F R E N C H F A L L
5 Ways To Get The Look
Welcome to Fall on my covered deck... in Texas... but still French inspired...
See the bottom of the post for a special announcement about a giveaway.
This week, October 3-7, Katie at Let's Add Sprinkles is hosting a special Fall tour.... Fall In Love With Texas, where 20+ Texas bloggers are sharing Fall in their Texas homes. This is the second day of the tour, and I am thrilled that Katie invited Botanic Bleu to be part of it.
The other blogs on today's line-up are Jemma @ At Home With Jemma, Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows, and Cecilia @ The B Farm. I've met all of these bloggers personally, and they are as warm and gracious in person as they are on their blogs. You will want to visit all of them to see what wonderful Fall inspiration they are sharing today.
Here are five tips for getting a French Fall look for your house.
#1 Use natural flowers and fruits.
Artificial flowers and fruits have come a long way in recent years, are often beautiful, and are sometimes hard to distinguish from the real thing. However, authentic French Country calls for natural flowers and fruits.
French homes use fresh ingredients for cooking AND for decorating. Where else in the world besides Paris do you find florist shops that have been in business for over a century? Lachaume's current proprietors continue the traditions begun in 1845, and Moulié, in business since the 1870s, sources many of their blooms from their own farm in Brittany.
Fresh white chrysanthemums, white baby's breath (gypsophila), and white Boo Boo pumpkins provide French Country touches to my covered porch this Fall.
#2 Use traditional French motifs.
White pottery with a large single raised design and curved handles reflects simple elegant French Country style. Curves, flourishes, and symmetry, but not too elaborate or ornate, are characteristics of French Country design. Imperfect, rustic touches include subtle layers of colors that allow peeks at the original unfired clay.
#3 Use fine china with rustic settings.
Delicate bone china coffee cups with a yellow, terra cotta, green, and blue floral pattern can serve café au lait, hot chocolate, spiced cider, or hot tea to chase away Fall chills. No plastic or styrofoam cups for serving drinks. French Country juxtaposes elegant with rustic, intermingling heirlooms with peeling painted pieces.
#4 Use vintage French monogrammed linen napkins.
White monogrammed linen napkins are part of French families' heritage. The linens are heavy with elaborate monograms. French supermarkets carry stain removers including wine stain remover for linens that are used routinely in French households.
I found these serviettes (napkins) in September at a brocante (second-hand goods sale in tents) on Rue Cler while in Paris. There were also colored monogrammed linens available at the old Paris flea market, Vanves. While becoming more difficult to find, there are still beautiful French linens being sold from estates.
#5 Use pillows with French phrases and designs.
Sunflowers are grown commercially in France with large fields of them in Provence. Pillows with sunflowers and French phrases are perfect for giving the covered porch a French Fall look.
Browns and yellows with a faint touch of orange add more traditional Fall colors to my predominantly blue and white color scheme. Even though I avoid browns, yellows, and oranges normally, this custom-made pillow from Elliott-Heath Designs is beautiful with its sunflowers, French postal cancellations, and phrases, and I love it.
Soleil is French for sun. With its black background and pale touches of blue, this Elliott-Heath pillow has been a favorite of mine for a couple of years, and I finally purchased it. I couldn't be happier with it. The 100% cotton fabric front is heavy, the dyed pattern is exquisite, and the envelope-style back is heavy canvas.
Do you love these sunflower pillows as much as I do? Then be sure to visit Botanic Bleu again on Thursday of this week when Heather of Elliott-Heath Designs is giving away one of her beautiful custom-designed pillow covers on my blog. I am so excited that one of my readers will win the pillow cover of his/her choice from Elliott-Heath Designs. Currently, there are more than 480 pillow covers from which to choose.
You could win a pillow cover that is the beginning of creating your own French Fall look!
Or, creating your Christmas look.
Summary of 5 Ways to Get a French Fall Look
- Use natural flowers and fruits.
- Use traditional French motifs.
- Use fine china in a rustic setting.
- Use vintage French monogrammed linen napkins.
- Use pillows with French phrases and designs.
*****
Be sure to visit the following talented bloggers for more Fall In Love With Texas.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Thanks, Katie at Let's Add Sprinkles, for organizing and hosting the Fall In Love With Texas blog tour.
Please join me at these inspiring places for more joy of living.
SUNDAY
Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic and Refined
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
46 comments:
I love the container you used for the pumpkins.
I agree with you about fresh vs faux. In fact, since I don't have that many flowers right now, I am just using greenery from plants and bushes in my decor right now.
Hello my fellow Texan!
You are so right about fresh flowers, and I used to be quite a snob about it. Problem now is my 2 year old cat LOVES to eat plants, for instance, he ate all the leaves off a 20 year old Elm bonsai. I searched around and found so many plants and flowers that can be lethal. So now I use faux in any are he can reach. Where he can't, I always have roses in pretty silver pitchers. Now, let's talk turkey.. where do I find those beautiful white French pottery planters?
I love using fresh flowers when I can...fabulous fauxs can be a lifesaver. I like the Baby Boos, too, and have found tiny ones in the past...they seem to be a little larger this year. Your white containers are so pretty.
The baby boo in the container of baby's breath is so beautiful. Simple, but elegant! Thanks for the inspiration.
Beautiful Space Judith - Love the white and the combo with the pumpkin and baby's breath is beautiful. Great space on your deck which I bet your really enjoying since our temperatures have cooled.
-Carole @ Garden Up Green
Looks gorgeous!!! Casually elegant. Have a great week.
Enjoyed your blog and love your beautiful photos and decorating sense.
Beautiful Fall tour and inspiration Judith, elegant and timeless style!
Happy Fall,
Jemma
Hi Judith, what a lovely tour!! I love fresh elements too and your porch setting is so cozy and inviting. Really a lovely spot to relax and enjoy. The French details make it perfect. Beautiful whites with blues and I adore the pillows. Thank you for the tour. Have fun this week visiting our Texas friends. Hugs
This is so pretty, Judith!! I love the way you incorporated baby's breath with the white pumpkin. Such an elegant touch!
Great tips on adding French Country to a home. I love it! Your porch looks so pretty dressed for Fall and those pillows are exquisite! I'm enjoying the tour so much. Thanks for sharing!
hugs,
Cecilia
Refined & still casual---true French look!
Judith, thank you for some wonderful tips. I love just about anything French and this tips and photos will help me focus on that decorative style. I love everything you've shown. Enjoyed being on the tour with your.
Good morning, Judith! Thank you for sharing your tips on adding French country to our homes. I especially loved seeing your porch all decked out in French country flair. You certainly are an inspiration with your special decorating style. Happy Fall!
Your French Country fall look is just lovely! I adore sunflowers too :) Happy fall!! xo, Andrea
Your French Country fall look is just lovely! I adore sunflowers too :) Happy fall!! xo, Andrea
Judith, thank you for sharing your beautiful French twist on fall. Now you have me wanting some monogrammed napkins...
I am forever a fan of France and of fall so this post was an autumnal delight!
Your porch is gorgeous! I love the pillows and the addition of the blue. So pretty Happy Fall!
beautiful-
Judith, your Fall touches look beautiful! You have given such wonderful decorating tips! Happy Fall!!!
It's a good time to cut those late summer blooms! Love all of your French details! Hugs!
I love, love, love your fall touches! I use mostly neutrals too and I think white flowers are elegant in any season ;) Blessings, Cecilia
Wonderful French fall inspiration and beautiful photos! You are so talented!!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Your French Fall is beautiful! I loved it all!
Ooh, I just love your pretty French fall decor! Soft and neutral is so dreamy!
Judith, this is all beautiful. I adore the French way of adding just the right detail. I've never used baby's breath with my urns, but I will now. '-) Would love to be sitting on your covered porch enjoying our Texas fall weather. Love this time of year!
This gets me excited for a Paris flea market. I love this. It is such a great guide. Bookmarking it. Thanks for being a part of our tour.
You have such elegant taste! I always enjoy seeing what you come up with. I seem to equate
"French" with elegance!
Brenda
Love the list and how you put it into action.
So so pretty.
I Love the soft and muted colors of your French Fall Look! It's peaceful and calming, which is something many of us need as we head into the busyness of the coming season! Blessings, Cindy
Judith- everything is lovely and these are wonderful suggestions!
Your fall decor looks elegant yet simple.
Thank you very much for sharing and hopping. Your French Flair decor is tres chic. Falling into Autumn Bliss...
Love how your French nuances softly draw me into this season, Judith. I have booked this "Tour d'automne de Texas" to indulge upon with my morning coffee for the remainder of the week!
w/L
Lovely Judith display for fall. I adore your french urns. Wonderful suggestions as well.
Oh, Judith, your French Fall decor is sublime! You've got skills! Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Happy Fall Day to you! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Gorgeous as always! I am so in love with white pumpkins both big and little!
LOVE it, Judith! I adore your French flair with your fall decor. That baby's breath with the little baby boo pumpkin is perfection! So happy to be touring with you this week!
Beautifully done Judith. Thanks for the tips for getting a French Fall look.
Love it all.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Hi Judith, This is absolutely beautiful! I am new to your blog and your newest follower. I would be so happy if you would come share this with my readers @ Shoestring Elegance and the What to do Weekends party! Pinned and shared. stunning. :)
Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance
http://shoestringelagance.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-to-do-weekends-194.html?m=0
I love all the white and the natural look. Beautiful!
Just lovely, and makes me miss the luxury of watering the flowers. We are in a drought, quite frustrating to some who love pretty things. lol
I really love the elegant napkins as a compliment to the flowers and white pottery.
The sunflower cushions are beautiful, your whole post is fresh and different. The white and natural look is so bright and cheerful.
Beautiful pillows, but I am in love with the linens...oh my.....
I use old/antique 18"/20" square napkins on a regular basis, but these are so lovely and heavy!
Blessings to you this beautiful l'automne,
J
Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
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