French Fantasy House Build: Check Out a Timeless Tranquil Home Now!

It’s my birthday, I’m busy with the move and renovation (read about it here), and I’m in the mood for fantasyland. So we’re revisiting a favorite home of a longtime blog friend. Since her style is timeless, it matters not that it wasn’t built yesterday.(These peaceful palettes and European inspired rustic elegant flavors are always worth another glance!). French Fantasy House Build: A Timeless Tranquil Home Favorite inspires with its architecture, collected grandeur, and Old World yet fresh aesthetic.

French Fantasy House Build: A Timeless Tranquil Home Favorite

I’m one of those hopeless real estate freaks who revels in browsing beautiful homes on Zillow and wherever I happen to be traveling. I dream of how I could decorate the place – how I might modify it – and ponder its value as an investment – not just monetarily but its impact on the heart.

French & Gustavian Dream Home

Photos: Ashlee Raubach and Decor de Provence

When Desiree of Decor de Provence shared snaps of her then mountain home a decade ago, we were living in a French country new build in the heartland which in no shape or form approached the magnificence and grandeur of this French chateau.

That Utah mountain manor inspired and continues to inspire with its bespoke design, blend of French and Gustavian elements, and attention to detail. With all its spaciousness and luxury, it still feels human, quite livable, and even un-decorated in its fresh beauty, pale color, and good bones.

BTW. If you know of other homes with such qualities, do hit reply to this email (if you receive my posts in your inbox) or leave a comment which directs me to images that get you dreaming.

Overview of This Chateau in America

This fantasy home’s design entails: 14,000 square feet, 9 bedrooms, 5 kitchens, and 19th century light fixtures from France.

The architectural style? A mix of the design-savvy homeowner’s favorite elements of French, Belgian, and Swedish Gustavian styles.

In terms of the interior design, a notable design element not to be missed is the handmade Bouvet door hardware.

Poplar Throughout

You also can’t miss the beautiful poplar wood throughout, with trim and doors stained a custom hand-mixed grey-blue for a one of a kind, French Gustavian look.

Most of the furnishings in the home which aren’t antiques were found at Alice Lane Home. But the homeowner/designer has a shop now HERE.

The designer and homeowner Desiree has a passion for beachy, watery, oceanic blue-greens which she used so beautifully in this white kitchen which has such a pretty and laid back vibe for such a formal home.

What a treat to see such gentle sea-honoring hues combined with more rugged beams and handsome floors.

Mix of Rustic & Elegant

The collected vintage French chandeliers are another example of a tender femininity and romance meeting other more masculine design elements.

In fact, I’m encouraged to see how collected treasures from Europe are incorporated into this home when one could easily become shy when considering questions of scale.

Must I always opt for a formulaic and space-proportional 30-light Marie Antoinette style chandelier dripping with 500 crystals in a French country interior with a soaring ceiling? Or can I have fun with scale – tell the formula freaks to relax or take a hike – and live with what I love and with what brings me joy?

I think it’s clear I am more of a free spirit when it comes to pulling together the ingredients of a peaceful home. If you collect treasures and want to enjoy them, incorporate them into the mix and let your intuition be your guide.

Do you suppose the designer’s Swedish Mora clock influenced her design palette as much a love for the ocean?

And what is it about a stone exterior that simply takes my breath away? The only stone found on our present home is smooth round-ish river stone accents… so much more hillbilly than haute like this! Ha!

Greens Inside & Out

Notable design element…antique Swedish mora clock!

Notice how a variety of natural materials, collected treasures from Europe, reclaimed building elements, and soulfulness came together to create something special.

Rustic Wood Ceilings

Ever lived with anything besides white ceilings? I can’t imagine how the character and mood of a home changes.

White European Country Kitchen With Green Accents

These aqua green-blues are so pretty and make me think of sea glass and time on the beach.

Open Shelves & Serene Palette

I have heard that folks who forego upper cabinets and instead opt for open shelves love the function and look.

I am toying with the idea for the new house, and I’m thinking about the beauty of unloading the dishwasher and placing everyday pieces directly on a shelf. It certainly makes it easy for guests to find what they need.

Rustic Vintage Counter Stools

The woven seating keeps things very casual and humble, yes?

Farm Sink & Classic Bridge Faucet

Even though I considered trying a new style of sink for the new kitchen, I just could not bear the thought of not having an apron-front farm sink. I have never tired of it, and I find it makes the chore of kitchen work so much sweeter.

French Country Earthenware

What a fun thing for Francophiles to collect!

Notice the absence of cupboard doors and the display of serving pieces…

Lacanche Fantasy Range

What a range!

While I haven’t had the budget for a fancy range, I’m always curious about how they function.

Candle Style Chandelier

I love the look of a timeless chandelier above an island in lieu of itty bitty pendant lights.

French Lavender Accents

Is the combination of lavender and sunny yellow thrilling you yet?

Serene & Swedish Dining Room

While I don’t have need for a formal dining room, I would not be mad if mine looked like this:

What a fantasy room…complete with a fireplace!

19th Century French Chandelier

Only the prettiest chandeliers dripping with crystals and elegance.

Fine Craftsmanship & Handsome Details

In case you love built-ins and beadboard…

French Stone Fireplace

Custom Pale Stained Poplar Trim

I loved how Desiree went with a serene custom color for the stained millwork!

Airy Rooms Ready for More Finishing Touches

So many pretty touches to admire…

isn’t this blue out of this world?

Blues and golds are so happy together!

Charming Architectural Details

Cozy little nooks are one of my all-time favorite things when it comes to inspiring interiors, and I love that more builders involve residential designers who understand the desirability of such features.

Beachy Blue-Greens

Not sure if this color on the wood is Farrow & Ball Light Blue, but I just tried a sample, and it looks very similar. (Don’t be too influenced by the name of paint colors…in my lighting, this color is more green than blue.)

What an elegant, restful bath.

Paint Color in This Home

Paint colors for the interiors are from the Flamant line. You can see this story for ideas for beautiful French and Belgian colors in the spirit of this home.

The white paint color for walls in the home is FLAMANT Cool Ashes. It reminds me of Benjamin Moore Classic Gray which we used in a bath here, and which I recall Loi of Tone on Tone uses frequently.

Shopping Finds in the Same Spirit

Go inside this beautiful home!

For even more inspiring decorating ideas, see these sources of FRENCH COUNTRY and FRENCH FARMHOUSE loveliness and pretty please re-pin away!

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p.s.

Tour another timeless and tranquil newly built home with French country reclaimed materials and Old World interiors RIGHT HERE.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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