French By Design

The enduring appeal of French-country style spans the centuries--a gracious mingling of elegance and ease. After years of largely echoing the furniture, fabrics, and accessories linked with the region of Provence, these days French country is often far removed from the primitive rough-hewn finishes that hearken back to the early seventeenth century and the picteresque countryside. Today's French country has dressed itself up. Setting it apart now and forever is a kaleidoscope of styles, reflecting various influences and periods, with furnishings most often drawn from the reign of Louis XV or a blur of Louis styles that complement each other. This century's French-country home is a potpourri of bountiful bouquets, treasured books, photographs, scented candles, and tabletop antiques. Handsomely carved marriage armoires, towering vaisseliers (hutches) and enfilades (buffets with three or more doors) serve as the backdrop for armchairs, tables and footstools--all with the patina of age. Room by room, French by Design reveals the secrets to creating the contemporary French-country look, including textiles, furniture, floor coverings, window treatments, accessories, color palettes, wall treatments, and lighting. Illustrated with 130 full-color photographs, the living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, baths, libraries, children's rooms, gardens terraces, and more exude the charm and grace of French style, allowing anyone to bring the look home--a visual feast.

The enduring appeal of French-country style spans the centuries, a gracious mingling of elegance and ease. After years of largely echoing the furniture, fabrics, and accessories linked with the region of Provence, these days French country is often far removed from the primitive images that hearken back to the early seventeenth century. Room by room, FRENCH BY DESIGN reveals the secrets to creating a contemporary French-country look, including textiles, furniture, floor coverings, window treatments, color palettes, wall treatments and lighting, thus allowing anyone to bring the look home.