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French Essence: Ambience, Beauty, and Style in Provence [Hardcover]

Vicki Archer
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

List Price: $45.00
Price: $31.68 & FREE Shipping. Details
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Book Description

November 11, 2010
The author of My French Life returns with a breathtaking, full-color tour of the culture and style unique to Provence.

Ten years ago, Vicki Archer and her husband began restoring a seventeenth-century olive farm in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, resurrecting the ancient orchards and renovating the farmhouse. The story of Archer's dream come true is an enchanting one, captured on the pages of her debut book, My French Life. Now fully at home in this magnificent corner of the world, she brings us a guide for celebrating and re-creating Provençal ambiance.

A lover of architecture, art, furniture, and décor, Archer knows that the best interiors are inspired by the heart as much as the mind. French Essence is designed to spark both, with gorgeous photographs of lush gardens, timeless interiors, hauntingly beautiful village lanes, and inspired aesthetic details. Sumptuous cuisine and charming shops are also essential features of the tour, giging all readers the chance to vicariously savor the sensuous pleasures and effortless chic of this region. Reminiscent of Frances Mayes's lavishly illustrated books, In Tuscany and Bringing Tuscany Home, Archer's captivating words and scenes open the doors of inspiration for all who cherish the French way of life.


Frequently Bought Together

French Essence: Ambience, Beauty, and Style in Provence + My French Life + Summers In France
Price for all three: $79.63

Some of these items ship sooner than the others.

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  • My French Life $24.15
  • Summers In France $23.80


Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Raised in Sydney, Australia, Vicki Archer has loved to travel since childhood. For more than a decade, she has divided her time between England and France with her husband and their three children.

Carla Coulson's photographs have appeared in such publications as Harper's Bazaar and Vogue Entertaining + Travel. Also the author of Italian Joy and Paris Tango, she lives in Paris. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Studio (November 11, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0670022276
  • ISBN-13: 978-0670022274
  • Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 9.7 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Photos are above excellent, so I purchased the photographers book. traveler  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
A great gift for those who adore France. ParisBreakfast  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Then I guess she would have to write a novel! soficat  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this book, thinking that there would be more about the surrounding villages and cities near the area the author resides in St. Remy-de-Provence. There is little text that is of interest. It is mostly about her love of collecting and her property," Le Mas." Some lovely photos, but not enough to warrant purchasing.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars studio photos May 29, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having been to Provence may times, I was expecting to revisit my favorite place. Instead, this book is a 'ladies who lunch' frivolous interpretation of the beauty, guts and soul of Provence. Most of the numerous flower photos and still lifes could have been taken in a studio. The author's fawning over her decor and daughters or friends made me feel more like I was reading the society page. NO art or vision here. Save your money...even at half price! This is a big coffee table nothing !French Essence: Ambience, Beauty, and Style in Provence
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book but . . . . . July 31, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I assumed from reading the previous reviews and several interior decorating blogs that this book would have some "AWESOME" interior photos of Mrs Archer's mas and varous others in the region including photos of daily village life, etc. I once again am reminded what the old saying is about "assuming". It IS a beautiful book, no doubt. But WHY is it listed under the subject of Interior Decorating?? It just didn't include the type of inspiring interior photos I was expecting and hoping for. So, am I glad I bought it? Yes, but . . . . . . . . . Would I recommend it to my friends? Perhaps, er.. maybe, but NOT if they are interested decorating in the French style. Should I buy her first book? Let me check to see how much a used, in good condition "My French Life" would cost me first.

Gay
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars I thought it would have more articles .
I was disappointed that there were not more descriptive articles about some of the towns around Provence. I would have loved to have known more!
Published 2 months ago by debdeaton
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!
This book arrived on time and as described. It's beautiful - with gorgeous pictures of the mas the author has lovingly restored but beautiful shots of some of my favorite places... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Daun Cioban
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book
I bought this book because I love France and thought it would be pretty on my coffee table. The picture doesn't do it justice. Read more
Published 10 months ago by susan smith
5.0 out of 5 stars My Favourite Book of 2011
I was given this book as a gift by my husband, and I devoured it from beginning to end in an evening. The photos are superb, and the interior shots creative, clever and stylish. Read more
Published 16 months ago by esquarefox
5.0 out of 5 stars the cover says it all - beautiful
such a lovely introduction to life in Provence thru Vicki and her family's own sweet experience, careful though it may make you want to throw away the life you now lead, tempting... Read more
Published 23 months ago by iamtrueblue
5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisitely Beautiful!
A knock-your-socks-off gorgeously vicarious view of a life lived stylishly amidst the olive groves on a luxe farm in Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Read more
Published on April 8, 2011 by ParisBreakfast
5.0 out of 5 stars french dreaming
The book is beautiful, photos are stunning. I have the first book also and I found that more interesting as a read. Read more
Published on January 31, 2011 by soficat
5.0 out of 5 stars French Essence
Love, Love, Love this book. Photos are above excellent, so I purchased the photographers book. Paris Tango. If you can't visit, you can pretend.
Published on December 22, 2010 by traveler
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