I have been in love with this book ever since I discovered it early this spring…Annie Sloan’s Creating the French Look! It is filled with wonderful frenchy photos and lots of ideas for giving your home that je ne sais quoi that old French homes seems to have…using both paint and textiles. I ordered it for reasons that are probably not the usual ones since I am not one to paint my furniture. I wanted to read her perspective on the development of French style and was very excited to read what she had to say!
She categorizes French design into four main styles…Château, Country, Provençal and Parisian and includes gorgeous photos to illustrate them. Here’s a peek at Château style with its painted woodwork and gilded touches.
Country style focuses on details such as terra-cotta tiles, enamelware, baskets and vintage French dishtowels in the kitchen. Gotta love that sink! And aren't those candlesticks a fabulous contrast? 
Perhaps my favorite, Provençal style features matelassé quilts, lavender in pots and as a motif and…further south in Provence…the sunny blues and yellows that we associate with that style. I want that bench!
Parisian style is a style all its own…different from the rest of France…and runs the gamut from a sophisticated and refined look, influenced by Coco Chanel, to a more bohemian look, characterized by the artists who lived and painted in Montmartre. Notice the unusual toile with a stripe that gives it a more updated, sophisticated look! Interesting!
Not only are the styles explained room by room, but projects are included to help you achieve your favorite look. There are 25 projects and those of you who are loving her chalk paint will be happy to know that about 15 or so of them involve using it. I have to say that, although I just can’t bring myself to paint my furniture, I am itching to try my hand at a Trumeau mirror like this one…lovely! There are also tutorials for finishing an armoire with stenciled doors and a gilded Neo-classical table. 
A generous portion of projects with textiles are included as well, such as this ruffled slip-over pillow cover. Now this one is on my to-do list! :-) There are also tutorials for a Provençal coronet headboard, unlined linen drapes and country pillows. 
I am showing you a quick and easy project that you can do even if you are not much into sewing…this Provençal lavender heart sachet!
As usual, my able assistant and co-host Baby Kitty stands at the ready with the supplies that he has gathered from my previous projects!
And here is my version…using scraps from the ticking and toile fabrics from my master bedroom! It was easy and best of all…free! Just cut a heart for a pattern, sew and stuff. I added lavender from my garden so that I could have the scent of Provence close at hand!
And now for the fun part! I would like to give a copy of Annie Sloan’s Creating the French Look to one of my readers as a little thank you for supporting my blog with your visits and sweet comments each week! It is now out in paperback, so the hardback copies like the one I am giving away will get harder to find. You can win in one of four ways:1. Leave a comment about this post. Be certain to leave an email address if you do not have a blog so that I can contact you if you win!
2. Leave an additional comment telling me that you are a follower or subscriber.
3. Like our page on Facebook (here) and tell me in another comment.
4. Blog about this giveaway or take the giveaway button from the sidebar and post it on your sidebar and tell me in another comment.
That’s four ways to win! Simple, huh? The giveaway will end on Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight time. The winner will be chosen at random. Be sure to leave an email address or contact if you do not have a blog so that I may let you know if you win! Bonne chance! Good luck!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my project and will join me for the giveaway! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Judy at DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Jill at French Cupboard for Voilà! French Inspiration on Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!
No comments:
Post a Comment