Janet Butler 
It’s hard to know which image of these makes you want to sigh more — the ivy-covered walls over the back yard, the waterspout-filled pool, the shady outdoor living area surrounded by pots of hydrangeas, or the breathtaking brick-lined porch with dining and lounge space…it’s all good. And it’s a classic French Country renovation by Kara Childress, Inc. The home is spacious end expansive — plenty of room here for entertaining, both indoors and out. But at the same time, it’s also cozy and intimate: bay windows contain plush cushioned couches and tufted ottomans just inviting you to sit a spell with a good novel or a cup of tea, and the kitchen counter is a study in abundance with breads, fruit, and wine at the ready — all warm touches that say “home.”
There’s plenty here to love, from beamed ceilings and brocade armchairs, to massive potted plants and portraiture in the living room; a dining room that easily seats 10, ornamented with gilt mirrors; and how about that dazzling closet? It’s surely every woman’s dream come true, with its white dressers, endless cubbies, vanity table with sumptuous padded stool, and special glass-fronted storage just for purses and handbags. (If you don’t feel pampered by now, check yourself for a pulse.) This space is unabashedly in love with pattern: aforementioned brocade glows in subtle recessed lighting, while tapestry prints grace the porch chairs and a subdued geometric print picks up the delicate hues of sand and cream in the formal dining room. It’s a perfect combination of stately, ornate, and fun: French Country by Kara Childress.
