The French Way with Design: Moving Forward While Looking Back

A new look is emerging in France’s apartments as well as its imposing chateaux and country manors. Along with signature pieces of national identity—such as finely crafted wood pieces, splendid mirrors, and grandmère’s well cared for linens—European mid-century modern furnishings also adorn settings in this age of merging sensibilities.

Homes photographed in France and the U.S. show abstract works of art mingling easily with painted furniture, budget-friendly finds from assorted cultures—such as wool rugs and handembroidered linens from India—and pottery, artisan-made pillows, throws and vintage textiles from remote markets in Morocco.

BETTY LOU PHILLIPS, ASID, is the author of a dozen books on French design, including her most recent, The Allure of French and Italian Décor, French Impressions and Inspirations from France and Italy. Ms. Phillips lives in Dallas, Texas.