Belle Maison | The Morel Family
This is Home
-Liesel Schmidt
With its white stucco and brick façade, the home that Patrick and Amanda Morel own in Fairhope is a nod to French Provincial construction, a modern take on classic design that stands proudly amid immaculately manicured landscaping. Bronze window frames stand out in high relief from the expanse of white, echoed by the dark color of the roof and the massive French entryway doors that lead to a spacious entryway filled with natural light—something that the Morel home boasts an abundance of, thanks to its many windows.
Leading from the foyer to the open plan living spaces, the reclaimed whitewashed heart pine flooring flows throughout the home, creating cohesiveness and offering a sense of warmth to rooms that, aside from the occasional pop of color or pattern, don’t stray from the pale color pallet of creams and whites. Decorated with a thoughtfully curated mixture of antiques and contemporary elements with French influence, the Morel home clearly bears Amanda’s fingerprints—a sophisticated yet comfortable, livable space that is welcoming—and even kid friendly, which, with two boys, is a must.
Boasting 4400 square feet, the two-story home comprises of four bedrooms, four and a half baths, an office, media room, and hobby room in addition to the living spaces, the massive home is perfect for the family of four, with plenty of room for entertaining. As a family, the Morels love to spend their time together in the family room, just off the kitchen—another room in which the family spends a great deal of time. Kitted with floor to ceiling custom cabinetry that runs the perimeter of the U-shaped space, the kitchen is a continuation of the modern French Provincial feel of the home, featuring a ten-foot center island crowned with Victoria Falls quartzite and chef grade stainless steel appliances. Drum pendant lights illuminate the island, suspended from the ceiling, which is bisected by massive beams, and a grey glass tile backsplash in a chevron pattern brings in an element of visual interest.