FRENCH
CHARM
Cherry Hills home conjures
images of a country estate
Written by ELLEN GRAY
Photography by JOHN MUELLER
Cherry Hills has more than its fair
share of beautiful homes, encased by meticulously
landscaped gardens. Stroll through some of these
winding streets, and you are overcome by the feeling
of entering a place that is a far cry from the crowded
neighborhoods of central Denver or the newly developed
cookie-cutter homes that comprise the outer suburbs.
The stunning French Provincial home of Cindy and
Ted Halaby nestles on Sunset Drive, one of suburban
Denver’s more exclusive areas. Every inch of
the 7,200-square-foothouse conjures up images of
a beautiful French countryside estate, where grandeur
and function meld in perfect harmony.
Built in 1962, the home underwent an extensive remodeling
and addition in 2003. As part of the renovation,
the Halabys added a majestic front entrance hall
and placed wrought iron balconies around the home’s
impressive exterior.
Throughout the home, floor-to-ceiling French doors
were added to bring in the sunlight and create the
feeling of living outdoors. Calming earth-toned colors
and a smattering of dramatic limestone fireplaces
enhance the overall effect.
Owner
Cindy Halaby says that when they first saw the house, “we
just fell in love with its bones. We saw so
much opportunity to restore the home to its original
integrity and splendor, while still incorporating
all the conveniences of today. We also wanted the
addition to be seamless, so that a person who was
seeing it for the first time would not realize anything
had been added on to the original design.”
Together with designer Janice Fisher, the owners
worked hard to create a home that would faithfully
reflect the intentions of the original builder. The
result is an inviting haven that conjures up the
feeling of European quality and design.
Light
and warmth infuse the home’s foyer area,
where a wonderful French daybed, collected from Paris,
provides a focal point. A long hallway, lined with
French doors, extends from the family room to the
formal dining area. This area has been dubbed The
Gallery, where windowed doors provide a view of a
lovely outdoor fountain designed by internationally
acclaimed artist Hans Van de Bovenkamp.
Gazing outside, one is literally in awe of the meticulously
landscaped gardens, which pay homage to the wonderful
European gardens made famous by the Impressionists.
A stone walkway surrounds the home, creating a peaceful
and serene setting. Here, the owners added an outdoor
kitchen and entertaining area, perfect for formal
entertaining or casual company with friends.
The
formal living room is a soothing haven that beckons
visitors to sit down and relax. The area is masked
in inviting shades of sage, cream and taupe, accented
by a soft French blue. As in all the rooms, dramatic
French doors create an illusion of light and warmth,
even in the coldest winter months. The French linen
sofa is almost too pretty to sit upon and perfectly
complements the French blue fabrics that cover the
room’s armchairs.
As part of the remodel, the home’s kitchen
was enlarged and reconfigured to include a massive
bank of floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that look
out upon the stunning gardens. Above the oven range,
a limestone hood, inlaid with limestone detailing,
gives the room a sense of timelessness. The walls
are covered in a soft shade of waxed integrated plaster
and beeswax, which provides a subtle sheen, particularly
in the early evening hours. Eye-catching cabinetry,
accented by painted glass, enhances the room’s
integrity and originality.
Family
rooms are always a gathering point, and the owners
took care to create an atmosphere of beauty and style.
Pillowed limestone flooring in the style of Versailles
covers the room, offset by French doors, dramatic
wooden-beamed ceilings and a limestone fireplace.
Sconces frame the fireplace and were kept as part
of the home’s original
décor.
Another room that merits attention is the powder
room, particularly the sink, which is framed by a
wonderful wrought iron base that was originally a
French balcony. The room’s soft colors enhance
the overall dramatic effect.
The master bedroom suite lies at the top of the home’s
majestic sweeping staircase. Here, a limestone fireplace
was added, and fabrics of sage and taupe recreate the
splendor of bygone days. An adjacent sitting room,
lined with French doors, opens to the bathroom. Heated
pillowed flooring, an old-fashioned soaking tub, a
massive steam shower with glass tile and limestone
and vanities designed to look like furniture make
for an impressive display.
Throughout the upstairs bathrooms, Calcutta marble
reminiscent of that found in French hotels was used
on
vanities. All the walls are covered in soft cream colors,
creating an atmosphere of luxury and calm.
Each
of the upstairs guest rooms is oversized and has
its own bath. One of the rooms is particularly charming,
with a quaint white wrought iron bed covered in beautiful
yellow bedding. This truly is a room designed for
a princess. Houses are remarkable for their design,
décor
or character. This home has surpassed these criteria
on all levels and will stand the architectural test
of time for its beauty, grace and quality.
