Product Description

The French have a legendary sense of style that is synonymous with a joyous, sophisticated way of life, joie de vivre. Elegant and witty, French chic—a clever mix of classic and contemporary—sums up de Dampierre’s design sensibility. Using Edith Wharton’s The Decoration of Houses as a model, she provides advice on how to achieve this distinctive look. The fascinating French decorative history of such architectural elements as windows, fireplaces, and doors, along with basic design principles, is given to provide the origins of the essence of chic. Stunning photography of her home—from the striking entrance hallway with its leopard-pattern carpeted staircase to the sensual master bedroom enlivened with charming toile wallpaper and the resplendent gardens dotted with topiaries—captures the designer’s personal invocations of the best of French chic and empowers the reader to duplicate the experience at home. French Chic is the perfect guide for creating vibrant living spaces with flair.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #217142 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-21
• Released on: 2008-10-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Review
“…de Dampierre has compiled a stunning tome of elegant, witty, chic spaces, and provides advice on how to achieve this unique look…will empower you to duplicate this certain je ne sais quois in your own home.” ~Glamnest.com

"...de Dampierre provides a context of French decorative history...and architectural elements to provide a blueprint to obtain the je ne sais quoi of French chic." ~New York Living

"...analyzes function and furnishings, leading readers through (de Dampierre's) house room by room with the help of lyrical photography..." ~Veranda

"Filled with photographs, the text is also interspersed with sidebars offering useful pointers on the je ne sais quois of French design, as well as a myriad of practical suggestions."
~Connecticut Cottages & Gardens

"...a rare kind of volume that can be used both as a historical guide and to find expert advice on." ~New York Observer

"One of the points that this books makes is that the essence of the French lifestyle can be achieved on many budget levels. It takes an understanding of history and style, some imagination and creativity! And, it doesn't happen over night. The goal is easy elegance. I'll say it again - ooh la la!" ~Surroundings.com

About the Author
An esteemed interior designer and antiques expert, Florence de Dampierre is the author of Chairs: A History and The Best of Painted Furniture. Her interior design work has been featured in Elle Decor and House Beautiful. She lectures frequently on design topics. Award-winning photographer Tim Street-Porter is the author and photographer of many architecture and design books, including Rooms to Inspire. He is a frequent contributor to Metropolitan Home, The World of Interiors, and Architectural Digest, among others.

Customer Reviews

Liked the photos, not sure I would buy again.
I have to admit I got bogged down in the beginning of this book. Following the "crash course" in French design history, the rest of the book was just OK, nothing to inspire me. I ended up turning the pages and looking at the photos only. The cover is one of the best parts. I recommend looking through this book in a store before buying from Amazon. You may decide that, for the price, you can live without it. However, if you are addicted to books like I am, you won't be sorry you bought it, but it may not be your favorite "go to" book for inspiration.

Charlotte Moss She Aint.
Like the first reviewer, I'm not sure what to think. I suppose its alright: there are some pretty photos, but her home (unlike the overdressed palace of Charlotte Moss) is not enough to
sustain an expensive coffee table gewgaw like this book. I guess that's where the potted history of French decoration and *Chic Advice* comes in -- they serve as filler, because there are simply not enough photos. Ms Dampierre also seems to have an excessive interest in gilt mirrors -- there is a chapter on the subject, with multiple shiny views of the glowing goldiness of it all. I am also not certain why there are so many pages on table settings & recipes. Recipes do not interest me, because Maximum Toile does not cook -- she DECORATES! My rating: B-

Beyond Decorating
Florence de Dampierre French Chic: The Art of Decorating Houses
This is more than a decorating book. It provides a historical context for critical decorating decisions as well as accent pieces. It drives you to consider the whole in addition to each part. It eases you into considering the past as well as the future. The author does not force her perspective on you, she gently envelopes you with a sense of history, purpose and style -- all of which she takes very seriously while not taking herself so much so. As you read Ms. de Dampierre's book, you want to share each page with those around you. I found myself using post it notes marked with the names of family members and friends to call out pages I know will be of interest to them. I look forward to sharing sections, photos and historical background over the holidays and into the new year. Most importantly, unlike other decorating book, French Chic is not only a "coffee table" display book -- it is beautiful -- it is a work book. I makes you want to try new things. Her use of decorative candles will have you rushing to your local candle shop to duplicate the sense of punctuation Florence de Dampierre masters in her own home. While some decorating books or magazines frustrate with an over-the-top, can't possibly do attitude about them, Florence de Dampierre's casual elegance, backed by photos and notes on exactly how to go about incorporating very specific items into the spaces of your home, had me carrying the book around the house while pushing furniture with one knee and balancing pictures, candle sticks and pillows any way I could. This book will not be collecting dust, any time soon.