Name: Charles and Maurice
Location: New Paltz, NY
Owned/Rented: Owned
Size: Victorian 4 bedroom house (Bed and Breakfast)
Years lived in: since 2003
Maurice and Charles met in Europe and started collecting furniture. They decided to try their hand at a bed and breakfast that felt like a boutique hotel, so they bought a 130 year old Victorian house in upstate New York and started filling it with great stuff.
The philosophy of simplicity, comfort and enjoying one's home, however long it is one's home--is reminiscent of AT's doctrine for living.
Maurice and Charles' approach stems somewhat from their respective backgrounds. Charles is from the south and Maurice grew up in Holland.
Together, they make sure that each room has a Lousianan bed surrounded by European antiques and modern touches. An appreciation of simplicity, the present, and the beauty therein are elements that run through the design and feel of their establishment.
For each room's wall colors, Charles takes his cue from the gemstone colors used in old plantation homes. His priority is that "each room should have a little drama." Beyond the drama, Maurice and Charles just want to mix things up a bit. They also want to make sure their guests have a lot of places to socialize with their temporary neighbors. Strangers should meet one another, and they should be served a good breakfast!
Style: Eclectic/Classic
Inspiration: Southern (Lousiana) + European antique + Chinese antique + Contemporary
Favorite Elements: Wrap around porch with view of mountains, double shower/steamroom, extra modern kitchen with original wooden cabinetry
Best Advice: Play with color and scale
Originally Posted on February 21st, 2007
what color green was used for the bathroom in picture #7? it is so happy! :)
gorgeous - you guys did a wonderful job!
The green is Laura Ashley Apple 6 Interior Satin by American Tradition Signature
The green is Laura Ashley, Apple 6, Interior Satin by American Tradition Signature
Hi - Beautiful! Can you tell me what color the chocolate brown walls in the living room are? I love them and want to do a bedroom in a similar color. Thank you!
What a great job! I go to New Paltz a lot, and never suspected such a lovely house and garden was up there. (Not that there aren't houses that don't seem beautiful from the outside). The patio is just gorgeous.
Wonderful colors, and you did a great job of integrating older items with character with more modern things - exactly my style!
I loooove that you went modern inside. I'm not a fan of Victoriana, unless used in small doses, preferably mixed with something completely opposite (like sleek contemporary/mod). You did a great job. Love the colors, the lighting (especially the cable lights in the dining room). Loverly!!
So beautiful! If I'm ever up in New Paltz I'm there.
I love those beds so much -- any suggestions on where I could get one? I've always wanted something like that, but they are few and far between and very overpriced in San Francisco.
Absolutely love it! I'm a big fan of the mix of the clean simple lines and the very ornate, luxurious bedding in the rooms. My sister went to Vassar - near New Paltz - and we always loved looking at the beautiful old homes in that area. On a completely different note, I love the pussywillows in picture six. I'm out in SF and trying to find that strain. Anyone know it?
Again, fantastic job with the b&b!
HOLY SHIT! This place is amazine!!!
I really like your use of proportions. Each item fits into the room beautifully. The bed is great and a stong size. The couch is a good size. The armoires are the right height for the wall and room. And, the choice of size and hanging height for the paintings-great. And, the contrasts in the colors. Wow! Good work!
I love the red bathroom!!!!!!!!!!!
I absolutley love the idea of combining the quaintness of a B&B with the style of a boutique hotel. I think the Victorian elements balance out what can come across as cold and impersonal in those hip, cosmopolitan hotels.
Is that Dumbledore in the living room behind the pumpkins?
view Michael W.'s profile
I've stayed at their place as a guest, and it is just as lovely as it looks (plus they have wonderful house dogs, and a great hostess who makes amazing (really amazing) breakfasts). I stayed in the green room, a nice bright color to wake up to.
What the photos don't reveal is that the furniture is much too big for the rooms: the red room is actually large, but the green room, e.g., is bed, sofa, and just enough room to walk between them. Two people staying there had better love each other very much... The dining room, too: their table is way oversized for the room. One winds up feeling like a tiny person around gigantic furniture. If they pared down their furniture by 50% it would be a major improvement (or just pared down the size of each piece).
Not to take away from the lovliness of the place as a B&B: I recommend it.
view gothamgal's profile
I love the use of green. It's modern but warm and inviting. Slightly understated, but so elegant. A great B&B that I'd love to stay in!
view sugarplum's profile
The house is beautiful and the interiors are wonderful. I hope Charles and Maurice will allow people to see the house who don't happen to be staying there.
view John H's profile
I painted my hall way a similar brown...love it...I think the Versace bedding is very luuuvely...
view dmoniq5's profile
lets close the italics until the bugs are fixed...
view olya's profile