5 Interior Design Lessons I Learned From the French
Several years ago, I packed up my belongings and hopped across the pond to spend some time living in Paris. I went for a few different reasons. I was part-owner of a cafe at the time (Fondation Cafe, Paris), a special little place that I’d opened with friends, and that we’ve since sold. I didn’t actually do much to make the cafe work, rather I’d sit there, sipping on cappuccinos and watching the world go by; and I certainly did a whole lot of that. I’d also always wanted to spend some time living in Paris. I mean who doesn’t want to live it Paris?? It’s amazing.
That time living abroad was transformative, as you might expect. There were so many things that I discovered about the world, and about people, and about myself. However, one unexpected outcome was the transformation that I experienced in my design style. I wouldn’t say that my short time living in Paris made my style what it is today. But the experience certainly played a central role in informing my ideas on beauty and design.
Here, I’d like to share a few observations learned from the French, and how these observations changed my aesthetic.
#1: mix old WITH new
Upon arriving, you quickly realize that Paris is primarily comprised of very old buildings (with just a few notable exceptions). Accordingly, Parisian apartments and homes are also old and quirky, and some are grandiose and beautiful. What this means, is that Parisians live their very modern lives in harmony with the past, living amongst this beautiful old architecture, and in respect of the future as well.
How this translates to design: After returning from Paris, I noticed that I craved this sense of timelessness, and an intermingling of the old & new in the homes that I created. Through the lens of the French, I learned to seamlessly mix old with new, in an elegant & contemporary way.
#2: Don't Try so Hard
French women don’t try very hard, at least, their aesthetic gives off that feeling. When I think about French beauty, I think effortlessly chic. You won’t find a Parisian woman walking down the street with a full face of makeup, hair styled, wearing a short skirt and platform high heels. It would just be too much (and if you do see that, you probably want to get out of that neighborhood quickly). Better to be mysterious, natural, and alluring.
How this translates to design: This was a central lesson for me in interior design. Perfect is boring, and overdone sends the wrong message. Oftentimes I’m flipping through a design magazine, and I see so many perfect homes styled within an inch of their lives. It starts to feel suffocating. Do you ever feel that way? Better to have that je ne sais quoi…that certain indescribable something. This whole concept was the inspiration behind my tagline at Frances Lauren Interiors: Easy, Elegant, Interiors. Beautiful doesn’t have to be so complicated.
#3: Create Space(s) to Enjoy Life
Even in the middle of winter, you’ll find the French sitting outside on restaurant terraces, huddled under a blanket while laughing and talking with a loved one. Come what may, the French make time and space to enjoy their lives.
How this translates to design: It’s important to make time and space (and spaces!) to congregate and enjoy life. This is especially important in home design. When I’m working with a homeowner, I like to talk about how their home actually functions, and what we can do to foster great memories in the space.
Do you enjoy having a ton of friends and family members over, or hosting large holiday parties? Then let’s design a great living room and entertaining space where you can comfortably host everyone. Maybe you have a busy family, where something like a breakfast nook or a kitchen island would be a great space to congregate during meal times? Or, maybe you’re like me, and you crave that moment of solitude to slip away to a quiet space with a cup of tea and a book to recharge. If so, then a reading nook with a comfy chair and a reading lamp would make a cozy space for you. Whatever the case may be, make sure that there are spaces in your home where you can live and enjoy your life, in ways that are meaningful to you.
#4: mix high & low
The French seamlessly mix high and low design. Even in many fine French homes, you’ll still find bargain Ikea pieces and flea market finds. The key is how they integrate them with other high-end brands to create a beautiful overall aesthetic.
How this translates to design: Not everything in your home has to be brand name, or exorbitantly expensive. I recommend spending on the items that you use the most, and those pieces that you really love. When my husband and I got married, it was important to me to invest in a great quality sofa and a nice bed frame. On the other hand, I found an affordable dining table that we really loved, and we have a pet so it didn’t make sense for us to spend on an expensive rug.
Our accessories are mostly items we’ve found while traveling that evoke memories of special places. When you’re thinking about your design project, be sure to set a realistic budget. Allow yourself to spend on meaningful things, and then save in the other areas, with the mindset that you can always upgrade later.
#5: respect local craftsmen, experts, & specialty stores
The French respect local craftsmen, experts, & specialty stores. Unlike most American cities, the French still have the butcher’s shop, the cheesemonger, the boulangerie, and the confiterie. For the most part, they don’t do big box stores in Paris.
How this translates to design: To me this reflects a French mindset that when you go to the specialist, you receive the very best. I think we in America could stand to learn something from the French on this topic. Not to knock places like Homegoods, but is it really the best? Is it meaningful to you?
This design lesson integrates with Observation #4. Learn to set aside funds to purchase meaningful and quality items from trusted vendors. For example, it might cost a bit more to have custom window treatments made for your home, but you’ll use them everyday, and you’ll also have them for quite a long time.
Wow, this was a long post. Did any of these things resound with you? Is there anything that I’ve missed? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
