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French Empire revisited

Every aspect of this master suite from the 1850 Empire bed to the antique lighting sconces and reproduction slipper bathtub reflects a passion for traditional French architecture and interiors

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View of home with light-toned walls, square design bathroom, bathroom accessory, bathroom cabinet, cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, home, interior design, room, sink, window, gray, brown

View of home with light-toned walls, square design bathroom, bathroom accessory, floor, home, interior design, plumbing fixture, room, sink, tap, gray

View of home with light-toned walls, square design bathroom, bathroom accessory, bathroom cabinet, cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, furniture, home, interior design, kitchen, room, gray, brown

View of home with light-toned walls, square design cabinetry, ceiling, door, home, interior design, light fixture, lighting, molding, room, wall, window, brown, gray

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Classical French architecture inspired the design of this remodeled house both inside and out. And the master suite is a perfect example of the way close attention to proportion, scale and detail can re-createa particular period in history.

Architect Duane Stone says the owners liked the idea of a traditional French salon the living room in the house was modeled on such lines. The theme is continued in the master suite, which features ornate custom paneling designed to complement two antique Louis XVI French doors.

Stone worked closely with interior designer Susan Howell Branch to come up with a subtle graduated palette of soft French green tones for the paneling.

"These shades appear in the antique doors and in the rug, which has patterns and colors that are authentic to the Empire period," says Branch. "The rug was also designed to soften visually the grand and rather masculine antique Empire bed a piece the owners had found already."

The French influence extends to the mouldings and door casings, which were custom made from sketches the architect made while visiting the Palace of Versailles. The antiqued finish of the gold-plated door knobs and hardware is also in keeping with the period feel.

To complement the paneling and the matching cabinetry, the bathroom is lined with Carrara marble. This is used in a number of different tile sizes and patterns to create visual interest, including borders in a Greek key pattern, and a decorative mosaic tiled rug.

The rug is one of several distinctive features that define the focal point of the bathroom a burnished-metal soaking bathtub. This sits beneath a large, arched and leaded window that was custom designed and handmade to complement the other decorative elements it has the same Greek key pattern border.

A barrel vault ceiling, handpainted wall mural and 1930s Swedish chandelier in the Empire style also focus attention on the bathing area. A similar barrel vault ceiling and chandelier feature in the adjoining dressing room.

Credit list

Interior designer

Susan Howell Branch,

Tiling

Carrara marble

Door, window and cabinet hardware and sconces

PE Guerin

Bed

Empire from 1850

Club chairs

Dartford from Ainsworth-Noah

Mantel

French 19th-century Louis XV style

Vanity sinks, faucets and bathtub

Waterworks

Wood flooring

Walnut in Fontainebleau pattern by Woodrich, Inc

Custom paint finishes

The Finishing Source

Leaded glass window

Vloeberghs Stained Glass Studio

Rug

Empire Caissons design from Stark Carpet

Ottoman

Newport from Ainsworth-Noah

Chandeliers and furniture

Antique

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: John Umberger

25 Mar, 2011

Bathroom Renovation

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