Moore Designs: French Farmhouse Redone

Jill Lawrence, an English textile designer and her husband owned a rustic farmhouse and over a 15 year period transformed it into what was just perfect for them.

The home is in the quiet little town of Bourg, 30 minutes north of Bordeaux -

oh how I would love to bicycle in this beautiful countryside - a 1750's farmhouse expanded in the 19th century Girodine manner which is typical in this region.

Jill Lawrence here in her garden.

The pigeonnier, or dovecote with the small tower is now is home to Jill's painting studio. The original home and much of the land surrounding it was owned by one of the principle winemakers in the region. Around 1850 when the larger and more grandeur home was built, the house was named Domaine de la Croix de St. Michel. Over time the vines were replaced and pool and the gardens that slope down to a river.

Isn't this a spectacular entry? The chairs facing each other are communion chairs bought in the Cotswolds region in Britain. The cabinet came from an antique store in Libourne.

This lovely 1850's burl walnut console can just come to my house!

Mr. Lawrence separated the original farmhouse from the main structure and this is the sitting room mixed with local antiques and heirlooms from his family.