Inspired by Provence

One might say that nature’s breathtaking landscape was the motivation for the serendipitous inquiry to St. Alban’s Realty by former St. Louisans who were living on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. John, a retired businessman, and Cindy, who refers to herself as a “world traveler,” discovered the St. Albans property while searching the Internet. It would happily prove to be the perfect setting for their future Provençal-inspired home, with an aesthetic that mimics the various regions of Provence – a region of southeastern France on the Mediterranean, adjacent to Italy.

With John’s career taking the couple abroad – to Australia for four years, London for seven years, and Lake Geneva, Switzerland for seven years – coming back to the states would allow them to continue their adventurous lifestyle. While overseas, the couple frequently went on holiday to a favorite destination in Provence. There, the grand chateaux and splendid countryside maisons of the region captured their hearts. An adoring couple for decades, John and Cindy saw retirement in their plans. Having looked around the U.S. and Montreal for nearly two years, the property at St. Albans – with its 12-plus acres beginning at a tranquil lake, wrapping over a wooded hillside and following a limestone bluff with scenic views of the majestic river valley – was a setting reminiscent of a limestone plateau overlooking the sunset landscape of the Alpilles (a chain of small mountains) in Provence.

The couple's desire – to replicate a French home in all its splendor – would evolve superbly over the next couple of years with the help of talented professionals who brought the extraordinarily detailed plan to life. Architect Dick Busch, in tandem with St. Albans Construction, put the plans into motion. A fortuitous meeting with interior designer Rose Roberts, ASID, led to a glorious collaboration and helped the home's European ambience prevail. Using a stack of books that Cindy had collected as a template of ideas for the home, Rose proceeded to sketch out a sophisticated design plan that evolved as a result of a wonderful client and designer relationship – one that was based on mutual respect, trust and passion for the project.

“I was inspired by the architectural details that John and Cindy initiated, but I was also inspired by their wealth of knowledge and especially, travel knowledge,” says Rose. “Seeing the house in progress and helping them achieve [and exceed] their highest expectations excited me. I couldn't wait to get started on such an extraordinary project.” Room by room, furnishings were carefully selected for each of the home's remarkable spaces.

Although a formidable home, it is graciously welcoming. A stunning tapestry from Belgium takes command in the magnificent entryway and was purchased by the couple for their new home to make a statement. “The tapestry helps to define the home and is reminiscent of our life in Europe,” says Cindy.

With its chateau-like feel, the house is set perfectly north and is fondly considered the couple's “True North” on life's compass – with views that allow the home to capture the daylight in abundance. An authentic compass rose – an artistic inlay in the home's spectacular entryway – points to the northern view of the glorious surrounding landscape through impressive, window-lined rooms. “Its Provençal beauty and simple elegance shine through,” says Rose.

The home's design plan was directed for optimal flow when entertaining. “We love to entertain,'' say the couple. “And a party for 100 is in our near future. Our first Christmas here was with our grown children and their families.”

In the spectacular grand hall, a soft coral pink and chocolate brown silk stripe fabric – fashionably showcased on two of the room's predominant chairs – inspired the refined look and extraordinary presence of the room, as well as of the formal dining room. The outstanding flow of the home's main level – around the sweeping entryway staircase – leads to a welcoming hearth room. In an adjacent informal dining room, a 16-foot turret spotlights a 72-inch round European-inspired dining table. With two chair styles – Parsons chairs covered in a rich toile and ladder-back chairs with silk plaid fabric – the room exudes a French appeal.

“We were all on the same page in terms of achieving the desired feel for the home,” says Rose. “When I found the drapery fabric for the sitting room in the master suite, it shone with the look of a lined, tufted silk ball gown – and it was very romantic. John and Cindy loved it immediately. The drapery hardware is painted gold with a hand-finished rod and rings. Even the finials had to be an exquisite accoutrement in allowing the drapery to sweep the space in waltz-like fashion.”

This is a home that proclaims its timeless feel with all of the details considered, and it is truly a place of respite for the couple. “We feel extremely fortunate to have lived in many exceptional places and have had the wonderful opportunities we've had. Our home is a culmination of a grand life we've shared together and all of the memories we carry from our travels,” say the couple. “We'd like to live here for the rest of our lives, though we'd love to have a small house in the South of France.”

“You can take a girl out of France, but you can't take France out of the girl,” says Cindy with a smile.