I have always considered myself a bit of a Francophile; I love champagne, wine, good cheese, and the French philosophies on many things. I source materials from French manufacturers, and have collected French antiques for more than thirty years. With my upcoming buying trip to Paris in March, I am dreaming about all things French.
I admire the French take on both style and life. Three beliefs come to mind that express my shared sentiments with the French, and these reflect the heart of my own design aesthetic:
“Faites Simple” The French know that generally less is more, and above all quality and pedigree is everything. I try to similarly keep it simple when purchasing furniture and decorative items for my business and home. This mentality means true value is top priority. For example, a good statement chair can double as a decorative work of art and a functional piece of seating. One quality piece can instantly elevate the status of everything else in the room.
“Peu a Peu” Rome wasn’t built in a day, but rather little by little. This French saying coincides with what I tell my design clients – great interiors simply take time to pull together. I believe it truly takes the investment of time to get to know a client’s lifestyle and vision. I also want to create spaces that feel collected over time, and not purchased off a showroom floor. These phases of the process and the development of a project are critical, and all about gradual progress. Good things take time, great things take even more time!
“De Saison” From time to time it is fun to indulge in the trends of the season, but never at the expense of the classics. The French have an innate understanding that trends are temporary and will date a space quickly, as most only last a couple of years. I encourage my clients to keep trends to accessories; these items are much easier and less expensive to replace down the road than the key pieces and furnishings of your home. These philosophies underscore why French interiors exude a certain “je ne sais quoi” – that unspoken, special touch I strive to incorporate into every piece I purchase and project I design. This makes for a timeless, collected, and oh so beautiful outcome.
And one last confession… I married my favorite French antique (well, not really an antique) two years ago – David Shannon LeRoy, formerly “LeRoi”.
Stay tuned as next month I will comment on my affair with Louis Philippe!