From Library Journal
Phillips, author of Proven al Interiors: French Country Style in America, shows how interior designers create a French country look in contemporary American homes. In color photographs and text, various design touches that typify a French country home are given for every room of the house, including the garden, with descriptions of the French country lifestyle. Especially useful for public libraries is the advice that will allow an amateur to create this look. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
The enduring appeal of French-country style spans the centuries, a gracious mingling of elegance and ease. After years of largely echoing the furniture, fabrics, and accessories linked with the region of Provence, these days French country is often far removed from the primitive images that hearken back to the early seventeenth century. Room by room, FRENCH BY DESIGN reveals the secrets to creating a contemporary French-country look, including textiles, furniture, floor coverings, window treatments, color palettes, wall treatments and lighting, thus allowing anyone to bring the look home.


From the Inside Flap
The enduring appeal of French-country style spans the centuries--a gracious mingling of elegance and ease. After years of largely echoing the furniture, fabrics, and accessories linked with the region of Provence, these days French country is often far removed from the primitive rough-hewn finishes that hearken back to the early seventeenth century and the picteresque countryside. Today's French country has dressed itself up. Setting it apart now and forever is a kaleidoscope of styles, reflecting various influences and periods, with furnishings most often drawn from the reign of Louis XV or a blur of Louis styles that complement each other. This century's French-country home is a potpourri of bountiful bouquets, treasured books, photographs, scented candles, and tabletop antiques. Handsomely carved marriage armoires, towering vaisseliers (hutches) and enfilades (buffets with three or more doors) serve as the backdrop for armchairs, tables and footstools--all with the patina of age. Room by room, French by Design reveals the secrets to creating the contemporary French-country look, including textiles, furniture, floor coverings, window treatments, accessories, color palettes, wall treatments, and lighting. Illustrated with 130 full-color photographs, the living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, baths, libraries, children's rooms, gardens terraces, and more exude the charm and grace of French style, allowing anyone to bring the look home--a visual feast.


About the Author
A well-respected member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Betty Lou Phillips has appeared on national programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Christopher Lowell Show. Her design work has been featured in dozens of magazines, including Southern Accents, Traditional Home, Better Homes & Gardens Bedroom & Bath and Window and Wall, and Decorating, as well as in dozens of newspapers throughout the country. She is the author of Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America, French by Design, French Influences, Villa Decor: Decidedly French and Italian Style, Unmistakably French, and the adorable children's book Emily Goes Wild. She lives in Dallas.


Excerpted from French by Design by Betty Lou Phillips. Copyright © 2000. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction Much ado has been made about the sheer artistry of the French. In this capricious world, they are keepers of an inimitable style and way of life that will not surrender to modern influences. Rather, eras connect, seamlessly embracing not only what is but also what has been. Plainly, the French have a talent for successfully pairing fragments long associated with their country's past in a manner befitting the present.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Phillips, author of Proven al Interiors: French Country Style in America, shows how interior designers create a French country look in contemporary American homes. In color photographs and text, various design touches that typify a French country home are given for every room of the house, including the garden, with descriptions of the French country lifestyle. Especially useful for public libraries is the advice that will allow an amateur to create this look. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Presenting an opulent, upper class rendering of "country French" interior decor which almost borders on caricature, Phillips (a Texan interior designer) volume is a paean to French high culture, with romanticized discussion of the Gallic character. High quality color photographs throughout. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Internet Book Watch