Product Description

Jan de Luz brings his Basque-influenced style to America in a bold way: he rescues antique French architectural elements and accessories from the countryside-mantels, farmhouse sinks, stone sentinels and fountains, even wooden spiral staircases-and brings them to America. Installed in their final American destinations, each piece stands as a stately, impressive, and lovely piece of art in a living room, kitchen, garden, or any room of the house.

With stunning photography by Tom O'Neill, an extensive resource list, and chapters that include "Importing French culture to America," "Pieces that Transform," and "Hunting for the Rare," this book is destined to become a classic for Francophiles, antique collectors, and anyone who loves the feel of the old-world countryside. Jan De Luz, was born in the Basque region of Southwestern France in 1949. He started out as an apprentice with a cabinetmaker, then in his 20s, turned his attention to recreating old fabrics. Following his passion is essential to Jan de Luz, and let to his first successful business - a chain of retail stores throughout France featuring the finest quality natural-fiber linens designed and woven in his own workshop. In 1996, he and his family moved to California and established an import business for French antiques. Jan lives on the Central Coast of California, with his wife, Brigitte, daughters, Carla and Lehena, and son, Olivier.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111686 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

From the Inside Flap
Craftsmanship-lost and found. This is the quest and the discoveries of Jan de Luz. Ancient artisans in France built castles, churches and châteaux with the idea that beauty endures. They chose materials that would last and used processes that assured the influence of time would add character, itself a value. Jan de Luz brings the French touch to America in bold ways through architectural elements and accessories rescued from ancient buildings throughout France-stone and marble mantels, farmhouse sinks, stone sentinels, pillars and fountains, even spiral staircases. Discerning homeowners have embraced the opportunity of adding character and flair to their homes by personally selecting distinctive elements that convey history and tradition as well as the owner's appreciation of beauty and substance. Each piece not only serves its new owners but stands as a stately, impressive, lovely piece of art in a living room, kitchen, garden, or any room of the house. This is the look of France influenced by the Basque region, where striped linen runners accent the tabletops and rustic pots hold blooming flowers and garden tools. With stunning photography by Tom O'Neal, quality French antiques are showcased in their new homes, wrapped in warm settings and décor that exude the feelings of the old-world countryside.

About the Author
Jan De Luz, was born in the Basque region of Southwestern France in 1949. He started out as an apprentice with a cabinetmaker, then in his 20s, turned his attention to recreating old fabrics. Following his passion is essential to Jan de Luz, and let to his first successful business - a chain of retail stores throughout France featuring the finest quality natural-fiber linens designed and woven in his own workshop. In 1996, he and his family moved to California and established an import business for French antiques. Jan lives on the Central Coast of California, with his wife, Brigitte, daughters, Carla and Lehena, and son, Olivier.

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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
This kind of bold self-acceptance is integral to my view of style as a grooming of point of view. One doesn't need to have Ed Venegas' life experiences as a world traveler to tackle major projects with such aplomb, nor Karen Venegas' intelligence and humor to relish individualism. One only need look inside oneself, do what's necessary to like the view inside and then to love life. With those preconditions, the innate vigor of the life force and nature's own power of imagination will bring amazement and keep you productive. And, if you learn how to stay in a state of amazement while being productive, you will be living, breathing style - your very own, inimitable style. Maybe I'm too French, or too me, or just too much, but this is my view. This is the French Touch according to Jan de Luz.

Customer Reviews

Great resource for an authentic french look
The book is a great resource for someone interested in building or renovating to create an authentic "french look". French architectural elements are categorized and many pictures of authentic elements are provided in the book. By using the book as a guide, one can choose authentic looking or actual reclaimed elements widely available as opposed to the garish alternatives on the market that are advertised as "the french look". Kudos to the author !!!