The Allure of French & Italian Decor

by Betty Lou Phillips

Overview

France and Italy have long been the go-to spots for fashionistas, serious foodies and design mavens. Rich patinas, satisfying earthen hues and myriad natural materials—translate into timeless, unabashedly elegant yet livable rooms appropriate for our times. Award-winning designer Betty Lou Phillips shows how the best from two European countries combine to create la dolce vita—the good life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781423623199
Publisher:	Smith, Gibbs Publisher
Publication date:	09/01/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Betty Lou Phillips is the author of Gibbs Smith, Publisher's incredibly successful line of French style and design books, including the award-winning Villa Decor, as well as Unmistakably French, French Influences, French by Design, and Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Read an Excerpt

For centuries, as we all know, France and Italy have fueled the creativity of aspiring artists, musicians, writers and intellectuals, initially from across Europe then in waves from across the seas. These countries have long been the go-to spots for fashionistas, serious foodies and design mavens as well. Economic uncertainty notwithstanding, the Republic of France still sets the standard for show-stopping couture, sumptuous dining and inimitable visual arts. Indeed, to this day, the land that produces the world’s choicest Champagne, cheese and chocolat—not to mention haute fashion by Chanel,
Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Lanvin—shows no sign of loosening her très chic grip on the planet’s tastemakers.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 8

Introduction 13

Centuries-Old Elegance 19

Magnetism of French Design 43

Acquired Taste 87

Who Knew? 95

Les Salons 96

La Toilette 104

Telling Tales 112

Grand Tour 117

Italian Way of Life 129

Romantic Italy 171

Bella Vista 181

Artistic Influences 211

Ironwork 212

Mosaics 217

Resources 222

Directory 236