so in Soho or industrial France.

It is a simple and understated way to live, I think I would like to infuse some of the elements into my overall design plan.

Candice St. Savior French west side / DR - Leslie Rowlands Interiors