Innholdsfortegnelse for French Home 2016 i The Cottage Journal

Unlike any other floral perfume in the plant kingdom, only gardeners know the true aroma of fragrant violets. Gather a nosegay of sweet violets, hold it to your nose, and breathe in. Even for gardeners, that unique signature scent came perilously close to being lost. If you have never sampled the essence of Viola odorata, you owe it to your nostrils to find those elusive flowers. Take one whiff, and you’ll understand the reason for the French love affair with these modest blooms. Violets undoubtedly won the hearts of the French long before Napoleon Bonaparte came on the scene. Some say that violets were the first flower to be grown commercially—documented as an item in Greek marketplaces in 400 B.C. Mentioned in ancient herbals, used medicinally, and for their sweet…

“My husband one day drew the floor plan [of our house] on a napkin at a restaurant and said that this would be a perfect family home for us and our three children,” interior designer Julie Ponze says of her elegant yet relaxed New Orleans home. “After that we met with an architect, Brian Parr, who made our dream a reality.” Fifteen years later, Julie is still a fan of the classic design choices they made. Though she worked as a school teacher for 20 years, design has always been a passion for Julie. “My mother says I’ve been doing interior design since I was three years old when I would rearrange all the shoes in her closet and later all the glasses on the bar,” Julie says with a…

A Bit of History Pages 17-21 All products from Maison de France Antiques. Reigning Violets Page 28—Flower lollipops from Sugar Bakers Bakery. In the Details Page 39—Artwork in dining room by Nall. French Influence Pages 55-66—Architectural design by Henry Sprott Long & Associates. Built by Steve Bryant, Francis A. Bryant & Sons. Hardscape by Rosalie Gambrill Holman Garden and Design. Interiors by Ann Luce, Hawkins-Israel III Interiors. Her Secret to Good Design Pages 67-78—Interiors by Mallory Smith, Mallory Smith Interiors. Page 72—Chandelier by Ben Smith, Welded Wood Specialty Products. Accessories from Maison de France Antiques. French Style in the Big Easy Pages 89-98—Architectural design by Brian Parr Architect. Interiors by Julie Ponze, Julie Ponze Design. Art by Ashley Longshore. Page 96—Oven range by Dynamic Cooking Systems. Treasured Collections Pages 109-118—Interiors…

When asked to describe the style of her home, the owner responds, “Country French.” And when asked her personal style, she shares, “It’s casual and comfortable.” The intermingling of these two styles has resulted in an inviting home with French influences. As you enter through the arched door you step into a light-filled hallway. The glass chandelier overhead is an antique thought to be originally from France. The grandfather clock and chest were both purchased years ago in New Orleans, long a source for French antiques. Just off the hall sits the living room. The homeowner explained the room’s color palette was influenced by the colors in the rug. The choice was either to go with dark colors or light, and she chose light. “I’m afraid of color,” she laughs.…

For almost two decades Mallory Smith has been working MallorySmithhasbeenworking in the interior design business, but she didn’t take her first trip to France until 13 years ago. With her 2-year-old child in hand, she tagged along with her mother and sister on a buying trip for their antiques shop and ended up buying for clients of Mallory Smith Interiors and, of course, for her own home. Mallory, her husband and three children live in a two-story brick house built in 1987. As a busy decorator, renovating her own house was put on the back burner while helping others. But over time she has worked her magic, creating a romantic French-inspired home. The neutral palette of the foyer is carried throughout the rooms for a calm, relaxed style. An old…

Architect Michael Graves once said, “Architecture is not all about the design of the building and nothing else, it is also about the cultural setting and the ambience, the whole affair.” And that may be one reason today’s designers are so interested in collecting remnants of the buildings from earlier times. Small pieces of moldings, an old mantel, a balustrade—they introduce a little bit of history and character to our homes. The shop, Maison de France Antiques, specializes in old, architectural remnants from France. Ginny Smith, co-owner says, “It’s like Christmas every time we open a container. I love that every item is original.” And for shoppers, it’s a treasure hunt for a bit of history…

The porch welcomes friends and family with its vintage wicker furnishings and a sette made from an antique bed. French towels cover pillows and a lampshade for a soft, subtle nod to Gallic culture. Ferns and flowers bring the outdoors right up to the front door. The crystal chandelier is the pièce de résistance in the front room. The white walls provide the perfect backdrop to showcase collections of suitcases, hats, and furniture. The antique mantel displays a grouping of family photos in a variety of silver frames, while surrounding bookcases enclosed with glass doors protect favorite reads. An unexpected element is added with a furry covered bench for extra seating. A small butler’s pantry connecting the front room and dining room provides storage for collected china. Another crystal chandelier…

While the Harbin cottage is a new build, the interiors feel anything but new with the help of the cozy comforts of the couple’s well loved collections. Trying to recall when they developed an affinity for French influence and antiques, Barbara shares that it is something that continues to evolve. Robin’s mother collected and cherished antiques, which played a huge role in his personal style, but it was when the Harbins were first married and moved to Washington D.C. that they found a true appreciation and fondness for older things. The home’s open floor plan welcomes guests from the outside into the dining room, where the walls are drenched in a beautiful, rich red. The dining room gracefully flows into the living room, which enjoys a palette of soft blue,…

Approaching Bob and Johnnie Kay Wolf’s hilltop home feels akin to arriving at a château on the edge of a lovely French village. The front gate, adorned with a pair of gas lanterns, opens to reveal an expertly manicured courtyard leading to the couple’s picturesque abode. The Wolfs fell in love with the clean lines of modernism, but also adored the timeless beauty of classical design elements. They looked to Chris Reebals, president of Christopher Architecture & Interiors, to blend their sensibilities into one seamless design. “When it came to the final decision on an architectural style, Bob’s comment to me was ‘I am an orthopedic surgeon. You are an architect. I’ll stick with what I do well and let you do your thing—so, design,’” Chris says. And so he…