Bringing a South of France charm to this 1950’s ranch style home, designer Suzanne Duin helped the homeowners completely transform their abode into a comfortable haven.  Because this couple travels often, they needed a place that had a relaxed feel to welcome them home. Given a warm color palette and updated lighting to suit current trends, this house is now a warm, bright and cozy interpretation of traditional French-inspired design. Hopefully the wonderful Christmas decorations throughout the home puts you in the holiday mode!!

In order to brighten up this formerly dismally dark entry hall, Suzanne chose a vibrant shade of yellow that the homeowner was not quite sure about.  But when a paneled design in blues and persimmons were added after which the walls were toned down with a soft umber glaze everyone was on board.  A paneled effect gives architecture to a space, heightens the ceilings and definitely adds that bit of French charm that this homeowner wanted.

Inspired by a French painting, this buttery yellow, dusty peachy, and blue color palette is carried throughout the home. Suzanne does a beautiful job of enhancing the flow of a home… I love this collection of bird prints that hints at the theme of the adjacent dining room.  It’s no surprise that this wonderful lighting is from Brown.

What a change from the original room to this charming dining room. There was initially a bright contract between the molding doors and bright white ceilings.  By painting everything out the same color including the louvered doors height was brought to the room and the architecture faded away letting  furnishings shine,  Because the homeowner loves birds, Suzanne really played up that theme here with a hand painted tree design and  this “birdcage like” light fixture from Maison Maison.  I absolutely love how the homeowners’ initials were monogramed on the backs of the chairs!!

The lineal feel of the painted treatment really lifts the ceilings and was a great way to bring the color pallet throughout the home and that French appeal into the room.

This crewel drapery fabric was one of the main inspirations for the home’s whole look! It brought in a bit of a French garden style. Using most of the homeowners preexisting furniture, Suzanne revamped many of the pieces with new upholstery and then arranged them in a comfortable, functional way. Hats off to Suzanne on not having to start completely over to create such a wonderful look!!

 Suzanne played up the focal point wall of the fireplace with these beautiful cabinets! As she describes, “we wanted them to look like ‘found’ pieces that just happened to fit together.” Adding the ornate edge and an aged finish gave an antique French furniture look.

This beautiful kitchen was completely gutted and appointed with all new appliances and surfaces! It now has so much personality with the antique table, lantern and delightful peel and stick quote (from Wonderful Graffiti) over the sink! Suzanne first started using these peel-and-sticks when participating in a hospice project. She placed verses from the Bible around the perimeter of two hospice rooms: “I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have gotten emails from family members comforted by the ‘surrounding’ message!” she says!!  I must say they really looked hand-painted!!

The guest room, which needed to accommodate visitors of any age has so many interesting design accents! Using the existing bedding Suzanne added the canopies creating a great focal point consistent with the French theme. I adore this mannequin that Suzanne found in France and then turned into a lamp – so creative!!! It was the first purchase the homeowners made and was what initially drew them to working with Suzanne.  Notice also the wonderful sewing machine lamp! Suzanne used the homeowners original sewing machine table as a bedside table with a slate top and then transformed the machine itself into the lamp. That is genius!!

This bathroom immediately transports you to France!!! Though the homeowner originally wanted to gut this space, Suzanne came up with some cost-saving solutions instead. For instance, hiding the outdated vanity with a skirt instantly freshened up the room. The beautiful toile wallpaper and curtain from Marvic Les Oisouex is so wonderful too that you don’t even notice the terrazzo tile floor. The shower curtain treatment also hides the tile and creates such a wonderful effect.  I love the tie backs being higher—much more interesting!!

The master bath was the only other room where major construction was done. the walls have an ever so soft tea stain on it and the ceiling was painted the palest of blues.  Who wouldn’t love this tub and separating the his and hers vanities gives a more private room effect to the homeowners.

Thanks so much Suzanne for sharing your project with us and letting Segreto Finishes implement your vision.  You really showed by with paint colors and specialty treatments and adding interesting fabrics and pop pieces, wonderful warm charming spaces can be created.