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A Stone Farmhouse in France Gets an Artful Update from a Paris Firm

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Remodel & Renovation Issue 19 — Tour de France

A Stone Farmhouse in France Gets an Artful Update from a Paris Firm

Christine Chang Hanway August 26, 2019

The challenge: to convert an old farm dwelling in the Loire into a modern, light-filled summer home—with minimal intervention. French firm Septembre Architecture accomplished the brief by executing subtle and discrete interventions: major overhaul not necessary. By matching the delicate color palette found in the original construction materials, the designers masterfully bridge old with new.

Photography by Linus Ricard, courtesy of Septembre Architecture.

After

in the kitchen, new materials are introduced through the light wood cabinets, o 9 — Above: In the kitchen, new materials are introduced through the light wood cabinets, open shelving, and a concrete floor. (See Remodeling 101: Polished Concrete Floors.)

in the living area, by opening up the ceiling to the full height of the house, 10 — Above: In the living area, by opening up the ceiling to the full height of the house, the architects were able to create a mezzanine level.

vestiges of the original construction can be seen in the wood ceiling lintels. 11 — Above: Vestiges of the original construction can be seen in the wood ceiling lintels.

A Stone Farmhouse in France Gets an Artful Update from a Paris Firm portrait 3_32 — Above: The original stone fireplace. The white walls in all the rooms form a backdrop to a palette of soft, natural shades.

on the mezzanine, the simple, lightweight detailing of the metal rails contrast 13 — Above: On the mezzanine, the simple, lightweight detailing of the metal rails contrasts with the heavy wood beams and stone walls of the original house.

the exposed beams are celebrated in the sparsely decorated bedroom. 14 — Above: The exposed beams are celebrated in the sparsely decorated bedroom.

the existing roofline in an upstairs bedroom is left intact. 15 — Above: The existing roofline in an upstairs bedroom is left intact.

the silhouette of the door follows the roofline. 16 — Above: The silhouette of the door follows the roofline.

in the bathroom, double sinks stand on a welded steel custom vanity. the metri 17 — Above: In the bathroom, double sinks stand on a welded-steel custom vanity. The Metris Wall-Mounted Faucets are by Hansgrohe; $227.50 from YLiving.

from the exterior, there is nothing to suggest the modern renovation on the int 18 — Above: From the exterior, there is nothing to suggest the modern renovation on the interior.

the farmhouse sits comfortably in the context of its surrounding village. 19 — Above: The farmhouse sits comfortably in the context of its surrounding village.

on one side, a garden. 20 — Above: On one side, a garden.

Before

the original exposed beams and stone floor. 21 — Above: The original exposed beams and stone floor.

in progress, painterly light included. 22 — Above: In progress, painterly light included.

looking toward the garden. 23 — Above: Looking toward the garden.

For more from Septembre Architecture, see their clever small-space solutions in A Place for Everything in a 900-Square-Foot Loft for Four.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on December 9, 2014.

For more French homes, from farmhouses to châteaus, see our posts:

Product summary

Hansgrohe

Hansgrohe Metris Wall Mounted Single Handle Faucet

$227.50 USD from YLiving

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