Classic Twist

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

-  Hong Xinying

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.

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 centrestage in this home, with each piece embodying the understated ethos typical of his work.

ELEGANT ASSEMBLY