The French-Inspired Home, with French General (Hardcover)

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Product Description

Kaari Meng’s first-hand knowledge of what makes a beautiful, French-inspired home comes from years of combing French flea markets for unique treasures. Her popular shop, French General, offers handpicked linens and collectibles from her yearly visits to the south of France, plus an array of products to awaken the senses, from bath and laundry potions to ribbons, beads, and baubles. Here, she distills her much sought-after sensibility into 40 charming projects that capture the sights, scents, and textures of the French countryside. They include lavender sachets, lovely etched glasses, pillows, covered hangers, French potting boxes, and herbal lotions.

 

A Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.

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Product Details Hardcover: 128 pages Publisher: Lark/Chapelle (October 28, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 1579909965 ISBN-13: 978-1579909963 Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.4 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #202,483 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	51% buy the item featured on this page: The French-Inspired Home, with French General 4.1 out of 5 stars (25)
	22% buy French General: Home Sewn: 30 Projects for Every Room in the House 4.7 out of 5 stars (13) $16.47
	10% buy French-Inspired Jewelry: Creating with Vintage Beads, Buttons & Baubles 4.8 out of 5 stars (25) $13.57
	9% buy French General: Handmade Soirees: Simple Projects for Special Occasions $19.77

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Customer Reviews

25 Reviews 5 star:  (15) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:  (2)           Average Customer Review 4.1 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 54 of 56 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully inspiring book!, December 23, 2006 By  C. Albers (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    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. 33 of 34 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars French General Has Done It Again!, November 20, 2006 By  Kim "Kim" (Aspen, Colorado) - See all my reviews 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. 18 of 21 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Defining What Is French Decorating or a French Home, June 12, 2007 By  L. A. Enke "Anne of Carversville" (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    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.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!! Lovely book. It makes you want to redo your whole house. Beautiful pictures and lovely ideas. Published 6 months ago by Katherine Hill 5.0 out of 5 stars A book to read and look at the photographs at least 20 times! This book is WONDERFUL! It is full of great inspirations for the home, office, your artsy side, and gifts. Published 10 months ago by Jamie Henry 5.0 out of 5 stars This is such an adorable book!!! I have read and reread this book a 100 times, well nearly!! If you want great eye candy and inspiration on how to display your beloved collections or simply want to get some ideas... Read more Published 12 months ago by shebsey 2.0 out of 5 stars On the Nightstand I like to look at books like this before I fall asleep. I love French homes, but my style is more the sort of home you find in Provence, and this is not that. Read more Published 14 months ago by Martha Anandakrishnan 1.0 out of 5 stars Sooooo Boring! I should have believed the bad reviews that I read on Amazon and not bought this book. They were right. I could have saved the return shipping charge. Read more Published 15 months ago by SassyApron 5.0 out of 5 stars Every house needs a little french decorating Bring the look of French decorating to your home. I love this book, never having been to France and only seeing limited books on French decorating, I find this to be one of the... Read more Published 20 months ago by Alexis R. Gipson 4.0 out of 5 stars a tease A beautiful book--if you like shabby chic, it's for you. Good ideas, but not always practical unless you have access to a lot of estate sales and flea markets where dealers don't... Read more Published 20 months ago by Karen V. Wilson 1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed ! I cannot tell you how disappointed I was with this book. Having read the glowing reviews, on receiving the book, there is really nothing in this book of value, creativity or the... Read more Published 20 months ago by Lark 5.0 out of 5 stars Every page is a treasure!! I read this book from first page to last right after I opened it from the mail. It is filled with inspiration, helpful hints, decorating ideas, and an archive of full colored... Read more Published on August 18, 2007 by J. Greco 3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed I must say I was disappointed in the book. I thought that it would have been more ideas of what furniture and fabrics to use to create a French inspired looking home. Read more Published on August 8, 2007 by Kerrie Edmunds Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark/Chapelle (October 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579909965
• ISBN-13: 978-1579909963
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #202,483 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully inspiring book!, December 23, 2006

By	C. Albers (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars French General Has Done It Again!, November 20, 2006

By	Kim "Kim" (Aspen, Colorado) - See all my reviews

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.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Defining What Is French Decorating or a French Home, June 12, 2007

By	L. A. Enke "Anne of Carversville" (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.