Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Photographer) "country's diverse climate and terrain hampered local traditions from being shared by the people nearby. Today, it is the blurring together of these ancient regional..." (more)
Key Phrases: wood pieces, United States, French Revolution, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

8 1/2 X 10 In, 160 Pp, 125 Color Photos. Provencal Interiors: Inspired by the sun-drenched colors of southern France, french country, or provencal, decorating is the epitome of understated luxury, as fitting in the city and suburbs as in rural reaches. No matter that it's roots are firmly planted in the small stone farmhouse, or mas, the typical dwelling in the provencal region. It is eqaully appealing in a remote chateau as in a stately manor house, or bastide. The most inviting homes exude comfort,tradition, and grace. Most people, though, say it is charm that best characterizes the french interior. Through stunning photographs, informative text, and an extensive resource list, provincal interiors detail everything necessary for creating this harmonious mingling in america.

From the Inside Flap

Inspired by the sun-drenched colors of southern France, French country design is the epitome of understated luxury, as fitting in the city and suburbs as in rural reaches. No matter that its roots are firmly planted in the small stone farmhouse, or mas, the typical dwelling in the Provence region, it is equallya ppealing in a remote chateau as in a stately manor house, or bastide. The most inviting homes exude comfort, tradition, and grace. Most people, though, say it is charm that best characterizes the French interior.

Whatever the case, French country decorating at its finest is the harmonious mingling of fabrics, textures, and patterns--an artistice blending of the familiar with warmth and sophistication. Spaces flow, layouts function, and a passion for finishing touches abounds.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087905848X
• ISBN-13: 978-0879058487
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #215,698 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Americans creating French style, who can't go to France, December 28, 2001

By	Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Ok, so this isn't "authentic French Provence design." Suppose you won't be visiting Aix-en-Provence and running around looking for all the pieces you need, and then figuring out how to fill up a shipping container and send it through customs, etc etc, (can you imagine doing this in a foreign country in a foreign language?!) You just aren't going to find a lot of genuine French furnishing and fabrics in the US. What if you want to use French elements in your decorating (as we did) and only have access to American furniture lines and the fabrics sold here?

This book provides a great solution. American houses are DIFFERENT than European, and what's sold in furniture and decorating supply shops is different, too. "Provencal Interiors" shows you how to get that effect with things you can get here. THAT'S great. If it isn't authentic, that's ok. If you don't have unlimited funds for a decorator to buy worldwide to create "real" Provencal, this book works really well. Maybe better.

The pictures give good examples of Provencal style rooms, and there are lists of suppliers that are helpful. The color schemes are perhaps the most useful part. Another useful thing are the fabrics and how to mix them. I myself have problems figuring that out; this helps.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Usable ideas for home building and interior design, October 27, 2000

By	Claire (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

I have spent hours upon hours thumbing through design books at local warehouse bookstores, and have found "Provincal Interiors" to be the most comprehensive one for interior design and building ideas. I have, literally, copied pages to show my architect and am using over eight of the rooms, or exterior shots in my new home. I have just ordered the other book on Amazon by Betty Lou Phillips, and hope it is as useful.

I highly recommend this book for those who are looking for ideas in the French style.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just What the Doctor Ordered, January 20, 2000

By	Paul B. Johnson (colleyville, tx United States) - See all my reviews

My wife and I are in the process of building a French Chateaux house and need all the design ideas and suggestions we could find. Betty Lou's book was a "God sent". Her selection of featured photographs are incredible with lots of variety in colors, fabrics, moldings, and furnishings. (We actually copied several elements from her book in our home's design.) We also found the book an invaluable resource for showing a contractor ideas of what we wanted in terms of trim, cabinetry, paint colors, etc., etc.

The best compliment I can give this book is that its pages are showing wear.