Chattanoogans Louise and Ricky Gray’s French Country home illustrates how Southern designs can merge with an old manor motif to produce an authentic version of classic European elegance.
Located in an exclusive East Brainerd golf community, this 3,500-square-foot house, built in 1998, brings a sophisticated piece of old world luster to the Scenic City. The red brick and stone dwelling captures the essence of the greens with panoramic views of the golf course from nearly all rooms. Its hickory hardwood floors, four bedrooms, three full baths, and one powder room offer comfort and style.
Architect Jack Arnold, AIA, renown for his French Country and European-style designs, successfully drew blueprints for an old country estate that appeared decades old. The plan was entitled Magnifique, the French term for brilliant or magnificent. With traditional southern features, such as oversized shutters, dormer windows, and several chimneys combined with European characteristics like stone fireplaces, archways, and beams; this house is an architectural masterpiece.
Custom furnishings and built-in cabinetry are a part of its stately design. Elegant theme-inspired amenities in the fabrics, drapes, rugs, and other décor blend well with the home’s soft, neutral palette. Venetian plaster finishes accentuate the French theme throughout the house walls except for those walls covered with brick or wainscoting.
Capturing the essence of a French-influenced landscape became another one of the couple’s goals which they accomplished by adding courtyard reas. “We researched every resource available to draw our design for the landscaping, pathways, lighting, pond, and decorative yard ornaments,” Louise says. “I did most of the planting in the garden areas. I wanted these areas to look like an old English Garden, so I planted a lot of ivy, vines, and grasses to get the effect.” The yard they have today became a year and half project.
The Grays, who share their home with their long-haired Calico cat named Callie, spent the past three and a half years remodeling their residence which was first built to the builder’s specifications. The Grays’ ultimate goal was to bring the outside indoors.
She and Ricky traveled to Europe on business where she “found the old houses and castles there fascinating.” “I loved the old stone and brick on the outside of the houses so much that I brought that same look inside,” Louise notes. And a great deal of research, once again, led to the design and themes of each room.
Louise says she and her husband, for over a year, lived with various paint and texture samples scattered on the walls alongside fabric swatches, photographs from magazines, and furniture samples. Our house looked more like a sample room than living quarters for some time,” she admits.
From her research, she knew she wanted a significant amount of old brick and stonework throughout the house. After arriving at a clear direction for each room, the couple enlisted the aid of contractors and the project was soon underway.
“We started in the kitchen / keeping room, completely reworking the cabinets, appliances, sinks, faucets, and pretty much everything,” Louise says, noting how the farmhouse sink is stone with hand-carved details. All of the faucets in the house were imported from England to continue an authentic European flavor.
“When necessary, we remade furniture,” Louise says. “I had furniture pieces that were remade with trims, crown moldings, corbels, capitals, and finials to create a whole new look. Then each piece was painted in a finish to suit our theme for each room.” Extensive millwork includes Spanish cedar and hand-carved Enkeboll corbels, moldings, and trim around windows, cabinets, and archways.
The entrance foyer boasts a brick wall and ceiling accentuated by a custom, dimensional grid, encased mirror adjoining the formal dining room. A subtly winding staircase brings focus to a cast stone and brick surrounding, 10-foot ceilings, custom furnishings, and opulent fabrics. The details in the living room produce a dramatic effect with a floor to ceiling fireplace as well as detailed moldings, accent lighting, and a multi-tiered French chandelier.
The stone fireplace and brick wall, which are prime focal points, emphasize the family room and the connecting French Country kitchen – a kitchen that boasts top-grade appliances and multicolored custom cabinetry. The kitchen lends itself to old world sophistication with a full brick enclosure above a stainless steel Viking range and grill, that harmonizes with two French chandeliers hovering above the kitchen’s island. The hand-carved stone farmhouse sink is accentuated by English bridge faucets and custom limestone countertops.
Louise’s favorite part of the house is the master area which includes a study adjoining the master suite and master bath. The master bath boasts mahogany finished cabinetry and hand-stenciled walls and tiles, featuring chiseled stone and river rock patterns. A custom-built limestone and cobblestone soaking tub, with French tub filler faucets and handheld sprayer; and an open shower stall with French exposed thermostat fixtures, add to the beauty and elegance.
“In the master bedroom is where we first started stenciling furniture designs – on the entertainment cabinet, canopy bed, and English writing desk,” Louise says. “The desk has a bouquet of colorful flowers stenciled in the top.” The master suite blends well with the study that is highlighted with wainscoting, built-in bookcases, and a full bath.
After the first floor was completely designed, “we went up with the same themes,” Louise notes of the second story where there are two bedrooms. The couple uses the first bedroom as a guest bedroom complete with English antique furniture, and Slovakia crystal chandeliers with a toile fabric pattern.
The second floor includes a bedroom suite with a private sleeping area as well as a tanning room which could double as an office or library. Another bedroom provides a golf course view and a warm reception to guests.
Storage throughout the home offers more than enough added space; a two-car garage is also outfitted with high-end detail including custom cabinetry and a limestone countertop work area.
A taste of quintessential French goes a long way in this bold European architectural dream that harmonizes well with a peaceful backdrop reminiscent of the quiet hillsides of France. Adds Louise, “this is truly the home for anyone who believes in the old adage; your home is your castle.”