I hope your holiday weekend is being as gentle with you as these lovely moments of modern French and Belgian inspired timeless design. What all of the beautiful interior and exterior moments have in common is Houston-based architect Kirby Mears (MMA). If you are building or renovating a home, perhaps an architectural element, interior design idea, or color story will inspire your own scheme.
![Jill Egan kitchen (architect: Murphy Mears) with modern French style - photo by Laura Resen.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jill-egan-interiors-kitchen-murphy-mears-laura-resen.jpg)
Architecture: Murphy Mears Architects
Modern French & Belgian Moments of Timeless Design
What a dream to build something new that honors the past yet is customized for modern living.
![Murphy Mears designed Houston property (River Oaks) with limewashed brick. Gunn Construction.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-river-oaks-houston-house-exterior-limewashed-brick-gunn-construction.jpg)
It’s thrilling for me personally to see Old World finishes applied to interiors and exteriors since I live in a sleepy small town where home builders don’t have a clue about them.
![Modern French farmhouse kitchen in home near Round Top, TX, designed by Kirby Mears for Eleanor Cummings, interior designer.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/eleanor-cummings-winedale-round-top-texas-modern-french-farmhouse-tim-street-porter-005.jpg)
If you subscribe to MILIEU then you may remember Eleanor Cummings beautiful modern French vacation home near Round Top which appeared in the magazine a few years back. What a memorable kitchen with that French baker’s table, open shelving, long stretch of windows welcoming in the light, and a timeless mood.
![Beauty quote from John O'Donohue about our search for it and its deeper meaning. #beautyquotes #johnodonohue #inspirationalquotes #homequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/002-inspirational-quote-beauty-seeking-homecoming-john-odonohue.jpg)
![Murphy Mears designed Houston home's outdoor kitchen with limestone slabs.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-outdoor-kitchen-limestone-slabs-chateaudomingue-jill-egan-interiors.jpg)
Another home appearing in MILIEU that is a favorite of all time? Designer Jill Egan’s own home:
![Murphy Mears designed home (Jill Egan interiors) with Segreto stone and flooring from Chateau Domingue. #modernfrench #belgianminimalism](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-modern-French-living-room-jill-egan-interiors-segreto-stone-floor-chateau-domingue.jpg)
So many exquisitely elegant moments with its mix of modern art and lighting with Belgian minimal style.
![Modern French farmhouse bedroom in home near Round Top, TX, designed by Kirby Mears for Eleanor Cummings, interior designer.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/eleanor-cummings-winedale-round-top-texas-modern-french-farmhouse-tim-street-porter-004-1440x1032.jpg)
I love all these pale interiors and exteriors and find they usher me into a meditative state of mind.
![Inspirational quote about nature's beauty and wisdom by John Muir on Hello Lovely Studio. #inspirationalquote #quotes #johnmuir #naturequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/005-JOHN-MUIR-QUOTE-hello-lovely-studio-beauty-bread-nature.jpg)
![Beautiful courtyard at a Houston home designed by Murphy Mears.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-house-exterior-brick-side-yard-pea-gravel-boxwood.jpg)
Pale grey with creamy white and touches of pale blue? Yes, please.
![Modern French farmhouse dining area with antique orchard table in home near Round Top, TX, designed by Kirby Mears for Eleanor Cummings, interior designer.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/eleanor-cummings-winedale-round-top-texas-modern-french-farmhouse-tim-street-porter-003-1440x932.jpg)
But a sunny stone with pale blue-grey shutters works magic on my mood too!
![French country house exterior of a home by Murphy Mears in Houston.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-french-country-house-exterior-houston.jpg)
The warmth of wood antiques and design elements (like the ceiling, below!) bring a cozy feeling of age and character.
![Murphy Mears designed kitchen (Jill Egan interiors) with plaster work by Segreto Finishes.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-kitchen-jill-egan-plaster-segreto.jpg)
![Deena Metger inspirational quote about beauty. #beautyquotes #inspirationalquotes #deenametzger](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/beauty-quote-inspirational-wisdom-hello-lovely-studio-deena-metzger.jpg)
Sophisticated Simplicity and Understated Grandeur
And have you noticed the beautiful plaster finishes by Segreto? Oh, what lovely work this firm delivers!
![Breakfast nook with banquette and plaster pendant - interior design by Marie Flanigan in a Houston home designed by Kirby Mears.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-breakfast-nook-houston-home-plaster-walls.jpg)
As a real life renovator, I can attest to the craftsmanship involved for minimal interiors such as these where there is an absence of traditional window trim, baseboards, etc.
![Murphy Mears designed kitchen (Jill Egan interiors) with plaster work by Segreto Finishes.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-kitchen-jill-egan-plaster-segreto-2.jpg)
The finishes of the walls and all the places they meet with windows, ceilings, and floors must be perfect!
![Modern French farmhouse exterior of home near Round Top, TX, designed by Kirby Mears for Eleanor Cummings, interior designer.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/eleanor-cummings-winedale-round-top-texas-modern-french-farmhouse-tim-street-porter-002-1440x1104.jpg)
![Encouragement quote on Hello Lovely Studio to uplift and soothe in times of struggle. #strugglequotes #encouragementquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sunrise-sunset-encouragement-quote-HELLO-LOVELY-STUDIO.jpg)
I’m also reminded of how much luxe factor is added when reclaimed materials such as old stone or hardwoods imported from Europe (Chateau Domingue!) are incorporated into the design.
![Interior of a Murphy Mears designed home in Sunset Park with interiors by Marie Flanigan.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kirby-mears-sunset-park-marie-flanigan-1440x960.jpg)
Because there is a “distressed factory finish” and then there is an authentic aged finish from hundreds of years of use and love.
![Kirby Mears designed house exterior in Sunset Park.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kirby-mears-sunset-park-exterior.jpg)
This luxurious timeless bath by Jill Egan in her own home captures the sophisticated simplicity so many of us long to emulate.
![Luxurious marble bath in Kirby Mears designed home for Jill Egan in Houston.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kirby-mears-jill-egan-university-belgian-minimalism-houston-interior-bath-shower.jpg)
Don’t you love the juxtaposition with modern lighting and clean modern lines for the vanity?
![Murphy Mears Architect - clay tile roof on a beautiful European country style home.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-house-exterior-arched-door-clay-tile-roof.jpg)
An arched door is oh so welcoming!
![Tender wish of encouragement on Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/encouragement-quote-days-come-easy-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
![Eleanor Cummings designed modern French farmhouse near Round Top, TX (architect: Murphy Mears) - Milieu magazine. #modernfrench](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/eleanor-cummings-living-room-round-top-murphy-mears-modern-french-farmhouse-2.jpg)
The shutters within Eleanor Cummings’ farmhouse? Rustic yet oh so crisp and delightful.
![Murphy Mears designed Houston home (Jill Egan interiors) with Belgian minimal style.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/murphy-mears-jill-egan-university-belgian-minimalism-houston-interior-entry-stair-rail-1440x929.jpg)
The delicate nature of the stair rail is the stuff of my dreams!
![Modern French farmhouse exterior of home near Round Top, TX, designed by Kirby Mears for Eleanor Cummings, interior designer.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/eleanor-cummings-winedale-round-top-texas-modern-french-farmhouse-tim-street-porter-001.jpg)
And don’t get me started on this glorious front door (above).
![Modern French farmhouse kitchen in home near Round Top, TX, designed by Kirby Mears for Eleanor Cummings, interior designer.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/eleanor-cummings-kitchen-round-top-milieu-magazine-french-farmhouse-2.jpg)
Thanks for stopping by for timeless and tranquil inspiration, friends. It’s such a pleasure to have you here.
![John O'Donohue inspirational quote about love - a beautiful thought about its flow from the Irish poet. #lovequotes #inspirationalquotes #soulfulquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/002-inspirational-quote-spirituality-love-secret-tabernacles-landscape-john-odonohue.jpg)
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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