Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

The French Residence by Chalfont Head

The French Residence by Chalfont Head

Designed by architect Chalfont Head in 1950, the French Residence is a captivating home that’s been beautifully preserved.

It’s not every day that a restored midcentury home hits the market in California for less than one million dollars, but that’s the case with the French Residence. Located in the small city of Fillmore, the historic home is perched above a gently sloping valley, overlooking the Topatopa Mountains. It was designed in 1950 by architect Chalfont Head for Dr. William French, the area’s primary physician, and it remained in the family for nearly 70 years.



In 1950, architect Chalfont Head designed The French Residence in Fillmore, California, for Dr. William French and his family. The redwood-clad home sits on a spacious lot, surrounded by neighboring midcentury abodes. Upon arrival, the gravel driveway opens to a motor court and a two-car garage.

When ownership changed hands several years ago via a private sale, the buyers sought to completely restore the property, which was in dire need of renovation. Up for the challenge, the new (and current) owners struck the right balance of preservation and modernization, peppering the home’s original bones with contemporary amenities.



Large windows fill the interior with natural light, further highlighting the home’s striking material palette of wood, brick, and cement. A passthrough between the dining area and kitchen caters to smooth entertaining.

One such upgrade is the radiant-heated concrete flooring, which runs throughout the dwelling’s L-shaped layout and complements the original Douglas fir woodwork and exposed brick. The owners also restored the extensive built-ins, hardware, and tile. In the kitchen, all-new appliances stand alongside period cabinetry in a seamless blend of past and present.



The bright and airy kitchen features new stainless-steel appliances, which pop against the original wooden cabinetry. A broad, two-pane picture window overlooks the manicured yard.



Expansive glazing on one side of the living room frames mesmerizing views of the nearby valley and mountain range. A tall sliding glass door provides direct outdoor access and invites fresh breezes to sweep throughout the 2,112-square-foot interior.

Measuring over 2,000 square feet, the residence provides several primary living spaces, including a sun-drenched sitting room wrapped with large windows. A spacious home office is located down the hall, in addition to a private wing, which features three bedrooms, one of which is the principal ensuite. Two fully remodeled baths are also included in the interior.



Handcrafted built-in shelving hugs the original brick fireplace, located opposite of the glazing in the living room.



Polished cement floors run throughout the home, complementing the original woodwork. Here is a peek at the private bedroom wing, which is located away from the primary living spaces.

The residence is nestled near the end of a private road in an enclave of midcentury homes. Towering trees and mature vegetation surround the generous lot, creating a serene, rural retreat. Scroll ahead to see more of the property, currently listed for $949,000.



Each of the three bedrooms features incredible natural light. The principal suite also comes with extensive built-ins, including a small, cutout desk area.



A closer look at the wood-clad wardrobe, located in the corner of the principal suite.



Original tile adds a playful pop of color to the two bathrooms.



The light-filled home office is offers plenty of storage.



Deep eaves along the exterior create several shaded spaces for outdoor entertaining.



An outdoor seating area located right off the living room can be used for casual al fresco dining.



The extensive yard overlooks the valley and mountain range.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×