French Country Style

We’re so glad you’re joining us in our latest issue of French Country Style. We know you, like us, love how this style’s blend of charm and simplicity culminates in the height of domestic chic that defines relaxed elegance. The style owes its appeal to an old-world aesthetic that roots itself in rustic textures, refined details, a pleasing mix of prints and patterns in textiles, and color palettes ranging from soothing neutrals to vivid, nature-inspired hues. Because of its inherent textural contrasts, approachable warmth and casual sophistication, French Country style works equally well in a small cottage, a farmhouse or a grand home. In this issue you will find all you need to bring that French flair to your life. We share the top decorating secrets for achieving the look in any…

1 SIMPLE, STYLISH FURNISHINGS Although French country pieces are largely free of the embellishments that historically have marked more affluent French design, they’re shapely and well scaled, with an eye toward balance. Mix wood pieces in a variety of natural finishes with metal ones that show a little age. Tie pieces together with a color scheme of gentle whites and dove grays. 2 FRAGRANT FLOWERS Blurring the boundaries between inside and out is a cornerstone of life in France’s rural regions. No French country interior is complete without flowers, whether they’re casually clustered in a pottery vase, blooming on linen upholstery, or carved into a wooden mirror frame. 3 CLEAR, WARM COLORS French country colors have a gentleness about them that translates to instant comfort. Whites are warm, not stark; think cream, ecru, ivory. Other…

THE PURPLE ROSE 140 MAIN STREET NORTHBORO, MA 508-393-8882 purplerosehome.com IIn a part of the country where founding fathers George Washington and Paul Revere sought out British soldiers during the Revolutionary War, visitors today can travel the same historic roads to a very different end, discovering treasures at home and gift shop The Purple Rose. The store is the passion of Vicki Martelli and her daughter Kimberly Reed (the family connection reaches further back, too: “I named my shop after my father’s favorite flower,” says Vicki). “We specialize in reproduction country furnishings, vintage finds, and European-style bed linens,” Vicki notes. And shoppers find something different on every visit. This comes as no surprise to Kimberly, who decorates the shop and likes to change things around on a whim. The constant evolution inside belies the staid…

When investment banker Sarah Anderson grew weary of her grueling commute from Sonoma to San Francisco, she went looking for a different career path. The journey led to a charming building in Sonoma and a new life as an importer of French style. Sarah’s Chateau Sonoma is a must-stop shop for true French antiques along with the latest (and chic-est!) new home furnishings lines from France. But you may want to plan your trip in May, when Sarah and her team go to great lengths to replicate the feeling of flea-ing in France in a special weekend-long event. Her vision: to bring to Sonoma the joy she feels when sleuthing flea markets in Paris and around the French countryside. To do it, she recruits dealers who specialize in French goods…

If you haven’t yet experienced the sprawling, spunky Round Top Antiques Fair, why not make this the year to point your wheels to Texas and check it off your bucket list? This megaflea offers acres of opportunities for hunting and gathering treasures of every provenance, all set against bucolic, longhorn-studded pastures. The show is divided into separate selling areas that are primarily located along Highway 237 going into and out of the mini town of Round Top. Each location has its own flavor. The big three are: Warrenton, a large field of booths full of fun and funky finds; Original Round Top’s Big Red Barn, the place where it all began and a good stop for fine American antiques; and Marburger Farm, which is made up of several tents and…

The owners of Atelier de Campagne work both sides of the Atlantic to bring a steady stream of French, Belgian, and European antiques to collectors in the United States. Partners Trinidad Castro and Johan de Meulenaere share a love of antiques and have complementary skills: Trinidad has a background in art, and Johan holds a degree in interior and furniture design. When Johan returned to his native Belgium a few years ago, the pair decided to join their talents and create an antiques import business, selling directly to fellow antiques lovers. While Johan hunts and gathers oneof- a-kind French and French-inspired mirrors, chandeliers, architectural pieces, and furniture in Europe, Trinidad tends to business in Corralitos, California, managing their storefront and multiple antiques shows. You can find their well-appointed booths at…