Published: July 01. 2009 2:00AM

By Kim Hassold
EDITOR IN CHIEF

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The beige stucco house where Paula Noble and her husband Gary Forte live was inspired by homes encountered traveling in Provence and the Loire Valley in France. That trip and others started the lady of the house down a path that eventually led to an antique shop and thus a great excuse to collect French antique furniture and accessories.

“I believe we are all natural born collectors - we search and gather things that enrich our environments. Favorite objects have the ability to communicate so much about our personalities, where we've been, our dreams and even our sense of humor,” says Noble.

“What intrigues me the most are the things I've collected with no regard to cost or provenance, they merely please me and so does the search for them.”

Fortunately, we were invited to visit more than once, first to a Spanish-themed party complete with invitations in the native language and then on another day just to enjoy the home. What we came away with was a feeling of balance between casual and formal and what is beautiful and comfortable.

Take a look for yourself - we believe you'll agree.

“I believe we are all natural born collectors - we search and gather things that enrich our environments. Favorite objects have the ability to communicate so much about our personalities, where we've been, our dreams and even our sense of humor,” says Noble.

“What intrigues me the most are the things I've collected with no regard to cost or provenance, they merely please me and so does the search for them.”

Fortunately, we were invited to visit more than once, first to a Spanish-themed party complete with invitations in the native language and then on another day just to enjoy the home. What we came away with was a feeling of balance between casual and formal and what is beautiful and comfortable.

Take a look for yourself - we believe you'll agree.

1.(Cover)

Noble perceives green as a neutral color and strives to minimize the transition from indoors to outdoors through plants and lots of windows for a perfect view.

2.(Homeowner photo)

Paula Noble says her home and environment are important to her sense of balance, a part of her biography since “what one sees on the outside is a reflection of what is inside.”

3.(Exterior of home)

The home is 13 years old and according to Noble, “my personal museum.”

4.(Foyer)

The foyer welcomes guests with the first glance of the new house built to look old through carefully chosen accessories.

5.(View into dining)

A view into the dining room showcases French wallpaper framed and hung over doorways leading into rooms on either side.

6.(Dining Room)

The dining room sideboard/enfilade is 18th century, Louis XV style. The wood is walnut and the sideboard was found in Lyon, France. The tapestry above the piece was found at a Saint Ouen flea market and folded up and carried home in Noble's bag.

7.(Bird Collection)

The birds seen here are just one of many collections found throughout the home.

8.(Palm Court)

“Palm Court” as the family refers to the space seen here is located in the center of the home and a great place for entertaining.

9. (Palm Court with light)

A skylight adds to the indoor/outdoor feeling of the room.

10.(Salon)

The salon here takes the place of a formal living room.

11.(Close-up salon)

The mantle is limestone and home to candelabras from the chapel at Chateau de Villette, where part of the movie, “The DaVinci Code” was filmed.

12.(Library)

A library holds many family photos and collections from around the world.

13.(Home office)

A home office is the perfect backdrop for two crests. A crest or shield is found in every room.

14.(Herend Collection)

A close-up of part of the Herend collection displayed in the library.

15.(View into Kitchen)

A view into the kitchen gives a peek into the eclectic treasures gathered there.

16.(Kitchen)

Noble says her kitchen is a mixture of “elegant and casual all mixed together.”

17.(Breakfast room)

A breakfast room just off the kitchen boasts a sunflower painting and a comfortable place for family and friends to gather.

18.(Conservatory)

The conservatory located beside the kitchen area was an addition about nine years ago. The room was added as a nod to Noble's love of growing orchids, providing the perfect atmosphere of indirect sunlight and good airflow for the plants to thrive.

19.(Pottery collection)

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