Welcome to the seventy-eighth post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".
This 1200 sq ft restored 16th century presbytery is filled with wonderful details.
The once dark interior is now light and inviting thanks to the skills of interior decorator Catherine Sandin of Versailles. She lightened the wall and floors, and bleached the dark brown beams.
The previous owner brought the old stone fireplace and the paneling from an 18th century castle he owned in the south of France. Sandin's clients, wanting to change the dark paneling, chose a paint and patina that coordinates with the color of the sconces and mirror above the sofa.
Attention to details brings a collected, timeless feel to the rooms.
Did you notice that the drapes are knotted at the bottom?
Sandin kept the old rug in the dining room. It works beautifully with the rustic tile floor.
The chandelier is exquisite.
Sandin crafted the untreated wooden clock.
A charming Santos surveys the pretty dining room.
The writing desk, found in a barn on the property, was painted in two tones to enhance its detailing.
With light streaming in from the skylight and the sweet little table and chairs, this kitchen gives the feeling of a lovely garden room.
I have a serious crush on this coat rack, and I wouldn't turn down the chair, either.
There are two bedrooms upstairs, along with the bathroom.
Blue and white fabric in the door glass adds a bit of color.
The master bedroom is soft and serene.
Old louvers serve as headboards in the granddaughters' bedroom. Sandin created the look of canopies with organdy voile and gave a nod to the Versailles location with the addition of Marie Antoinette medallions.
Whimsical touches like the stuffed animals and the doll dress lamp remind us that this is, indeed, a room for children. However, I wouldn't mind sleeping here.
The all white bathroom is a stunning backdrop for the wooden towel rail and bench.
A terrace with climbing Wisteria invites lingering.
Another outdoor space was created for dining and conversation at the back of the house.
The outdoors is every bit as delightful as the interior.
Imagine dining with friends here in the beautiful French countryside.
I'm ready to pack my bags for a visit.
Does anything about this home inspire you?
Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series
Living Large in Small Spaces
See more home tours in the
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.
So Beautiful! Love the lilacs.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I love everything about that adorable house. Yes, eating outdoors there would be enchanting. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeletethe beams..
ReplyDeletethe glass doors..
at table outside..
oh my heavens.
swOon.fAint.tHud.
I'm ready to pack my bags too, I'm coming with you, my darling Nancy !
ReplyDeleteHow, how much I do enjoy dreaming with the wonderful post of yours belonging to this series, my lovely ... you cannot imagine ... lingering over so little, important, wonderful details recalling the past in every charming room, it's truly terrific to me !
Hope you're having a lovely weekend, I'm sending blessings of joy to you, Dearest One, with so much gratitude and esteem
Dany
Got me at French Country, then those blue, gingham, checked curtains to the chandelier in the YARD!
ReplyDeleteWhere are the keys? Cause, I'm moving in! And yes, I can smell the lilacs, which happen to be a favorite of mine.
To say stunning seems an under statement. Masterful in creating the essence of relaxed yet refined French décor. Love the kitchen, the beams and the emotions this cottage evokes. Nancy needless to say I will be revisiting again and swooning.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Vera
I love houses with white or off-white walls because color can be added with accessories. The circular window above the entrance caught my eye in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteComing from a masonry family the stone on the outside. The skylight in kitchen and the outside yard and beautiful scenery!
ReplyDeleteI love the greenish grays and whites with the old terra cotta floors. I especially love the downstairs. I think this one is my favorite. xoox Su
ReplyDeleteThis gorgeous place is both charming and enticing. I could scroll through these pics for a very long time!!! Each and every space and vignette is something I could gladly want for myself.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a huge number of features.---I enjoy each and every one!
Jane
The stone exterior is perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about all the small cottages you feature is the excellent use of storage space. Each square foot is useful.
The ceilings and kitchen floor are right up my alley. That cute table and chairs in the kitchen is sweet. And as always I love the outdoor patios. And adding the chandelier over the outdoor dining table is so elegant in a casual setting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a quaint cottage. It is so bright and cheery. I love the old table outside!
ReplyDeleteIt is all inspiring. I loved the first photo, so quaint and ancient.
ReplyDeleteThe master bedroom was oh so lovely and peaceful. Kitchen a nice place to fix delicious meals.
So many wonderful old world details.
Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI keep sighing and sighing as I read your descriptions and looked carefully at every detail. This IS MY STYLE 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am happy to see that all the elements we have added to our home are pretty much the same as I see here. The bleached out beams in the rooms resemble ours in the great room, the white furniture, the almost wonky and simple furniture (wonky in terms of not being perfect) - it all works together perfectly and THIS is authentic French country. LOVE THIS and I think this is my favorite cottage that you've posted....(oh dear, that other French cottage you shared once is too!)
really lovely cottage and grounds. I'd definitely live here!
ReplyDeleteCertainly French Country . . .
ReplyDeleteFor me . . . loved the stone and entrance door . . .
Interior touches . . . dark writing desk . . . or was that a dressing table
and yes . . . "the chair" . . .
I liked the white in the master bedroom . . .
I noticed the knotted drapery . . .
Wonderful to view . . . very white . . . for me . . .
The dining room had warmth . . .
Oh Nancy this by far is my favorite in the series. Ohhhhh so me. Just swooning. Love every room.
ReplyDeleteIt is making me excited to get into my new place and start the transformation. Lots of inspiration here.
Hugs,
Kris
Oh my, what a charming, adorable cottage. I wouldn't change a single thing...it's stunning. And I love the way the outdoor spaces extend the living areas. I'm ready to move in! :-)
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Wow, each room is just more charming than the next. The view takes the cake, though. Can you imagine cake out there? ;)
ReplyDeleteI am so enchanted by this home. It's unbelievable and though I could never transform my home into something like this, I have gleaned many ideas. Not sure what the owner has used to create a soft backing for the beds as opposed to headboards...bolster pillows? Our lakehouse is a double A Frame and all of the second floor rooms have sloping ceilings. I love how these rooms show off the ceiling and walls to an advantage and the clever ideas. I also love the curtains knotted at the bottom. I have living room curtains that simply don't 'puddle!! They look long and frumpy! Going to try this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy. I may be Pinning every picture! :-D
Jane
It's a lovely house. It looks a lot like the stone houses I was drooling over when I was a child as I grew up near that house, wherever it exactly is. I love all the attention to detail in the interior decor. It does look a little too perfect and not enough lived-in for me, but I guess it's only because the pictures were staged. The little white bathroom is very inspirational for my own.
ReplyDeletebeyond lovely
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see it, I just love the all white look, especially when it is carried throughout. I love color too much too, so I will have to just gaze at this beautiful home in envy!
ReplyDeleteThis is one place that I could honestly see myself walking into and living comfortably in, Nancy! It's so calm, serene and beautiful! Thanks for sharing this one! Blessings, Cindy xo
ReplyDeleteI'm not usually drawn to all-white rooms, but these are beautiful. I love how the tile floors give some weight to the rooms. The kitchen - tiny and perfect. I could live here!
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous...every single room, and the outside is just as beautiful. Love this one Nancy.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! If I could have a cottage right now this would be what I would have in mind. I looove the white furniture and all the white accents. Marvelous!! I want one just like this one! A girl can dream right?
ReplyDeleteNancy, you certainly hit the nail on the head with this choice. In my wildest dreams of the perfect French cottage, this one is total perfection in every single detail. The floors, the beams, the light flooding in, that adorable little round window up stairs . . . I could go on and on, but I'd rather just go back and take a second look. Oh, am I drooling on my keyboard? Not very lady like of me, LOL.
ReplyDeleteJ'adore French styling! That's all I have to say.
ReplyDeletePlus, I want to be in the picture which says: Imagine dining with friends here in the beautiful French countryside.
J'adore French styling! That's all I have to say.
ReplyDeletePlus, I want to be in the picture which says: Imagine dining with friends here in the beautiful French countryside.
Ooooh! How lovely! It's a little fancy for me, but I do love the kitchen, bathroom and that garden!!!
ReplyDeleteI am way behind with my blog reading as its been a crazy couple of weeks but I finally made it to see this gorgeous place. I love a place that only gradually reveals its secrets, where there are so many details to take in.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Me encanta cada detalle de esta casa, es detenerse en el tiempo, en donde se disfruta de la vida en paz.
ReplyDelete