Tour a French Country-Style Home With Layers of Creamy Tones

Watch and read how a designer created a custom home with a welcoming neutral palette that features pops of greenish blue

Mitchell Parker September 13, 2022

Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.

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This Houston-area empty-nest couple tasked designer Ayca Stiffel with creating interiors in their custom home that embody a modernized version of French country style. To do that, Stiffel took inspiration from the couple’s artwork to develop an interior palette that layers warm, creamy tones with hits of greenish blue, a favorite color of one of the homeowners. The soothing color scheme softens the home’s French country architectural details, which include arched windows and doorways and an oversize wood range hood in the kitchen.

Stiffel anchored the kitchen with two teal islands amid soft white cabinets and two types of creamy quartzite countertops. Two zellige backsplash tile shapes incorporate varying cream tones as well. And she continued the layered approach in the main bathroom, which features marble-look porcelain slab countertops and shower walls.

Stylish custom cabinets in the living room resemble built-ins and help hide the TV. In the laundry room, sage green cabinets — some with mesh fronts for hanging clothes inside to dry — elevate the look and feel. And in the powder room, an elegant wallpaper with a magnolia tree print helps smooth out an angular layout.

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Photos by French Blue Photography

House at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Tomball, Texas
Designer: Ayca Stiffel of By Design Interiors
Builder: Morning Star Builders

In the kitchen, the oversize wood range hood with a tapered design and the arched cabinet detail above the paneled refrigerator nod to French country style. A white shiplap ceiling and scalloped handmade zellige backsplash tiles add texture.

Watch now: Go inside this warm and inviting home on Houzz TV

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Two teal islands — one used mainly for prepping and the other for dining and entertaining — contrast with the soft white perimeter cabinets and ceiling. The islands feature distinct quartzite countertops. Stiffel used a different kind of quartzite for the perimeter cabinets.

Oversize pendant lights fill the large space and complement the prominent range hood. Brushed gold plumbing fixtures, hardware and lighting bring a luxurious vibe. “We wanted to include a little bit more of a glamorous, upscale feel,” says Stiffel, who used Houzz Pro software on the project, including to share her design vision with her clients and to order products.

Shop for warm and welcoming furniture and decor

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Stiffel used more zellige backsplash tile for this bar area, but in a square shape rather than a scallop. “Every single one has a totally different tone,” she says.

By Design Interiors, Inc.

A 10-light chandelier defines the dining area off the kitchen. Upholstered chairs and window treatments help dampen sound in the open plan.

Watch now: Tour more of this home on Houzz TV

By Design Interiors, Inc.

In the living room, a beamed ceiling, a candelabra-style chandelier, arched windows and the oversize fireplace mantel also reflect French country style. Layered neutrals add to the look without distracting from the architecture.

Stiffel designed two freestanding cabinets to fit snugly within the recesses flanking the fireplace, creating a built-in look. One of the units hides the TV.

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By Design Interiors, Inc.

The main bedroom features a tufted headboard and other upholstered pieces. “Layer upon layer to really have that cozy feel,” Stiffel says. A colorful painting and subtle hits of green stand out against the neutral backdrop.

By Design Interiors, Inc.

The spacious main bathroom features a barrel ceiling and an arched window, under which sits a deep soaking tub.

The vanity has a marble-look porcelain slab countertop. When illuminated, lighting under the cabinet makes the vanity appear to be floating.

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Stiffel used more marble-look porcelain slabs to wrap the walls in the curbless shower. Bookmatched slabs create an interesting design. Mosaic penny round tiles provide a nonslip surface on the shower floor.

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Sage green cabinets in the laundry room feature mesh-front sections that allow air inside to help dry hanging clothes.

By Design Interiors, Inc.

In a powder room that also serves the pool area, Stiffel wrapped the lower walls in durable wainscoting. Above, wallpaper helps soften the angular layout. “If you didn’t have that wallcovering in place, you would feel the angles,” Stiffel says. “But because of the fluid magnolia branches coming down and encapsulating the space, it really takes that edge off.”

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