Customer Reviews

Vintage French Interiors: Inspiration from the Antique Shops and Flea Markets of France

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

 

 

The title of this book is misleading, there are no photos of vintage French interiors. Just chapters showcasing different French flea market vendors booths and by the looks of things the pickings are pretty slim. I knew I was returning this book when I saw the photo of the rubber pig toy. A lot of 60's and 70's items that you can find here in the states. If you want a great book buy "The New French Decor-living with timeless objects", 110% better eye candy.

I buy LOTS of books on interior design and decorating. I pre-ordered this book with high expectations - after all, its title is "Vintage French Interiors." A better title would have been "Junky Stuff from a Flea Market that Could Be From Anywhere." The "Vintage" part is correct if you are interested in old, rusted, chipped, broken, junky "vintage" items. As for the "French" part, there is really nothing that stands out as "French." It looks just like stuff from any American Flea Market. And, what is really disappointing is the "Interiors" part of the title. These are not photos of "interior" rooms using "vintage French" items. It is just a collection of close-up shots of items displayed at a Flea Market.

I am highly disappointed and, hopefully, have learned my lesson on pre-ordering. If you are looking for photos of gorgeous rooms filled with French ambiance, look elsewhere.

This is exactly what the title says.....The book takes the reader from specific flea market or antique area in France. There are addresses, phone numbers and web sites. Several interesting catagories of Flea Market finds are examined such as vintage school posters or handmade tools. The book is divided into areas of France describing the true finds of each region. Great chapter on Isle sur le Sorgue, the altimate French antique treasure trove. I almost didn't open the book because of the bad revirews from people who were expecting a "decorating" magazine. A great addition for those of us who love Fance....great photos too!

While the subtitle of this book on it's own is a fairly accurate, the title is definitely misleading. The first two times I spied it at Borders and months later at Barnes and Nobles I was so excited. That's how inaccurate the dustcover is. I was fooled twice! I'm so glad I saw it first in a brick and mortar store because I WOULD have ordered it if I come across it on Amazon. And I would have been very disappointed. It is not about "vintage French interiors" or any other kind of interiors. I'm not saying the book has no value. It provides an interesting survey of objects one might run across at a Paris flea market. Some of the items looked as if they might be available at a Kansas flea market as well. (Isn't that interesting. Some Europeans may have appreciation for things just because they are American, that strike us as "ugly then, ugly now".) But the title does imply that the book will explore at least some examples of these finds being used to decorate interiors. It doesn't.

Having pre-ordered this I was a little apprehensive about its contents, despite its promising description and cover. I was not disappointed! It took me on a nostalgic trip to the flea markets of Paris I had visited and wetted my appetite to visit more. I love the slightly shabby brocante featured and the imaginative displays provide inspiration. The title could be a little misleading; however, the subtitle gives an accurate description of the books contents.

I lived in Paris for 4 months once, and this book brought the charm and intrigue of the flea market. The stores are full of the most incredible collections--awful junk stacked next to breathtaking antiques, treasure for decorators, and bits and pieces that dare you to pick them up and try to find a place for them. It seems as if every home in France was crammed with chipped gilt mirrors and statues of the Madonna that ended up in flea market stores.

This book provides a return trip for me, and I loved every page.

What struck me as especially useful was the list of addresses in the back. For anyone about to travel to France, this would be a godsend.

This is an address book with one picture from each source. Takes up a lot of space for a source list. Useful perhaps for designers.

Not impressed with condition of book when it arrived here. The inside cover was all torn from top to bottom. Other than that, it was a good read.