From Europe with love French-inspired interior

For many homeowners, art works are not an afterthought they're a key consideration when it comes to choosing a new home.

The owners of this French Provincial-style house spent several years looking for a new home with enough wall space to accommodate their extensive art collection, which included Russian paintings from the '30s and '40s.

On purchasing the property, the owners commissioned designer Bruce Kading to create a new interior that would complement the art and the architecture.

"They wanted a high-end French look, but it needed to be light and airy, not stuffy," says Kading. "While the design had to have a traditional foundation, it was also important to add more playful, contemporary elements through the art and accessories."

Because every room on the ground floor opens to a terrace that wraps right around the house, the furniture and furnishings were selected and positioned to maximize the views through arched French doors. Kading says it was critical to ensure that the art works were not compromised by the furnishings, so a subtle palette of colors was chosen.

In the dining room, for example, a large painting provides the color and visual drama. To ensure it would not be hidden by a low pendant light, the designer specified a Niermann Weeks crystal chandelier that sits just beneath the reflective, pearlised ceiling. The only other wall decoration is an antique mercury glass mirror with a tarnished silver wood frame.

"This room has a crisp architectural look, which I wanted to reinforce," says Kading. "For this reason, there is no area rug covering the polished wood floor, and the taupe silk drapes are simply styled with braid in matching tones."

In the living room, the visual drama is provided by contrasting textural elements and pattern, rather than color. And instead of a mirror or painting above the fireplace, the designer commissioned an artist to create subtle decorative drawings, which also appear on either side of the French doors. A limestone coffee table adds a modern touch.

The great room, on the other hand, is a little more lively, with touches of warm red coming through in the area rugs and bar stools. Pillows on a caramel leather sofa are made from heavily embroidered fabrics and carpet squares.

Kading says the kitchen island, which was formerly wood, was painted and glazed in a mellow celadon shade, which fits better with the fresh, summery look required by the owners.

Soft neutrals also create a tranquil retreat for the master suite. The ceiling is painted a slightly lighter shade to the walls, to create a seamless transition. This room features a custom television cabinet, antique mirrored night stands and a French Louis XVI chair.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: Ken Gutmaker