The French Inspired Home

Carolyn Westbrook brings you her first-hand knowledge, acquired through years of combing French flea markets for unique treasures, of what makes a beautiful French interior. Designer and decorator Carolyn Westbrook’s love affair with all that is French inspired began long before she ever traveled to France. Growing up in the US, her Southern heritage was infused by French influences—from the chic elegance of New Orleans to the romance of southern plantation houses. Subsequent travels to France filled her with a passion that has influenced her designs and interiors ever since and “The French Inspired” has become her own signature style. Immerse yourself in her own beautiful plantation house, a sleek urban apartment, or a classically elegant town house. Each home featured has its own distinctive style, but all are essentially “French” in their inspiration, whether it comes from a distressed, gilded carved mirror, or a faded, frayed rug that exudes age in just the right places and could never be purchased from a department store. Carolyn Westbrook prides herself on these French-inspired interiors that are classic and timeless but never stuffy. These interiors are not about the latest trends, but meant to inspire longevity and a true romance with your own home. The French have mastered the art of this time-worn yet sophisticated style of living, and you too will fall in love with the colors, the textures, and the inspiration that is truly French.

Entertaining at home in gracious French style. Born from her experience of everyday living in France, Sharon Santoni reveals the gracious, easy French way of entertaining guests at her countryside home, year-round. Personal stories evoke the spirit of the French lifestyle, while gorgeous photos make us feel right at home. Santoni creates lush bouquets from her garden and utilizes resources from surrounding nature to lay gorgeous tables both indoors and outdoors. Venues range from a Sunday morning breakfast on the patio, to a ladies lunch in her lush garden, a formal dinner in her dining room, and a picnic by the river. Santoni also shares 15 favorite recipes utilizing seasonal foods. Find inspiration for your tables throughout the seasons, and discover the simple pleasure of entertaining friends and family. Sharon Santoni writes the popular blog My French Country Home. She is the author of My Stylish French Girlfriends (Gibbs Smith). She resides in Normandy, France.

Discover design inspiration as a photographer and blogger details the story of her renovation of a 1940s cottage in the California countryside. A little, abandoned vacation house that could, set in the center of rolling fields and trees becomes the cottage home of her dreams. A French country–style cottage filled with original elements and an exquisite mix of rustic and refined. The years of renovation allowed Courtney to create a lifestyle that is fueled by inspiration and beauty, a touch of whimsy, and an abundance of everyday elegance. The journey has been shared on her popular blog French Country Cottage, and now, through the publication of her first book, her readers will experience a reveal of more of her home and property and the inspirations behind her beloved style. Courtney's inspiring photography reveals every nuance of her style and home including a muted color palette, old brassy door knobs, chippy paint, antiques, her greenhouse and garden, and an abundance of entertaining and holiday decorating style. Blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor and embracing well-worn as well loved, French Country Cottage is a style that celebrates simplicity, indulges in romance, cherishes pieces with history and believes a chandelier and fresh flowers belong in every room.

"Capture the look of rustic French style in your home. If you dream about livingin a cozy country cottage, it's time to turn your wish into reality."--Back cover.

Welcome to the world of designer and decorator Carolyn Westbrook, a world of beautiful French interiors and chic décor. Carolyn is known for her love of French design, and here she combines her expertise in interiors and her romance with everything French, to show you how to transform your home into something stunning. Welcome to the world of designer and decorator Carolyn Westbrook, a world of beautiful French-style interiors and chic décor. Carolyn is known for her love of French design, and here she combines her expertise in interiors and her romance with everything French, to show you how to transform your home into something stunning. Through the French Door is split into three main chapters in which Carolyn takes us on a tour of some beautiful, French-inspired homes as well as her own 1800s plantation house. Roam through the halls of a big city house and a country mansion in “Inspired Interiors” and unlock the secrets of using black and white to truly transform a space. In the next chapter, “Farmhouse Living”, you’ll explore the rustic beauty of a fisherman’s cabin and the farmhouse life, learning how to combine natural, outdoorsy materials to create chic and homey interiors. Lastly, in chapter 3, “Gatherings and Celebrations”, Carolyn will teach you everything you need to know about creating a stunning French atmosphere for when you are entertaining. Whether you are decorating your home for a spring gathering, plantation Christmas, or simply want to create a beautiful autumn harvest table, you’ll have everything you need to make your home truly stylish. With stunning photography of a range of homes, Through the French Door is a celebration of Carolyn Westbrook’s signature style—timeless, sophisticated, comfortable, and inspiring.

Meet 20 beautiful, creative French women who live with passion; work every day; and love to take care ot their homes and families. Visit them in their grand chateaux or charming little country cottages or Parisian apartments. Learn where they shop, where they work, where they play, how they dress and, how they entertain. Absorb each girlfriend's style and joie de vivre. Santoni's affectionate writing, along with gorgeous photography, tells each woman's story with an intimacy usually reserved for the closest of girlfriends. SHARON SANTONI·SMITH grew up in England but married a Frenchman and has raised her family in Normandy, France. Her blog, My French Country Home, is read daily by thousands all over the world. She writes about life in rural France; the ups and downs of family life; her inspiring French girlfriends; the intricacies of village life; and her love of searching for brocante treasure in the flea markets of Paris and the countryside.

The French country house is a treasure trove of history, with beautiful furnishings as well as precious heirlooms, such as family albums, faded love letters, attics full of old toys, fancy dresses, retired pianos, left-over brocades and wallpapers even libraries hidden at the tops of towers. This work presents history of these treasured homes.

Stunning and inspirational French-style interiors and chic décor from Carolyn Westbrook. Stunning and inspirational French-style interiors and chic décor from Carolyn Westbrook. When it comes to styling interiors, designer Carolyn Westbrook has a distinct signature look that combines her love of French style and vintage charm. In Part One of this new book, Carolyn first leads us on a tour through 10 specially photographed locations that are perfect examples of her vintage French style. Carolyn’s own Texan plantation family home is included, alongside other stunning houses that evoke the look—a grand château, French farmhouse-style, a mid-century modern take on French design, and more. The homes all feature individual and eclectic styles, skillfully partnering inherited treasures alongside new purchases and successfully mixing pretty junkstore finds with designer pieces. In Part Two, Details and Vignettes, pretty displays and vignettes from the homes featured on earlier pages are captured, teaching you how to group collections and showcase treasured items to best effect.