Art, art, art. You have such a gorgeous chateau and those walls are crying out for art! I always look first at people’s art and their books. Those things brings warmth and invitation to relax, and say so much about the owners of the house.
I agree, when I go to a home and I don't see books or art I think it's a lost. Books and art are such a great way to make your home your home. Even as an b&b you want to feel the owner's stamp.
You need texture. Rugs, curtains, bookshelves with books and trinkets, art on the walls. A painted ceiling can be made white again, so don't be afraid of that Anna :) This is your home, not a museum, or even a bed and breakfast anymore. Time to add personality and charm and make it yours.
Definitely more furniture, lamps, CURTAINS with a bold pattern to soften the coral dining room + a bigger table and more subtle curtains for the future living room and the walls could go to a warmer, medium color... maybe a subtle peachy or light terra cotta shade which always makes a nice cosy glow at night and cheerful in the day.
How beautiful that you not only feature a smaller YT channel that is just starting out, but are so humble asking them for advice despite being so successful alredy with your own renovation skills. I have not seen this before on YT or instagram. Shows your kindness and good nature. Love from Germany
As a design enthusiast, I've really learned a lot over the years from watching a TON of design shows, following well-known designers, reading articles etc. Some things that I've gleaned over the years... 1. Gather ideas on Pinterest and look for common "themes." It will identify your style. 2. Start with your "hero." Your hero is typically the busiest item in a room, something with pattern and color such as a rug, a piece of art, a mural, curtains, a pillow etc. Then you work off of your "hero" by picking up the colors in that item and finding items that compliment your hero. Paint always comes LAST. Paint can be color matched to anything. It is easier to color match paint to an item than to trying to coordinate items around a pre-existing paint color. 3. Create a mood board. It's helpful to see how things go together and swap items out before committing to a purchase. 4. Scale. Your rooms are big and grand so the furniture needs to match the scale of the room. Another option is to break up a large room into "zones." Also, research buying the right size rug for a room. A common mistake is buying rugs that are too small. If you have a vintage rug that you really love but is the wrong size, you can also layer rugs. 5. Lighting is important. There are 3 sources of light, overhead, task lighting and ambient lighting. Research how far lighting should be from the walls not to cast shadows, the warm vs cold etc. 6. Flow. Your rooms don't need to match but all the rooms in the house should flow together. Also, I believe it was Frank Lloyd Wright who talked about rooms being like a forest some are dense and dark and then like in nature you stumble upon a field that is bright and airy. 7. Another thing designers often talk about are focal points, sight lines and path of travel etc. 8. Layers. Your rooms appear a bit sparse. You need rugs, curtains, pillows, art, different textures etc. and your rooms will feel more cozy and homey. 9. Follow IG accounts that specialize in heritage homes. Some of my favorite designers that specialize in heritage homes are: Jean Stoffer, Kismet House, Beginninginthemiddle, De Vol. Chris loves Julia also provides tips on color flow, picking paint colors etc. The "Expert" provides 1x1 hour consultations with top designers (prices vary depending on the designer) if you need some specific help but can't afford to hire a full time interior designer. Anyway, that's my crash course. :) Consider taking an online interior design class. 😘 You are blessed with a gorgeous home and are on the right track!
Yes, I get minimalism but adding art adds character. Adding rugs and curtains is the easiest place to start. The colour of the couch is perfect for this room.
All of these are making the atmosphere, style and personality to each room. People can feel you are living there and usually it's welcoming. It's warm and cosy and people are attracted by this. That is making not just a statement, it's making your personal signature in design. Sometimes we see beautiful houses by its like nobody is living there, no charm, not inviting.
Have you considered putting some shelving up in the old breakfast room? You don't seem to have a library space in the chateau so some specialist built shelves perhaps behind the left door area (as you come in from the hall) would be useful and not intrusive.
So many cool ideas! I'm a plant person and keep wishing you will get some large floor plants/trees. There is so much light for them and they create dimension. Also hanging plants and large hanging lights and hanging cozy egg chairs can add gorgeous dimension within your large rooms.
How fun to have friends that you can share ideas and inspiration with!! It’s great having someone to bounce ideas off of! And you are going through a very similar journey with both, your homes and your new sailing adventures! Their home is truly incredible. The layering in the rooms really does make those very large spaces so cozy 😊It’s all cohesive in that it feels very collected over time. Anna, you do not realize how talented you are! You are so sweet and humble 💕 Your prints are gorgeous no matter what they are printed on!
My two cents on the “breakfast room”: The sofa is perfect as is, love it. Yes, a big carpet, something with a lot of texture. Yes, paint the walls-I would love to see something in the blue/green realm which plays off of the sofa and also tantalizingly plays off of the deep green from the neighboring room (like two jewel boxes sitting next to eachother). Yes, to the lamps and I would include wall sconces-something beautiful and interesting that also adds to the materials/art story in the room. Yes, curtains-linen. What a great conversation this is, thank you for sharing!
I love your sense of style Anna. Stay true to your heart and don’t second guess yourself. Your unique interior design is clean and refreshing. Do you! ❤
This was an informative and inspiring video. This is your home. Pay tribute to the fabulous French/regional aesthetic, as it serves your likes. And mix in the Northern Italian influence. Stir lightly. Anna, you are a multi-talented artist. Paint a picture. Even if it’s a small one, to frame, and then put on a bookshelf. Good luck!
I love your sense of style Anna. Stay true to your heart and don’t second guess yourself. Your unique interior design is clean and refreshing. Do you! ❤ The white works!
Thank goodness, Anna is taking advice from someone and isn't so nervous about everything! I love this couple Kristine and Karl, I remember from the sailboat trip~!!! How lovely!
I'd love to see the full unedited version of this. I bet there were some more nuggets from Kristina & Karl. Agree with Kristina about the echo-i-ness. Same in kitchen and other rooms. Can't wait to see what Kristina''s plan is! I love the dining room colour, well how it looks on screen anyway. Thank you Kristina for showcasing Phillip's taste and input xxx (he often gets pushed aside imho).
I did learn from this couple and this video-thanks! You too have lovely elegant taste. A little nudge in the right direction from your friends will send you off and running, full of inspiration and new confidence. Between the two of you, you always end up deciding (maybe “compromising”) together and have a beautiful outcome. Just one word of encouragement: if you don’t love your dining table or the color of it, just put a beautiful tablecloth on top. The French aristocracy had trestle tables and took them apart every night and the soldiers slept in those same rooms. Their dining table weren’t beautiful at all, but the things on top were. Way cheaper! Have fun!
The thing that made the Swedish manor house so snug was because they have it extremely layered in all the cozy rooms. The DR was more open & airy. They have all kinds of textures, colors, mixed metals, carpets to curtains to furniture & cushions. When you did the walkthrough there, it felt like a home that’d been in the same family for 100s of years where things had been collected & saved generation to generation. I think you struggle bc you’re more minimalist & traditional. Trying to plan out a room that’s very layered feels very overwhelming. I’m with you on monochromatic painted rooms. I know it’s very popular, but it makes me think of a padded cell. 😂. You should create wallpaper for your formal breakfast room ceiling.
It is so nice to have your friends there and brainstorming. They also have the experience and advantage of renovating their own chateau (which is quite beautiful too). Plus, you are pretty close in age and both have young families, therefore, so much in common. Great suggestions, great questions.
Your friends are brilliant and have given you exactly the right advice. It's always about lighting and soft furnishings. Ana has a great sense of style and creativity, so can build on these professional principals to develop a beautiful interior scheme. And it's all about the echo..... Reduce the echo and the comfort feel of the room will increase. As well as curtains you could print some of your stunning designs on fabric and make panels to hang on the walls, which will absorb sound. Very useful in tv rooms. Lots of lamps with new tech single switching for multiple units (so Phillip has something to play with) and you will be away xx
agree - glad you are collaborating with them - their home is magnificent and love that they use color everywhere - all their rooms are so inviting and while I LOVE your home I think you can take it up a notch 🙂
I'm waiting on pins and needles over here hoping that Anna follows her heart and paints this room the olive green, even though everyone on the other video said they should keep it grey. It would be STUNNING and so cozy with a heap of curtains, rugs, and texture 😍😍 I love the advice from these two! Don't be afraid to go dark and to fill the room!
OMG I need this kind of interactions in my life!!! As an Architect this was so nice to see! watching this with a glass of wine... when you live in the other side of the world in waaay smaller house! but still! super nice!
I think you need to put more of you into your rooms. Soft furnishing, lights, paintings even family pictures will make it feel more homely. As it stands now you have a lovely house and now make it more of a home.
Hi Anna and Philip, I honestly think that all you need is adding frames on the walls, mirror, plants, and cozy rugs. The lamps make a difference as well. I think that your kitchen would be great with a rustic chandelier in your kitchen; something bigger. The lights you have are beautiful for. Smaller space. Add candles to bring the warmth in. Your chateau is beautiful. The red room is too red, if one wall was red and the rest maybe have a wallpaper. Mix the new with the antique. Sometimes when we mix couches that have different colors, they become chic, and gorgeous!!!
I really love the dining room color, but it would be possible to break up the intensity with a wallpaper on the upper walls. Not sure how they would go about finding a paper that includes a touch of that color in the pattern, but it could look really beautiful.
The chateau is a work in progress, much like a growing family. Tastes change, but values remain foundational and consistent through the years. Have fun bringing your home along; layer rugs, pillows, and throws. Bring in plants to fill corners with lovely green (they double as air purifiers sometimes!). Anna....your art skills are invaluable; personalize your rooms with details along the millwork and window casings!!! I agree with your friends: paint the ceilings and watch the "coziness quotient" elevate each room! Blessings!!!!
I love the color of your other sitting room, teal/blue! So trust yourself in choosing a color for the breakfast room. It did look gray in the evening in the breakfast room with the current color!! You have a beautiful color aesthetic Anna & Phillip!
In my opinion, Philip and Anna, your château is perfect. It is totally in line with French design and faithful to the period; yet with some modern, very tasteful additions. I have watched all your videos and sometimes re-watch them still. You have made and are making a wonderful home, in which to bring up your family...Two children + dog ! The château is not too big but it is big enough. The grounds are simply beautiful and the area is very attractive indeed. I love the French countryside and the French style from architecture to fashion to beauty. Your style and design evince the epitome of good taste; faithful to the surrounding area and to the period. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with so many people via UA-cam. I know it has not always been easy but I think your endeavours, research and presentation are perfect. Bonne continuation s.v.p ! Michael + David
Anna and Philip I’ve enjoy every moment of your journey - bringing the beautiful bones of your house to life. You have created a wonderful base/ foundation. The basis of architecture / art - restraint, space & light. You nailed it…👌 The next chapter is to layer this lovingly restored canvas with life, art , daily living, love. As Michelangelo said - 'I saw the angel in the marble, and carved until I set him free'. I’m ready for the journey - I live vicariously through you ….
Drapes in all the rooms would warm up the rooms and stop the echoing a lot. Rugs in all the rooms. Rugs with color - no creams, beiges or white. They would add life, pattern, warmth. Put a tablecloth on the dining room table. You could go ethnic with bold design and color. You could print something Anna. I’m one who loves the color in the dining room. I’d have put a different color on the bottom though. Actually, I’d love wood on the bottom half and I’d cover the radiators in the same wood - with screening so the heat could warm the room. Visible wood grain is lovely, warm and inviting to many. Hang artwork or textiles on the walls. That would help with the echoing. When I hear echoing in a room, it reminds me of a museum, not a home. Everything I’m suggesting is totally against your design style though. I’m not too sure it’s right for you. I wish you the best in making your chateau into a home filled with love and happiness.
I work from the design of the spaces to the decor. I need at least 80% of the home finished before my brain can really work on the furnishings in full. I have placeholders like you have, where I'm testing spaces, uses, light and colors. I think you guys are at the stage where you can start taking a deeper approach with your decor. I think you're on the right track. Having some lighter rooms (creams and off whites) then more color in others is a perfect mix. I agree maybe not using so much of the stock white except for places like your mudroom, which is perfect as it is! I love that you're achieving a modern version of French-English & Scandinavia. It's really working so well. You're finding your own style which you'll see will take off across the world.
I loooove all your white trim, but I also really love the moody cozy vibe of Kristina and Karl's home. It will be fun to see what you all come up with.
Ana has great taste and artistic style. Often people need an “architect “ to get them going and the home owner fills in the blanks. Or rather, colors the blueprint. Bringing in folks whose home they admire is a love.y thought.
I love all the ideas, but I think that Anna needs to paint more of her artwork because she’s very talented and brilliant a lot more gold to the mirrors ❤😊. Have lots of fun it’s most important 😊
Reading the comments, makes me aware everyone has an opinion. IT'S YOUR HOME. One of my favorite rooms in my home has no draperies or other window treatment. Your decorating will evolve and it will be what you are comfortable with. I just saw a blue jay and it had that blue of your couch in its tail feathers. Use your own inspiration. You have done amazing things ro date. It's just that it's such a large home. Your approach of concentrating on one area at a time seems right. I have rooms that I have had decorator help with and rooms I've done myself. The ones I did myself are the most enduring and comfortable to live with. Take advice, but follow your own heart.
The size is good in that room, altho not that fond of that baby blue.... I'd go abi darker sage green and bring out some floral color in the curtains and throw pillows.
The blue of the sofa and grey-green wall just doesn't work together. It's like seasoning food with spices that don't work together. It's a matter of color tint and saturation.
i would love a yellow colour for the "breakfast room" would feel warmer and cosier and would compliment the sunnlight coming in. Maby with Anna's wallpaper?😊
what a great video! love the informal design consultation. thought Kristina and Karl had some really good suggestions. lamps, rugs, curtains, art all help personalize a space.
Interesting video! I've seen a few videos from Swedish Manor Life since your visit there. They've done a beautiful job!! It'll be interesting to see how your old breakfast room evolves. I also like your sofa and its color. Curtains and a rug would really warm up the space. Anna, I'd love to see you incorporate some of your textile designs in the curtains, bringing in some subtle color and pattern. Your wall color is very flexible and I think lighting will make a huge difference. Color blocking can really work well in some cases but I'd consider other options first. If you go darker on the walls, you might try painting the ceilings a color several shades lighter within that color profile (or a light complimentary). This would bring warm while still allowing ceiling mouldings to shine. Another option would be to leave walls and ceilings as is but add stencilling to your ceiling, as much or as little as desired, to again bring more color and texture into the space. Anna, I lean in your direction with regard to trim color continuity when there are many rooms visually open to others but there's always the exception. In the case of the red room I would paint the baseboard to match the wall even when leaving the other trim as is. In this case the white band of color disrupts the flow from wall to floor. Best of luck!
Personnaly I absolutely love the color of the dining room It's so different from the other rooms of the chateau, and it's such a cosy color. Even if the room is not finished it's already so warm and cosy I also love your rug, you should keep that spirit with the new salon + curtains in every room + maybe a library ?
Karl and Kristina's manor is so beautiful and well designed. I like their idea of the not having bright white and different colored ceilings. The track lighting is great idea as well. The evening salon looks great because it is the most decorated room. If you paint the walls of the morning salon olive green you could change the white to a warm sandy beige tone. The ceiling could either be the same sandy beige or you could go bold and paint it chocolatey brown. A contemporary chandelier that is appropriately sized for the room would look great as well. Your chateau has beautiful architecture style. Amanda from Our French Chateau has really great style as well its great mix of modern and antique.
Speaking as a semi retired interior designer, I know you like modern and mid century objects and furniture but some antique , bohemian furniture and textiles will certainly warm things up and add some more layers. Curtains with passmentarie, tapestry cushions, Kilim rugs etc.
I agree. A mix of modern and old. Layer the decor. Anatolian Kilims mixed with natural wool rugs would work well and crying out for art and lighting. Don’t forget proportions. The rug in the blue room isn’t big enough or you need another one to complement it.
Too many windows, libraries should be more intimate, plus the books would fade and if you're not a big reader it would be pretentious and they no longer have guests who would probably have stolen them anyway. 😏
We had a formal Georgian style house built in 1847. We painted the ceiling of the dining room soft pink, absolutely loved it. The rest of the room was deep greens and golds. Add a rug and drapes.
I have never really cared for the color of the dining room. But, just watching it again, I think it just needs artwork and lamps and possibly a carpet. However, I’m not a big fan of carpets in dining rooms because of the possibility of spillage. I really liked the lamp and the table in the corner. It seemed to somehow modify the brownish red. And I fully agree that the color of the LEDs in the lights makes a world of difference. Some places in my home I use a 2700 K light but in most places I use a 3000 K light. I found it in all areas of my home the daylight (4000 K and 5000 K) are too harsh. The color temperature of your lights will change the whole character of the room. It is probably something you were already working on and thinking about, but there needs to be something on the walls of the dining room. One thing I really like is the contrast of the white doorway and the brownish red walls of the dining room. I agree with Philip the chandelier has got to go. Start shopping the flea markets and brocantes. Billy Petherick of The Pethericks UA-cam channel has found some really fantastic chandeliers and also Terry of the Escape to the Dream UA-cam channel has found some marvelous chandeliers in brocantes. I personally think the morning room would look wonderful with shades of a true blue. .. please no green ( ha ha). Lamps, track lamps, and a chandelier with a 2700 K or 3000 K lights in them would warm the blue up. If you feel vulnerable with all the windows, you might think of what we have done and use sheer curtains. They let in the light but block peering eyes. These are just some of my ramblings.
Your breakfast room should be your Library !!!!!!! I wish I had space for a library with loads of shelves/bookshelves - that’s a cozy ADULT room!! I’m now a subscriber to Swedish Manor House too!! Love the ideas! Thanks for sharing!!
The couch in the salon doesn't need to be renewed or recovered. The rooms just need more "personal" stuff, like pictures and sentimental momento's. Ornaments and photographs of family and friends. Maybe do family photo collage as a wall main statement piece? Magazines, books, book shelves/library, paintings (a few of those). More photos, pictures, books, magazines and family momento's...
I love all that you do Anna and of course master plumber electrician Philipp! Love the wallpapers you have designed too, just wish I could have one wall but our old farmhouse Has to breathe according to the ‘experts ‘. No lungs but torchis, like Devon cob walls. Also I subscribed to Kristina and Karl’s channel when you visited them ! I adore their home and their decoration. It is really good to see decoration going forward and not staining panelling in dark shades with lots of ugly bits of gold moulding. Some can do keeping to the period with panache such as Chateau de Coulombe.. I really admire you younger ones and Chateau de Londigny for getting a more modern outlook. Those fashion conscious 18 th century owners would not be still in a time warp. Can’t wait to see the results of your brainstorming! ❤❤❤👏👏👌👌👏👌👌
Loved this video. Anna you and Phillip have done a wonderful job decorating your Chateau. In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful of all of those I follow. I do agree with the others that drapes, (not curtains), rugs, and artwork would go a long way toward completing its beauty. I say drapes, not curtains, because your chateau isn’t a bungalow or a cottage where curtains are abundant. It is a great, magnificent and formal chateau. You need to convey that through the draperies and carpets. The addition of the artwork, maybe personal pictures … (like your grandmothers picture in your kitchen) will warm it up and make it cozier. Don’t second guess your own instincts. I have no doubt you will make the right choices yourself. So nice of the Scandinavian couple to help you out. I enjoyed the tour of their lovely home last week and will be checking out their channel. Watching from PA, USA.
I'm normally a silent watcher on UA-cam but I feel like xo mckenna would be a good person for you to look at! The way she makes rooms look bigger but cosy at the same time is amazing. She mixes a lot of different textures and colours that would look perfect in your château❤️
Dream team right here ❤ love the collaboration, rapport and humour. Lots of exciting ideas 💡 and very generous offer of a concept for the morning room. Also love Philip in Director mode with his camera angles. This is going to be exciting. 🎉😊 Christina and Karl are non stop great suggestions and so helpful in supporting Anna and Philip’s endeavour to make the chateau become more like a family home.
It will be fun to watch how it comes together. Do not be reluctant to paint. Paint is an inexpensive way to totally change the feel of a room, and it can easily be changed if you hate it.
I agree that painting is simple, but I don’t think they are ready to paint until they know what direction the room is going. The neutral base could stay for now while they locate furnishings, drapes, a rug and artwork. As those items begin to come together they will be able to see if they want to pull a color out and feature it on the walls, or leave it neutral.
@FarmgirlFriday agree. Some people are afraid to commit to a paint color, but selecting a paint color shouldn't be high stress since it is easy and inexpensive to change.
I think step one was deciding that you were ready to move out of the 3rd floor and take on all of the rooms in the chateau as a single family home. Good job with step 1! Step 2 is working out what you want the first floor to be. What "space" can be incorporated into to a room on the second floor? Which rooms are the girls going to have? ( I can see another bathroom between rooms for them❤) What a fun year figuring out how to make the chateau your own 😍
I think keeping the wall color but being inspired by the light, I'd go "garden" cozy -- lots of patterns, especially florals, textures, contrasting accent pillows & colors, as well as some plants. And maybe the camera angle is causing it, but with the tall ceilings, the sofa seems too squat. I'd add some taller furniture against the walls. That's what I'd do. 😊 But I'm sure you will make it beautiful!
Art, art, art. You have such a gorgeous chateau and those walls are crying out for art! I always look first at people’s art and their books. Those things brings warmth and invitation to relax, and say so much about the owners of the house.
You’re so lucky to be such a good artist. Enjoy!
I agree, when I go to a home and I don't see books or art I think it's a lost. Books and art are such a great way to make your home your home. Even as an b&b you want to feel the owner's stamp.
I use to say that a room need plants, art , textiles and a chair.
Art in warm colours
I think you have a great sense of style Ana. This is YOUR home, so, I say, listen to others ideas but follow your own heart.
Love this ❤
I think with the height of the ceilings, you Def need rugs and drapery on windows! It will be such a difference! Not that it's not great already ❤🎉
I think so too. Yeah, hearing from others is great but Ana is great at design!
You need texture. Rugs, curtains, bookshelves with books and trinkets, art on the walls. A painted ceiling can be made white again, so don't be afraid of that Anna :) This is your home, not a museum, or even a bed and breakfast anymore. Time to add personality and charm and make it yours.
Agree!
I agree. Lots to be done to bring in warmth.
Definitely more furniture, lamps, CURTAINS with a bold pattern to soften the coral dining room + a bigger table and more subtle curtains for the future living room and the walls could go to a warmer, medium color... maybe a subtle peachy or light terra cotta shade which always makes a nice cosy glow at night and cheerful in the day.
Isn't this exactly what their friends who are experts just told them
Totally agree ❤❤❤❤❤
Love that you guys dare to ask advice. With the joint forces of these two stylish power couples it will be awesome!
❤❤
Absolutely, asking from help from someone who's home you really liked is smart
How beautiful that you not only feature a smaller YT channel that is just starting out, but are so humble asking them for advice despite being so successful alredy with your own renovation skills. I have not seen this before on YT or instagram. Shows your kindness and good nature. Love from Germany
As a design enthusiast, I've really learned a lot over the years from watching a TON of design shows, following well-known designers, reading articles etc. Some things that I've gleaned over the years...
1. Gather ideas on Pinterest and look for common "themes." It will identify your style.
2. Start with your "hero." Your hero is typically the busiest item in a room, something with pattern and color such as a rug, a piece of art, a mural, curtains, a pillow etc. Then you work off of your "hero" by picking up the colors in that item and finding items that compliment your hero. Paint always comes LAST. Paint can be color matched to anything. It is easier to color match paint to an item than to trying to coordinate items around a pre-existing paint color.
3. Create a mood board. It's helpful to see how things go together and swap items out before committing to a purchase.
4. Scale. Your rooms are big and grand so the furniture needs to match the scale of the room. Another option is to break up a large room into "zones." Also, research buying the right size rug for a room. A common mistake is buying rugs that are too small. If you have a vintage rug that you really love but is the wrong size, you can also layer rugs.
5. Lighting is important. There are 3 sources of light, overhead, task lighting and ambient lighting. Research how far lighting should be from the walls not to cast shadows, the warm vs cold etc.
6. Flow. Your rooms don't need to match but all the rooms in the house should flow together. Also, I believe it was Frank Lloyd Wright who talked about rooms being like a forest some are dense and dark and then like in nature you stumble upon a field that is bright and airy.
7. Another thing designers often talk about are focal points, sight lines and path of travel etc.
8. Layers. Your rooms appear a bit sparse. You need rugs, curtains, pillows, art, different textures etc. and your rooms will feel more cozy and homey.
9. Follow IG accounts that specialize in heritage homes. Some of my favorite designers that specialize in heritage homes are: Jean Stoffer, Kismet House, Beginninginthemiddle, De Vol. Chris loves Julia also provides tips on color flow, picking paint colors etc. The "Expert" provides 1x1 hour consultations with top designers (prices vary depending on the designer) if you need some specific help but can't afford to hire a full time interior designer.
Anyway, that's my crash course. :) Consider taking an online interior design class. 😘 You are blessed with a gorgeous home and are on the right track!
Curtains, curtains, curtains. Rugs, rugs, rugs. Bookshelves! Art on the walls
Yes, I get minimalism but adding art adds character. Adding rugs and curtains is the easiest place to start. The colour of the couch is perfect for this room.
All of these are making the atmosphere, style and personality to each room. People can feel you are living there and usually it's welcoming. It's warm and cosy and people are attracted by this. That is making not just a statement, it's making your personal signature in design. Sometimes we see beautiful houses by its like nobody is living there, no charm, not inviting.
Exactly what I was going to say ..
Just add curtains ,a beautiful carpet cushions and a painting or two
Yes, curtains, curtains. Those make such a huge difference in a room. I can't wait to see what you guys will be doing!
yes curtain,I could not handle to look at windows into darkness in the evening...😆
They are so amazing
Bright people ask for tips, and from people you admire. Well done Ana and Phillip!!
What a fun conversation; thank you for including us!
Have you considered putting some shelving up in the old breakfast room? You don't seem to have a library space in the chateau so some specialist built shelves perhaps behind the left door area (as you come in from the hall) would be useful and not intrusive.
So many cool ideas! I'm a plant person and keep wishing you will get some large floor plants/trees. There is so much light for them and they create dimension. Also hanging plants and large hanging lights and hanging cozy egg chairs can add gorgeous dimension within your large rooms.
Layers. Art. Furniture. Lights. That is what you need.
Also, think about making a room square. A large room can have two seating areas.
How fun to have friends that you can share ideas and inspiration with!! It’s great having someone to bounce ideas off of! And you are going through a very similar journey with both, your homes and your new sailing adventures! Their home is truly incredible. The layering in the rooms really does make those very large spaces so cozy 😊It’s all cohesive in that it feels very collected over time. Anna, you do not realize how talented you are! You are so sweet and humble 💕 Your prints are gorgeous no matter what they are printed on!
My two cents on the “breakfast room”: The sofa is perfect as is, love it. Yes, a big carpet, something with a lot of texture. Yes, paint the walls-I would love to see something in the blue/green realm which plays off of the sofa and also tantalizingly plays off of the deep green from the neighboring room (like two jewel boxes sitting next to eachother). Yes, to the lamps and I would include wall sconces-something beautiful and interesting that also adds to the materials/art story in the room. Yes, curtains-linen. What a great conversation this is, thank you for sharing!
You need art. Even in that beautiful dining room. That dining table looks too small for that room. I agree on the lighting, rugs, tables, curtains.
I absolutely love the color in the dining room too Phillip!
I think a couple sideboards would look nice in the room and make the dining table fit better.
Their style is warm and inviting. Love their home. I’m glad they are offering you advice. ❤
I love your sense of style Anna. Stay true to your heart and don’t second guess yourself. Your unique interior design is clean and refreshing. Do you! ❤
I love how Kristina and Karl celebrate color boldly. ❤
Life is short - colors are fun! Just do it! 😄💫🤗
This was an informative and inspiring video. This is your home.
Pay tribute to the fabulous French/regional aesthetic, as it serves your likes. And mix in the Northern Italian influence. Stir lightly.
Anna, you are a multi-talented artist. Paint a picture. Even if it’s a small one, to frame, and then put on a bookshelf.
Good luck!
I love your sense of style Anna. Stay true to your heart and don’t second guess yourself. Your unique interior design is clean and refreshing. Do you! ❤ The white works!
Curtains,lamps,rugs,cushions and colour to make a beautiful cosy room ❤
Thank goodness, Anna is taking advice from someone and isn't so nervous about everything! I love this couple Kristine and Karl, I remember from the sailboat trip~!!! How lovely!
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I loved the visit you made to the Swedish Manor house. They have such great taste and style. I hope you will get lots of inspiration.
I'd love to see the full unedited version of this. I bet there were some more nuggets from Kristina & Karl. Agree with Kristina about the echo-i-ness. Same in kitchen and other rooms. Can't wait to see what Kristina''s plan is!
I love the dining room colour, well how it looks on screen anyway. Thank you Kristina for showcasing Phillip's taste and input xxx (he often gets pushed aside imho).
Search for the Swedish Manor Life Chanel , they put up a full hour video of this visit !
@@76keva Thanks. I found it.
I like the dining room color. It feels unique and ahead of trends. I also like that you didn’t paint the lower walls white there.
I did learn from this couple and this video-thanks! You too have lovely elegant taste. A little nudge in the right direction from your friends will send you off and running, full of inspiration and new confidence. Between the two of you, you always end up deciding (maybe “compromising”) together and have a beautiful outcome. Just one word of encouragement: if you don’t love your dining table or the color of it, just put a beautiful tablecloth on top. The French aristocracy had trestle tables and took them apart every night and the soldiers slept in those same rooms. Their dining table weren’t beautiful at all, but the things on top were. Way cheaper! Have fun!
So good to see and hear Swedish Manor Life again! Great to think about their philosophy in your space. It will come together!
The thing that made the Swedish manor house so snug was because they have it extremely layered in all the cozy rooms. The DR was more open & airy. They have all kinds of textures, colors, mixed metals, carpets to curtains to furniture & cushions. When you did the walkthrough there, it felt like a home that’d been in the same family for 100s of years where things had been collected & saved generation to generation. I think you struggle bc you’re more minimalist & traditional. Trying to plan out a room that’s very layered feels very overwhelming. I’m with you on monochromatic painted rooms. I know it’s very popular, but it makes me think of a padded cell. 😂. You should create wallpaper for your formal breakfast room ceiling.
Yes, designing her own wallpaper to start would be a really good beginning for that textured, layered feel that creates a homey vibe.
It is so nice to have your friends there and brainstorming. They also have the experience and advantage of renovating their own chateau (which is quite beautiful too). Plus, you are pretty close in age and both have young families, therefore, so much in common. Great suggestions, great questions.
Your friends are brilliant and have given you exactly the right advice. It's always about lighting and soft furnishings. Ana has a great sense of style and creativity, so can build on these professional principals to develop a beautiful interior scheme.
And it's all about the echo..... Reduce the echo and the comfort feel of the room will increase. As well as curtains you could print some of your stunning designs on fabric and make panels to hang on the walls, which will absorb sound. Very useful in tv rooms. Lots of lamps with new tech single switching for multiple units (so Phillip has something to play with) and you will be away xx
I can’t wait… Kristina & Karl are so brilliant! They have such great taste & a beautiful family 🙏🙏🙏Blessing’s
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@@SwedishManorLifehi Guy’s!❤
@@lauraquigley6403 Hi there! 👋🏻☺️
agree - glad you are collaborating with them - their home is magnificent and love that they use color everywhere - all their rooms are so inviting and while I LOVE your home I think you can take it up a notch 🙂
A lovely, interesting episode! It will be fun to watch as you change or add to some of the rooms and hallways of your chateau! ❤
I'm waiting on pins and needles over here hoping that Anna follows her heart and paints this room the olive green, even though everyone on the other video said they should keep it grey. It would be STUNNING and so cozy with a heap of curtains, rugs, and texture 😍😍 I love the advice from these two! Don't be afraid to go dark and to fill the room!
OMG I need this kind of interactions in my life!!! As an Architect this was so nice to see! watching this with a glass of wine... when you live in the other side of the world in waaay smaller house! but still! super nice!
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I think you need to put more of you into your rooms. Soft furnishing, lights, paintings even family pictures will make it feel more homely.
As it stands now you have a lovely house and now make it more of a home.
Yes a formal living room and then a less formal comfortable family room. I feel every house needs both.
if your touch and have a huge house... every house needs both...pls, yes if you can aford it
@@Jobo89every house used to be built this way and people were much poorer!
Hi Anna and Philip, I honestly think that all you need is adding frames on the walls, mirror, plants, and cozy rugs. The lamps make a difference as well. I think that your kitchen would be great with a rustic chandelier in your kitchen; something bigger. The lights you have are beautiful for. Smaller space. Add candles to bring the warmth in. Your chateau is beautiful. The red room is too red, if one wall was red and the rest maybe have a wallpaper. Mix the new with the antique. Sometimes when we mix couches that have different colors, they become chic, and gorgeous!!!
I really love the dining room color, but it would be possible to break up the intensity with a wallpaper on the upper walls. Not sure how they would go about finding a paper that includes a touch of that color in the pattern, but it could look really beautiful.
@@FarmgirlFriday Maybe a William Morris paper. There’s one with berries that would pick up the coral colour.
How nice, this was Karma to meet people who gave input in the needed way. I hope for a good friendship.
The chateau is a work in progress, much like a growing family. Tastes change, but values remain foundational and consistent through the years. Have fun bringing your home along; layer rugs, pillows, and throws. Bring in plants to fill corners with lovely green (they double as air purifiers sometimes!). Anna....your art skills are invaluable; personalize your rooms with details along the millwork and window casings!!! I agree with your friends: paint the ceilings and watch the "coziness quotient" elevate each room! Blessings!!!!
Anna's quote, " I guess a space can evolve over time ...," - is the answer to every issue one ever encounters.
I adore the room as it is and deplore dark ceilings. Don't abandon your classical touch; it is exquisite.
I’m with you Phillip. I love the color of the dining room.
I love the color of your other sitting room, teal/blue! So trust yourself in choosing a color for the breakfast room. It did look gray in the evening in the breakfast room with the current color!! You have a beautiful color aesthetic Anna & Phillip!
In my opinion, Philip and Anna, your château is perfect. It is totally in line with French design and faithful to the period; yet with some modern, very tasteful additions. I have watched all your videos and sometimes re-watch them still. You have made and are making a wonderful home, in which to bring up your family...Two children + dog ! The château is not too big but it is big enough. The grounds are simply beautiful and the area is very attractive indeed. I love the French countryside and the French style from architecture to fashion to beauty. Your style and design evince the epitome of good taste; faithful to the surrounding area and to the period. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with so many people via UA-cam. I know it has not always been easy but I think your endeavours, research and presentation are perfect. Bonne continuation s.v.p ! Michael + David
Besides accessories, greenery also makes a space cozy .
Love all of the suggestions.Curtains rugs pillows,throws personal photos.From your trip on your sailboat I bet you have beautiful photos.❤
Anna and Philip I’ve enjoy every moment of your journey - bringing the beautiful bones of your house to life. You have created a wonderful base/ foundation. The basis of architecture / art - restraint, space & light. You nailed it…👌
The next chapter is to layer this lovingly restored canvas with life, art , daily living, love. As Michelangelo said - 'I saw the angel in the marble, and carved until I set him free'.
I’m ready for the journey - I live vicariously through you ….
Such an interesting and inspiring conversation!
Drapes in all the rooms would warm up the rooms and stop the echoing a lot.
Rugs in all the rooms. Rugs with color - no creams, beiges or white. They would add life, pattern, warmth.
Put a tablecloth on the dining room table. You could go ethnic with bold design and color. You could print something Anna.
I’m one who loves the color in the dining room. I’d have put a different color on the bottom though. Actually, I’d love wood on the bottom half and I’d cover the radiators in the same wood - with screening so the heat could warm the room. Visible wood grain is lovely, warm and inviting to many.
Hang artwork or textiles on the walls. That would help with the echoing. When I hear echoing in a room, it reminds me of a museum, not a home.
Everything I’m suggesting is totally against your design style though. I’m not too sure it’s right for you. I wish you the best in making your chateau into a home filled with love and happiness.
I work from the design of the spaces to the decor. I need at least 80% of the home finished before my brain can really work on the furnishings in full. I have placeholders like you have, where I'm testing spaces, uses, light and colors.
I think you guys are at the stage where you can start taking a deeper approach with your decor. I think you're on the right track. Having some lighter rooms (creams and off whites) then more color in others is a perfect mix. I agree maybe not using so much of the stock white except for places like your mudroom, which is perfect as it is!
I love that you're achieving a modern version of French-English & Scandinavia. It's really working so well. You're finding your own style which you'll see will take off across the world.
What a treat to see your Swedish friends this week! I’ve subscribed to their channel today.
I love it when your friends visit. So fun with the kindred spirits!
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful relationship - showing how you learn from friends and lean on their skills is wonderful!
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I loooove all your white trim, but I also really love the moody cozy vibe of Kristina and Karl's home. It will be fun to see what you all come up with.
Challenge accepted! 😊🤗
I really don’t like white at all in a chateau. Not even a house in California.
Ana has great taste and artistic style. Often people need an “architect “ to get them going and the home owner fills in the blanks. Or rather, colors the blueprint. Bringing in folks whose home they admire is a love.y thought.
Pleaseeee guys, put the yellow wallpaper that Ana designed in the new "breakfast" room!! It'll look spetacular!!
I love all the ideas, but I think that Anna needs to paint more of her artwork because she’s very talented and brilliant a lot more gold to the mirrors ❤😊. Have lots of fun it’s most important 😊
Reading the comments, makes me aware everyone has an opinion. IT'S YOUR HOME. One of my favorite rooms in my home has no draperies or other window treatment. Your decorating will evolve and it will be what you are comfortable with. I just saw a blue jay and it had that blue of your couch in its tail feathers. Use your own inspiration. You have done amazing things ro date. It's just that it's such a large home. Your approach of concentrating on one area at a time seems right. I have rooms that I have had decorator help with and rooms I've done myself. The ones I did myself are the most enduring and comfortable to live with. Take advice, but follow your own heart.
I hope there’s a part two of this discussion!
I agree with Anna about the colour scheme needing to flow from room to room.🤗🇨🇦
The blue couch is perfecto ❤❤❤❤
The size is good in that room, altho not that fond of that baby blue.... I'd go abi darker sage green and bring out some floral color in the curtains and throw pillows.
Love the couch. Think it's modern shape goes perfectly. Great size and I actually like the colour.
The blue of the sofa and grey-green wall just doesn't work together. It's like seasoning food with spices that don't work together. It's a matter of color tint and saturation.
I may be in the minority, but I love the white! It’s so light, bright and makes it feel like a happy place to be.
i would love a yellow colour for the "breakfast room" would feel warmer and cosier and would compliment the sunnlight coming in. Maby with Anna's wallpaper?😊
what a great video! love the informal design consultation. thought Kristina and Karl had some really good suggestions. lamps, rugs, curtains, art all help personalize a space.
Interesting video! I've seen a few videos from Swedish Manor Life since your visit there. They've done a beautiful job!! It'll be interesting to see how your old breakfast room evolves. I also like your sofa and its color. Curtains and a rug would really warm up the space. Anna, I'd love to see you incorporate some of your textile designs in the curtains, bringing in some subtle color and pattern. Your wall color is very flexible and I think lighting will make a huge difference. Color blocking can really work well in some cases but I'd consider other options first. If you go darker on the walls, you might try painting the ceilings a color several shades lighter within that color profile (or a light complimentary). This would bring warm while still allowing ceiling mouldings to shine. Another option would be to leave walls and ceilings as is but add stencilling to your ceiling, as much or as little as desired, to again bring more color and texture into the space. Anna, I lean in your direction with regard to trim color continuity when there are many rooms visually open to others but there's always the exception. In the case of the red room I would paint the baseboard to match the wall even when leaving the other trim as is. In this case the white band of color disrupts the flow from wall to floor.
Best of luck!
Personnaly I absolutely love the color of the dining room
It's so different from the other rooms of the chateau, and it's such a cosy color. Even if the room is not finished it's already so warm and cosy
I also love your rug, you should keep that spirit with the new salon + curtains in every room + maybe a library ?
We know about Swedish Manor and their channel is amazing!
Thank you so much! ❤
Karl and Kristina's manor is so beautiful and well designed. I like their idea of the not having bright white and different colored ceilings. The track lighting is great idea as well. The evening salon looks great because it is the most decorated room. If you paint the walls of the morning salon olive green you could change the white to a warm sandy beige tone. The ceiling could either be the same sandy beige or you could go bold and paint it chocolatey brown. A contemporary chandelier that is appropriately sized for the room would look great as well. Your chateau has beautiful architecture style. Amanda from Our French Chateau has really great style as well its great mix of modern and antique.
Speaking as a semi retired interior designer, I know you like modern and mid century objects and furniture but some antique , bohemian furniture and textiles will certainly warm things up and add some more layers. Curtains with passmentarie, tapestry cushions, Kilim rugs etc.
I agree. A mix of modern and old. Layer the decor. Anatolian Kilims mixed with natural wool rugs would work well and crying out for art and lighting.
Don’t forget proportions.
The rug in the blue room isn’t big enough or you need another one to complement it.
If I lived there, I'd turn the breakfast room into a library, with floor to ceiling bookshelves!
Too many windows, libraries should be more intimate, plus the books would fade and if you're not a big reader it would be pretentious and they no longer have guests who would probably have stolen them anyway. 😏
What a dream
So many great ideas from the couple and posts! It will be cozy and spacious - and beautiful!
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I love these kinds of discussions. I learn so much!
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I love that orange dining room!! A deep blue violet in items would be beautiful additions.
Love this episode. Console tables around the room would be great too. In rich antique colours.
Loved this video. Anna is such a talented lady . Her style and tastes are impeccable
We had a formal Georgian style house built in 1847. We painted the ceiling of the dining room soft pink, absolutely loved it. The rest of the room was deep greens and golds.
Add a rug and drapes.
Plants always make a room look welcoming.
I love this video. We all could use some help with how to start. Very good advice and great questions.
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I have never really cared for the color of the dining room. But, just watching it again, I think it just needs artwork and lamps and possibly a carpet. However, I’m not a big fan of carpets in dining rooms because of the possibility of spillage. I really liked the lamp and the table in the corner. It seemed to somehow modify the brownish red. And I fully agree that the color of the LEDs in the lights makes a world of difference. Some places in my home I use a 2700 K light but in most places I use a 3000 K light. I found it in all areas of my home the daylight (4000 K and 5000 K) are too harsh. The color temperature of your lights will change the whole character of the room. It is probably something you were already working on and thinking about, but there needs to be something on the walls of the dining room. One thing I really like is the contrast of the white doorway and the brownish red walls of the dining room. I agree with Philip the chandelier has got to go. Start shopping the flea markets and brocantes. Billy Petherick of The Pethericks UA-cam channel has found some really fantastic chandeliers and also Terry of the Escape to the Dream UA-cam channel has found some marvelous chandeliers in brocantes. I personally think the morning room would look wonderful with shades of a true blue. .. please no green ( ha ha). Lamps, track lamps, and a chandelier with a 2700 K or 3000 K lights in them would warm the blue up. If you feel vulnerable with all the windows, you might think of what we have done and use sheer curtains. They let in the light but block peering eyes. These are just some of my ramblings.
Your breakfast room should be your Library !!!!!!!
I wish I had space for a library with loads of shelves/bookshelves - that’s a cozy ADULT room!!
I’m now a subscriber to Swedish Manor House too!!
Love the ideas!
Thanks for sharing!!
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Whoops - my apologies Swedish Manor Life!! 😉😘
I really like your blue sofa!
The couch in the salon doesn't need to be renewed or recovered. The rooms just need more "personal" stuff, like pictures and sentimental momento's. Ornaments and photographs of family and friends. Maybe do family photo collage as a wall main statement piece? Magazines, books, book shelves/library, paintings (a few of those).
More photos, pictures, books, magazines and family momento's...
also maybe some green large plants 😉
I love all that you do Anna and of course master plumber electrician Philipp! Love the wallpapers you have designed too, just wish I could have one wall but our old farmhouse Has to breathe according to the ‘experts ‘. No lungs but torchis, like Devon cob walls.
Also I subscribed to Kristina and Karl’s channel when you visited them ! I adore their home and their decoration. It is really good to see decoration going forward and not staining panelling in dark shades with lots of ugly bits of gold moulding. Some can do keeping to the period with panache such as Chateau de Coulombe.. I really admire you younger ones and Chateau de Londigny for getting a more modern outlook. Those fashion conscious 18 th century owners would not be still in a time warp. Can’t wait to see the results of your brainstorming! ❤❤❤👏👏👌👌👏👌👌
After watching Swedish Manor Life today, I realized I never noticed the brass rods above all the kitchen cupboards. Nice touch.
I love the color in the dining room too. Have you ever thought of recreating the original stencil that was there? I think that would look amazing.
Uuuu, so many amazing tips! Love their channel, jumping straight to their new episode, cozy Sunday treat ❤
Aww, thank you! Enjoy your cozy Sunday! ❤️🤗
What a great video, great ideas that get bounced around and a fabulous result will appear
Loved this video. Anna you and Phillip have done a wonderful job decorating your Chateau. In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful of all of those I follow. I do agree with the others that drapes, (not curtains), rugs, and artwork would go a long way toward completing its beauty. I say drapes, not curtains, because your chateau isn’t a bungalow or a cottage where curtains are abundant. It is a great, magnificent and formal chateau. You need to convey that through the draperies and carpets. The addition of the artwork, maybe personal pictures … (like your grandmothers picture in your kitchen) will warm it up and make it cozier. Don’t second guess your own instincts. I have no doubt you will make the right choices yourself. So nice of the Scandinavian couple to help you out. I enjoyed the tour of their lovely home last week and will be checking out their channel. Watching from PA, USA.
I'm normally a silent watcher on UA-cam but I feel like xo mckenna would be a good person for you to look at! The way she makes rooms look bigger but cosy at the same time is amazing. She mixes a lot of different textures and colours that would look perfect in your château❤️
Dream team right here ❤ love the collaboration, rapport and humour. Lots of exciting ideas 💡 and very generous offer of a concept for the morning room. Also love Philip in Director mode with his camera angles. This is going to be exciting. 🎉😊 Christina and Karl are non stop great suggestions and so helpful in supporting Anna and Philip’s endeavour to make the chateau become more like a family home.
You’re so sweet! Thank you! ❤ This will for SURE be exciting! 💫
Definitely need rugs,plants,curtains,art,etc. lighting means everything. Some throw pillows with pops of color from your rugs.
Yes you needs rugs and drapes! Your place is beautiful now, but some warmth would be fantastic!
Anna and Phillip should do their own color and design and textures … they’re so talented 💯
That was a great video! I love the style of it. Please invite them back 😊
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I agree with the lady saying it’s one of the best decorative chateaus I’ve seen…
It’s so beautiful and is your personality…
Take care
It will be fun to watch how it comes together.
Do not be reluctant to paint. Paint is an inexpensive way to totally change the feel of a room, and it can easily be changed if you hate it.
I agree that painting is simple, but I don’t think they are ready to paint until they know what direction the room is going. The neutral base could stay for now while they locate furnishings, drapes, a rug and artwork. As those items begin to come together they will be able to see if they want to pull a color out and feature it on the walls, or leave it neutral.
@FarmgirlFriday agree. Some people are afraid to commit to a paint color, but selecting a paint color shouldn't be high stress since it is easy and inexpensive to change.
I think step one was deciding that you were ready to move out of the 3rd floor and take on all of the rooms in the chateau as a single family home. Good job with step 1!
Step 2 is working out what you want the first floor to be.
What "space" can be incorporated into to a room on the second floor? Which rooms are the girls going to have? ( I can see another bathroom between rooms for them❤)
What a fun year figuring out how to make the chateau your own 😍
My favourite youtubers all together! Wonderful! And brilliant tips!!!!
Thank you! ❤🤗
I think keeping the wall color but being inspired by the light, I'd go "garden" cozy -- lots of patterns, especially florals, textures, contrasting accent pillows & colors, as well as some plants. And maybe the camera angle is causing it, but with the tall ceilings, the sofa seems too squat. I'd add some taller furniture against the walls. That's what I'd do. 😊 But I'm sure you will make it beautiful!
Anna, have you considered designing a wallpaper for your dining room?
Or fabric! Their house sorely needs draperies.