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By Elizabeth Beeler Photography by Colleen Duffley
Old World StyleFlorida designer Andrew Howard maintains that his
design style is nothing more than a reflection of his clients’
goals. If that’s the case, he’s successfully done his job,
transforming a newly constructed residence into a family home that
feels as if it could have been built a century ago.
“We wanted the house to look like it had been here for a while,”
says the homeowner. “I loved the idea of creating the character of
something old—but without the repairs.” Borrowing interior
architectural and design
elements from French, Swedish, and Belgian influences, the
four-bedroom home looks every bit as genuine as a historical
original.
Howard set out to create a comfortable home for the family of
four with a soothing pastel palette that lends airiness to the
home’s gracious scale and proportions.
Powder blue sets the stage in the primary living space. To
insert character, Howard added depth with layers of paint. “We
color-washed the blue walls with coats of cream, slate gray, and
off-white,” he notes.
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Living room Cream-colored sofas from Lee Industries face each
other to promote easy conversation. The fabric on the spool chair
from Hickory Chair picks up the blue of the walls. Accessories are
from Mrs. Howard.Preceding pages Barley-twist iron railings and
framed French postcards make for a dramatic entrance in this home
designed by Andrew Howard.
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and patina of a century-old farmhouse. “I wanted the kitchen to
feel like something more than just a place where food is prepared,”
says Howard. “We created a space where people would want to
gather.”
Nearby, the informal dining area features a shapely
Venetian-arched niche and wide-plank oak floors. A French walnut
dining table with barley-twist legs provides understated elegance.
The choice of details contributes to an ambience rivaling the
authenticity of a Provençal estate.
Furthering the home’s sense of age, heavy beam work overhead
breaks up the expanse of ceiling and provides interest above eye
level. A fireplace flanked by thick cased doorways gives the
illusion of weighty masonry and connects the space to the adjacent
dining area. Fireplace bricks laid in a herringbone pattern and an
old-world limestone mantel play up European leanings.
In the kitchen, a trio of windows and a large dark-stained
island add allure. Overhead, distressed beams offer the charm
Entry A landscape by Stephen Floyd creates an intriguing focal
point.The hanging lantern is from Circa Lighting.Library Faux bois
walls are MDF (medium-density fiberboard) grained to look like old
cypress. “It’s a great way to get the feel of a wood-paneled room
at half the cost,” says Howard.
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Dining area Lacking a separate formal dining room, the home
includes an elegant eating space just off the kitchen, featuring a
round walnut dining table custom made by Howard. The wine barrel
chandelier from BoBo Intriguing Objects lends visual weight while
the carved mirror from Made Goods offers a lighter, airier
appeal.
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Kitchen Elegant Calacatta gold marble countertops and
backsplashes blend with the room’s custom glazed cabinetry. The
chandelier is from Visual Comfort.
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Master suite The vaulted ceiling is inexpensive knotty pine
finished to look like bleached and pickled cypress. The bedding is
from Mrs. Howard; the chandelier is from Visual Comfort.
Andrew Howard’s tips of the tradeCreate an enjoyable space A
room is only as good as the people who occupy it. Rooms should be
an enjoyable experience for family and guests.Never settle Don’t
make decorating decisions based solely on durability. It’s better
to have something you love than to settle for a piece because it
might last longer.Let some pieces be the stars You don’t need to be
over the moon about every element in a room. Let some pieces take a
backseat.Don’t be afraid of color Each space should have its own
mood—color is the best way to create that mood.Trust your designer
We spend sleepless nights and countless hours thinking of ways to
make your home wonderful.
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