Unmistakably French

Seducing us with their self-assured approach to design, glamorous culture and lasting respect for the past, the French are held in awe by Americans. We unabashedly elevate them to symbols of taste, splendor and unshakable stylistic authority. Whether looking to furnish a chateau in the Loire Valley or a hotel particulier in Paris's historic Sixth Arrodissement, the French seldom stray from well-practiced beliefs to a wish list of riches with splashes of gilding. Inarguably, eighteenth-century furniture, sumptuous textiles, distinctive porcelains and oil paintings in original carved-wood frames are both coveted and collected. But none are more important than the values that the people, as if by agreement, hold dear. So what can we learn from the French? Betty Lou Phillips shares her expert insight for the French art of living well. The style and settings seen in these contemporary homes, while truly American, are unmistakably French!

Unmistakably French, the fifth book in Betty Lou Phillips' best-selling series on interpreting French decor for American homes, broadens yet again the limits of what French style can do for a home. No matter the location or size of the room to be decorated, the French rarely stray from favored and well-known characteristics of design-eighteenth-century furniture, sumptuous textiles, distinctive porcelains, and oil paintings in original carved-wood frames. In Phillips' newest book, she defines some of these specific secrets that French designers use to create an authentic French look-these certain basic decorating values they hold dear, seducing us with their self-assured approach to glamour, culture, and enduring respect for history. The book includes four sections: Passion for French, Art of Living, Savoir-Faire, and Fluent French. The style and settings seen in these contemporary homes, while American, are Unmistakably French Betty Lou Phillips, ASID, is a renowned designer and the best-selling author of Provencal Interiors, French by Design, French Influences, and Villa Decor. She lives in Dallas, Texas.