Fresh & French

The spaciousness of the foyer and living room allows the defining elements“the curved staircase, antique firescreen and sunburst mirror“all to shine. Sofa, Oliver Walker & Company, ADAC, (404) 262-1408. Cocktail table, Kreiss Collection, (404) 261-8304. Chairs, Smith Grubbs & Associates, ADAC, (404) 239-9206.

An antique cane settee in the foyer is set off by two fresco-style paintings from Jeff Littrell Ltd.

Reclaimed wood beams set a relaxed tone for the family room, rendering it both elegant and liveable at once.

The dining room“s decorative chandelier plays off of the textures in the velvet Beacon Hill fabric used for the dining chairs.

The light and airy breakfast room, which opens to the family room, is a delight of traditional lines and homey comforts.

“In the library, an antique leather chair pairs well with a grouping of figurative paintings, while the dark stained walls complement the lighter burled finish of the secretary,” says the designer. “The muted Oushak rug warms the room and helps to create a comfortable nook for reading or playing chess.”

A striking oil painting by Craig Alan hangs above a warm-toned antique desk, greeting visitors as they sweep through the house and ascend the stairway.

The girl“s room is awash in pinks, presenting a fresh, cottage glamour.

With its use of aged patina and antique accents, one could easily mistake the interior of the ASID Gold Prize-winning home in the category for residence over 3,500 square feet for that of a traditional villa in the French countryside. The muted paint colors, limestone fireplaces and grand, open layout give it the look of times past—in the most unexpected places. Fusing modern amenities with traditional furniture and rich finishes, designer June Chamberlain achieved the look of timeless French ambiance in a contemporary living space.

Upon entry, the home’s story unfolds with delightful contrasts. Oversize mahogany doors open onto a spacious foyer that features a simple settee and iron console table, which juxtapose with the commanding curved staircase just beyond. A quarter turn to the right, the broad living room entry looks like merely an extension of the free-flowing foyer; inside, richly colored furnishings are combined with tea-stained walls for an aged feel. Old World touches continue throughout: a rustic convex mirror over the living room fireplace, elegant silk draperies in the dining room, reclaimed wood beams on the family room’s mantel and ceiling, and an antique French fire screen anchoring the breakfast room fireplace. Despite these rustic details, modern art abounds and adds jolts of color in contrast to the warm patina of the home’s antiques.

Though remarkably beautiful, Chamberlain designed the house to be a functional space in which a family of four can both entertain and live comfortably, by shying away from heavy decorations and maintaining an understated elegance.

June Chamberlain, C-Two Interior Design, (404) 324-4214