Elegant Dream Home

RENOVATING A FRENCH-INSPIRED HOUSTON MANSION

After falling under the spell of a neglected 1930s limestone château in Houston, a Francophile couple carefully restores the historic house while adding all the best amenities of contemporary life.

via: Architectural Digest

Front Entrance

ENTRANCE HALL

Antique portraits of Venetian doges, from Mac Maison, overlook the entrance hall’s 18th-century iron balustrade; the Italian settee is upholstered in a Rubelli damask from Donghia, and the tripartite cocktail table is a 1940s Baguès design.

CONSERVATORY

In the conservatory, where breakfast is served, an Italian Empire-style chandelier hangs above a 19th-century Italian marble pedestal table.

LIVING ROOM

A detail of the room, which retains its original chandeliers and Louis XV–inspired boiserie; the gilt-bronze cocktail table is vintage Baguès, and the gilt-wood candelabra date from the 19th century.

LIBRARY

A bronze-and-tole chandelier once owned by Napoléon III is suspended under the library’s 16th-century Italian painted-canvas ceiling panels.The sofa is upholstered in a Rubelli velvet, the 18th-century Italian mirror is flanked by French doors curtained in a Fortuny cotton, the floor lamp and cocktail table are from Mac Maison, and the bergères date from around 1780.

TERRACE

Lemon trees scent the music room’s limestone terrace, which is outfitted with late 19th-century iron furniture.

KITCHEN

The kitchen features a La Cornue range, counters made of reclaimed 18th-century stone from Chateau Domingue, and vintage barstools found at a Paris flea market; the dishes are by Vietri.

DINING ROOM

The dining room’s Georgian chairs are covered in a Nancy Corzine velvet, the antique canvas panels on the far wall are from Mac Maison, and the chandelier is original to the house.

MASTER BEDROOM

An antique gilt-wood settee cushioned in an Old World Weavers velvet from Stark stands at the foot of the bed in the master bedroom, whose headboard incorporates a fragment of 19th-century Venetian boiserie; a 19th-century French painting of putti from Mac Maison hangs on the wall, and the faux-fur throw is by Peacock Alley.

MASTER BEDROOM

Childress used appliquéd silk for the curtains and an embroidered fabric for the ottoman in the master bedroom’s sitting area; the chandelier is circa 1880, while the mirror is 18th century.

MASTER BEDROOM

A Louis XV desk in the master bedroom is joined by a fauteuil from the same period; the trompe l’oeil book side table is from Mac Maison.

MUSIC ROOM

Sofas clad in a cotton-silk from Lee Jofa are grouped with a Nancy Corzine cocktail table in the music room; the shield-back chairs are French.

DAUGHTER'S ROOM

A lit à la polonaise draped with a floral fabric anchors the daughter’s bedroom; the Louis XVI marquise is upholstered in a Rubelli fabric, and the carpet is by Stark.

POWDER ROOM

In the powder room, a Louis XV mirror is set into a niche above a Siena marble sink with 1940s bronze fittings; the painting is 18th-century French.