Neutral
sculptural vent hood is flanked by tones dominate open shelves on steel brackets. And in the master ultra-modern cable lighting threads bedroom and bath, and again between rustic, 300-year-old barn there are numerous chic details. beams. Such skillful contrasting of old and new is one of Anne-Laure’s trademarks. That and an ability to raise the charm factor of every room—or every piece of furniture— that comes her way. The designer, who is also an accomplished furniture refinisher, has filled the house with beautiful pieces she has painstakingly transformed. The sitting room, for instance, holds one of her many successful projects: a reborn French provincial settee. “It’s a lengthy process,” she admits. “After sanding and painting the piece, I apply a wax patina using pigments I bring back from France.” The settee’s soft color speaks to the snowy hue of a prized antique Swedish pine desk sitting across the way. The mood is consistently harmonious. The palette shifts subtly in the dining room, where warm gray walls envelop a rustic farm table surrounded by a medley of colorful chairs, but the stylish spirit never wavers. Rather than hang an antique clock face on the wall, AnneLaure, with her usual flair, displays it like a standing sculpture, turning it into a notable work of art. Neutral tones dominate in the master bedroom and bath as well, but once again there are numerous chic details. The couple’s customupholstered bed sports playful Clients hoping to mimic the Martyns’ decor tour Union Jack pillows (“I hope my family doesn’t notice Anne-Laure’s studio over the three-bay garage, where them,” jokes Sean), while lacy-looking wrought-iron they can choose among a number of the designer’s sconces provide ambient light. Their adjoining bath stellar makeovers, from benches and chairs to is outfitted with Restoration Hardware cabinets mantelpieces. Guest quarters are also located up and—could there be any fixture more romantic?—a claw-foot tub. Still, true to the owners’ initial premise here, separated from the light-filled studio by a beefy barn door. of melding past and present, there’s also a modern With the approach of spring, the graveled patio glass-walled shower. and pergola come into use. Not just any outdoor The children’s lairs are as sophisticated as that of shelter, though, the rectangular pergola is bambootheir parents. But ten-year-old Ciara’s suite—a snug draped and wisteria-wrapped. “We wanted somenest that incorporates a sitting area and a private thing contemporary to go with the classical house,” bath—is far daintier than those of brothers Marius, says Anne-Laure. eight, and Gaspard, six. Her bed cozies up against a Not surprisingly, the spare shelter and the wall clad in barn-siding. “We didn’t want to overdo handsome building—just like the inside and outside the siding so we kept it to just one area,” Anne-Laure of this carefully conceived house—make a wondersays. For greater interest, the siding is installed arriage. • ful m horizontally, too. A coverlet in a color reminiscent of a Gallica rose pops in a dash of girlie pink. Resources For more information about this home, see page 132.
A wall painted in Farrow & Ball’s London Clay sets off the master bedroom’s custom-upholstered bed. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A scalloped bed skirt from Blanc D’Ivoire and a Restoration Hardware coverlet are feminine touches in daughter Ciara’s room. Anne-Laure framed a set of antique keys in lieu of a painting for the master bath. Her studio is a trove of pieces she has meticulously refinished and upholstered.
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