Bienvenue a la Maison – French Country awaits you
Dunkirk – French Style
I have been dreaming, like many, of just wanting to run away from these wild days of late and be somewhere new. Over said 18 months, I have seen more Hallmark Channel movies than I should admit. One of my favorites takes place in France. I dream of living in a charming French Country home with a pool and great kitchen all Summer long. Do you? Well, you are in luck. This Dunkirk plan by Living Concepts award-winning architect Frank Snodgrass, brings that feeling to you. The bonus: you don’t have to manage through airports, learn a language or cross large bodies of water. With over 3,400 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4 full baths encompassed in French Country style, you can bring your travel longings into your life daily.
Typical of a French Country home, you see the varying roof lines here. They are steeply pitched with little to no eave overhang. Also typical, are arch shapes both inside and outside the home. A French country home is very asymmetrical and décor choices, varied. Your home can be as fancy and formal as you like or can be country chic comfortable. Large fireplaces are common, as you’ll see in this floor plan, and a bonus one as a treat. Match the wood of your front door to the wood of garage doors for harmony. Set small pots of flowers under the covered porch to welcome you in and this home is off to a great start.
Dunkirk – Foyer and main living areas
To begin with, once in your foyer, a staircase is to your left, climbing up the wall in a u-shape. To your right is a handy closet. Crossing a hallway of sorts, outlined by pillars at opposite ends, is your large coffered-ceiling family room with double doors out to a covered screened porch. Entre vous into the large family room. This charming space has a grand fireplace that will be the ideal spot for warm days and cool nights. With space flanking the fireplace, options are yours to dream. You might line the space with bookshelves or make a section for your winter firewood. Dark hardwood floors will anchor the room and ask for a beautiful area rug. However, indulge yourself here just another moment, because your screened porch is ready to entice you in every season.
Your screen porch is large and long. It, too, has a perfect fireplace to enjoy on cool days and nights. Imagine your basket of cozy blankets sitting next to an all weather couch. Yes, there is room for a table and chairs so you can enjoy a meal with less bug intrusion. Double doors that lead to the porch from the family room can be opened wide for large gatherings and really add to the expansive feeling of this home. Installing ceiling fans and skylights will bring more outdoors in and make the porch feel more like another room. A door leads out of the porch to the back deck/yard. Manger et celebrer! (Eat and celebrate)
French Country -Kitchen, Dining and Pantry
Head back into the house and your very open kitchen and dining room are in the rear left corner of the home. The kitchen opens into the family room for the most perfect example of ‘open concept’ living. You will love this. Your kitchen island is large and with a raised bar end, offers more seating and adds an intimate feeling for friends and family. A long wall of counterspace will not leave you feeling empty handed. Your coffee machine and canisters for what you like all have plenty of space. There is also counter space along a wall that is shared with your walk-in pantry. Yes, more space for your cooking and baking supplies.
The dining area of this home is next to your open kitchen. You can make this cozy formal or just casual. This is the only real dedicated dining space in the house. From this area, a door leads out to your screened porch too. More open flow and great movement abounds on this side of the home.
French Country -Laundry, Backhall and Garage
Your two-car garage takes you into the house to a space for a bench and hooks. Here you can easily hang your coats, kids backpacks, or stash your shoes. There are 2 closets so you can hide said items, if you prefer. Your large laundry room has a long counterspace for folding clothes. You can always add upper cabinets for convenient storage.
French Country – Master Suite and Guest Space
Bonjour et bonne nuit. (good morning and good night) The entire right side of the home is where your day begins and ends. A study or in-law suite with a dual doored bathroom (one to the suite, the other to the hallway), will suit guests, aging live-ins or your office with just the right feeling of confort et paix (comfort and peace). The master suite offers 2 very large walk-in-closets. You won’t have any issues storing seasonal clothes, shoes, handbags or even extra linens for the bed or bath in here. The master bath has 2 separate sinks in a long counter. A small closet can hold linens or toiletries. Then, your deep, relaxing tub will soak away any stress and a separate shower can quickly wash away the efforts of your daily work-out.
French Country Upstairs – de plus en plus (more and more)
Time to head upstairs. Do you think you need more in this house? Everything feels so fulfilling right? Well, there is more and more. For your young kids, for family that visits or where you indulge in your hobbies, this upstairs is espace parfait (perfect space). At the top of the stairs is a large storage area. Across from the stairs is a playroom for literally, anything. Everything. For this reason, whether you’re exercising, movie watching, kids do homework or general hobbies like arts, crafts and sewing, you won’t be cramped in here. You can even close this room off by installing barn-style sliding doors. How about adding a balcony (above the screened porch) for a better view with your morning coffee or evening drink?
There are bedroom suites on either side of the playroom. One suite has its own attached bathroom and walk-in closet. The other has walk-in closet and bath ‘enclosed’ in a hallway space that has door entry to this room, but the bathroom is easily accessible to the playroom. There is so much room in this house, but we’re not done. Lastly, over the garage is another huge bonus room. Use this for storing holiday décor and memorabilia you just can’t part with. Or better yet, give yourself a cozy, quiet corner of this space for reading, napping or just hiding out for a while.
Vivre le vive Francais
Live the French life. This Dunkirk plan brings that joie de vivre (joy of living) just for you. Dream of your French vacation, but live its spirit here. This plan offers everything and more that makes a house a home and is waiting for you to say “OUI”! (YES).
Make this your own. Welcome Home.