First. This image of a Paris storefront called Hello Lovely Studio. Is it real? It’s a real digital image I created by simply typing a description of a shop I imagine I would love to own. Romantic chandeliers, shelves of white art pieces I created, script above the shelves (art, heart and soul in French), minimal chic elegance, a checkered marble floor, and my name (m. ranard) and game (interiors) on the front windows. Today’s post is part escape, part musing, and 100% stream of consciousness (meaning I have no idea where I’ll end up when I push publish an hour from now).
Francophile Sanctuary
Inspiration: Country French, Provence Style & Paris Chic
Sometimes a new build in Houston can be all the Francophile sanctuary your heart desires…
Some of my favorite serene country French interiors shared on this blog hail from vacation houses offered by Your Haven in Paris such as Chateau Mireille.
Not that there is a single interpretation of Provence charm. These interiors by John Tanner are just my style:
From the chalky limestone underfoot to the sumptuous linens and nubby natural textures? Oui, s’il vous plait.
Is Provence Your Idea of the Perfect Escape?
Modern day fairytales can come true with a dream and a dreamy budget. The Varvel family breathed fresh life into Provence Poiriers with a team of French design legends.
Traditional country French style freshened for modern living.
Imagine retreating to the pale, serene, understated tones in a bespoke bath like this:
Artist, author, and photographer Jamie Beck is often seen (via Instagram) popping in on her friends at Le Mas des Poiriers too. If you haven’t discovered her work, you will be delighted to discover Francophile sanctuary in it!
Her book makes the perfect gift for any Francophile.
Parisian Hotel Chic
I will never recover from stumbling upon Pavillon de la Reine in Paris.
The murals! The themed suites! The ambience!
There’s a timelessness there I soaked in and knew I would never feel bored with. If you can’t get to Paris soon, treat yourself to this insider’s feast of loveliness:
It should be clear by now that “French style” is never one note. There are so many French details and exquisite design elements to inspire. A single image (like this cabinetry detail in the kitchen at Provence Poiriers) may take your design scheme in a fresh direction:
Sanctuary can be interpreted in a myriad of beautiful ways.
Paris Through My Lens
I find myself inspired by all of the little details in Paris. The refined designs of door and window hardware. Billowy silks and linens. The way greige works magic on so many facades there.
And the beautiful gardens of course.
Paris Hotel Inspiration
A stay at the palatial Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome will spoil you forever. It also inspired my appetite for mixing warm and cool tones.
To be surrounded by the fine art sculpture of Rosaline Granet and inhale the custom-scented air by parfumeur Blaise Mautin? Heaven. Psst. I corresponded with Mr. Mautin while I was there, and he invited me to tea. True!
The sweetest Paris apartment near Notre Dame was also our home away from home, and this lavender dream is where we slept (above).
Greek Villa is a smart pick for a white when you’re after that plastered walls of a Parisian apartment flavor.
Even the teeniest of balconies can live large in Paris! So many spatial lessons for Americans who complain about needing more space.
Finding Modern French Sanctuary at Home
Since I favor a lightened up version of country French, modern French feels right for my own day to day living at home.
Our current home is located on a nature preserve in the countryside so the acreage is lush and harmonious with French country lifestyle goals.
We even created our own DIY French courtyard with “walls” of living, flowering, hedges in the backyard.
Inside, just small moves like white French-like pots, roses, and rustic elegant decor touches reinforce those French sensibilities with understated charm.
But not everything in our home is understated! What was I going to do with the formal, fancy, show-off nature of this divided staircase which greets you immediately inside the front doors?
Interpreting Modern French for a 90s Georgian Home
I had to celebrate it in the way it truly wanted to be celebrated (it kept whispering ‘make me a boutique hotel in Paris’), and stay true to how we live in the house (which is NOT in a formal way).
The interiors here at the Georgian had already been professionally painted with various greige shades that were working well with the bright white moldings so we simply built on that color story.
The murals were a no brainer since I fell in love with them in Paris and used them in our prior DIY whole house renovation. Thanks for joining me as I muse about what feels sanctuary-like to Francophiles like us!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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