Artful French Neoclassical with a Modern Twist
by Kristina Wrenn
photos by Noel Martin
Symmetry, balance, beauty, and harmony all hallmarks of neoclassical style can be seen as soon as you drive up to the Clark Home. The columns, the French cartouche relief above the door, and the brickwork under the kitchen window were original to the home and one of the things that attracted the Clarks to the property. By painting the brick (including the mailbox), a creamy tone to match the cast stone and adding Georgian-style brass lanterns, handcrafted in England, the home took on Tiffaney’s vision of blending neoclassical, French, and mid-century modern that is deftly executed from front to back.
It makes sense that Tiffaney would have such a focused design aesthetic given her extensive work with Tyler area home building and through her creation of Surfaces Custom Flooring and Design and her husband Jason’s Five Star Stone and Brick. As you admire how it all comes together throughout the home, understand that her style is also informed by a love of France, an interest in antiques, extensive family travel, and an eye for pleasing color combinations and textural juxtapositions.
The real showstopping character of this home is realized in the quality of the materials and the high level of finish out. Replacing the windows opened the home to a light and brightness that complements the creamy and mild tones, the solid wood floors, and the extensive use of marble. The shingle color chosen completes the exterior look and its consideration is attributable to the level of detail Tiffaney considers on all home projects.
Neoclassical dentil cornice molding in the living room, the broad arches, and the columns that frame the formal sitting room are period-specific and add drama and interest to the entertaining spaces. The vintage brass lamps gleam in the sunlight and accent the antique French settee, upholstered in salmon-colored mohair. French-inspired solid wood floors here are rift and quarter-sawn white oak laid in a chevron pattern. They were sanded and stained in place by Surfaces. The oil painting in the front entry is by French Barbizon artist, Louis Alexander Cabie, from the 1800s. It was purchased during the Clark’s 13th Wedding Anniversary trip to San Francisco.
The living room has a mix of new custom-made furniture and vintage pieces completed by a bound wool rug from Surfaces. To create distinctive areas over continuous wood flooring the look is only limited by the carpet you choose and Surfaces finishing. The modern-style rosewood end table with gold leaf detailing sets off the two blue velvet chairs. Handmade wooden boxes on the modern-style coffee table are keepsakes the Clarks purchased with their three kids – Cece, Ruby, and Jack – at a Paris flea market, set off by art deco malachite boxes by Schlevogt Hoffman from the 1930s.
The phenomenal flowers were executed by Garden Style from pictures provided by Tiffaney. The vessels are all collectibles normally displayed in the Clark’s home.
Your eye is inextricably drawn to the Art TV framed by Gold Leaf Gallery above the specially designed Calacatta marble slab fireplace. Curling up by the fire for a chat, book or game is all the more enjoyable surrounded by years of family pictures.
The study which the family calls the ‘snug room’ is a cozy space with Art Deco bookshelves and lacquered walls. The shelves were a joint project between Tiffaney and Jason to curate hand-carved soapstone sculptures, antique books, Paris street art and other things they have collected over a lifetime together. The wine-colored sofa is a textbook example of neoclassical furniture design and was inspired by the joie de vivre of Paris. The large oil painting that commands the wall is of Fontainebleau, by Barbizon painter Paul Louchet. Anchoring the zebra wood veneer coffee table is a rug from Surfaces that is an intertwined mix of wool and sisal fibers.
If you look closely at the end of the sunlit dining space, you can see the clock from master clockmaker Lenoir of Paris originally purchased in the 1800s at the Paris World’s Fair. A pièce de résistance for a Francophile family such as the Clarks. The high sheen walnut dining room chairs, upholstered in blue performance fabric (perfect for an area that gets so much light) offer a wonderful view indoors and out.
With so many details to point out, you may have to flip back to look again where images don’t line up with descriptions.
The stunning kitchen with ceiling-height cabinets is a truly harmonious space. The fluted Calacatta marble backsplash gives the walls depth and warmth. The white and grey veining of the countertops gives a counterpoint contrast that draws people to the room anytime the Clarks are entertaining. All appliances are from Don’s TV and Appliance. The island was the ideal spot for a graduation grazing board filling every inch of space. Pastel pink tulips offer a fresh interpretation on neoclassical color play in contrast to the café curtains.
Beneath the kitchen table, Tiffaney brilliantly chose carpet from the indoor/outdoor rug collection at Surfaces, because it is easy to maintain and resists stains unlike any other fibers. It is in this space that the mid-century look shines with the lucite counter stools, plus the shape and design of the table, chairs, and fruit bowl.
In the laundry room, you can see detailed shots of the Art Deco marble mosaic with brass inlay available at Surfaces. The effect is not only significant in the detail behind the sink and the dog bowl area, but in the length and repetition of the full laundry room wall. Large format Carrara marble floors complete the look.
The French walnut and olive ash burl wood dresser is a focal point of the primary bedroom. Framed in a coordinating burl wood the Art TV, from Stereo & Video Center, becomes another facet in the design scheme. French artist Paul Louchet, whose work is in the study, also created decorative enamel ceramics and the blue dish here is a wonderful example of his craft. The vase, whose twin is not visible, is a 1940s Art Deco cornucopia.
All the beds were designed and upholstered for each room based on scale and color with bedding and pillows that were tailor-made to complete the look. The clean lines and luxurious feel are evident at first glance. It is as though they were created for the George Cinq. The timeless sophistication is carried through to the coordinated dramatic floor-to-ceiling curtains in the bedrooms.
A mix of Calacatta and Thassos marble create an oasis in the primary bath. The floor is a custom basketweave pattern of the two marbles, the image of which just doesn’t convey it as magnificently as in person. The shower walls are clad simply in Thassos marble to sublime effect. The bathroom is rounded out by gold Phylrich faucets, an Art Deco alabaster chandelier, and an oversize soaking tub.
The handmade fluted walnut cabinets are the perfect companions to the Carrara marble floors in their son’s bathroom. Look closely in the mirror to see the Zellige Tile from Surfaces in the shower. The tile is almost two inches thick, so it is inset in the wall, and the color varies widely between whites, creams, and greys which were artfully laid in a coordinated pattern. Zellige sells the tile as all white given the nature of their hand production creating the color differentiations. Neoclassical style at its finest.
During the remodel, the Clarks added dentil cornice molding to the game room to carry through that prominent neoclassical element. The chocolate brown plaid rug is hand-woven wool from Surfaces, perfect to kick off your shoes and enjoy the pile on your bare feet. The color and shape also give warmth to what is affectionately referred to as the ‘Willie Room.’ If you have ever gotten to enjoy Willi’s Wine Bar in Paris you will understand the concept of this room is to have fun while enjoying food, drinks, and friends. The wit of the double entendre of the name, hanging an image of Willie Nelson with framed posters from Willi’s gives the room its own personality.
Reneé Ray was instrumental in completing the Clark’s remodel. She served as building and remodeling superintendent from Granite Girls Remodeling. Their team of talented subcontractors worked on the cabinets, millwork, electrical, and plumbing.
The sweeping backyard is like a walk through the Tuileries Garden with room for a blow-up water slide instead of a Ferris Wheel. The garden design was first executed by Brownlow and Sons. Tiffaney has always had an affinity for flower beds framed by boxwoods, so she created the final touch to their modern French neoclassical home with boxwood ringed beds, ball and triangular topiaries. The trellised ivy, outdoor fireplace, kitchen, and multiple places to sit and enjoy the beauty just add to the charm.
With the warm Tyler weather, the pool and spa by 360 Pools also see lots of family activity. The French Riviera has nothing on the Clark’s pool deck, especially with the classic color-trimmed beach parasol umbrella.