Customer Reviews

The French-Inspired Home, with French General

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was so excited when I flipped through this book after receiving it in the mail! I had ordered it sight unseen simply because I know I like the articles I've seen featured for the shop "French General" (as well as their website). As soon as I flipped through it, I knew that it was exactly what I'd been waiting for in terms of creative inspiration. I couldn't wait to sit down and really take the time to pour over the pictures as well as read the text. The book is beautifully put together - with collage type drawings as well as real photos of the author's store and home. The projects listed at the back of the book are taken from various photos within the context of the book - so it was a nice surprise to see that I could actually make items that would give my home more of the "French General" inspired look. Plus, there are vintage labels and typeography as well as other miscelaneous illustrations and drawings that not only add to the charm of the book, but can also be coppied to create whatever you want with them (i.e. french style apothecary bottles, menus for a dinner party, vintage inspired gift tags . . ). I only wish that more rooms of the home were covered (the bedroom, laundry room, work space, dining room and garden were included). I'd like to see more - more pictures of the included rooms as well as additional rooms. Overall, this book completely suits my style (I've found none other like it) and is beautifully inspiring for those who like informal french cottage decorating.

If you know the shop French General - of New York and Hollywood - you will love this book! There are all sorts of vintage-inspired projects using elements from their wonderful collection of beads, buttons and...NOTIONS! I have already used the archive section at the back of the book to create my holiday cards....and I will be ordering notions from French General to embellish. This is a creative book with tons of inspiration that will appeal to new and old fans.

I would have given this book 3-stars, if I hadn't read the 5-star view of C Albers. I realize that perhaps I didn't read the fine print regarding the book's description. Based on the title "French-Inspired Home" with French General -- who I don't know, I expected a book with a greater focus on rooms (a suggestion also made by Albers). In fact it is essentially a vintage crafts book with a French flavor.

I've visited Paris and the south of France well over 250 times on business and pleasure, and this particular style of French decorating is not prevalent. In fact, the most inspiring to me aspect of French decorating is the mix of old and new, ornate and clean modern. I spent two nights at the Louvre in Jan. 07 and marveled that only the French would be flashing modern blue lights on a heap (truly) of ancient Greek and Roman columns, with modern dancers and acid jazz playing to create a "new" mood for ancient art. THIS is French imagination at its best.

The photos in this book, while lovely, are stylized in a very old-fashioned attitude . . . great-grandmother's attic. Most of us don't live this way and what we appreciate are touches of these special memories, not an entire house full of them. Who has time to dust. Just kidding. Some of the bath projects look like easy pampering to make for yourself or special gifts to create.

In summary, if you know French General, then I would follow the Alber's review and 5-star recommendation. If you are expecting a sophisticated book of French home and country decorating, this is not it. Like me, you will be disappointed. A more descriptive and informative title would have saved me the money.

This book is a little visual treasure. I felt like I was poking at an antique store.
It nice to read about someone's dream becoming a reality and how to make your home special.

I love all things French...and thought this book would be more about French interior design. It is really filled with lots of little vignettes rather than interior furnishings. If you like the clutter/collectibles look, you will be pleased. My favorite thing in the book is the wonderful collection of sample vintage labels (in different sizes and different colors)that can be photocopied. I plan to put them to good use.

This book is the ultimate in inspiration! Every page is filled with gorgeous ideas to make your home and your life more beautiful!

I just adored this book. Beautiful photos, lots of fun ideas, even some fun ephemera to copy for projects. If you love the vintage look, or creating vintage look projects, I highly recommend this book!

If you are looking for pictures of French decorated homes this is not the book you want. This was more like a craft book on how to make things for the French home. If thats what you are looking for it is a good book, I wasn't. If you want pictures and ideas buy Charles Faudree's Country French Living.

Charming book brimming with inspiration - well done! The photography is wonderful! Geared to encourage shoppers to visit Meng's store (brick & morter and on-line), you'll want to incorporate all of her ideas. Lots of how-to's. Meng's creativity and ideas are not just crafty - she looks to Europe for clues to create a relaxed French life. C'est tres bonne.

This book can be great or bad depending on your quest.
If you are looking for a book to bring you to a dream country, this one would do the work. Each page is like a fairy tale for your eyes. It is very nice to go through the pages and it can brighen a cloudy afternoon. However, if you are looking for inspiration, I don't think this is the right book for that. The pages are a compilation of elements that you cannot exactly apply or get inpired by.

So, a very nice book for afternoon day dreaming, but definitely not the right book for applicable home decoration or French style inspiration.