A LA CARTE FRENCH FLAIR

WHEN DECORATING FRENCH STYLE, START WITH ONE EVE-CATCHING PIECE. IT CAN BE A FAMILY HEIRLOOM A PAINTING, A LARGE MIRROR OR A GRANDFATHER CLOCK.
SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE THE REST OF THE FURNISHINGS SEEM MORE IMPORTANT. MUCH OF THE FUN OF FRENCH DECORATING IS THE BLEND OF AN ELEGANT PIECE NEXT TO OR NEAR A PRIMITIVE PAINTED OR RUSTIC PIECE.
MIX FABRICS AND PATTERNS: TOILE, PAISLEY, STRIPES, PLAIDS, FLORALS TO PERK UP A ROOM; MAKE THESE WORK BY SELECTING A COMPANION COLOR THEME.
REUSE AND REFRESH WHAT YOU HAVE. RECYCLING IS ALSO PART OF THE FRENCH DECORATING PROCESS.
WRAP A LINEN FABRIC ON A CHAIR OR RELOCATE A PIECE OF FURNITURE FROM THE BEDROOM TO THE LIVING ROOM SUCH AS A BUREAU FOR STORING THROWS, CANDLES AND SEASONAL ACCESSORIES.
BY ADDING ACCESSORIES SUCH AS SMALL PAINTINGS, MIRRORS, LAMPS, PILLOWS, OLD BOOKS, WILL GIVE ANY ROOM YOU DECORATE THE SENSE OF YOUR FRENCH STYLE.
WALLPAPER IS A FRENCH STYLE REQUIREMENT . SO
DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR SCRAPS. HERE ARE SOME IDEAS:

*LINE A CABINET OR BOOKCASE SHELVES.
*COVER SWITCH PLATES AND OUTLETS.
*COVER WASTEBASKETS, PENCIL HOLDERS, EVEN A KLEENEX BOX.


* COVER BOOKS OR JOURNALS.
*USE AS GIFT WRAP
* CUT OUT THE DESIGN OF THE WALLPAPER AND DECOUPAGE ON A TABLE, CHAIR OR WALL.
* MAKE CREATIVE GREETING CARDS.
*NAME TAGS FOR PACKAGES.
*LAMINATE FOR DECORATIVE PLACEMATS.
*IF YOU WANT TO REDO YOUR LAUNDRY AREA INTO A FRENCH LAUNDRY YOU COULD WALLPAPER WITH A FRENCH THEMED PAPER SUCH AS NEWSPRINT.
*DECORATE WITH OLD LAUNDRY COLLECTIBLES: HANG A WOODEN IRONING BOARD, OR RUG BEATERS ON THE WALL, ALONGSIDE A SHELF WITH VINTAGE LAUNDRY SUPPLIES.
*USE OLD DOORKNOBS AS HOOKS FOR HANGING CLOTH BAGS TO HOLD DRYER SHEETS AND CLOTHESPINS.
*HANG A PIECE OF CLOTHESLINE AND HANG OLD CHILDRENS CLOTHES FROM THEM.
* REPURPOSE A WOODEN BARREL OR OLD SOAP BOX AS A WASTEBASKET OR TO HOLD LAUNDRY SUPPLIES.
* REMEMBER, IF YOUR SURROUNDINGS BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU ENTER, YOU NOT ONLY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB OF DECORATING BUT IT WILL BE FUN TO CLEAN! (DID I SAY THAT)!
SO, WHETHER YOU HAVE A GRAND CHATEAU OR A VINE COVERED COTTAGE, A FRENCH HOME WILL REFLECT IMAGES OF WARMTH AND COZINESS WITHOUT ANY FUSS.