An Art Deco inspired 1930s house, in Nantes, in the Monselet district - ref 397206
An Art Deco inspired 1930s house, in Nantes, in the Monselet district.
Near to the Atlantic coast, the city of the Dukes of Brittany is one that is open to the rest of the world. This property is located in the centre of this large conurbation, in the prestigious Monselet district to the west of the Hauts-Pavés district, near to the former Sourdille clinic which is currently being renovated. The place embodies the architectural elegance of the 1930s with its Art Deco façades designed by Philippe Devorsine. It is located in an attractive area that is peaceful, residential, with a village ambiance, very near to public transport routes, close to shops, a short way from city-centre schools and in the vicinity of the majestic Procé park, the veritable green lung of Nantes.
In a peaceful street, the property stands behind iron railings made up of vertical struts topped by simple points and punctuated by lozenge-shaped geometrical patterns, providing a touch of decorative precision. There is a pedestrian gate as well as a larger gate providing car access to the garage. The two-storey house, also with an attic level, has neighbouring buildings on either side. It boasts a courtyard looking onto the street and an outside area to the rear with different levels: a patio, a courtyard and a lawn. The building combines solid materials and traditional elements such as granite, ironwork and period joinery with the daring Art Deco spirit. The façade is both balanced and expressive. It is an illustration of the care lavished upon residential architecture in the inter-war period, a time in which each detail, such as stone arches, finely crafted guard-rails and small-paned windows, sought to combine modern comfort with urban distinction. Clues of the interior layout are given by studying the façade. The sleeper wall made of rough-hewn blocks of granite supports a first floor with light-coloured rendering whose simplicity emphasises the geometric rigour of the windows. The ground floor, with lower ceilings and smaller windows, is reserved for cosier rooms and the house's technical facilities. On the first floor, two wide windows with small panes on the upper part are graced with soberly and stylishly designed guard-rails including geometric patterns, which is another element typical of the 1930s. The first floor includes the reception rooms. The edifice is topped by a gabled roof made of interlocking tiles.
The houseThe entrance is marked by a large door at the end of a small courtyard that sets the house back from the street. The door is in the centre of the façade and is highlighted by a granite arch, giving the appearance of the house a monumental touch. The upper part of the painted wooden door is glazed, enabling light to filter into the entrance hall.
The ground floor
Two steps lead up from the courtyard through the entrance door into the hall, which has wood stripped flooring and leads to a first room that overlooks the courtyard. A hallway then leads to a staircase as well as, on one side, to a utility room with a boiler and stone sink, while on the other side there is another room behind the first one. A shower room and a bedroom can be found in the extension. A cellar and a large garage stand on either side of the boiler room.
The first floor
From the landing, double-leaf glazed Art Deco doors lead into a large, west-facing living room bathed in light. The room's focal point is an elegant and classically painted wooden fireplace. The geometrical décor punctuated by moulded panelling and a central, lozenge shaped pattern give it a sophisticated touch without being ostentatious. It stands on a protruding base and is as decorative as it is functional, striking a nice contrast with the period wood stripped flooring. A master bedroom overlooks the garden and boasts an adjacent shower room. It is ...
