The French have long been coveted for their effortlessly chic lifestyle, from how they dress to how they prepare their meals to how they present themselves to the world. But arguably what is most strived for around the world is channeling a French-inspired style of interior design.
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Below, we highlight five of our favorite books on French interior design, so you can be inspired to bring that certain je ne sais quoi into your own home.
The French Inspired Home
by Carolyn Westbrook
From a plantation home to a townhouse to an elegant apartment, Carolyn Westbrook’s book takes you inside a range of her gorgeous French interior designs, showcasing her versatile ideas and tips for achieving beautiful French-inspired home style. Items are perfectly paired, mixing and matching old-world timelessness with fresh colors and textures.
New Vintage French Interiors
by Sébastien Siraudeau
New Vintage French Interiors is a book for French interior design aficionados who love a mix of vintage and modern. Author-photographer Sébastien Siraudeau takes you on a journey through homes that feature a range of interesting interiors, from a barn converted into a modern loft to a traditional family home filled with antiques. Whether you’re looking for a style overhaul or simple, decorative adjustments, this beautiful book will provide endless French inspiration for your home.
Vie est Belle: The Elegant Art of Living in the French Style
by Henrietta Heald
This book on French interior design is the perfect escape for a Francophile. Sit back and enjoy flipping through gorgeous photos of 18 stunning homes in France spanning several regions, featuring expansive châteaux, cute farmhouses and many more. La Vie est Belle also includes charming, little essays on everyday French life and recipes.
Historic Houses of Paris: Residences of the Ambassadors
by Alain Stella
If you haven’t happened to be in France in September during Journées européennes du patrimoine — a special weekend where private homes and museums open their doors to the public (including several ambassador residences), then this French interior design book is the next best thing! Take a rare look into some of the most gorgeous historic homes of foreign ambassadors in Paris. Expect jaw-dropping design and decor in places like a Belle Époque palace and a 17th-century château.
Country Brocante Style
by Lucy Haywood
Inspiring French interior design featuring brocante finds. Country Brocante Style: Where English Country Meets French Vintage is the perfect book for creating that coveted French country-chic look. Antiquing expert Lucy Haywood takes you to fairs and flea markets across both France and England in search of the perfect vintage home decor. For added inspiration, she also visits the homes of talented antique dealers and buyers to show you how the seasoned country brocante veterans display their wares.