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[Oznell]

The "Cote de Texas" blogger has another interesting find.  This is the "for sale" house of globe-trotting architect Paul Duesing, who makes a specialty of designing very tony resorts, everywhere from Zambia to Bermuda to Beverly Hills.

The house as it is today--

He very much altered it from the 1960's French design of the original.  Wow, it must have been really dark on the second floor, before he put in all the windows:

He kept a bit of the French feeling by having a gravel courtyard in front (in the top photo, of the redesigned house).

And here's the back of the house.  I like that natural rock border around the pool.

This entry hall has one of my favorite color schemes for "drama".  The deep olive walls are juxtaposed with glossy black and white stone floors.  All the windows, white woodwork and the large mirror keep the light bouncing around.

Entry seen from the stair hall:

Dining room with beautiful antiques.

Antique reclaimed doors and old tapestry, lend warmth.

In the living room, you see the continuation of the dark sage color scheme, again relieved by lots of white wood work.  The "Cote" blogger was saying she wished he had specified what paint color the green is.  I'm wondering if it's similar to something like Benjamin Moore's historical color, "Tate Olive"?

Here's a shot of the sunroom, off the living room.

In the kitchen, I like the curving wall with French doors.  The whimsical little animals on the island are cute and give a "global". feeling:

The breakfast room, opening into a side yard.  Note the amusing postcard rack in the corner:

Master bedroom with peaked ceiling.

Expanded view of master bedroom. Pretty mirror.  The room looks comfortable!

Cute bathroom off the home office.  But a glass door?   No, and no and no!

This bedroom departs from the consistent color scheme only slightly-- it's taupe and white and black, instead of olive and white and black!  He does do nice, serene, rather simple bedrooms...

Curving brick patio:

Looking across the sun-dappled yard toward the little chapel and guest cottage.  Apparently some of Mr. Duesing's uncles were Benedictines whose artifacts are housed in the chapel, including some chalices.  Interesting!

As "Cote de Texas" says, it's always fascinating to see what designers and archtitects do when it comes to their own houses.  This one has a very definite point of view-- he clearly likes a pretty consistent color scheme, carried through the house for unity.  I like to have different colors, but I can still admire that sophisticated, overall look he achieved.  I also prefer less formality for myself, but do like the pretty effects he achieves.  His finishes and antiques are so exquisite.

"Cote" says this is a two-parter she is doing.  She says this is a more "masculine" approach she's featuring, and the second designer's house will be a more "feminine" one.  Will be fun to see!

[Love my grandkids]

@Oznell I like bits and pieces but the one HUGE turn off for me is those black and white checkerboard floors. I absolutely can't stand them. Don't like black in any kind of decor.

[manny2]

I am not a fan. 

[Leggett28]

I like it 

[stevieb]

Many appealing elements and some great looking rooms. Overall, it strikes me as a bit over-done, but is none-the-less quite a nice home. Interestingly, I don't like either the before or after exterior design and can't imagine that someone couldn't have developed a more appealing overall look.

[SurferWife]

LOVE.THE.POOL.

Oh...and the sun room!

[spiderw]

I find a lot of appeal in the decor and furnishings of the dining and living room and sun room.  I would prefer more color throughout.  I love the master bedroom with the chaise lounge, one of my favorite types of furniture.  It is a warm comfortable look.  All in all I think the house is lovely, I am a fan of formal looks and this one has some very nice touches. I would also add curtain panels on windows where I prefer privacy.

[VegasBusinessWoman]

The traditional furnishings in many of the rooms appealed to me, but overall, the color scheme was just so dreary and funereal

[Bridgegal]

Nope.  Not for this Dallas gal.

[Sooner]

I think the furniture, the architectural detailing and much of the decor is too large scale for the house.  It makes the house look cramped and small.