The Cottage Journal French Cottage 2021

Elegant and Cherished Welcome to French Cottage, our newest special issue fromThe Cottage Journal magazine. In this issue, we travel about, touring the homes of people who love the French style, whether displayed in architecture, interiors, garden and floral designs, or collected market finds. Within our pages, we visit Normandy, where paint and color expert Annie Sloan and her historic French farmhouse inspired us to add colorful details to walls and restored furniture. We also tour newly renovated Château Élan, a winery and spa destination in North Georgia filled with pampering for both body and soul. The homeowners’ travels to Europe—and specifically France—inspired the design of the cottage featured in “Formally French” on page 51. The understated but elegant home is filled with collected antiques and plenty of Provençal style. Warmth from natural…

Whether or not you can distinguish the sturdy, substantial forms of a Louis XIII piece apart from the elegant and graceful lines more indicative of Louis XV, Soul of the Home: Designing with Antiques is a must-read for both longtime lovers of antiques and those newly acquainted. Written by Tara Shaw, this book provides a comprehensive overview of styles ranging from Louis XIV to Italian, a guide for selecting the best pieces, and inspiration for using them in any décor scheme. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and with more than 20 years of experience as an antiques wholesaler, Tara has a passion for pairing old and new that stems from her mother’s modern taste and her grandmother’s love of collecting. Peruse 272 pages of never-before-published interiors where contemporary designs and antique accents…

Known for the grandeur of its 18th-century architecture, world-class museums, and famous landmarks, Paris holds an allure for many. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this global epicenter for art and culture offers endless inspiration for those lucky enough to call it home. The Parisians: Tastemakers at Home, written by Catherine Synave, offers readers a glimpse into the lives of some of France’s most prominent influencers, decorators, and tastemakers. Catherine, a journalist and art historian, is no stranger to French style, having previously authored A Home in Paris: Interiors, Inspiration. Explore the private homes of 25 captivating Parisians with tastes as diverse as their backgrounds. From art connoisseurs and fashion designers to voracious readers, discover their muses come to life through the individualistic approach each brings to design. Eras both past and present…

When British artist Annie Sloan, best known for her expertise on decorative painting techniques, purchased an 18th-century farmhouse in Northwest France, she found not only a serene retreat in which to relax but also a fresh canvas on which to create. While she and her husband, David, reside in Oxford, England, their charming farmhouse in Normandy has been a creative sanctuary for the past 30 years. Annie visits their French dwelling multiple times a year, and with each stay comes a long-awaited exhale of calm. “When I arrive, I can’t believe how content I am,” she says. “The house is incredibly unpretentious. The area isn’t touristy, so it’s a casual retreat.” The farmhouse has been an ever-evolving project for Annie, and she’s taken a decidedly more relaxed design scheme than with…

When Lyza and Nathan Berkley decided to build their family’s farmhouse in the countryside of Tennessee, they chose to do so atop a rolling green hill that afforded plenty of scenic views. But inside the home, where a carefully balanced atmosphere pairs cozy whitewashed, tone-on-tone style with layers of textured warmth, things are no less beautiful. “I’m from New Orleans, and a lot of the inspiration came from growing up there and a lot of the different styles and architecture there,” Lyza says. Working with builder Mark Kryscynski, the couple brought to life a design centered around the kitchen, which was inspired by a picture from a magazine. Leaning on friends like interior designer Melissa Lewis, Lyza translated her heritage into an inviting design meant to be both comfortable and practical, accommodating…