HEART OF HAPPINESS
A LOVE OF FRENCH PROVINCIAL DESIGN AND PROVENCE PERMEATES THIS LAKESIDE HOME
L“Le foyer est le cœur du bonheur,” translating to “The home is the heart of happiness.” This French sentiment aligns with the design philosophy of Senior Interior Designer Lana Knapp of Collins DuPont Design Group. Knapp creates this chic French Provincial design for these homeowners in Naples, Florida who look back on their years in Provence fondly.
The joy of loving one’s environment is a French notion and key for these homeowners. “The design concept derives from this simpler way of living as if one is in the countryside of France,” shares Knapp. The design emphasizes beauty and relaxation and centers around family connections.
This dedication to the aesthetic is exemplified in the foyer, where Knapp balances opulence with subtlety, ensuring that even the most grandiose elements feel integral, such as the arched mirror that captures the grandeur of a cathedral window without being overpowering. Knapp’s natural palette and neutral color scheme embody the countryside style, while the metallic accents of antique gold and satin nickel elevate it to cozy chateau chic.
Earthy portobello and French gray hues punctuate the Chantilly backdrop throughout the kitchen, dining, and living spaces. Finally arriving at this perfect color on the kitchen cabinetry that emanates a warm French vanilla, Knapp explains it took a lot of effort to get it right. The kitchen ceiling design features hand-hewn alder to accentuate the stylistic intent, while the living room ceiling boasts heavy beams in a decadent chocolat. Adding beams to the living room elevates the space from a simple off-white to a warm and inviting atmosphere. This remarkable transformation exemplifies Knapp’s exceptional craftsmanship and demonstrates the successful collaboration with Dustin Poore, Owner and Project Manager of REP Construction Company. As the remodeling contractor for this exquisite home, Poore skillfully completed the framing, drywall, and carpentry work on this stylish French Provincial design. u
Dining Room & Kitchen: The dining space features a curated collection of stylish yet practical pieces. The regal host chairs in durable acrylic fabric complement the warm leather Louis XVI side chairs. A frosted bead and antique gold chandelier from Regina Andrew exudes French elegance over the antique reproduction dining table with carved details. The French vanilla hue extends from the cabinetry to the dining area, unifying the spaces. Custom-made cabinetry and hand-hewn, distressed ceiling planks lend an authentic rustic ambiance, while the farmhouse sink on the island adds a fitting touch.
Foyer: Knapp selects many of the accessories and furnishings in either matte, weathered, gilded, or French reproduction to give the impression that every piece was found over time. “The foyer is an appealing cohesive blend of French and country cottage,” delights Knapp. The filigree on the antique mirror speaks to the baroque-style table lamps on this classical-inspired marble top credenza. Overall, this foyer ushers in the comfort of French countryside elegance.
Living Room: The bergère chairs show off the warm portobello hue and a classic damask fabric from Century Furniture. On either side of the plush sofa are warm white end tables with a scalloped apron and delicate cabriole legs to embody French styling. Porcelain table lamps from The Natural Light endow complexity with an intricate glaze finish, much like the raised pile on the Stanton rug that adds textural complexity to the design.
“The design concept derives from this simpler way of living as if one is in the countryside of France,” shares
Senior Interior Designer Lana Knapp of Collins DuPont Design Group.
Wine Cellar: Knapp draws inspiration from the living room’s ceiling beams to create a wine cellar that is, in its own right, a destination but also a focal point of the living room. The raw, rustic quality of the alder wood is in keeping with the masculine look, but the arched glass doors with mercury mirrors from Builders Glass of Bonita balance the design with a touch of femininity — as do the two gilded wood and iron sconces from Bliss Studio.
Three arched openings in the living room create a focal point and draw attention to the wine cellar in the center. The wine cellar’s saturated wood, antique-like glass, and mirror reflect a rustic opulence. Knapp enhances this ambiance by using incandescent lighting for a candlelike glow. In the powder room, the bold wallcovering steals the spotlight, only to be upstaged by the French-inspired vanity with its curved Calacatta gold marble top and shapely gold-lined vessel sink.
The pièce de résistance of this interior is the primary suite. Flanking the bed are two re-edition mirrors quintessentially French, anchored by the demilune tables they hang above. “You’re treated to a picturesque view of Florida’s lush foliage in the primary bedroom,” says Knapp. “To echo this natural beauty, the tone-on-tone embroidery on the shams in a leaf pattern harmonizes with the vibrant outdoor scenery.” This illustrates an almost poetic approach to design, relaxation, and beauty. u
Kitchen: Along the hood wall is a handmade terracotta backsplash tile with a white glaze. “The natural light within the room gives the backsplash a soft shimmer. As you move through the kitchen, you pick up tones of white, gray, and taupe coming through from the clay behind the glaze,” details Knapp, explaining the elegance of this one element that pairs well with the stunning Cristallo quartzite countertop. Above the island are golden basket woven pendants from Wildwood that instill a contemporary chicness. Poore expertly manages the installation and refurbishment of appliances, as well as the electrical and plumbing work, in this stunning French-inspired masterpiece.
With every detail viewed through the lenses of French Country chic, Knapp shares, “The job was heartfelt for me. I, too, love France and Provence.” Knapp’s intrinsic talent for interior design and adoration for this style culminates in a design worthy of le foyer est le cœur du bonheur. n
Primary Bedroom: Bright light washes over this elegant primary bedroom, reflecting off the mirrors. The mirrors, bed, and bench are from Eloquence, a company Knapp loves for their emphasis on French design. A high-end duvet adorns the bed from Christian Fischbacher, showing off a subtle stipple in a champagne hue. Knapp uses an oversized leaf pattern fabric from Nobilis on the pillows that rest in front of the Euro shams, which are done in the same fabric as the duvet.
Primary Bedroom Vignette: Natural linen of the relaxed Roman-style shade adds a romantic air to this corner with its ballooning folds, while the wingback chair and turn base table from Theodore Alexander make this an inviting corner. Gilding on the furniture and the metallic finish on the basket weave throw blanket infuse lavish elegance. Meanwhile, playful touches like a faux fur pillow provide texture, and a heart-shaped pillow from France instills a charming touch of French flair to the bedroom.
Primary Bathroom Vanity: “The mirror, framed in the same wood as the cabinet, features a square cornice to subtly honor traditional French design,” shares Knapp. “The cornice with a slight eyebrow arch further authenticates the design’s French Provincial aesthetic.” The cabinetry is a rich taupe accented with delicate satin nickel hardware. The sconce serves a practical purpose and adds a touch of style to the space, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.
Primary Bathroom: The pure white ball-and-claw tub and the reproduction stag leg end table are absolutely French inspired. Knapp envelopes this bathroom in Osborne & Little wallpaper in various shades of off-white, cream, gray, and taupe to give the impression of a faux finish. Beneath the tub is a mosaic of white Thassos marble and Calacatta gold marble from Ruben Sorhegui Tile, which Knapp repeats in the shower for warmth and interest.
Outdoor Living: Knapp opts for a delicate aluminum and glass dining table in this charming lanai to maintain a light and airy atmosphere. The bolder wicker pieces, which one would typically expect to see, have been reserved for the living area and come from Summer Classics and Castle Furniture. While the rich wood on the ceiling harkens back to the interior, the pool is lined with white, taupe, and cream glass tiles, upholding the cohesive, neutral color theme. Seamlessly integrating functionality, this residence features access panels installed by Castle Services of Southwest Florida.
Powder Room: Knapp remarks that this powder room exudes that Provincial look, yet the mandate also requires it to have a masculine appeal as it services both the study and the main living areas. The rich charcoal of the wallpaper with an exaggerated pattern in cream, mustard, and gold from Thibaut fit the bill. Flanking the antique gold framed mirror are two half-shade sconces from Corbett Lighting that complement the bold wallcovering.
Family Room: This family room had a storage access door under the archway, limiting the seating options. Knapp relocates the door, making ample space for a fullsized sofa dressed in a tailored slipcover look. The European settee from Highland House Furniture and cocktail table decorated with antique French books elevate the aesthetic. Among the taupe and French gray hues, a pale sage appears in the design, notably on this damask armchair.
Written by Rachel Seekamp
Photography by Troy Campbell Photography
Interior Designer:
Collins DuPont Design Group
8911 Brighton Lane
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
239.948.2400
www.collins-dupont.com
Remodeling Contractor:
REP Construction Company
4760 Enterprise Avenue, Suite 406
Naples, FL 34104
239.438.6700
www.repswfl.com
Resources:
Builders Glass of Bonita
24181 South Tamiami Trail, Suite 4
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
239.947.1505
www.buildersglassbonita.com
Castle Services of Southwest Florida
3963 Enterprise Avenue Naples, FL 34104
239.304.4620
www.castleservices.net
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
38 Goodlette-Frank Road South Naples, FL 34102
239.963.0087
www.build.com/ferguson
Ruben Sorhegui Tile
3876 Mercantile Avenue Naples, FL 34104
239.643.2882
www.sorheguitile.com