Home Tour: This Historic French Villa Gets An Elegant And Colourful New Look

Modern design and historic details meet in a country house in France that is now home to a young family

With its arched doorways, delicate plasterwork and lofty spaces, this French villa boasts a stately grace and a distinct sense of history. Located in the countryside south of Paris, this three storey house already had beautiful bones that the owners are proud of.

The aim was to furnish it in a way that would be both cosy and functional for a modern family. Home to a young couple and their three children, the owners wanted to preserve as much of its original architectural elements as possible, with a fresh coat of paint in off-white and pastel tones applied to the walls and doors for a contemporary touch. The original layout of the country house was to be retained as well.

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Above Ferns and other potted plants are among the verdant additions to the living room

Above The garden area is furnished with pieces from Flexform’s outdoor collections, which include the Zante sofa, Ortigia armchairs, Phuket ottomans and Fly coffee table

Ferns and other potted plants are among the verdant additions to the living room

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Instead of having the antique furnishings typical of period homes, the owners decided to start afresh with a vibrant selection of brand-new collections and accent pieces juxtaposed against the classical elements of the house.

The majority of these were purchased from Italian manufacturer Flexform, selected for their versatility and modern appeal; the goal was to convey the effortless elegance that’s synonymous with urban apartments in the French capital. Best-selling collections designed by celebrated Italian architect Antonio Citterio, in particular, take centre stage in this home, with each piece embodying the understated ethos typical of his work.

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Above Designed by Antonio Citterio for Flexform, the Zefiro dining table is paired with Feel Good chairs upholstered in pink velvet

Above A view of the living area from the dining room

Designed by Antonio Citterio for Flexform, the Zefiro dining table is paired with Feel Good chairs upholstered in pink velvet

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Tapping into the calming benefits of greenery, plant life can be found throughout the home, in the form of indoor varieties meant to soothe the eye. These include a leafy mix of ferns and shrubs in various sizes, which complements the flourishing foliage found outdoors in the estate. Additionally, a compact winter garden adjacent to the dining room provides year-round verdant views. Suffused with ample daylight, this space is furnished with Ortigia outdoor armchairs from Flexform to create a cosy reading nook.

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Above Located adjacent to the dining room, the Piuma sideboard features a beautiful mahogany veneer and tabletop space for artworks and collectibles

Above The Ortigia outdoor armchair creates a cosy reading nook in the winter garden

Located adjacent to the dining room, the Piuma sideboard features a beautiful mahogany veneer and tabletop space for artworks and collectibles

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Fitted with large windows that overlook the garden, the living room is a light filled space and the social centre of the home, decorated with furniture in shades of grey and off-white tones. Antonio Citterio’s Adda sofa features here in a corner composition, topped with pink and mustard accent cushions in botanical prints. It’s accompanied by the Magi daybed, upholstered in velvet for a cosy touch.

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Above The master bedroom features the Groundpiece bed, Feel Good ottoman, Thomas armchair and Fly coffee tables, all designed by Antonio Citterio for Flexform

The master bedroom features the Groundpiece bed, Feel Good ottoman, Thomas armchair and Fly coffee tables, all designed by Antonio Citterio for Flexform

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A variety of coffee tables in light and dark wood complements the elegant setting. The dining room features another cohesive tableau with collections also designed by Citterio. These include the Feel Good chairs upholstered in plush pink velvet, as well as the Zefiro dining table and the Piuma cabinet; the latter provides easy access to the glassware frequently used by the family.

Compared to the neutral tones of the communal areas, the bedrooms are outfitted with soft shades of blue, green and pink. The pastel palette contributes to the restful look of the bedrooms, while adding to its cosy ambience. A mix of modern artworks is displayed in black frames, presenting an intriguing contrast with the traditional fireplace and the herringbone pattern of the wood flooring.

With a beautiful garden at their doorstep, the family adores staying outdoors during the warm summer months. A full set of outdoor furniture from Flexform encourages the owners to bask in the sun on the lawn on fair-weather days. Altogether, the grand estate is now an enchanting abode both inside and out; and also a place the family is proud to call home.

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Topics

villa france home design decor flexform