The author of Villa Decor and French by Design celebrates the Old World in New World decor by presenting the flare and pomp of French style through breathtaking photographs of interiors and closeups of individual pieces. 20,000 first printing. ." . . Style must have an air of novelty, at the same time concealing its art." Whether furnishing a chateau in the Loire Valley, fabled manor in Normandy, or apartment on Paris's grand Avenue Foch, the French make no secret of their love for family, affection for pets, and fervor for France. However, the old-world elan of their rooms may well owe even more to unspoken revelations equally instinctive.With mystery rooted in their culture and French flair more elusive than taste, foremost interior designer Betty Lou Phillips reveals the secrets of French design, tucking photographs eliciting awe among them.She shares ways color solves irksome design problems without moving walls or making other structural improvements, addresses the art of hanging art and dressing salon windows, then moves into the French kitchen and bed chamber-both with a culture all their own.In pursuit of beauty, the French penchant for detail makes decorating look effortless, yet most are exacting in their thinking. But then so are the American designers who artfully sculpt satisfying rooms indulging a passion for France while mirroring the lives we lead. Whether furnishing a chateau in the Loire Valley, fabled manor in Normandy, or apartment on Paris's grand Avenue Foch, the French make no secret of their love for family, affection for pets, and fervor for France. However, the old-world elan of their rooms may well owe even more to unspoken revelations equally instinctive. With mystery rooted in their culture and French flair more elusive than taste, foremost interior designer Betty Lou Phillips reveals the secrets of French design, tucking photographs eliciting awe among them. She shares ways color solves irksome design problems without moving walls or making other structural improvements, addresses the art of hanging art and dressing salon windows, then moves into the French kitchen and bed chamber-both with a culture all their own. In pursuit of beauty, the French penchant for detail makes decorating look effortless, yet most are exacting in their thinking. But then so are the American designers who artfully sculpt satisfying rooms indulging a passion for France while mirroring the lives we lead. LE SALON Le salon par excellence is indeed a work of art, inspired by France's storied culture and splendid architecture. Most often, however, tangible links to caring ancestors who lived centuries apart make the most abiding impression. Unlike family cast offs that dwell in American homes only until we can afford to replace and forget them, the French treat long adored furnishings as pieces of history fit to reign forever in the most coveted spots. But then, who could begrudge a regal armoire, the celebrated source of Gallic pride, the opportunity to pay homage to France with its magnificence? Built in the thirteenth-century for storing armor, the armoire has risen to iconic status since becoming emblematic of French country life. Variations abound, though some stand apart. Most prized of all are those with deep carving, shaped tops, and the patina of age - the distinctive luster resulting from centuries of exposure to heat, humidity, and light, to say nothing of oil from loving hands. Yet, even an armoire that might not ordinarily merit a second look can lend a bit of grandeur when privy to an astonishing pedigree, or interesting gossip. No matter that it inevitably overshadows other elements in the room. Used Book in Good Condition