Marie-Charlotte Piro and William Harbour loved the sexy sizzle of Miami and made it home for over 20 years. The husband-and-wife team of free-spirited, international luxury real estate brokers had clients from New York City to Rome, Italy, and loved their travel-centric schedule—which perfectly suited them as young marrieds. But when their two sons became teenagers, they wanted a more family-oriented lifestyle.
On the way to their second home in Lake George, New York, Greenville was always a halfway stop on the drive up from Miami. In 2021, they decided to buy here and had their hearts set on purchasing a historic home in the traditional Greenville Country Club area, since they both had grown up in Victorian houses—Harbour in Albany, New York, and Piro in southwestern France. (The globetrotting couple now works at home, where Harbour continues to handle the real estate business and Piro is the CEO of Olio Piro, her family’s olive oil company.)
At first glance, the 1968 ranch-style home didn’t exactly call out to them, but one look from the back deck at the idyllic view of a stream, a pond, and a bird sanctuary complete with owls and cardinals, sealed the deal. The house had been remodeled in 1990 but cried out for their renovation skills. They set out to apply their design principle of decorating a property to match the era in which it was built, as they had done with their Lake George home, an 1884 farmhouse full of authentic antiques, and their 1930 Miami residence, which is filled with Art Deco decor.
Jumping into a 1970s vibe proved to be the perfect solution. “You can find a lot of mid-century modern furniture and reproductions, because that’s incredibly popular, but you can’t find a lot of 1970s reproductions because it’s not as trendy. That was great for us, because we wanted to purchase original pieces anyway,” says Piro.
Their four-bedroom, four-bath home in Greenville showcases an eclectic mix of art, much of it from the contemporary Miami collection they’ve amassed over two decades. With its sunken library, huge dining table that seats ten, open kitchen, and tri-level outdoor deck, the house is a sophisticated time capsule perfect for entertaining. In fact, Sonny and Cher (if they were still together), would feel right at home.
Greenville Country Club Home Photo Tour
Sunken Library
From Ligne Roset, the original 1970s Togo sofa in cognac-colored leather was designed in France by Michel Ducaroy. It was the starting point and the design inspiration for the entire house. The burnt-orange grasscloth wallpaper is typical of the era in color and texture. The rug in the sunken library was purchased in Egypt and brought back by Piro’s grandparents in the 1960s. The guitars are part of Harbour’s collection, since he’s an accomplished recording artist.
Kitchen and Dining Area
The unusual oval tiles on the backsplash are from Circles & Squares Design and were selected by interior decorator Everett King. Beautifully striated granite from Upstate Granite forms a waterfall edge on the island. The sleek black dining table is a counterpoint to the whimsical Woods wallpaper from the English firm Cole & Son and is used upstairs and downstairs in the home. Three rooms were opened up in this area to create an airy, modern feel and to maximize the view. Gleaming gold-tone hardware on the black cabinets adds a chic touch.
Sitting Room
Dark and cozy, the sitting room is painted in Farrow & Ball Green Smoke selected by interior decorator Everett King; the color envelops the baseboards, walls and fireplace. Artwork includes two Jean Cocteau originals, two original ceramic plates from French artist Jean Lurçat, and an eighteenth-century portrait of a baroness from Marie Antoinette’s court.
Primary Bedroom
Interior decorator Danielle Diggs chose the black grasscloth St. Thomas wallpaper from Thibaut in the primary bedroom, where plentiful windows let in natural light, and a private balcony and sitting area overlook a calming rock waterfall.
Rugs
Throughout the home, a mix of Moroccan Berber, Turkish, and Persian rugs were sourced from the couple’s personal travels, online websites, and estate sales. The floor is original pine and was carefully restored and refinished.
Primary Bathroom
An airy open shower and three skylights let the sunshine in. A strong geometric, the wallpaper was purchased from a store in the Netherlands. Octagon tiles on the floor are from Circles & Squares Design.
