COTE DE TEXAS: The Provence House

The Provence House

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The second house on the West University New Home Tour that I really loved is a more typical “West U” home than the Octagon House.  The Octagon House had the advantage of being on a curving corner lot – which allowed for a wide, spread out floor plan.   By contrast, the Provence House is on a typical 50’ wide town lot.  But, this lot is special in that it is a double lot – meaning, instead of being the usual 50 x 100, it measures 50 x 200 or 10,000 sq. ft.    This makes Provence House a very long, yet not very wide house.   No matter – the architect used the length to his advantage – creating large open rooms that flow into each other beautifully.  I had walked through this house while it was still in the construction phase and fell in love with it –desperately!    The sheer size of it is very appealing (it has a total of 6,600 sq. ft.) and the finishes were wonderful.   Again, just as with Octagon House, this home is special.   The architecture and decor is pure French – so you know it really spoke to me.  Just the facade alone was enough to make me stop my car and poke around – the white stucco, the true French planked-wood shutters,  the slate roof, the symmetry.    Of course if this house was really in Provence, it would be turned on its side, with a long row of arched windows, upstairs and down, and the front door smack in the middle.   But, alas, we are not in Provence, we are in Houston.   Ginger Barber was the designer in charge.  She chose all the finishes and the architectural elements, such as the 200 year old beams and the 100 year old reclaimed oak wood floors.   Ancient marble sinks were chosen for the bathrooms and the kitchen island countertop is limestone  - all unusual choices for a neighborhood house – but – oh so lovely!   It was hard not to fall in love, the open space makes Provence House feel so grand, yet it is not dressy in any sense of the word.   Truly, you could plop it down in the countryside of Provence and it would blend in perfectly!   Enjoy!

 

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Entering the front door, you can get a sense of the grand depth of the house.  A center hall bisects the house – with rooms on the left and right of it.  At the end of the center hall, above, is the large family room.  The floors are gorgeous deep brown, 100 year old reclaimed oak.   The walls are plaster.   Chateau Domingue provided the aged architectural elements here.   The front part of the center hall has a groined ceiling, highlighted by lanterns.  At the left is a music room, then a dining room, then the kitchen.  To the right is a study, the stair hall, the living room, and it all ends with the family room. 

 

 

 

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Walking in the front door – to the right is the study.  Ginger furnished the house with fine antiques from a variety of the best stores in Houston:  Carl Moore, Shabby Slips, Neal and Co., Watkins Culver, Thompson Hansen, BROWN, and her own shop The Sitting Room.   Some of the new upholstery pieces came from Quatrine.    Barber furnished all this very simply – there is no fanciness to this house.  Here she used a rustic French desk with two large French Os de Mouton chairs.    The rug came from Carol Piper who specializes in antiques and reproductions.   I especially love the way Ginger accessorizes – one large wood deer, one confit pot.  And notice the oversized antique map, probably of Paris.

 

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A close up of the three-armed iron light fixture that is from Carl Moore Antiques.  

 

 

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Walking in the front door – to the immediate left – is the music room.  The dining room is off to the right of the picture.   The African drum, covered in zebra skin with hoofs is a piece I have seen around town – first at Shabby Slips.  A large, early French armoire is the other piece in the room.  Something tells me that the new shiny piano was not put here by Ginger – could be wrong about this, but….

 

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Through the music room is the dining room.  Notice the large scale of this area (20x14)  – each room is airy like this!   The ceilings are 12’ high downstairs which adds to the spacious feel of the house.    Barber chose a rustic wood table with large French Os-de-Mouton chairs.  The buffet is oversized, tall.  Leaning against one wall is a tall painted board.  Notice how there are no fancy moldings, none around the doors, only a tall base molding.  The flat weave, muted rug is from Carol Piper.    The painted candlestick chandelier (from Carl Moore) is huge – but just the right size.    Any other interior designer would have cluttered up this room (me included probably) with furniture and paintings.   Barber keeps it simple – everything is the right scale and matches the tone of the house. 

 

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Looking from the center hall into the dining room.  Again, notice the simple, but highly effective accessorizing:   The mirror, leaning against the wall, the two large dogs and a wide, yellow confit bowl.    In the windows – beautiful arched casements – Barber placed two chairs.    Here you can see one drawback from living in West University:  with 50’ wide lots, the neighbors are extra close by!   I’ve had to live with this situation for 15 years now.  You get used to it – but you better know how to be a good neighbor!!!

 

 

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The painted wood panel, which looks like a former door – I love this piece. 

 

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Across the center hall from the dining room is the stairwell.   Simple, again, yet elegant – with iron sconces on the walls. 

 

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Across from the stairs, Barber put this wood chest, with a French trumeau above and a simple wood lamp.  A round bowl and candle are the only accessories.  Behind the lamp, through the archway is the powder room.  

 

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Close up the vignette in the stair hall. 

 

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The powder room has an antique sink on iron legs with wall hung fixtures.  Simple three armed black iron sconces flank the silver leafed Louis Phillipe mirror.

 

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Hello!!!  The Louis Phillipe mirror (from Carl Moore) is so beautiful – as is the sink, a 19th century Italian marble piece.   The floor tiles are also 19th century:  both came from Chateau Domingue which specializes in antique architectural elements. 

 

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Past the stair hall, on the right side of the house, is the “formal” living room.   Again, simply decorated – yet tastefully decorated – a trademark of Ginger Barber.  Here she used a seagrass matting rug, with down sofa and two club chairs – slipped.  The large pillows are wonderful – probably 26”.  Two beautiful French chairs, upholstered in black leather are almost accents in the room.  The large round coffee table is the perfect choice here – and I love the mercury glass jar!!!    Branches instead of flowers – so Ginger!

 

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Close up:  the trumeau over the sofa is missing the mirrors!  Love that!    Notice the lampshades – they are paper and are illustrated with the antique map of Paris.  I have these too and love them!  The effect is subtle but very French.  Watkins Culver carries these shades in all sizes.  

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The ceiling in the living room is box beamed with 200 year old timber.  With 12 ft. ceilings, the armoire has to be really tall to be effective.   ok – I would put curtains in the house.   Oh well.    I love these chairs, slipped in natural linen – another trademark of Ginger’s.    The pillows are lumbar sized and are made of velvet and antique Belgium tapestry pieces.

 

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Leaving the living room  - looking back towards the front door – notice how the entry to the living room is framed in the same wood beams as its ceiling is - fabulous.   Also you can see the groined ceiling in the front part of the central hall.   The walls are Venetian plaster. 

 

 

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Right across from the living room, Ginger arranged this vignette with a rustic console and two, unframed oils.   The faux painted candlesticks are charming! 

 

 

 

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At the end of the long center hall is the family room on the right and the breakfast room/kitchen on the left.   Another trumeau mirror highlights the 18th century "cheminee” taken from a country house in France.   Here Barber paired a  barley twist settee with a brown velvet sofa.   Two matching wood consoles with pedestal lamps flank the fireplace.  The family room is a huge 19 x 19 and could handle a lot more furniture!   Antique wood beams run from here into the kitchen.

 

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Close up of the family room.  This room leads to a covered porch and the large back yard.

 

 

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The expansive breakfast room with a zinc topped table and French park chairs.  A rustic console is paired with a fabulous antique plate rack.  The breakfast room overlooks the garage area.  I love this!  The lantern is in perfect scale as are the large pieces of furniture.

 

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Close-up showing the ceiling beams.   Barber designed this house almost exactly as what one might find in a country house in Provence. 

 

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The kitchen with white cabinets and limestone topped island with granite on the countertops.    Saltillo pavers are used for a backsplash.  Through the door you can see the back into the Butler’s pantry, the dining room, and into the Music room.   Next to the refrigerator is the mud room.   The kitchen, like the rest of the house, is large, airy, and full of textures between the smooth plaster walls and the rough beams and floors.  All the black iron fixtures around the house add to the textures and contrasts.

 

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 Looking from the kitchen into the breakfast room.   The limestone on the island is an unusual but wonderful choice.   All matte finishes – nothing shiny for Ginger ever!

 

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The Wolf range with its plaster hood.

 

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The best sink in the world:  Shaws!

 

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Let’s go outside:   the covered porch has a charming iron table with French park chairs – and a birdcage.  The garage is to the left with an apartment upstairs.  The yard is double length – it goes behind the garage, enough for a large pool.

 

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The covered porch has a summer kitchen and a fireplace!

 

 

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OK – let’s go upstairs!   The house has three staircases:   the large spiral staircase, a back stairs by the family room, and these stairs outside to the garage apartment.  Upstairs, the large, complete apartment connects through to the master bedroom closet. 

 

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The garage apartment’s kitchen connects to the master bedroom closet allowing the owners to use it for coffee and midnight snacks.

 

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The master bedroom is 18 x18 with the antique beamed  pitched ceiling.  Barber decorated the room in linens and linen colors. 

 

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The bleached wood armoire is across from the bed.

 

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Close up of the bed.   I love the two demi lune night stands. 

 

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Outside the master bedroom is a covered porch.

 

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The porch is charming with its wrought iron balcony.  It overlooks the back yard.

 

 

 

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The upstairs porch even has a built in fireplace. 

 

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The master bathroom has one vanity on each side with the shower and tub in between them.  The floor is limestone.  

 

 

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Barber placed this beautiful long antique chaise in the middle of the bathroom.   A black wrought iron chandelier hangs from the pitched beamed ceiling. 

 

 

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The bathroom, with the raised roof is just gorgeous.  I really loved the bedroom suite.

 

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Leaving the master bedroom suite – the center hall upstairs continues with the 100 year old plank oak floors which lead into the media room.  The bedrooms have wall to wall seagrass.  Additionally – the plaster walls are upstairs too – a nice extra touch.  

 

 

 

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To the left is the back staircase – with the iron sconces that are so much preferable to harsh overhead lighting.   Even the back stairs have the wood treads and iron railings.

 

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The upstairs media room has a pitched roof and casement windows with the oak floors.  Unfortunately – none of the upstairs rooms, save the master bedroom suite, were decorated!   Unlike the Octagon House which is for sale, this home has already been sold, therefore the need to go “all out” with furniture just isn’t there.    

 

 

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Stunning upstairs bathroom with antique marble sink from Chateau Domingue and old marble tiled floor.  The cabinet is pure Ginger Barber – reminiscent of the one in her own bathroom.

 

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This was another great bathroom with a vanity and marble tiled walls.

 

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It’s bath was housed in a beautifully arched niche – tiled to the ceiling.

 

 

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At the end of the upstairs center hall is this balcony that overlooks the front yard.  Barber put an oriental chest in front of it.

 

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And she set this vignette along the long upstairs hall.   OK, time to leave – let’s go downstairs:

 

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Looking down the stunning staircase – what a view!  I love the rails – why go all fancy when the simplest is so gorgeous?

 

 

 

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The main staircase is just so beautiful!  I love the sconces and the tiny upper window.  

 

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OK – let’s go downstairs – I want you to see the driveway gate.

 

 

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The side of the house with the iron and wood gate.     The home was built by Heritage Home Builders, the designer was Ginger Barber

 

Question time:  which house do you like better:  Octagon House or Provence House or neither??!   Provence House comes in at $2,395,000 and 6,600 sq. ft.  Octagon House is $3,299,000. and  6,948 sq. ft.   The lot for Octagon house is wide and long – much more private.  Provence House is long and narrow – with neighbors on both sides!    OR…….would you prefer something smaller, more cozy, less money, but still beautiful?   Check back in for that one!!!!

86 comments :

  1. ok seriously thinking of transplanting family to texas just to live in this house!

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  2. Gosh Joni,
    I can't deceide which one to move into....love them both!Maybe I need to stay there for a while in each so I can make up my mind!
    Leslie
    lamaisonfou blog

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  3. Man, one day I'm gonna build a house and call you for advice. How do you find these fab places?!

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  4. Ok, I love them both - but if I had 3 million dollars or so, I think I would choose the first one. It seems like a place I could live in, while this one could use a few personal touches. But then, I love the restraint she used in the decor. I know I wouldn't be able to keep it that way, though. But they are both stunning! I am in love with the floors in this house. It is so refreshing to see a show house that is unique yet not all shiny & standard. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing these!

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  5. Wow, when can I move in?
    This house is just................

    Kirsti

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  6. Oh, you Texas girls really know how to decorate! I love both! There is nothing this elegant, restrained and beautiful on Long Island, NY.

    I want to move to Texas!!!

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  7. perfect way to enjoy a cup of tea...thanks again for the great tour!

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  8. You mean I can't have them both? But, I'm ready to buy!! Cash!! (ha)

    Beautiful and informative, as always. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. I'm really impressed with the Provence house.... it's true to Provence. So often you see these mansions built in American development called "Tuscan Dreams" or something of the such and it LOOKS NOTHING LIKE TUSCANY! But I actual got the Provence feel browsing through these photos - the floors were gorgeous, the size of the rooms was also keeping true to a mas in Provence and the antiques were gorgeous. My vote goes to the Provence House! Of course, if you were giving them away, I'd take either! LOL!

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  10. This is the one, a couple of things, I love mirrors so would like to see it back in the trumeau. I love the art and the painted wood piece in the dining room. Plate rack needs unique pieces. Just Fabulous. Yes I would warm it up a bit, not take away from the aesthetics.

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  11. Morning, Dear Joni! Oh, I believe this house is my favorite! Wow, that kitchen is to die for! Well, maybe not die, but faint anyway!
    Oh, no, come back! People are impressed with your Divaship! After all you are THE JONI!! I know, I'm truly crazy, but it's so much fun! I appreciate you letting me crown you and I see you're snapping again!! :) Make sure you take our little logo!!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  12. Now I am thinking it is time to head West! Montana has been on my mind for a few years, but a stop-over in Houston could change all that. Wish I lived in YOUR neighborhood! Thanks for the grand tour, and I can't wait to see the third choice - so many decisions!

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  13. Those floors are Divine!!!! And, I love the sink with the iron legs....Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

    Humm....to answer your question I think I'd have to choose something smaller, more cozy with details out the wahzoo! Placed nicely on a beautiful piece of property over looking....Lake Travis or Lake Austin! ;)

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  14. This is beautiful, but wish it was more decorated although understand it's already sold. I prefer this home to the Octagon Home. I'm looking forward to the smaller, cozy home too. Lastly, 1) I wish that your blog had been around eight years ago when I purchased my small house and 2) I'm going to repaint my interiors white. There, I said it. Now maybe I'll do it soon!

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  15. A high gloss piano is better than no piano, but a satin piano would be better than a glossy piano. Maybe they actually plan to use the piano! Let's hope so. I think it's really goofy when people get pianos to use for props in the living room. Be ware, those glossy polyester finishes are impossible to repair, unlike a true laquer finish - JRJ in Austin

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  16. Love both, but I think I prefer the simplicity of the Provence house. Texas does have a way of making everything so grand then, after a few years, the house is out of style! At least for the McMansions. I think the Provence Home is a more realistic home! But Love both of them.
    Cara in Alabama (Misplaced Texan)

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  17. Another beauty, Joni!

    I was at Shelia's earlier and saw you are now a Diva! When I saw your photo in the previous post, I thought you would make an excellent candidate! Congrats;-)!

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  18. How did you ever contain yourself?! You must've been there for hours! I love both these homes! If I had to choose, I'd pick Octagon, though. While I love rustic, I like more of a refined rustic. Is there such a thing? I'd rather not have the rustic so much in the fixed part of the house, since I tire easily. I wish these homes were closer to where I live, I would love to go on a short road trip to visit!

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  19. Pretty, but Patrick Dunne, owner of LUCULLUS in New Orleans, is quoted in this month's Southern Living as wondering why Americans have become so timid about their use of color.My amazing artistic daughter, Catherine,who lives in Nice, does not understand this Houstonian fascination with total avoidance of colors. The combination of large-scale everything, in neutral tones, has been the "Houston" look for years...I have the stacks of magazines to prove it ! Joni,these were lovely homes,but this look is getting a bit old. It is more studied and does not have the subtle nonchalance of say, Belgium estates.- I like what YOU do much more! Again, these homes were lovely,but not conducive to living with labradors, as well as some other breeds...

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  20. That house is soooooooo LOVELY... I could live there.
    Love the photo of you in the mirror taking a photo!

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  21. Both the indoor and outdoor kitchens are great. I love all of the different sinks used throughout the house.

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  22. OH! The floors! And the kitchen! And the master bath! I really liked this one. It makes me want to get rid of all the extra stuff I have! Thank you for always taking the time to take and share all these wonderful pictures. Even though I am just down the road in Sugar Land, I would never have the time to go visit all these great places without you!

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  23. OH! The floors! And the kitchen! And the master bath! I really liked this one. It makes me want to get rid of all the extra stuff I have! Thank you for always taking the time to take and share all these wonderful pictures. Even though I am just down the road in Sugar Land, I would never have the time to go visit all these great places without you!

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  24. Beautiful home. Love the painted door and the wood and iron gate especially. But if I had to choose I would pick the Octagon home of the two.

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  25. Both of the homes are fabulous. I love the floors, the kitchen sink, the powder room vanity, the big lantern over the table. But, I think I'm voting for a smaller, cozier, less expensive prospect. I thought the home was decorated beautifully but almost "staged". It would definitely have to go more personal if I lived there. Where are the treasures from trips and family memories?

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  26. Hi Joni, I need to say that I did not like the Octagon house at all. This one is much more my style and more "Home". Love the bathroom with the chaise, the wood floor is fantastic and the main staircase so elegant. Great picture of the staircase from above. Brava!
    Ciao from Vancouver

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  27. Hi Joni-
    I would have to say definitely the Octagon house, not only for the larger lot (I'm a bit of a privacy freak) but I preferred the style. In either home however, I would want a little more color. I love quiet restful colors in my home but I can't do an entire house of whites and beiges. It reminds me of the days when my husband was getting transferred frequently and when preparing the house for sale we would talk about "Merrill Lynching" a house (Merrill Lynch was the relo company that my husbands company used). That meant going in and making everything completely neutral before listing for sale. Maybe that's why I need a little color-so I don't feel as though I'm preparing to move!!!! :-)
    Also, a question. In the Provence home you referred to the backsplash in the kitchen as saltillo. What is the difference between that and what I know as antique french parrefeuille? I have been looking at the antique parrefeuille at Paris Ceramics for my floor in my foyer and atrium but am undecided between it and limestone. Paris Ceramics has all kinds of reclaimed antique floors that are just beautiful that you should check out sometime if you haven't already. Anyway, if that is saltillo on the backsplash it looks very similar and might be a more inexpensive option for me.
    Two beautiful homes to spend time with this morning. Thanks!
    Sally

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  28. Hi Joni~

    I feel like a broken record but I really LOVE those floors!!! (Maybe a tad lighter) The home is beautiful, all the wonderful custom work, I love it, but way tooooo beige for this girl. I need colour to be happy. Something, a touch of green and maybe a little gold here and there.

    Thank you Joni for sharing this beauty!

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  29. Oh Man...I am REALLY Loving this one. LOVE LOVE LOVE her decorating...so textural and simple. Those beams and floors are outa this world and I love the kitchen...it is so refreshing to see a diff backsplash, and that one is really working for me! That antique sink in the upsatirs bath, frankly each of the baths are amazing.

    I REALLY LOVE this home!! I wonder if they are buying some of her furnishings??

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  30. Joni,

    This one is so pretty as well. Do tell, what is the source for the light fixtures in the breakfast room? It seems similar to the Tami Owen's house? I love them!

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  31. Joni,

    This one is so pretty as well. Do tell, what is the source for the light fixtures in the breakfast room? It seems similar to the Tami Owen's house? I love them!

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  32. Another beautiful house, Joni. Those ceilings are exquisite. And I love the addition of a music room.

    Between the two, personally I'd chose the Octagon house. It's more my style, I think. Of course it is! It's the most expensive. Sigh.

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  33. The Floors -
    The Plaster -
    The Straight Edge Simplicity of the
    Staircase Railing & the DR Lighting -
    _________
    but, MOST of all: the wisdom of
    Heritage Home Builders to get out of the way and listen to Ginger B.

    She did a great job ... . Jjjjj

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  34. i am completely drooling over those floors. wow... that and the gorgeous sink-- absolutely takes my breath away.

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  35. What an absolutely AMAZING home. We love it all from stem to stern!

    Joy and Janet
    xo

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  36. the beams, the floors, that old sink on iron legs in the powder room, the kitchen, ....it goes on forever.

    gorgeous.

    xx

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  37. This house is so chic, and yet so classic.

    I have noticed that most of the sinks seem to be pedestal style (although there were some chests converted into sinks in the other house). I prefer some storage under the sink in the bedroom bathrooms. What do you think?

    I am really enjoying these posts! I am still amazed at how different these showhouses are than the ones in Atlanta (not speaking for the suburbs, but for Buckhead). The Buckhead showhouses are fundraisers, mostly in homes for sale, so there is a side benefit of the house getting exposure. But the focus is on the design. I wonder if these designers really pare down their style because the show of homes is really more about selling the home?

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  38. I went through both of these houses last Saturday with a friend. Then I took DH back through the Octagon house just in case we won the lottery that weekend (do I have to buy a lottery ticket to do that?). For $900,000 more (ha!), I prefer the Octagon home which was sheer perfection. More land and although the house was large, it still had an intimate feeling. The view from the kitchen through the wide arched doorway was wonderful. I loved the large breakfast room and the more intimate formal dining room. I think that is the way to entertain. This house is about a block south of me; I hope someone I know moves into it so they can entertain me in this home! I would love to see how they decorate. And I hope they consult you Joni!!!

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  39. You really do live in the land of Parisian inspired architecture! We have NOTHING like that here in Vancouver. I like the first house the best though, this one was a bit rustic for me although I would still move into it in a second!

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  40. they're both wonderful! but, tell me if you disagree, for several million dollar, don't you at least want a yard? or a view of the sunset? but the houses were really really very beautiful!

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  41. It is so funny to see houses I drove by everyday on your site. Was there a home tour I missed? I need to go look at the Octagon house. Azalea trail is this weekend. Are you going?

    Kim

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  42. I pretty much love this Provence House. The kitchen is great. It all screams out for some blue and white porcelains on those racks and some Provencal blue pops of color.

    I have that Turgot Map of Paris in 20 separate prints. The original was so big that even blown up like that, it is crystal clear.

    I love the soft pavers as backsplash.

    Now on to the Octagon House.

    OH....I think that ceiling of the porch is great.

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  43. Something smaller, more cozy, less money, but beautiful. That's my vote. But I prefer Provence House to Octagon House. I really like Ginger Barber's style. Beautiful and elegant, yet simplistic.

    Thank you for sharing these beautiful homes with us.

    Christi
    Brenham, Texas

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  44. Something smaller, more cozy, less money, but beautiful. That's my vote. But I prefer Provence House to Octagon House. I really like Ginger Barber's style. Beautiful and elegant, yet simplistic.

    Thank you for sharing these beautiful homes with us.

    Christi
    Brenham, Texas

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  45. Neither - are you kidding!?! Incredibe post - thank you so much Joni for taking us on your tour of these two amazing houses. I loved elements in both houses - but the Provence house is truly beautiful!

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  46. I love the first house. Although is a little bit on the masculine side they were able to soften it and make it unique with the soft palet and the soft upholstery. I love the use of wood specifically.

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  47. Provence house wins for me! I love the simple details. Thanks for tours of both beautiful homes.

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  48. I love your posts about homes in Houston. I used to live in the apts on Bissonette just west of Kirby and you always remind me of home (and also make me a little homesick!).

    Now that we are in the home building industry in Florida it's fun to stay up on the trends in Houston!

    Thanks!

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  49. An another great house and great post. I would have to vote for smaller, cozier, less money, less headache. But on the other hand, if I had the money, I think the Octagon house is a little more me. I can live with some rusticity, but not to the point I feel I am back in the 12th century. But I certainly appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the Provence house as well. The privacy of the Octagon house would also lean me more toward it.

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  50. Love the lantern over the round zinc table.
    What a nice tour you encountered! cheers, -susan

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  51. Love, love those antique stone sinks, especially the first one shown. It is incredible. I learned something too -didn't know those ceilings were called groined. I'll wait to see the third house before deciding which one would best suite me! (of course, after I fall into a pit filled with 3 million dollars)

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  52. Wowza! I love the stone sinks too!
    What more can I say that hasn't been said already about another fab Joni post!
    xo xo

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  53. The kitchen is insane!! I love it but I'm jonesing for some bright color

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  54. This house is almost perfect. Perfection would require the addition of just a few of my favorite things. I am ready to move in!

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  55. I love this one! I wish it was in Toronto. Not that I could afford it but I'd love to see inside.

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  56. Love your photo's on these two houses,and your very descriptive commentaries,,, both beautiful & stunning homes what dreams are made of.
    Although, I prefer the Octagon House, it's all in the details... --- even though it is a large house it flows so beautifully and graciously that it is not over whelming. Each room is a jewel finely crafted. Just one little thing I would change or exchange the sink in the downstairs entry way powder room looked more like an old English farm sink, I would much prefer the delicate marble slab and wrought iron base sink found in the Provence powder room --now mind you if some one said take it or leave it I would take it and love it just the way it is,,,

    The Provence home did not flow very well I did not like the hallways, and it was too close to the neighbors homes...but still oh so beautiful ... thanks a bunch for posting, joanny

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  57. it's so pretty ! I adore it , feel at home ...but I would have call it , Bourgogne , Drome , Alsace,what ever but certainly not Provence .
    the plancher "floor" is stunning . I'm so glad americans like that style .

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  58. Thank you for the tour. It's lovely.

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  59. I like the Provence House it has that european vibe to it.

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  60. Joni,
    Both homes have so many beautiful elements, love the plank floors, neither have architectural mouldings which fit in the style of the homes, I agree with the window treatment element missing in the Provence house. My preference of the two is the octogon home. I love color and both of these homes are too neutral....seem cold to me, not homey or inviting, more museum like. I agree with one of the posts above, kids, dogs, etc....
    You do fabulous "self" portraits...love this one!

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  61. Joni,
    Both homes have so many beautiful elements, love the plank floors, neither have architectural mouldings which fit in the style of the homes, I agree with the window treatment element missing in the Provence house. My preference of the two is the octogon home. I love color and both of these homes are too neutral....seem cold to me, not homey or inviting, more museum like. I agree with one of the posts above, kids, dogs, etc....
    You do fabulous "self" portraits...love this one!

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  62. one more thing...not a design thing, a computer thing...on my desktop (windows based), your pictures do not load, but on my Mac laptop, they do. I have noticed for myself when I use writers live (or is it live writer?) and post from my desktop, all the pictures do not load. Do you use the writers program from your Mac? Seems to me I saw a Mac laptop in one of your posts...just curious.

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  63. Awesome pictures, felt like I was there. Loved both houses and your comments.

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  64. I would choose the Provence house. But, I would choose the interiors in the Octagon house! I am a huge fan of Ginger's, but to me this house looked like someone interrupted her while she was decorating and she didn't get to finish! I didn't feel her usual magic touch. My "one" critique of Ginger's design that I just don't get... I've seen her do this before- that little, tiny sink in that huge expanse of the master bath counter. It seems so out of scale for the room, when she could easily have chosen a larger sink.

    I must agree with a previous poster... If I could afford to spend that much money on a house there better not be another house in sight and it would have to have a view of the mountians/or the ocean!
    Another fun post Joni!

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  65. Hmmm, that's a hard one. I like the exterior of this one but the interior of the other one.

    I agree, Shaw sinks RULE! I have that very same sink in my Katy kitchen - mainly so I could bathe grandchildren like my Grandma Cottingham did with all us kids "back in the day". The one thing that seems missing from that kitchen (unless I missed it) is a 2nd dishwasher. We put 2 of them in our house this time and I use them both fairly regularly - especially after entertaining. VERY convenient!

    I love the beams and reclaimed wood, the marble counter tops,etc. Anything that makes a house look like it's been there much longer is okay by me!

    What I did NOT like was the stairwell going up to the apartment garage - security and all. I'd have a wrought iron gate that could LOCK installed so, if the apartment was just and extension of the master, I could lock that stairway off and have one less door to the exterior. And with the wrought iron gate, it would be beautiful as well as functional. I'm a bit paranoid about "extra entry points" especially in a $2-3mil plus home!

    It is a gorgeous house though. Thanks for sharing.

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  66. Man, oh man, J..
    Where to start?
    1..the use of all the naturals, stone and wood- is phenominal. TOTALLY.
    2..the grounds?GET OUT!
    3..The antiques..PERFECTION!
    4..the author? Totally gets it!

    Thanks for the peek inside a lifestyle, well..Ill never be a part of, but a girl can dream, right?(..oh, and heavily play the lotto!)
    from the beach,
    Lisa

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  67. I am soooo in love. I am going to twitter about them so I can share your wonderful post with many... I am saving the architects information and when I go to build my home I will have to use them! Both houses took my breath away! The details are amazing..Keep the great posts coming!
    Meg

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  68. Lord have mercy. I vote for this one, and am afraid to see what you have next up your lovely sleeve. I don't know if my heart can take it. This house is pure perfection. Please have them move it to Ca, I can move in immediately. :)
    xo Isa

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  69. Joni....I found the problem! I use Mozilla Firefox for my Internet, when I popped over to Internet Explorer...voila...all the pictures showed up. Now I see that for me to use Live Writer, I have to be in IE.
    Problem solved....no worries!
    Have a super Sunday.
    Blessings to ya Girl!

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  70. Amazing house and what a great post, loved it all!!

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  71. joni, you asked for more...so I did not want you to miss it. Be sure to check out my post and do'nt forget the question! I would love to hear your story!

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  72. Another beautiful post, Joni. I love both houses and would love to combine features from each of them to have in one house. I think, if I were so wealthy that I could buy one of these, I would chose the Octagon house. It just seemed to have so many unique features that I haven't seen in other homes. However, I LOVE the outside of the Provence House. They are both beautiful homes. Thank you for sharing them. laurie

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  73. Hands down I prefer the Provence house. I am coveting those gorgeous floors, that elegant staircase and that fabulous antique map of Paris (definitely Paris - you can see the Ile Saint-Louis and the Ile de la Cite in the middle of the Seine).

    Thanks for the lovely tour!

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  74. I love the painted piece that looks like an old door, really beautiful. The chaise in the bathroom is a great idea, very Marie Antoinette. I always love the homes you feature, beautiful and inspiring.

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  75. Love both for different reasons; both are beautifully decorated. Love the wood floors of the Provence House, but prefer the staircase in the Octagon House.
    The Octagon House feels more luxurious, but it's too formal for my taste. I love the powder room with the stone vessel and the bath tub between the two towers.
    Love the raw wood beams in the Provence House, and love the bed linens in the Octagon House. Joni, I had no idea Texans were so stylish!

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  76. I love the design of this home with all but one exception and that is the narrow hallways. Myself I would prefer them to have been slightly wider, however having the natural light filtering into every room is a big plus.

    The decor in itself is perfect, but I cudn't help but notice that lady in the mirror(s) again. I think she may be stalking you.....Winks!

    Thanks for the tour Joni. -Brenda-
    (Hope this doesn't go thru twice.)

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  77. I vote for the octagon house. I love this one too but the octagon house made more of an impression. Thanks for the pictures and for introducing me to Ginger Barber's work. I loved your post on her home a couple of months ago and have referenced it a couple of times since.

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  78. I like aspects of both- the flooring in each of them is beautiful, the timber beams in the Provence house are lovely, and the playroom in the Octagon House would be a child's dream (at least I would have loved it when I was little!) But I have to say I think something smaller and more cozy, but still beautiful would be more up my alley, at least at this stage in my life, so I can't wait to see what you have coming for that one!

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  79. wow, thats a lot of comments! I love how masculine and comfortable this house feels! NICE :-)

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  80. All beautiful houses - great floor plans lovely materials but the lack of color! Anything with a bit of color would stand out glaringly - you couldn't set down a book without it looking like a mess. I am a color and pattern girl the lack of it makes me very uncomfortable.

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  81. Oh my I am so far behind!!!
    Geez what a beautiful place...think I love Ginger's taste!!
    Thanks as always for a wonderful post, I think you are becoming a professional blogger!!
    Now to try and catch up on your posts!

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  82. I *adore* this home! I couldn't live in this house in the middle of a neighborhood, but definitely somewhere in the country surrounded by rolling hills and gardens.
    Thanks for sharing it with those of us who don't live close enough to see it in person~

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  83. WOW, they build enormous homes in Texas! The staircase in this home is magnificent! Ginger Barber did a great job with the styling too!

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  84. Beautiful, sculptural and rustic. Seems a little cold and hard in the casual dining area esp, with all the hard-seated park chairs and echoey surfaces. Guess I like just a shade more softness. Mostly like very much tho' -

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  85. Intriguing stuff you write about. Thinking of publishing any new feeds to your blog ?

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