Lol, that is exactly what I was thinking! In the 80's several English debs were redoing their parents' homes trying to launch careers as "decorators".....again, who could go wrong in a fabulous Edwardian terrace in London?

Exactly, the architecture, fireplaces and mirrors are French. The rest wouldn't look nearly as good in a regular home.

I so agree. Give me fabulous architecture and/or great views and I don't even need furniture.

Beautiful architecture, but again, it's all whitewashed. I'd have liked to see the beams and fireplaces in their original state. Not to say it's still not beautifully decorated. And, even I have to admit that the white wash works because of the detail brought out in the shadows of the carvings. Still quite stunning.

In all fairness, there were other rooms, too....

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However, some of the content on what constitutes French style was interesting, for example, simple, clean lines, rusticity, not clichés.

Back in the 90s I purchased a townhome, and at the time I was looking for a home that would allow me to create that "French Look" I took a pretty contemporary townhome with good bones, that was in such bad shape I was able to write my name in the grease on the walls in the kitchen. I purchased a few items to give it that Fremch look.

The plaster fireplace surround amazingly came from Home Depot as a special order from the department that sells ceiling medallions. I don't think I paid more than $300 for the piece. I paid $100 for a huge verdigris chandelier and painted it to match the finish on my mirror. It was a comfortable space for a few years. Now I couldn't imagine living in such a formal space.

Beverly, you are awesome.

Ah, French style .... we were walking along a street and an apartment kitchen/eating area was visible from the street...it was gorgeous, warm and simple all at once. I was ready to grab my camera until I realized there were a couple of women in there talking and I don't think they'd've appreciated it.

But someone here (sorry I don't remember who) put me onto bread and olives as a wonderful site for european eye candy. In fact, it helped inspire me to head to France this year. She also has a pinterest page.

We shamelessly mix eras and styles, lines and materials, but often a restricted color palette helps tie everything together.

Love this!

Annie, I thought that point was well taken and well-illustrated as well. Reminds me of Pal's precept, to add 30% contemporary to traditional rooms and 30% traditional to contemporary rooms.

Speaking of French style, I fell in love with Viviers which is this lovely medieval town. Many of the old homes are abandoned and available for a song...or in this case €38,500. But I think it needs work. Talk about your blank slate. But if you see the frieze in one of the pictures, at one time, she was a grand old girl. All it takes is money and a vision....

House in Viviers

Mtnrd, I remember when we toured San Simeon and architect/designer Julia Morgan used color to unite these rooms that were stuffed with antiques and artifacts from all over the place, all from different eras and styles.

Even in the rooms with plainer architecture, there is an ad hoc or insouciant execution that is not something seen in American interiors.