COTE DE TEXAS: French Design: Before & After

French Design: Before & After


Today, I’m going to leave Wilton House for now (Part 3 is coming) – to look at some French decor in Houston that I saw!  I can’t pass up a house with pretty antiques, especially French ones!  Enjoy!!!

image

Built in 2004, the house was put up for sale and updated, although it was quite beautiful to begin with.


image

Today:  New landscaping, box beds, and shutters painted a light green.   The front courtyard is now hidden behind vines and the gravel parking area was grassed over.


image

Before:  The dining room is located off the front door, with a row of lanterns in the foyer hall.


image

Before:  Looking the other direction, there is a fireplace, which is so wonderful in a dining room.


image

Today:  Antique rugs warm up the space. 


image

Filled with French antiques, twin crystal chandeliers.  The brown mantel was painted white.


image

The front hall leads to the family room.  At the left is a side courtyard.


image

Before:  The foyer ends at the family room.


image

Today:  The family room!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!   I just love this!!!!  Can you tell?   OK.  Nothing beats pretty French furniture, especially like this, when it’s not decorated, it just IS.   Love the symmetry of the bookshelves, with the matching busts and the bright yellow background.   Love the crystal chandelier.  The painting.  Love the bench instead of a coffee table.


image

The view toward the other direction.


image

Before:  Sea of brown cabinets and yellow granite.  So boring.


image

Ahhhh.  Much better.  Pretty cream cabinets with a stone topped island.   Iron chandelier and checked linen curtains add more interest with texture.


image

New farm sink with skirt.  Love.   Arch doorways.


image

Butler’s Pantry with limestone counters.


image

Beautiful stairs.  Landing with antique rug and chest.


image

BEFORE:  The master bedroom.


image

Today:  The bedroom is a mix of old and new. 


image

Today:  Bathroom with linen curtains and crystal chandelier.



image

Study on second floor – with antique French leather chairs.  LOVE!!!  Crystal chandelier.  French tea table.  The husband must hate seagrass.  It’s unusual these days not to see any seagrass at all in a Houston house of this style.  But so many husbands refuse to have it.


image

BEFORE:  Backyard.



image

After:  The patio, furnished.


image

After:   At the front courtyard, instead of grass, there is now a brick terrace with a fountain enclosed by box.  So beautiful!!!!  So Houston.


image

Even the side yard which is typical neglected is landscaped with a lemon trees, box, and brick beds.


image

This house is for sale, to see the listing, go HERE.



image

This next house is located in River Oaks, Houston’s most exclusive neighborhood.   Built in 2000, it’s a bit more than 5600 sq. ft.  The house was sold in 2007 and now it is for sale again.


image

Today:  The exterior has remained the same.  Why change?  It was perfect before!  Beautiful landscaping, with an interesting circular bed built around the tree.


image

Before:  You walk into the courtyard, to the front door that is actually on the side – like a Charleston House.   Lanterns are lined up along the walkway.  Mahogany doors and windows.


image

Before:  A slate terrace with a balcony that overlooks it.


image

Before:  Across the brick wall is a fountain. 


image

Today:  The terrace has subtle changes that give a clue to what is inside.  The lanterns are gone, the doors are painted white, and the area is furnished in bright colors and metals.


image

Today:  Sofas and dining table turn the terrace into an outside living room.


image

Today:  The view off the balcony to the terrace.


image

Then:  Stone floors, French styled iron bannister, cream walls – the house is very elegant, very quiet.  Ready for today?   Really?


image

Today:  A trendy, graphic wallpaper covers the three floor stairwell.  The paper sets the tone for the entire house:  contemporary, fun, hip, young, trendy!   Of course it’s not everyone’s style, but it’s what the younger set wants and there are lots of surprises inside. 


image

Today:  The door under the stairs leads to the wine cellar.


image

Another view of the stairs with the marble-like runner. 

image

Before:  Elegant and chic – the large living room has silk curtains and tailored back to back sofas.


image

Before:  A muted rug sits underneath both seating areas.  Notice the stone Louis XV mantel.


image

Today:  The living room has berry lacquered walls with an large rug in pinks, oranges, and purples.  Greek Key wallpaper on the ceiling.  Beautiful art nouveau sconces.    I like the mix of French antiques with the contemporary pieces.


image

Today:  Turquoise and blue are mixed in with the orange.  The room must be so romantic at night!


image

Before:  French chairs, handpainted wallpaper.


image

Today:  The wallpaper was used again which is a surprise, but it is so pretty, it’s a great decision.  
  

image

To bring up the fun – a contemporary rug and light fixture were added.  Notice the difference in the curtains.  The former ones were panels without pleats.  Today there are stiff, ironed in pleats which make them more contemporary.


image

Then:  The family room with a French armoire in the niche for the TV.  Yellow walls.


image

Today:  The media room is rather traditional – the deep peach painted shelves, lit, add the biggest punch.   All the blue and white plays off the peach color perfectly. 

image

Today:  The view into the kitchen.


image

Today:  And a look towards the courtyard and foyer.  The wallpaper is never far from view.   It truly sets the feel for the entire house.


image

Before:  Skirted vanity.  I love the hanging gilt antiques.  So pretty!


image

Today:  Black paper, new vanity.  Black walls are so trendy today.


image

Before:  The kitchen has interesting metal cabinet doors.  Not sure where they are from?


image

Today:  the new owners kept the unusual doors – and painted the cabinets dark gray which looks much better with the granite.  They also added three contemporary pendants over the island.


image

A closer view of the kitchen with the new stools which also are improvement.

                 
  
image

Then:  the stairhall reaches up three floors.


image

Today:  the second floor landing.  I”m dying to know if the new owners will kept the paper.   Interesting light fixture.


image

Then:  pretty master bedroom with canopy bed. 


image

Today:  Traditional room with French armoire and beautiful textile on the bed.   Beautiful light fixture.  Even though this room is traditional, it fits right in with the vibe of the house.  Interesting!


image

Then:   There is a Hers/His master bathroom, which I LOVE!!!!   Hers is beautiful and very feminine.


image

Then:  His is masculine, of course.  Love the toilet door.


image

Today:  The niche between the two baths is decorated with a mirror.


image

Today:  Love Her bath, with the putty silk wallpaper, peach chair, rug, Sputnik.  So pretty!  Love!


image

Today:  His side was brightened up with cream walls.


image

Then:  Very French blue and white toile guest room.


image

Today:  The guest room is fabulous in green and navy – my favorite combo.  Love the curtain fabric, the bed.  Love!!!


image

Today:  the library with two desks and skin print carpet.


image

Today:  The second guest room is another stunner with printed carpet, stripe walls, love the armoire.

I can’t tell you how many houses I see on HAR where the guest rooms are such throwaways, I don’t even show them.  Here, they are both fabulous – like smaller master suites.  Very nice.


image

I’m so curious as to who decorated it.  I have an idea, but hate to guess.  Very well done, exciting, fun, and today.
The house is for sale, see the listing HERE.



Finally, this house in Tanglewood is really interesting because it has been sold a few times and we can see how the decor and architecture has dramatically changed through the years – it’s almost like a course in design through the years.

  
image

In 2003, the house has 5 bedrooms, master down, and 2 large ones upstairs.  It was built in 1956 and was 6800 sq. ft. on almost an acre lot.


image

In 2007, it sold again, the exterior remains basically the same.


image

In 2013, the house came on the market having been totally renovated downstairs with architectural elements from Chateau Domingue.  It was quite a change.  Outside, the landscape was cleaned up and edited with rows of box added.  The trim was painted a lighter color.


image

And today, on the market once again, the front remains the same.  I do wonder if the new owners will paint the brick to change it up a bit as that is such a trend in Houston these days?


image

2003:  The living room is very traditional with reproduction French furniture, yellow walls and red and blue accents.  I have a feeling this decor was probably from the 1990s or even the late 80s.   Very nice.


image

In 2007,  the decor was totally updated with red walls that were so in, though mostly in Houston dining rooms at the time.


image

2013:  The downstairs was  renovated – there is a new antique mantel from Chateau Domingue, the curtains are gone, and the living room becomes the dining room, which is typical in older Houston homes.   A country French table and chairs were added, along with larger furniture pieces.   At the left is the new entry with limestone floors.


image

Today:  The foyer, filled with antiques.  The trim was painted white on the door to lighten up the room.  There is a new door with new sidelights.



image

Today:  The room has now been changed back to a living room.  Filled with antiques, the room looks inviting and chic.


image

2003:  The dining room with pink walls continues the pretty scheme Laura Ashley look from the 80s and 90s.


image

2007:  New chandelier, blue walls to play off the red walls in the living room, and traditional furniture.


image

2013:  The dining room becomes a pool room which leads to the kitchen.


image

Today:  The dining room has a French table and chairs in velvet.


image

2003:  Past the foyer is the family room with a pitched ceiling, flagstone floor and paneling.  Very rustic with lots of charm.  Love this room as is!


image

2007:  The walls are now a vivid yellow with hidden lights in the beams.  Not a great look.


image

2007:  Through the doors is the kitchen. 


image

2013:  Huge changes in this room.  A wall of windows and French door was added leading out to the back yard.  New limestone floor replaces the flags.  The pitched roof is raised with antique beams – which I love.  And a new fireplace is installed.  The room is stunning.    The kitchen is now opened to this room.


image

2007:  Chateau Domingue mantel is smashing.  Antique doors to the right.   The stairs are now closed off to this room which is better – less is more.  Very tasteful. 


image

Today:  The look is updated with a skin rug, mohair sofa, striped chairs, lantern, and horns.  Though very similar in style to 2013, this is a bit more sophisticated, more today.  I love this room!    Love the French antiques, the old chest, the old tables,  just gorgeous!


image

Today:  The view to the back and kitchen.  Flanking the armoire on the right are two benches in periwinkle, a color that pops up in each room. 


image

2003:  The kitchen is so charming with the plank cabinets and stove hood. 

image

2007.  Much the same, more edited.


image

2007:  The breakfast room.  Well…


image

2013:   The kitchen is completely new with cabinets and a wonderful antique island.  Tiles from Chateau Domingue.  Large range.  Lanterns, love the one hanging on the wall.   Love the new window.  And love that there is no crown molding or base molding.     Again, fabulous room.


image 
2013:  The view to the breakfast room and onto the dining room (used as a pool room.)   The island is so great.


image

2013:  Antique cabinet doors were built into the wall to create a pantry.  Another new window was added by the table.


image

2007:  Across the breakfast table is a bar.  Notice the antique door leading to the pool room.  Love all the great Chateau Domingue additions to the renovation.



image

Today:  There is a new island and a new buffet.   Notice the refrigerator is off in its own niche to keep the lower profile in the main area.   No lanterns.  A bit more edited for today,  the kitchen is still wonderful.


image

Today:  The table is now placed in front of the built in cabinet.


image

Today:  Chairs create a sitting area.  This new setting makes more sense with the table closer to the kitchen.  Notice the antique doors to the right of the table.


image

Notice there is another matching set of doors on the threshold.


image

Love that lamp!  A small rug anchors the seating area.


image

2007.  The powder room with pretty marble and window.


image

2013:  Powder room – the room was closed off with a door.  French tile floor was added.   Love the authentic French floor.   Old pine console turned into vanity with linen skirt.   So pretty.  Perfect!


image

2016:  The room was made a bit more dressy.  New Venetian mirror.  The skirt was removed.


image

2003:   The master bedroom, downstairs, with country French decor.


image

2007:  Updated with a sleigh bed.  Didn’t everyone have a bed just like this?


image

2013:  The master bedroom wasn’t updated with the family room and kitchen, but they did add new curtains.


image

2016:  All in white, you can actually see the pretty windows now!


image

2003:  Master bath.


image

2013:  Master bathroom was totally gutted.  New tub, vanity, shower, and French tiled floor.


image

2013:  Shower and large pine towel holder.


image

2016:  Edited for today, simpler.  Less is more!



image

2016:   Bedroom downstairs, cute with periwinkle, pink and beige. 


image

2016:  Bathroom, updated.


image

2003:  Early view of yard before it was landscaped again.


image

2003:  The pool.


image

2007:  The backyard has changed some through the years.  Here the trim on the house is dark brown and there is a large bed that now divides the pool from the terrace.


image

2007:  Looking messy and unkempt.


image

2013:  Newly painted beige trim and much editing of the beds.  New fence around the pool.  I know you have to have one but I just hate the way they look.  But…it’s a necessity with babies.


image

2013:  And with the new family room overlooking the backyard, new landscaping, the brick terrace was removed, as was the wall that divided the yard, but the baby fence now divides the yard.


image

Today, the baby gates are gone and everything is much cleaner, edited, pretty.   I wonder if there is a prettier way to baby proof a pool?  I know there are tops you can  put over the surface.



image

Today:  the brick terrace was replaced with a smoother surface. 



image

This house is for sale, see the listing HERE.

So interesting to see all the changes from one family to the next to the next!   I love seeing all the changes in decor through the years.   This is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Houston and it’s interesting how the decorating got more luxe with each owner.   I think that is typical throughout the United States.  We are just more into our homes now and we spend much more on our furnishings today. 
Hope you enjoyed these houses!

image

The middle house had so many interesting light fixtures, here’s more if you are in the market!  HERE.


Want more French looks?

image

French apartment furnishings HERE



image

French apartment ideas on sale HERE.

19 comments :

  1. I like the first one in the before photos the best. It is the most typical of what I see here in France and to my own home. One thing about the exterior: French yards are almost always enclosed for privacy. You just wouldn't sit out where you'd be seen from the street. So while the iron fence on the front terrace is something I see a lot, I see it on properties where the house is far from the road. The ivy screen is more typical (or a stucco wall).
    In the second one, I also prefer the before (that new foyer wallpaper makes me dizzy), except for the kitchen, where the dark paint makes those unusual metal doors really work. And in the last one, the 2003 photos are very similar to what I find in listings today.
    On pool security: there are covers that skim the surface of the water and roll up to disappear. There also are hydraulic floors that rise or descend, so they become the pool floor when not in use. We have a "bulle" or dome cover, on rails. I liked being able to lock the pool when our child was young. But it has turned out to be very useful: it keeps leaves out of the pool (we have lots of trees) and gives us a few more months of use because it warms the water. We never turn on the heater because the water stays quite warm under the bulle.
    Your posts are just amazing for the amount of research you do! I learn something every time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm officially old. I am not a fan of #2 - at all. Flash forward 15 years and my house is stuck in a time warp... But I can't help it. It screams 1970's to me - not in a good way. (There was some dynamite modern design at that time..) Again - I'm clearly old. ;0(

    ReplyDelete
  3. very pretty decoration! Love the before & afters! I'll leave some of my comments on the house itself to myself ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This was way BETTER THAN any house tours that are currently going on!!! Coffee in hand and I could almost touch my screen. FABULOUS JOB, Joni!!! franki

    ReplyDelete
  5. Joni I love all of the current designs excepting the second home, it looks to me like "trying too hard to be trendy"
    Great job as always with yur incredible features!
    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  6. Too much to process. However, the second house with the graphic wallpaper in the entry and upper hall is much too busy. The gorgeous iron on the staircase is lost in the confusion. If they were really committed to the wallpaper, they should have removed the ironwork and put in something that was very simple. However, I am glad they did not. The staircase is one of the most beautiful things in the house. Hopefully, whoever buys it will remove that crazy wallpaper! OMG! The decorator should be chained to a post in the entry hall and made to look at the wallpaper for a week. Then, sent back to decorating school!

    Mais oui, I mean it!

    Charlotte



    ReplyDelete
  7. I adore before & afters... and this is one of the best examples of how big and beautiful the difference can be! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love before and afters too! Thank you for all your work, Joni. First house looks like they painted the kitchen cabinetry as it looks identical to original, even the range hood. I just bought a Florida house with fairly new but dated oak cabinets. Would love to have white but seems crazy/wasteful/expensive to rip them all out for new. Yet I'm worried if I paint them white they'll soon chip. Anyone with experiences to share?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The results could be very successful if you were interested in an 'antique' white, not aged with a wash of brown, but with the white sanded/rubbed at areas of normal wear. This way, the inevitable "flaws" in the paint finish are controlled. If you want to do it yourself, consider a chalk paint which goes over almost any clean finish and then apply a wax which can be tinted lighter or darker. (Take a look at a product like Annie Sloan paint).

      Delete
  9. First and third houses transitioned beautifully. Not so the second one, which, overall is a hot mess. Painting the exterior doors white makes them boring, and pot lights to replace the gorgeous lanterns? Oh no. I do love the entrance wallpaper, but combined with the very busy iron stair railing is a big miss. A more streamlined railing would have made the wallpaper a hit. Most of the rest is too "Las Vegas-y" for me. Too loud. Sorry!

    As always, Joni, your efforts to show us such varied posts with so much detail is incredible. I am always amazed at the level of work you put in to give your readers a visual feast. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You can really see the power of paint with the first home!
    Thanks, Joni, for the tours.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Holy smokes! Those guest bedrooms in that second house..the navy and green...I had to stop reading the post and come comment immediately. I too am DYING to know who designed it. That was a great ride! These posts are the bomb! Okay, back to the third house, whew, needed a breather lol. xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Enjoyed the tour so much Joni - fascinating to see the transformations through the years. Love these detailed posts!

    Sheila

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello!! I tought I wanter carrara marble for my counter tops , but now I want this that the one of the houses has
    "
    2013: The kitchen is completely new with cabinets and a wonderful antique island. Tiles from Chateau Domingue. Large range. Lanterns, love the one hanging on the wall. "
    Can any of you help me where to find that stone to make the counter tops ? is it chateau domingue as well , any other more economical options for counter tops ?
    thanks so much

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely to see the changes over time. That first french home is exquisite. I'd like to move right in!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. i m really appreciate this blog and all design so amazing.
    Personalized doormat

    ReplyDelete