French Classic

The front rooms are washed in the same soft cream: glazed walls, slipcovered sofas, a white marble chimneypiece, an Aubusson carpet worn to rose and ivory. Against it the gilding does the work, a crested mirror over the mantel, small still lifes in heavy frames, a brass and glass table, a painted curule stool drawn up to the fire. In the bay, swagged silk and a cushioned window seat between two Louis XVI armchairs. The parquet is left bare and polished, and the fire is generally lit.

Behind the formal rooms the house loosens. The dining room holds a single portrait of a daughter above the candles; the kitchen keeps a curved banquette heaped with rooster cushions and a bright island with rush stools; the family room turns to green velvet, a rose chair and a large blue carpet, with tiger maple chairs and champagne at the garden doors. Upstairs the bedroom is green and rose, an iron and brass bed under a framed tapestry with lace thrown across the foot and a gilt bench below.