Carolyn Westbrook brings you her first-hand knowledge, acquired through years of combing French flea markets for unique treasures, of what makes a beautiful French interior. Designer and decorator Carolyn Westbrook’s love affair with all that is French inspired began long before she ever traveled to France. Growing up in the US, her Southern heritage was infused by French influences—from the chic elegance of New Orleans to the romance of southern plantation houses. Subsequent travels to France filled her with a passion that has influenced her designs and interiors ever since and “The French Inspired” has become her own signature style. Immerse yourself in her own beautiful plantation house, a sleek urban apartment, or a classically elegant town house. Each home featured has its own distinctive style, but all are essentially “French” in their inspiration, whether it comes from a distressed, gilded carved mirror, or a faded, frayed rug that exudes age in just the right places and could never be purchased from a department store. Carolyn Westbrook prides herself on these French-inspired interiors that are classic and timeless but never stuffy. These interiors are not about the latest trends, but meant to inspire longevity and a true romance with your own home. The French have mastered the art of this time-worn yet sophisticated style of living, and you too will fall in love with the colors, the textures, and the inspiration that is truly French.

Entertaining at home in gracious French style. Born from her experience of everyday living in France, Sharon Santoni reveals the gracious, easy French way of entertaining guests at her countryside home, year-round. Personal stories evoke the spirit of the French lifestyle, while gorgeous photos make us feel right at home. Santoni creates lush bouquets from her garden and utilizes resources from surrounding nature to lay gorgeous tables both indoors and outdoors. Venues range from a Sunday morning breakfast on the patio, to a ladies lunch in her lush garden, a formal dinner in her dining room, and a picnic by the river. Santoni also shares 15 favorite recipes utilizing seasonal foods. Find inspiration for your tables throughout the seasons, and discover the simple pleasure of entertaining friends and family. Sharon Santoni writes the popular blog My French Country Home. She is the author of My Stylish French Girlfriends (Gibbs Smith). She resides in Normandy, France.

Discover design inspiration as a photographer and blogger details the story of her renovation of a 1940s cottage in the California countryside. A little, abandoned vacation house that could, set in the center of rolling fields and trees becomes the cottage home of her dreams. A French country–style cottage filled with original elements and an exquisite mix of rustic and refined. The years of renovation allowed Courtney to create a lifestyle that is fueled by inspiration and beauty, a touch of whimsy, and an abundance of everyday elegance. The journey has been shared on her popular blog French Country Cottage, and now, through the publication of her first book, her readers will experience a reveal of more of her home and property and the inspirations behind her beloved style. Courtney's inspiring photography reveals every nuance of her style and home including a muted color palette, old brassy door knobs, chippy paint, antiques, her greenhouse and garden, and an abundance of entertaining and holiday decorating style. Blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor and embracing well-worn as well loved, French Country Cottage is a style that celebrates simplicity, indulges in romance, cherishes pieces with history and believes a chandelier and fresh flowers belong in every room.

"Capture the look of rustic French style in your home. If you dream about livingin a cozy country cottage, it's time to turn your wish into reality."--Back cover.

This enchanting volume unlocks the door of French homes tucked away in the country, from a farmhouse in the Cévennes to a castle lost in the heart of the Morvan mountains. The writer and photographer Sébastien Siraudeau has already uncovered home inspiration from France’s guesthouses, antique shops, and flea markets in his previous books Vintage French Interiors and French Style at Home. Now he turns his experienced eye to the hidden gems of interior design in the French countryside and unveils the wealth of decorative inspiration they have to offer. The vibrancy of these hidden retreats is demonstrated beautifully and, as the pages unfold, the reader is struck by a wealth of inspiration from the colors, seasons, and stories that have formed these subtly elegant creations. Siradeau has a rare talent for finding homes that combine gently aged vintage pieces in a contemporary and relaxed atmosphere. Siraudeau masterfully shows how true style can be discovered in the most unexpected destinations, his chapters ranging from seemingly humble hamlets or farmyards to the flickering of candlelight in the Château Jacquot. Inviting the reader in over the threshold of these inherently picturesque households is a temptation no design enthusiast could refuse.

Welcome to the world of designer and decorator Carolyn Westbrook, a world of beautiful French interiors and chic décor. Carolyn is known for her love of French design, and here she combines her expertise in interiors and her romance with everything French, to show you how to transform your home into something stunning. Welcome to the world of designer and decorator Carolyn Westbrook, a world of beautiful French-style interiors and chic décor. Carolyn is known for her love of French design, and here she combines her expertise in interiors and her romance with everything French, to show you how to transform your home into something stunning. Through the French Door is split into three main chapters in which Carolyn takes us on a tour of some beautiful, French-inspired homes as well as her own 1800s plantation house. Roam through the halls of a big city house and a country mansion in “Inspired Interiors” and unlock the secrets of using black and white to truly transform a space. In the next chapter, “Farmhouse Living”, you’ll explore the rustic beauty of a fisherman’s cabin and the farmhouse life, learning how to combine natural, outdoorsy materials to create chic and homey interiors. Lastly, in chapter 3, “Gatherings and Celebrations”, Carolyn will teach you everything you need to know about creating a stunning French atmosphere for when you are entertaining. Whether you are decorating your home for a spring gathering, plantation Christmas, or simply want to create a beautiful autumn harvest table, you’ll have everything you need to make your home truly stylish. With stunning photography of a range of homes, Through the French Door is a celebration of Carolyn Westbrook’s signature style—timeless, sophisticated, comfortable, and inspiring.

An exceptionally charming look at the art of good living as practiced in the French countryside by families who live in old manor houses, many owned by the same family for centuries. A delightfully anecdotal text and all-color photographs explore not only the fabrics, wallpapers, fine furniture, silver, china and linens that decorate these homes, but also treasures found in the attics, such as family photo albums, cherished love letters, antique toys, and elegant ballgowns carefully packed away.

Meet 20 beautiful, creative French women who live with passion; work every day; and love to take care ot their homes and families. Visit them in their grand chateaux or charming little country cottages or Parisian apartments. Learn where they shop, where they work, where they play, how they dress and, how they entertain. Absorb each girlfriend's style and joie de vivre. Santoni's affectionate writing, along with gorgeous photography, tells each woman's story with an intimacy usually reserved for the closest of girlfriends. SHARON SANTONI·SMITH grew up in England but married a Frenchman and has raised her family in Normandy, France. Her blog, My French Country Home, is read daily by thousands all over the world. She writes about life in rural France; the ups and downs of family life; her inspiring French girlfriends; the intricacies of village life; and her love of searching for brocante treasure in the flea markets of Paris and the countryside.

Learn how to master the art of creating simple, elegant, and chic French interiors with Carolyn Westbrook’s The French-Inspired Home. Learn how to master the art of creating simple, elegant, and chic French interiors with Carolyn Westbrook’s The French-Inspired Home. Carolyn Westbrook is a designer and decorator whose love affair with French styling began long before she ever traveled to France. Growing up in the US, her Southern heritage was infused with French influences—from the chic elegance of New Orleans to the romance of southern plantation houses. Carolyn’s subsequent journeys to France have only fueled her passion for French interiors and have influenced her designs and interiors ever since. “The French Inspired” has become her own signature style. Carolyn’s stunning plantation house, a sleek urban apartment, and a classically elegant town house showcase a variety of distinct styles that will leave you enamored with all that is French. Whether she has used a distressed and gilded mirror that oozes elegance, or a faded and frayed rug that exudes rustic charm, all of these ideas are essentially “French” in their inspiration. Carolyn Westbrook prides herself on these classic and timeless French-inspired interiors, and rather than reflecting the latest trends, she hopes they inspire longevity and a true romance with your own home. The French have mastered the art of this time-worn, yet sophisticated, style of living, and you too will fall in love with the colors, the textures, and the inspiration that is truly French.

The ultimate guide to surrounding yourself with French country style, wherever you are. From deep in the countryside of southwest France comes a comprehensive guide to surrounding yourself with French country style wherever you are. Capturing the beauty and tranquility of the region, interior designer and journalist Sara Silm distills the unique colors, textures, and flavors of this distinctive corner of the world. Inherent in Sara’s detailed knowledge of French country style are philosophical lines drawn between color, temporality, style, sensation, and season, such that every design choice is a contemplation of time and place. Nowhere is this more clearly felt than in her unique color palettes, inspired by the patina of weather-beaten shutters, of local brick and fading roof tiles, violet-hued ice cream, and rolling hills bursting to life in spring. Coupling detailed, practical design knowledge with evocative notes on rural French life and choice recipes, How to French Country offers a path to gentler living and refocusing on all that we hold dear.