topic Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED in Home

1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

Oznell — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 13:48:36 GMT

I think of veteran designer Charles Spada as a sort of "Grand Duke" of American interior design, so it's neat and fitting that he went about restoring the historic "Manoir de Berthoulet" in Normandy.

These rooms were so widely published, you may have seen them already, but a refresher: The manor house was originally a hunting lodge, until is was converted in the 1700's to a private summer residence.

I think Spada did a lovely job on the "salon". He said that here and in the dining room, he had to have the painted paneling scrubbed 3 times with a lye solution, to bring back the soft coloring after centuries of wood smoke:

The chaise looks like a comfortable spot near that beatiful hearth.

Love the chandelier, the windows, the inviting "allee" view!

Stunning floors. It's interesting how many grand French houses dispense with rugs.

Love the way he used simple checked fabric for curtains. That's something I always like, and look for -- the mix of "high" and "low". Makes things more interesting, and approachable. Of course on the other hand, his liberal use of pretty porcelain on walls also appeals to me....

Really like the old engravings and prints in bedroom- and the books. Feels like a cozy but airy library, and there's definitely a

great place to read by the open window!

Beams and brick floors in kitchen, yum. Look how in both pictures below, he brought the wood back so beautifully. A warm counterpoint to that array of pretty white ironstone on display. The simplicity of the industrial-accented pendant lights in such a setting is perfect. He said he brought the kitchen down to the original plaster!

Such an inviting prospect-- Normandy always seems like a place I'd love to visit.

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

just bee — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 13:57:14 GMT

I agree: Fabulous floors!

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

NickNack — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 14:18:00 GMT

I love everything about this house @Oznell !

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

author — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 16:20:06 GMT

I am gobsmacked from the beauty of this house.....stunning.

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

Desert Lily — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 16:31:57 GMT

@Oznell I'd love to live in that fairy tale house.

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

vsm — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:04:42 GMT

I like the exterior so much more than the cluttered, fussy interior.

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

luvzchiz — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 18:27:00 GMT

I agree that the exterior is beautiful, but the interior is too cluttered. There appears to be little room to navigate around all the furniture, especially in the first picture.

Sorry, but all those plates hanging on the walls makes me think of target practice.

@Oznell Thanks though for sharing unusual abodes.

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

spiderw — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 20:50:08 GMT

There isn't anything I do not like about this elegant home and it is very much within my taste zone. Just stunning!!!!! What a beautiful exterior also!!!!!!

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

Patriot3 — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 22:23:26 GMT

I really like the outside, very pretty, but the inside is too cluttered for me.

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

stevieb — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:15:19 GMT

This is a lovely and sumptuous restoration.

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

Brisky — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:34:59 GMT

Love this place..😍

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

Sooner — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:55:00 GMT

I despise clutter. I would take the plates off the wall (sorry!). But to me the rest of it doesn't really strike me as cluttered because everything looks like it is living happily together.

It makes the space a little tight, but it is harmonious enough that to me it really isn't clutter--just a lot of lovely things. Of course the white ironstone things would have to be housed "elsewhere" too--the ones on the long table

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

kehaara — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 15:05:30 GMT

This manor house is beautifully decorated and furnished in a style that does justice to its location and age.

Re: 1652 FRENCH HOUSE, RESTORED

wilma — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 22:29:05 GMT

It's beautiful, but too formal and a bit too cluttered for me. I love the exterior more than the furnishings inside. My least favorite thing is all the plates on the wall. There's too many IMO.