Unmistakably French [Hardcover]

Betty Lou Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003

Unmistakably French, the fifth book in Betty Lou Phillips' best-selling series on interpreting French décor 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 Décor. She lives in Dallas, Texas.

(20031217)

Editorial Reviews

Review

...such charm lies in this unmistakably delightful book. (Shawn Sell USA Today )

From the Inside Flap

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 château in the Loire Valley or a hôtel 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!

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1 edition (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586852892
• ISBN-13: 978-1586852894
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #638,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Betty Lou Phillips is the author of the award-winning Villa Décor, plus The French Room, Inspirations from France and Italy, The French Connection, Secrets of French Design, Unmistakably French, French Influences, French by Design, and Provençal Interiors. A professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, her work has appeared in Southern Accents, Traditional Home, Decorating, Bedroom & Bath, Window & Wall, Paint Décor, and more. Additionally, she has appeared on the Christopher Lowell Show and the Oprah Winfrey Show. She lives in Dallas, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars gorgeous book, great ideas, October 16, 2003

By 

SoCalAvAZ "SoCalAvAZ" (Laguna Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unmistakably French (Hardcover)

At first glance just picking up the book and looking through it makes you want to run out and redesign you home. I don't have a french style in my house, more modern, but I picked up a lot of ideas from just frist glance. The pages are bold and dramatic with gorgeous colorful pictures on every page, the hints and descriptions are smaller and easier to read but you pick up a lot by the artistic photography. I love the book and look at it from time to time for inspiration. Great for anyone looking for ideas from beginning to advances levels of interior decorating.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, March 19, 2005

By 

Melissa Kaye (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unmistakably French (Hardcover)

I love all of Betty Lou Phillip's books. I really like her style - scrolled iron work, marbled tile and other beautiful touches. Some of the photos are of very extravagant homes, but they contain ideas that those of us with less imposing homes could include in our decorating. I could just sit and look through her books for hours. (Actually, I think I have!)

16 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Much more of the same., January 20, 2005

By 

Antoinette Cerillo (San Juan Capistrano, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unmistakably French (Hardcover)

This book shows us several mansions, just as her other books do. They are very polished and show-roomy-think of the TV show Dynasty from the 1980's updated! The text is snobby, and it appears she doesn't intend to relate her ideas to her readers, but glorify herself.