French Influences: Amazon.ca: Betty Lou Phillips: Books

Product Description

<P>Following on the heels of Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America and French by Design, in French Influences, Betty Lou Phillips delves into the world of design francais once again, illustrating through lavish color photography how, room by room, French elegance remains the creme de la creme. </P>

About the Author

Betty Lou Phillips is the author of Gibbs Smith, Publisher's incredibly successful line of French style and design books, including the award-winning Villa Decor, as well as Unmistakably French, French Influences, French by Design, and Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers.<BR>

Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
Behold the power of the French. Read the first page

Explore More
Concordance

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

8 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars French Details, Mar 3 2004

By

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: French Influences (Hardcover)

"Detail is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary." ~Unknown

If you are dreaming of a book filled with rock-crystal chandeliers, Aubusson rugs, exquisite tapestries, feather-filled armchairs, carved armoires, sensuous velvets, leopard prints, silk taffeta curtains and eighteenth-century furnishings, you may fall under the influence of "French Influences." The magnificent picture of a French-inspired kitchen complete with French antiques is enough to make any cook envious.

Betty Lou Phillips work has appeared in Southern Accents, Traditional Home & Bath, Window and Wall, and Decorating as well as many magazine covers. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and has a penchant for quotes.

Welcome to the World of French Style:

Making a World of Difference
The American Way with French Style
Reflections of Good Taste
Fluent French
French Class
Unmistakably French
Vive la France!
Garden Shows
Designer's Notebook

The pictures in this book are inspirational and the pink dining room is a fantasy princess dream. I was surprised at how much I really did love the vintage chairs covered in playful leopard prints. There are little tidbits of information throughout the book.

Finally, I understand why the rooster is a favorite motif.

I would have love to have dissolved into page 146 and taken a stroll through the row of trees on the winding gravel path leading to the unknown.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Puts the French on Pedestals, May 23 2004

By

Vollenberg (Flemington, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: French Influences (Hardcover)

The book is written as if the French have a monopoly on good taste. B. Phillips gushes over the French lifestyle to the point of annoyance. I found myself saying, enough already! I got the book because I've travelled to France since I was a kid and now I'd like to decorate my home with French influences. But after reading her book, with its genuflecting and contradictions, I was turned off. An example of contradiction: At one point the book states that the French are not ostentacious and prefer simple, tasteful items in the home. But from the interior pictures of mansions, that hardly seems to be the case. Also, I couldn't see any children being happy in these homes. They look like hotels and museums. The book had one very redeeming quality. The guides outlining "must haves" are very good.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

3.0 out of 5 stars The Nicest Room is on the Cover, Aug 23 2003

By

Bekka (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: French Influences (Hardcover)

The rest of the book is page after page of heavy, ornate rooms that lack individuality and warmth. The decor is superficially beautiful because all the "signals" of wealth are there: expensive sofas and chairs, brocade curtains, period furniture, "French" bric-a-brac, but ultimately it's a collection of overly-designed showpieces.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 8 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Want to see more reviews on this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 9 reviews 4.1 out of 5 stars

Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for French Decorating Ideas
While a little "Dallas" in style. This book captures a mixture of French styles. Betty Lou's books are well illustrated. Read more

Published on Jun 6 2003 by Anonymous

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is delightful!
I place this books among my top favorites in the decorating category (and I own many). Each time I flip through this book I see some new ideas that I didn't notice before. Read more

Published on Sep 7 2002