An English-French Manor-Style Remodel by Fiorito Interior Design

It is sometimes a surprise what beauty can lurk under the surface of a room. A client with a 1970s kitchen and eat-in area cut up by an unwieldy peninsula was desperate for it to reflect her love of all things English-and-French-Manor-Home.

Working closely with my client, we removed the peninsula in favor of a lovely free-standing island that we painted a shade of French Blue. This is topped with Old World sink hardware (note the ceramic HOT and COLD medallions on the faucets!) and a gorgeous marble counter with a very special edge profile that evokes an antique French Boulangerie counter from the 1910s. Pendants with patinaed metal shades over the island further the charming Old World feel. Handmade white and blue tiles laid in a quilted diamond pattern cover the backsplash, and the remainder of the cabinetry at the perimeter is in a warm cream tone.

The eat-in area near the fireplace got a cozy treatment with custom seat cushions and window seat bench cushions in a classic blue-and-white Toile de Jouy matching the island stools.

The nearby living room got a similar treatment. We removed dark wood paneling and dark carpeting in favor of a light sky blue wall and lighter wood flooring. A new rug with the appearance of an heirloom, a new grand-scaled sofa, and some of my client’s precious antiques helped take the room from 70s rec room to English Sitting Room.

All photos by Bernardo Grijalva.

Happy designing!

Know Your Chairs: The Balloon Back Chair

In our continuing series Know Your Chairs, we are taking a step back in time to examine a type of chair popular in the Victorian era.

The Balloon Back Chair first appeared around 1830 - 1835 and evolved from the rectilinear yoke back chair of the time. In time, the top rail became curved and integrated into the side stiles. Characterized by a rounded back that is nipped at the waist, the chair eventually featured cabriole legs in a nod to Louis XV and encouraged by the Great Exhibition of 1851 at which Rococo-detailed furniture featured prominently.

The chair back indeed looks like a hot air balloon which was in vogue during this period. It also features a stretcher or rail at the narrow, nipped part of the back. And the finishing touch was the addition of curved lines and swooping elements to the seat and seat deck.

Happy designing!