A small house in a 60sqm stone annex in Saint-Émilion
At La Maison Cardinale, the firm D'Ussel & Decoster transformed a 60-square-meter stone annex into two suites with tasteful decor
In Saint-Émilion, near Bordeaux, the vineyards come to an abrupt halt at the foot of the stone walls. The village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been attracting lovers of fine wines for centuries. La Maison Cardinale is a family-run estate that produces wine and hosts events. But it lacked a place to welcome guests and offer them a stay in absolute comfort. This space was created in a 60sqm stone annex. It features an entryway, a kitchenette, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms.
The owners entrusted Lucie Decoster and Ségolène d’Ussel with this small house set apart from the wine cellar and reception hall, so that guests could find peace and quiet there. Four months of work were needed to transform it. It now welcomes a select clientele, journalists, collectors, and artists, by invitation only.
The bedrooms are located under the roof structure. Exposed beams run across the ceiling, and the ceiling height tapers toward the edges, as in any attic room. This was the project’s main constraint, compounded by the need to completely redo the thermal insulation.
D’Ussel & Decoster solved the problem in this stone annex, through lighting. Discreet, almost invisible recessed spotlights blend into the white ceiling. Here, no pendant lights interrupt the space. Two skylights complete the setup by bringing in natural light where it was lacking. The result is understated and effective. The space feels airy despite the sloping roof.
This is the project’s boldest decorative choice. A custom-made forest-green cabinet runs along an entire wall in the first bedroom. It features discreet storage behind its gold-knobbed doors, a seat with mustard-yellow cushions, and, in the background, a panoramic wallpaper from Isidore Leroy depicting maritime pines in late-afternoon light. A beautiful tribute to the region, as the ocean is never far away.
The headboard is upholstered in natural linen, with slightly rounded corners. Next to it, a round dark wood nightstand and a burgundy floor lamp serve as an obvious nod to the local area. A true bedroom with the rustic-chic decor we love, unlike any other.
The adjoining bathroom deserves our attention. The architects made a bold choice: duck-green vertical strip wall tiles with golden brass grout. A sink sits on a Carrara marble slab, perched atop an antique cabinet, perhaps found at a flea market. All the charm of old-world French countryside encapsulated in a single room.
The second bedroom opts for a more neutral palette. White walls, a rough-hewn exposed stone wall facing the courtyard, lavender bedding, and a lavender-colored paneled wall that complements the rough stone. A white wooden dressing table, a cane chair, two small antique paintings hung somewhat haphazardly, that’s the effect sought: that of a room from another era. The retro bathroom is separated by a simple curtain.
D’Ussel & Decoster don’t furnish with run-of-the-mill pieces. A few items are contemporary, but the bulk consists of vintage finds: an antique chest of drawers repurposed as a vanity in the blue bedroom, reinterpreted Louis XV chairs, a Directoire-style desk in dark wood.
It is this blend that gives the place its character. Luxury hotel suites are beautiful but often cold. Here, you get the impression that someone has lived in this space for a long time and has kindly offered to let you stay in their bedroom for a few nights.
The region has been welcoming discerning visitors for decades. The grand châteaux offer prestigious experiences. But distinctive accommodations in this area remain rare, caught between sterile luxury residences and guesthouses that are too rustic. La Maison Cardinale stands apart with this stone annex. People come for the wine and stay for the bedrooms where they could easily spend the rest of their lives. To see all the projects completed by D'Ussel & Decoster, click this link! And to discover La Maison Cardinale, click on this link! Photo: ©Studio Prigent Bordeaux
The owners entrusted Lucie Decoster and Ségolène d’Ussel with this small house set apart from the wine cellar and reception hall, so that guests could find peace and quiet there. Four months of work were needed to transform it. It now welcomes a select clientele, journalists, collectors, and artists, by invitation only.
Sleeping under the roof without feeling cramped
The bedrooms are located under the roof structure. Exposed beams run across the ceiling, and the ceiling height tapers toward the edges, as in any attic room. This was the project’s main constraint, compounded by the need to completely redo the thermal insulation.
D’Ussel & Decoster solved the problem in this stone annex, through lighting. Discreet, almost invisible recessed spotlights blend into the white ceiling. Here, no pendant lights interrupt the space. Two skylights complete the setup by bringing in natural light where it was lacking. The result is understated and effective. The space feels airy despite the sloping roof.
A green bench and Isidore Leroy wallpaper
This is the project’s boldest decorative choice. A custom-made forest-green cabinet runs along an entire wall in the first bedroom. It features discreet storage behind its gold-knobbed doors, a seat with mustard-yellow cushions, and, in the background, a panoramic wallpaper from Isidore Leroy depicting maritime pines in late-afternoon light. A beautiful tribute to the region, as the ocean is never far away.
The headboard is upholstered in natural linen, with slightly rounded corners. Next to it, a round dark wood nightstand and a burgundy floor lamp serve as an obvious nod to the local area. A true bedroom with the rustic-chic decor we love, unlike any other.
The adjoining bathroom deserves our attention. The architects made a bold choice: duck-green vertical strip wall tiles with golden brass grout. A sink sits on a Carrara marble slab, perched atop an antique cabinet, perhaps found at a flea market. All the charm of old-world French countryside encapsulated in a single room.
A touch of softness in the second bedroom
The second bedroom opts for a more neutral palette. White walls, a rough-hewn exposed stone wall facing the courtyard, lavender bedding, and a lavender-colored paneled wall that complements the rough stone. A white wooden dressing table, a cane chair, two small antique paintings hung somewhat haphazardly, that’s the effect sought: that of a room from another era. The retro bathroom is separated by a simple curtain.
Vintage furniture alongside brand-new pieces
D’Ussel & Decoster don’t furnish with run-of-the-mill pieces. A few items are contemporary, but the bulk consists of vintage finds: an antique chest of drawers repurposed as a vanity in the blue bedroom, reinterpreted Louis XV chairs, a Directoire-style desk in dark wood.
It is this blend that gives the place its character. Luxury hotel suites are beautiful but often cold. Here, you get the impression that someone has lived in this space for a long time and has kindly offered to let you stay in their bedroom for a few nights.
Saint-Émilion is worth discovering
The region has been welcoming discerning visitors for decades. The grand châteaux offer prestigious experiences. But distinctive accommodations in this area remain rare, caught between sterile luxury residences and guesthouses that are too rustic. La Maison Cardinale stands apart with this stone annex. People come for the wine and stay for the bedrooms where they could easily spend the rest of their lives. To see all the projects completed by D'Ussel & Decoster, click this link! And to discover La Maison Cardinale, click on this link! Photo: ©Studio Prigent Bordeaux
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