French Country Style Home – A New Build On Tour!
A gorgeous French Country Style home build in NC on tour today! Come learn more about this new build, the design enthusiast owner and some of the trials and tribulations to get here!
I’ve known Shirley of the blog Housepitality Designs (now closed) for many years and now she has been focusing mostly on her Housepitality Designs Instagram page and finishing up the decor of her new home. This fellow Miami girl is so pleased that she is sharing her new home with you…so let’s get right into it via Shirley’s many photos, words and sources!
French Country Style Home Tour – A Little Background
“We have been in our home In NC for a little over a year. The state shut down due to the pandemic a day after we closed. Needless to say a nightmare of not having professional movers and we moved ourselves with a U-Haul for 6 days. All of this happened right after my cancer surgery and radiation.
Frustrated as it has been a very slow process in getting things done.
There is a 6 month wait now to re-upholster the sunroom chairs. I have plans to install drapery panels to soften the windows soon, but again…a waiting list!
The Very French Country Style Dining Room
The 18th Century French buffet was found in France. I placed an early 1900’s Scottish meat scale on the buffet and the late 1800’s French mirror was found in consignment shop!
The wallpaper is Hydrangea Drape by Schumacher. I’ve always wanted a fireplace in my dining room!
The Stunning French Country Style Great Room
Two large Koi ginger jars … love that they are different.
Ottoman a consignment find (Drexel Heritage) and recovered.
The two 72 inch sofas with 2 chairs are by Wesley Hall. The custom round skirted table was found in a local consignment shop!
Armoire from Loi Thai (Tone on Tone) when he was closing his antique shop.
The mirror over the fireplace is by Chelsea House. The pair of large blue and white vases are a consignment shop find by Maitland Smith.
Vintage bamboo table from Plantation Shop, Amelia Island.
Front Entry & Foyer
Our goal was one story living with the exception of my hubby’s office and gym that is the bonus room over the garage.
Come on inside!
Carolina delft tobacco jars on a custom made tea table that was found at an estate sale.
Kitchen
“I chose white cabinetry but if my hubby had a vote this time, we would have wood stained cabinets! Because the kitchen is large, I chose some plain glass cabinet fronts to flank the stove. The stove hood is higher than I wanted but up to code as my stove has very high btu’s. I placed a vintage print over the stove to add warmth.
Counters are decorated with new and vintage bread boards, blue and white decor and prints of “memories”. If I had to do it all over again I probably would have made the island a different color, however at the time I could not decide on the color. The island is 5 feet by 8′ 4″ The island seats 5…three at the front of the island and 2 stools are tucked underneath at both ends. I chose to have all my appliances below the counter as this house is open and I did not want to see a lot of stainless steel. The stove has a double oven with 6 burners and a griddle. The fridge was paneled.”
The Guest Room
“Some pieces of the guest room were in our former home in the primary bedroom. The guest room compared to our former one is half the size, but I feel it is cozy enough for guests and has all the things they need including its own bathroom. Each bedroom has it’s own bathroom…the bathroom in the guest room and my granddaughter Graylyn’s room have the same bath configuration. A secretary that did not fit anywhere in the house but here. Guests can pull up the chair at the foot of the bed to write or be on the computer. TV in the armoire along with empty drawers for their clothes.”
Our Granddaughter’s Room
“Graylyn chose her colors to be navy and white. She loves birds and has volunteered a the bird sanctuary at our local zoo.She also asked if her room can depicted part of her Japanese heritage…so I searched the antique shops for a great antique Japanese block print and that hangs over her bed. Mementos from my Japan trip are also in the room and dolls given to her by her great grandmother. She knows that she will always have a room in our home.”
French country style home Primary Bedroom
The bed is by Eloquence (Dauphine Canopy in Beach House natural) Chest and night stands are from Frontgate. The wall beyond the foot of the bed is a work in progress, so I did not photograph…a fireplace that needs painting and bookcases recently purchased from my old next door neighbor that need styling! The mirror is from Decorative Crafts…vintage botanicals and vintage gold metal and crystal sconces. Drapery panels are on the agenda for this room to soften the shutters.
French country style home Primary Bathroom
“All of the cabinetry that is white throughout the house is the same style of cabinets. I did this for both continuity and it was easy. Unfortunately, I was sick most of the time during the building process. There are towers on each side of the double vanity for storage and a great place to hide things such as toothbrush chargers, hair dryers, etc. I had the electrician place an outlet in each linen tower. No pic of shower, though it is large with double shower heads.
You may notice French doors. There is a French door that leads to the closet and believe it or not, the toilet room…. I did not want to walk into the room and see a solid door in front of me. So I had the contractor place a French door there and hopefully soon there will be fabric behind it to match the panels that I want to hang on each side of the window over the tub. The fabric will be placed on the door of the toilet room too 😉 I chose the French door there for consistency and they make the room feel warmer. A curio cabinet turned linen cabinet stands beside the tub. I did not want to see the bathroom while in the bedroom..so it is separate room but within the master bedroom suite..a large linen closet filled well there.”
The Laundry Room
“One thing that I had on my wish list for this house was a large laundry room that I can create my flower arrangements and do some gift wrapping and small projects…and oh, laundry! The cabinetry is a soft blue in the same design as the white cabinetry. Walls are decorated with vintage laundry items and treasured prints.”
The Sunroom
“One of my favorite rooms is this sunroom! It was originally going to be a screened porch with a fireplace. However, after thinking of how much we would use it, we changed the plans and it became a sunroom. A good move! The room has definitely a collected look. The chairs are on a 6 month waiting list to be recovered. Frontgate Indoor/outdoor rugs are temporary here, until I can get a custom rug. There is no carpeting in this house and all are hickory wood floors. When it came to deciding on a carpet, I was on the fence. At the time I did not feel well enough to trek back to the carpet store..so I said to the contractor, just make the main rooms all wood…and I am glad I did!”
The Patio
“Last but not least….I have always wanted an outdoor fireplace. My hubby and the landscape architect designed the two-tiered patio. The brick is same as our house and pavers for the patio floor. We are in constant landscaping mode for this fledgling yard. We love our new home, our community and our neighbors. This home is perfect for entertaining…so much open space.”
Thank you Shirley for opening up your French country style home (in North Carolina) to us! For daily updates and sharing, please visit Shirley on Instagram at Housepitality Designs
If you enjoyed this post, here are a few more French country style home tours that you’ll love as well!
Charming French Farmhouse Style Home Tour
French Style Home Tour Inspired By Provence
Shabby Chic French Style Home Tour
PIN THIS POST!
I recognized this beautiful home immediately. I love all the symmetry in the decor and Shirley’s amazing collections. I have laundry room envy and am in love with the little benches.
Wishing Shirley many healthy and happy years in her new home.
Thank you so very much Jean! Have a most wonderful week!
Hello,
Vous avez d la très jolie faïence Henriot.
Ca me fait toujours plaisir de voir de la faïence Bretonne sur les blogs étrangers.
Votre maison semble très agréable.
Merci pour le partage.
Bon week-end.
Anneka
One of the most beautiful home tours yet! Love the main bedroom, THAT armoire too. I can see myself checking out this post many times more. LOL.
Thank you, Janet.
Thank you Ann! I had been admiring that armoire for some time at Loi’s antique shop. Happy that it was still there when he had his “going out of business” sale. (Loi ~ ourmainecottage ~ on
Instagram)
Absolutely stunning home – if it weren’t for the impeccably clean environment, one would never know it was a new build! Every room is artfully collected and arranged – the bedroom with the metal fourposter is glorious, as is the great room and sunroom! But, my favorite spot is the foyer vignette; it’s perfectly collected and the symmetrical arrangement is spot on perfection.
I could never allow myself to be accept a guest invitation there … I fear that pale aqua armoire would leave in my hip pocket!
Thanks for sharing this gracious home, Janet!
Tristen, LOL…thank you so much for the gracious comments…and that French Wedding armoire from the 1750’s does not collapse as many antique ones do, so sorry, no fitting into a pocket.
BTW, the bed in the master bedroom is wood and linen. Bedding by Crown Linens and Pottery Barn.
Absolutely stunning home! Enjoyed everything from the front door to the beautiful patio complete with fireplace:)
Thank you Janet…an outdoor fireplace has been on my list for many years…so happy I have one now…and now waiting for cooler fall weather!! Have a great day!
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous!! I love everything!!! I may have to study every detail of every room to steal ideas. Thanks for sharing.
What do they say?, “imitation is the best form of flattery” .. I am flattered Jessie. Thank you!!!
Hi Janet,
I have had the pleasure of meeting Shirley on a trip out to NC a few years back. She is beautiful and sweet. Her home style is gorgeous. She has a great eye for beautiful and comfy. Shirley has been through a lot of her cancer survival and the move. She has risen above and made her new home so gorgeous and is cancer free. Two very big feats in her life. Her beautiful soul and faith has brought her through some rough times. Now she has her beautiful home and great hubby to enjoy. Love Shirley’s style. xoxo Kris
Hi dear friend! Thank you so very much for the most wonderful comment. You are certainly one of my favorite people and Terry too! You know I will always “keep the light on” for you!
Have a most beautiful day Kris!..miss you!
What a lovely way to start my day, coffee and donuts. A wonderful French Country tour. I love the blue and white
Thank you so much Mikki for the compliments! Coffee and donuts sound great! Have a most beautiful day!
Simply beautiful. I pinned a few pictures. Hope Shirley and her family has many healthy & happy years in this new home. Thanks so much for sharing.
I thank you so very much for the compliments and well wishes!…i wish you a fabulous day!
Oh Janet…..I am over the moon so honored that you have chosen to feature my home.
You know how much I love you and your beautiful blog!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
You have a georgeous home. Thanks for sharing, I loved looking at the pictures.
I am happy that you enjoyed the tour Ann! Loved sharing my home here at Janet’s!
You’ve got a lot of class beautiful home
Oh thank you so very much Cliff!!
Gorg
Thank you Jeanne! I so appreciate it!
I have followed Shirley for many years. Her new home, like her previous one, is absolutely beautiful! There are so many pretty items it is hard to pick a favorite. However, I think all the lighting in her home is beyond spectacular! So wonderful to get the full tour! 💙
Thank you sweet Kim! The lighting was tough to choose for me as the house is so open. I searched the internet and Curry and Company seemed to be my favorite. The electrician stated he never installed so many chandeliers in a house! Well, when things settle, he has one more to hang! Have a great remainder of the summer!
There is not one thing that I don’t absolutely love about Shirley’s home. Love, love, love everything about it. Great job, Shirley!
Awww…thank you so very much Peggy! Have a beautiful week!
A PERFECT DREAM HOME!
Thank you Sally! I am enjoying the “one floor” living ~ well, except my hubby’s office and gym is above the garage; however, I rarely go up there, except when it needs dusting!
Wow. I’ve been watching Shirley’s beautiful home unfold ever since she broke ground for the new house. It’s nice to get the broad view on how she’s styled and incorporated all her lovely furnishings into elegant and comfortable decor. I love her long, light-filled windows, airy white kitchen, exquisite wallpaper selection, that fab vintage armoire and that beautiful sunroom along with the pretty & well-appointed bedrooms (just to name a few features). The outdoor living space is also just as lovely and comfortable. That outdoor fireplace is grand and a great focal point for the space and the quiet, wooded setting is perfect. Thanks for the tour, Janet! And big congrats to Shirley, on all the hard work and impeccable decor execution. This is beautiful, inspiring living, indeed. xoxo
Hi sweet Lisa!!! Thank you so very much and as I have always said, “I’ll keep the light on”
and would how great it would be if you were my neighbor! I can be your taste tester of your fabulous food creations!
Shirley, I’ve seen parts of your home but not most of the rooms. It is stunningly beautiful and to think that you were going through your treatments while still in the selection phase. Oh my! Wonder what magazine I’m going to see it???
Jane, you are waaay too kind! You always are! I miss seeing you and Leo at the conferences. Haven’t been in a long time. Life’s happenings. Magazine? Not too sure about that!
I wish you a fabulous week and enjoy the rest of the summer!
Such a treat to see Shirleys entire home featured on one of your house your editions! I remember so much of the building process and how excited I was when Shirley came and shopped my estate sale for a few treasures to add to her dream house. It was fun seeing my things sprinkled here and there. Shirley had a major league battle on her hands and was so graceful and brave all the while her house was being built. She deserves all the good things!! And her house is absolutely gorgeous and welcoming. My favorites are the dining room and the master bedroom!
This is so lovely. I identified with some of your comments as I was treated for breast cancer during 2019. I needed to have a project so I changed my office (retired educator) to a guest room. I remember trying to stand up long enough to pick out a bed at the furniture place and that was all could do. Having something to see take shape while you are down is a way of offering hope to yourself and others. Congratulations on your accomplishment💕🌸
You have totally captured my style and desire to live on one floor. We have been looking for plans for that for several years to build in the next few as we downsize.
That armoire is to die for!!!
Blessings,
Teresa
Oh, Shirley, you are an amazing woman!!!!!! May God bless you with many years of good health in your beautiful home. You have such a good eye for lasting beauty. Everything you have chosen is a tribute to you. I appreciate that you have graciously elected to share your many treasures with us. I will visit them again and again.
So happy to finally see this stunning home. Although I have followed Hospitality Designs for several years, I can’t say I’ve seen more than little bits and pieces of the new home. I’m not on Instagram, so that might be why. Either way, it was a real treat to see the tour today. Thanks so much for sharing!
Shirley – I love your new home. It is beautiful and inviting. Will you please share the living room wall color? I am also using Blue and White in a new home but I don’t want it to look stark or beachy. Thank you and blessings in your new home. Suzie.
I’m not sure that Shirley will see this and respond Suzie, but there is a link to visit her on Instagram and you can ask her there. Thanks for stopping by!
I know that beautiful home! Shirley has a stunning home and I love the sunroom, probably my favorite room 🙂
Shirley is such a sweet lady and did all of this decorating while she was ill. Such an inspiration Denise!
This home is so stunning, but what I like most is that you have “stuff”, collections, dishes, details, gorgeous chandeliers, just a “full” home. It’s gorgeous and interesting, different from other house tours that are so minimalist. This is truly a home. Thank you.
Shirley did a great job of filling this home with things to love Eileen! ❤️
One of the most beautiful French Country homes I’ve seen. The decor is absolutely gorgeous. Love love love
She did an amazing job with all of the touches Lynn!
Absolutely stunning. Thank you for the tour as I will go back and view again from time to time. Seems there is something else that is noticed on each review. God Bless you and your family in your gorgeous new home!
Lots to glean from this home Virginia and Shirley is truly blessed!
Hi Shirley and Janet! I truly believe this is the most beautifully decorated home I have ever been privileged to look inside! There is absolutely nothing I would change. The fact that the homeowner did the decor herself definitely shows because you can see love in every room. There is no sense of clutter even though there are various collections of this and that. Shirley, you are so talented and blessed to have this perfect blue and white dream as your own!
Absolutely stunning! Definitely saving this in the “when i build a house” board. Love all of it!
Glad that you liked this one Templa!
You have such a lovely home…so light and airy! It appears you possibly used the same colors throughout your home for the walls and trim. Could you please share the color names/brands that you chose to use? Sending best wishes for a healthy future.
Best,
Molly G
Hi Molly! This is a home tour, so I’m not sure of the colors that she used but her Instagram is linked and maybe you can find out there.
Shirley, thank you for sharing your home with us. You have done a beautiful job and all while battling cancer too. As a BC survivor myself, I cannot imagine building during treatments. So glad you are through with the cancer and on Instagram now….miss your blogging.
Sending you a warm Southern hug and pray GOD continue to BLESS you.
Sandy
North GA Mountains
Will pass this along to Shirley and we all miss her blog!
Good Morning. I know Shirley well and I have been in her beautiful home. We become friends in blog land years ago. Shirley is so sweet. Her decor style is lovely. She hit it out of the park with her beautiful pieces of furniture and her great design style. Have a beautiful Sunday and beginning to the new week. Hugs. Kris
Sorry for the delay Kris and Shirley is a lovely person! Happy new week ahead – xo
Beautiful home, impeccable design. Welcoming and relaxing. I am envious of your skills in decor. Would you be kind to share the brand and colors of the white trim and off white walls. I love the finishes. Thank you for sharing
Glad that you enjoyed this home tour Pat and for more details you would have to visit Shirley on Instagram.
I could move in and not change one thing. Your home is so welcoming as well as being beautiful. Congrats on a job well achieved Hope you r doing well
We will pass that along to the homeowner Lynda!
The house is stunning. It looks like the same paint color throughout, do you mind sharing the color of the walls ?
Thanks, Frances P.
Since it’s a home tour I don’t know Frances. You can find her linked on Instagram and she would probably tell you.