FRENCH PROVINCIAL CHARM
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Whatever part of this house you are in, charming is a word that is never far from the mind. This delightful pink house wraps around the senses, so that the moment you step through the iron gates into the cobbled breezeway, you are transported to another place and another time. The walk has a solid vaulted roof, made of recycled bricks and is up-lit from the side. This atmospheric lighting gives a dramatic effect when entering the property through this long breezeway.

The drama does not end there. At the end of the enclosed cobbled walk the space opens up into a French style courtyard with fountains, window boxes and pretty garden beds. A partially covered large lap pool that is painted a dark purplish blue dominates the garden setting.

A covered section of the pool forms part of a delightful entertaining terrace. French doors connect this area to a living room in the downstairs section of the house. An ornate wall fountain made of tumbled marble and bronzed iron at the open end, trickles water over a series of steps into the pool. This mix of such rich finishes and textures contributes towards making the courtyard look like a romantic stage set, and the lap pool taking on the appearance of a large cool pond…And all this before you even get inside the house.

The external features such as multi-coloured, Roman cobble roof tiles and the absence of gutters are in keeping with the look of French country style. Rustic brick detailing around the cedar windows and other openings also adds to the French provincial style.

Entry to the home is through a doorway with magnificent carved doors, 2.4 metres high, made from recycled Oregon pine. Inside, the floors are finished in honed natural stone tiles. These tiles continue throughout the house, and contribute greatly to the mellow Mediterranean ambience that makes this house so special. Walls are painted in subtle stone shades with a very understated colour wash, creating a sophisticated aged effect. The custom paint finishes throughout are by Stephen Cochrane of A J Cochrane & Sons.

The ground floor has been designed to capitalise on courtyard views. Just inside the entry is a delightful sitting area that floods with sunshine in the mornings. To the other side of the entry is a combination cloak cupboard and dumb waiter that services the upstairs kitchen. The downstairs plan contains two bedrooms, a bathroom and a well-sized living room with built-in timber cabinets that complement the cedar doors and windows. This living area, which connects directly through French doors to the thirteen-metre lap pool, contains a built-in surround sound system and a gas powered marble fireplace. Adjacent to the living area is a small kitchen come bar. This feature is part of the well thought out design, which divides the house into zones. The downstairs section of the house can become a fully self-contained unit if required. In addition, all areas both upstairs and downstairs are divided into specific activity zones, so that the bedrooms are quite separate to the potentially noisier living areas.

Access to the upper floor is via a travertine staircase with an ornate wrought iron balustrade. Upstairs the design of the home works well to combine the spectacular view with the warmth and intimacy of such sophisticated country style. Emphasis has been placed on producing a flexible layout to accommodate modern family living. The beautiful luxury bedrooms are separated from the kitchen, living and dining rooms. Bedrooms contain excellent size robe space, and dressing areas.

The layout of the master ensuite is particularly good, making it a comfortable area for two people to use simultaneously. From the master bedroom there is a secluded balcony that overlooks the arched trellis entry. These are the types of design details that make this a home where a large family can live and retain a sense of individual privacy.

The proportions of the living room are rather grand. This room contains built-in timber bookshelves, a fireplace and a very dramatic timber detailed ceiling. French doors open on to a semi-enclosed garden terrace that captures the panoramic views through spaces framed in recycled bricks… an ideal space to enjoy Perth’s Mediterranean climate with friends. A more formal dining area on the opposite side of the lounge completes the upstairs entertaining and living section. A convenient wine storage cellar is integrated into this space. In fact, everything in this home is conveniently located. The adjacent kitchen is divided into different preparation and ‘wet’ areas to separate various work stations in order to create efficient traffic flows. Timber cupboards combine well with Italian marble bench-tops in this country style kitchen. A near-by laundry chute, disguised as a bench on which to place ornaments, is another practical yet attractive touch.

This Emporio home operates on an axis of practical design and pleasing aesthetics. Storage spaces and cupboards abound in this well designed house. Internal door profiles and door hardware that looks like they belong in a French chateau are both attractive and functional.

Decorative finishes are of a particularly high standard. Curtains by Colour Curtain and Couches are gorgeously dramatic. Iron rods and unusual details combine well with sumptuous silk curtains and tassels. Ceilings have also been given special attention with ceiling roses in the bedrooms and strong shapes and finishes in the living areas.

This finely detailed Emporio Home sits high on a hill overlooking the Swan River, and is the result of many hours of thoughtful planning by Patricia Edinger and her design team. They have achieved a unique blend of French provincial style combined with a modern comfortable practicality. This is a beautifully crafted, romantically styled home.

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