French Country (Architecture and Design Library, 1)

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful inside & out
Review: A fine representation of French country decorating style. This book covers exterior, interior and a bit or garden landscaping. It has many fresh ideas for a real french country feel, but with a touch of elegance. Wonderful "Rooms for Living" with decorating ideas to suit every budget, as it mixes all kinds of things. The traditional effects are softened by simple yet beautiful touches. Once you go through the book for the first time you will want to go through it again to catch all the detail work you missed the first and second and third time.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful inside & out
Review: A fine representation of French country decorating style. This book covers exterior, interior and a bit or garden landscaping. It has many fresh ideas for a real french country feel, but with a touch of elegance. Wonderful "Rooms for Living" with decorating ideas to suit every budget, as it mixes all kinds of things. The traditional effects are softened by simple yet beautiful touches. Once you go through the book for the first time you will want to go through it again to catch all the detail work you missed the first and second and third time.

Rating:
Summary: For a short book lots of good ideas about french designs.
Review: Excellent pictures and easy to understand and to follow, just love the book, wish it was bigger with more great ideas. Makes you feel like you are in France. Miriam

Rating:
Summary: I gave this book 4 stars only because I wanted more to see!
Review: This lovely book is quintessential French country. The authors take the reader on a tour of vistas from the Mediterranean Sea to Provence; country homes range from the rugged to the elegant. The text reveals to the reader the common elements to be found in the variety of homes found in the French countryside. Vibrant colors follow paticular painterly selection if one wants to create the true feel of a French country home. Shutters are French, not American. Lace is typically at the windows, or for a more grand effect billowing panels with French pleats, caught and pulled to the side about 3/4's from the top of the drop. Window boxes brimming with color are essential for this style, and borders of lavender would make you feel that you are really there. Terracotta roof tiles would complete the exterior view. Inside, the walls vary, but they definitely make the statement: I am France. Terracotta tile floors are very common, but hardwood floors are fine, too. Mouldings are landmarks, and they are abundantly visualized in this volume. Provencal prints, bergere chairs, ladder back dinning and/or kitchen chairs, flowers---all are shown in French homes. In the kitchen, pots on display, wall tiles, a baker's rack, a country table, open shelves, walls that are rubbed with earthy hues make the room inviting and warm---a gathering place. Dining is wonderful, inside or out. The French love to eat outside. The bedroom is simple or elegant, but deliberately French. Lace, panels, sometimes two layers, billowing to the floor, European pillows, and definitely a bolster and duvet enrich the feeling of a retreat. At least a touch of toile should be seen. I remember a French friend telling me once, that one of the most important things a true French person does when considering something for their home. She said the French don't decorate like Americans do, try to figure out if an object will work; for the French, if they like something, they find a place for it. They learn very early how to put things together. And you can always see it no matter how much they have to spend. It's just perfect. This beautiful volume is filled with beautiful pictures to create your own French Country style.

Rating:
Summary: It's in the fine details
Review: Yes, the pictures are lovely...but as one reviewer noted, one will want to go through the book several times just to see everything one missed. On my second time through, I noticed almost every photo had many books (sometimes shelves full of books)in the background. 99% of those books were titles in English. Yes, yes, I know the French speak English very well..but what are the odds that ALL the books would be in English? Wouldn't they at least own a few titles in their native language? Made me wonder where some of these homes are located and if I was truly looking at an American (or UK) home decorated in French Country style.

Rating:
Summary: It's in the fine details
Review: Yes, the pictures are lovely...but as one reviewer noted, one will want to go through the book several times just to see everything one missed. On my second time through, I noticed almost every photo had many books (sometimes shelves full of books)in the background. 99% of those books were titles in English. Yes, yes, I know the French speak English very well..but what are the odds that ALL the books would be in English? Wouldn't they at least own a few titles in their native language? Made me wonder where some of these homes are located and if I was truly looking at an American (or UK) home decorated in French Country style.