A late-19th-century property with two houses, a pool and one hectare of grounds in the town of Jouy-en-Josas in France's Yvelines department - ref 659
A late-19th-century property with two houses, a pool and one hectare of grounds in the town of Jouy-en-Josas in France's Yvelines department.
The property lies in the Les Metz neighbourhood of Jouy-en-Josas. It includes two houses, which offer a total floor area of 450m². The whole plot, with its landscaped grounds, covers more than one hectare. The two houses were built in the late 19th century, in around 1880, but were transformed in the 20th century, which explains their pared-down character. Yet their original decorative features were not altered. The architecture is unpretentious and evokes the decorative arts. Its lines, rooms and materials bear witness to a time when edifices were built to last. The grounds have been masterfully landscaped. They offer a series of vistas and atmospheres among majestic cedars and sequoias. More surprising varieties of shrubs and trees punctuate the garden too, adding discreet touches of exoticism. The main house looks out widely at the garden. Inside, there is a vast entrance hall that connects to the reception rooms. On the left, a lounge leads out to a terrace, garden and swimming pool at the same level as it. This lounge is bathed in an abundance of natural light. A stone fireplace and old wooden touches combine with understated elegance. Next to the lounge, there is a dining room. A spacious, welcoming kitchen completes the reception spaces, which have been designed both for hosting guests and for everyday life. Upstairs, a landing connects to an office, which could serve as a bedroom, and to a master bedroom that looks out at the beautiful garden. This master bedroom has its own terrace and two bathrooms. In the roof space, there are two bedrooms with sloping attic ceilings and a considerable ceiling height. One of these bedrooms has a bathroom. Down in the basement, there are two technical installations rooms - a workshop and a boiler room - that meet practical needs. There is a second house on the plot too. Set back, it was also built in the late 19th century. It has a lounge with a fireplace, a spacious kitchen, a master bedroom with a mezzanine, three other bedrooms, shower rooms and a self-contained apartment upstairs. Further out in the garden, there is a series of annexes for storage and DIY.
The main houseThe main house was built in the late 19th century. It displays the eclectic style of upper-middle-class holiday homes. Its modern appearance is the result of redesigns at the start of the 21st century, particularly noticeable in the large windows on the ground floor and the plainly designed balcony. The whole architecture, pared down more than in typical 1880s buildings, harmoniously balances old character with stylistic redevelopment.
The garden-level floor
The connecting lounge and dining room form a vast reception space. That look out widely at the garden and are filled with an abundance of soft natural light that floods in through tall French windows with plain lines. Your gaze is drawn freely around the interior by room volumes amplified by a considerable ceiling height. On both sides, arched windows punctuate the walls and underline the tasteful architecture, which is steeped in a certain idea of upper-middle-class comfort of past centuries. Large pale slabs cover the floor and reinforce the sense of spaciousness. A discreetly fitted fireplace evokes cosier moments here too. Everything inside seems to have been designed for a life in perfect harmony with the garden outside. Indeed, from season to season, the garden blends seamlessly into the house like a familiar presence. The whole interior forms a warm haven where the simplicity of its lines combines well with the place's authentic character. The kitchen, with its bright, fluid spaces, also leads out into the garden. In the entrance hall, there is a mahogany spiral staircase ...
