We at The Great House have been working with a wonderful couple in North Carolina this year. Incredibly, this couple had the opportunity to travel to France and gain inspiration for creating their own custom dream dwelling. To accentuate the French architecture they love, Randy Hall and our staff used design techniques from the past as well as present to accentuate the design of this lovely French home. The results of combined partnership between homeowners and designers create an elegant space appealing to most any taste. A bit of traditional, a touch of French flair, and a tad of rustic elegance all working harmoniously to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Due to the time of year, we also were able to add Christmas decorations to the finished product. By keeping holiday additions minimal, our adornments do not overpower the casual elegance created with this dining and entry space.
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The warm yet neutral color scheme instantly provides a sense of warmth and home. The over-scale French inspired mirror is one of Randy Hall's trademarks. Sitting atop the fabulous painted buffet, this mirror and accessories will be sure to be a beautiful yet functional serving piece for all of the home owners' holiday gatherings. The addition of full garland and neutral ribbons provide the holiday vibe without overwhelming the color scheme with traditional bright reds and greens.
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Have you ever wondered how to dress an arched window? We had a rod custom formed to the shape of the dining room window and selected a beautiful gold stripe silk that effortlessly pleats and puddles on the floor. The reflection of light off the gold fabric further emphasizes the warm glow that radiates around the space.
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We all love the light fixtures in this space. Each one has an antiqued gold finish that adds a sense of age and depth. If you will notice, there is no shortage of light in this dining room. Lit recessed ceiling fixtures, a chandelier, sconces, and table lamps add options to the lighting scheme needed for any gathering.
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This is the entry vignette. A painted cabinet with tassels adds the rustic charm of a French farm house, while the addition of a modern adjustable arm lamp adds unexpected interest. We have included pops of greenery throughout the dining, entry, and foyer designs to continually draw the eye through the spaces.
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We at The Great House absolutely love the homeowners' selection of this iron stair banister design. The dark iron evokes a French feeling of days gone by while also adding an unexpected black accent to the muted warm tones. This contrast of colors automatically makes the curved staircase an instant focal point. To accentuate the small cavity formed below the staircase, we created a small sitting area with decorative accessories to complement the dining room. We like to think of this small sitting area as a snug place to read, a place to drop your purse or coat as you come home from an event, or even a place for the husband to wait for his wife to finish getting dressed for the evening.
All our best wishes for a happy holiday from The Great House...
Written by Cameron Coxworth
