French Inspired Interiors

If you'd like to add a touch of French charm to your rooms here are some photographs I'm sure will inspire you. No need to stick to just Louis XIV and antique furniture. From clean and modern, to rustic farmhouse, this collection of beautiful interiors will give you some ideas for kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms.


An oversized crystal chandelier and ceiling medallion set a traditional tone in this light and airy dining room. Louis XVI chairs covered in honey-coloured velvet and a Matelasse coverlet, used as a tablecloth.

Photography: Angus McRitchie

Milk-glass schoolhouse light fixtures, black and white marble hex tiles and a chunky marble countertop are tried and true French bistro elements. The clean white backdrop and stainless steel appliances, meanwhile, update the look. A framed chalkboard panel with an Eiffel tower is a smart, affordable art idea that can be changed easily.

Photography: Michael Graydon

A home office in the corner of a bedroom. French antique furniture such as the Régence style desk, Trumeau mirror, marble topped demi-lune table and red Louis chair.

Photography: Monic Richard

A chunky wood harvest table and hurricane pendant light for this dining room. A weathered wood cabinet with exposed hinges adds to the casual, farmhouse look. Displaying framed artwork on a chair rail goes with the informal style, and allows the arrangement to be changed easily.

Photography: Virginia Macdonald

A gilded settee, upholstered in a ticking stripe fabric, is the focal point of this library. Ikea bookcases are mounted on the wall and the floral skirt along the bottom hides a storage area underneath. Accessories and framed artwork add the layers that make this room look vintage and timeworn.

Photography: Virginia Macdonald

Contemporary French loft. White painted walls, a light hardwood floor and neutral rug provide a clean backdrop for a mix of French antique furniture, wall sconces and a gold and crystal candelabra. A modern sofa and ottoman, upholstered in simple white cotton, adds a current note, making the room comfortable and inviting rather than fussy and formal.

Photography: Monic Richard

Large scale windows, a dramatic fireplace and the floral centrepieces create an air of elegance in this dining room. It also features a 19th century Louis XVI mirror, French Directoire chairs and a mahogany Regency dining table, offset by warm quarter sawn oak flooring.
Photography: Ted Yarwood

In this modern kitchen a rustic Chinese table and an industrial metal chair update French-style black and white floor tiles and a large crystal chandelier.

Photography: Per Kristiansen

Vintage fixtures and a roll-top pedestal bath tub set the traditional tone of this soothing and elegant principal bathroom. Designer and homeowner Julie Charbonneau designed the built-in cabinet to create storage for linens, recycling former leaded windows from elsewhere in the house into the doors. An off-white palette and Roman shades create a soothing ambiance, while art and an antique chandelier complete the look.

Photography: Angus McRitchie

A vintage-looking French La Cornue stove is at the heart of this grand kitchen. Custom oak cabinets, a marble countertop and a pressed-metal ceiling complete the design.

Photography: Michael Graydon


A kitchen lighting system that layers an antique chandelier, antique wall sconces, pot lights mounted under the cabinets and a candelabra with taper candles is visually stunning but also allows the flexibility to create any type of mood. Herringbone patterned hardwood floors and framed French doors with leaded glass elevate the European country, luxe look.

Photography: Ted Yarwood

Room design: Sharon Mimran

All photographs from here.

I am linking this post over at Jerri's blog Simply Sweet Home for the Friday Favourites MckLinky party. Thanks Jerri for hosting!
I am also joining Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture party right here.

Stylist Expert Eddie Ross

A native of Greenwich, CT and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Eddie began his career working in television, first as a food editor on Martha Stewart Living and later as Associate Design Director for all in-house production at Food Network.
Come and see some of his work.

















I love this last photograph. Let me know what you think.
All images from here.

Diane Keaton's home.

Yesterday's post was about the set design made especially for the movie Something's Gotta Give starring Diane Keaton. Even though she was thrilled with the rooms of the new set where she would work, she admitted they were not her style... So, what is her style then?

Let's have a look at her house in Beverly Hills and find out...



See the entrance? Well, that's not the last archway you'll find in her house. She has a passion for archways as you will notice in the following pics.


Isn't the front of the house beautiful? I love this photo. She has managed to enhance the Spanish Colonial Revival style throughout the house.


Second archway. The door leading to the library. The subject of most of her books is photography and architecture. She is also fond of mottoes. This one says: "The eye sees what the mind knows".


Yet another arch in the fireplace brick opening. The windows at the side open to an interior courtyard with a fountain. You can breathe the Spanish influence in this room: from the terra-cota vases to the rug, from the furniture to the small tiles on the staircase.



A view of the dining room as seen from the library.


Inverted lamp shade fixtures give off an interesting indirect light. Make me feel a bit giddy though!



I like the sign and the pottery on the kitchen shelves.


This is the office with archways leading into and out of it. I like the sombreros displayed around the fountain in the courtyard beyond! Actually they are little figurines of men crouching around the fountain. They seem to be asleep with their hats covering their heads.

And the latest news is that she has put her mansion on the market for about $11.9 million. This was back in May this year. I wonder if she has already sold it? Maybe if you hurry you can still buy it!

All images and information from Architectural Digest.

Inspiring Workspaces

Furniture maker Potterybarn has an excellent set of workspace furniture. Here are some from their collection.

Small Spaces for Tulis

This post is especially designed for my daughter who is moving today to her one room apartment in Paris. I have some more pictures and will be posting them soon. Hope you find some inspiration! Love you so much!









































Images via Better Homes & Gardens, housetohome, livingetc,