Color isn’t my thing as far as decorating at home, but that won’t stop me from admiring fantasy joy rides like this one ahead. You’ll discover a joyfully eclectic country French 1800s cozy Toulouse cottage home to former British Vogue fashion director, Lucinda Chambers. Fleamarket finds and treasures collected across the globe decorate the inspiring spaces.
Photography: Paul Massey; Source: House and Garden UK
Cozy French Cottage: Lucinda Chambers’ Toulouse Cottage
I love the story of this French cottage in Southwest France Lucinda purchased from an acquaintance decades ago. When she toured it with her husband, they loved it, and she was sure she wouldn’t have to change a thing. Flash forward, and EVERYTHING has been changed inside! Hahaha. I feel seen. Creatives are ever evolving and creating!
Above: A sitting room where Indian kantha textiles cover a sofa from Ikea! The beautiful striped rug hails from a Swedish garage sale (“loppis”).
Country French Interiors With Eclectic Decor
Lucinda has a fashion label (Colville) and a curated fashion and lifestyle site called Collagerie in case you’re ready to get this look!
Are you ready to see this cottage’s kitchen?
Wow! The chairs are vintage, and the bench and dining table came with the home. All sorts of wonderful flea market finds came from local vide-greniers. (I loved shopping vide-greniers in Paris – such a unique opportunity to connect with locals and buy objects from their homes!).
Rustic, Textural, and Bohemian Design Elements
The texture-rich room above is the TV room, and it’s probably my favorite. (Hardly a surprise since it is the most neutral!) The pillows are made from djellabas from Marrakech. The rugs are an eclectic mix of vintage and Ikea, and the collection of hats grew from travel to Morocco.
Aren’t the red stripes playful and Frenchy? I love how so many European homes have drapes like this near the front door for drafts, softness, and drama.
Those French cottage windows! And that cool French grey! I love the combination of red and blue-grey in the bedroom, and the bedspread is handmade from Indian kantha.
More bold red stripes on the tablecloth enlivening this patio area off the kitchen.
Can you imagine relaxing in the shade here in a hammock under this covered structure? Me too!
Aiming for a Unique, Fashionable Chic Interior?
Some favorite takeaways from touring these interiors by a seasoned fashionista?
- Does the upholstery on your sofa bore you? Has it seen better days? Rather than rush to the expense and commitment of re-upholstery, try one of your collected beautiful fabrics, throws, or bedspreads. Could they give old furniture in a casual space new life?
2. Blue-grey and rosy red can team for a charming guest bedroom. Ever painted trim a color other than white?
3. Living with handmade and handsewn items from your mother’s hands? Magic.
4. What pattern do you never tire of? Black and white stripes? Light blue toile? What if you repeated it in several areas of the home even when it seems to clash or feel like a departure? There is something homey, eclectic, and fashionable when such repetition and whimsical clashing work magic.
5. Frenchy sunburst mirrors need not be the common, fancy gilded variety to be beautiful. Maybe you could make one!
6. We simply cannot have too much texture in a vacation home for a relaxed, far-away-from-home vibe.
Lucinda’s London House
What does the London house look like where Lucinda Chambers has lived with family for many years?
Resources for a French Cottage Look
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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