SOME GREAT BOOKS ON FRENCH STYLE

• Among the best books on French decorating style, are the beautifully photographed books in the series written by "Pierre Deux". The duo is largely responsible for popularizing French interior design through their successful retail stores and books. Since France is a highly diverse country and one region can be very different from its neighboring area, these books feature the history, decorating and furniture style, architecture and culinary traditions of distinctive regions such as Normandy, Brittany, the Ile de France region surrounding Paris and Provence. The series is written by Pierre Moulin, Pierre La Vec and Linda Dannenberg and are published by Clarkson N. Potter, New York.

• Provence, The Art of Living, written by Sara Walden and photographs by Solvi Dos Santos, is another beautiful coffee table book, which captures the ambiance and style of the South of France. The wide-ranging selection of the interior and exteriors demonstrates a sophisticated eye - all the rooms photographed are original and sprightly and stunningly photographed. Although many non-French people either live or visit this region of France, in this lovely book distills the essence of French creativity and verve in all matters of style and taste. It is published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York

• The French Farmhouse, authored and photographed by Elsie Burch Donald, is a well-researched and nicely organized book on the regional styles of French country homes. It presents the interesting contrasts between the gray/rose granite houses in Brittany, for example, with the luminous champagne-colored limestone used in the Loire valley. Since this book covers all the areas of France, it may provide an excellent resource for those interested in regions other than Provence or the Ile de France. It is published by Abbeville Press, New York, London and Paris.

• Beautiful photographs of house exteriors (frequently under represented in design books) and well-written text are strengths of French Country, by Barbara Buchholz and Lisa Skolnik. Other chapters of the book concentrate on rooms for living, kitchens and rooms for retreat. The photographs show interesting and well-decorated rooms with an informative text mainly in the form of photo captions. Published by Friedman/Fairfax, New York.

• Finally, another favorite book is The French Touch, Decoration and Design in the Most Beautiful Homes of France, by Daphe de Saint Sauveur. The photographs tell the story here and the title of the book says it all. The homes are sumptuous, luxurious, stunning and always in good taste. Text is kept to a minimum but well describes the photographs for those readers interested in more details. It is published by Bullfinch Press, New York.

Jane Pierce Losson
Interior Design Consulting