French Chic Book Giveaway
This giveaway has ended but keep your eye out for new giveaways every week! ~Lorrie
Click picture to purchase.
Lately we have been receiving so many great items for our giveaways here at My Design Secrets that every day is like Christmas! A couple of weeks ago I curiously opened a hefty box and out came three lovely books. And trust me, you are going to want one for your very own! The book is “French Chic” and they were kindly donated by the author and expert designer Florence De Dampierre. Her work has been featured in Elle Decor and House Beautiful. Florence’s book is filled with beautiful photos of homes designed in the French Chic style so it makes a lovely coffee table book. She breaks the style down by architectural elements (for example: Doors & Windows, The Fireplace, & Lighting Fixtures) and specific rooms. But the real bonus is that Florence has included a section entitled “Chic Advice” in each chapter which specifically tells you how to bring this style into your home. Florence took a break from her busy schedule to answer a few questions about the French Chic style for us below.
Enjoy!
~Lorrie
Did you grow up in France?
Yes. I grew up in France. I went to school in Paris, in a private nuns’ school, rue de Grenelle, which is located in the 7th arrondissement.
What are the critical elements of achieving the French Chic style?
- Knowledge - try to educate your eye as much as possible and learn about the decorative arts. It will build your self confidence.
- Wit
- Mixing: high and low, refined with simple for example. Think about it as a jean with a sexy top and good shoes. It will lead to the creation of a personal house. Make it a reflection of your personality and life.
- One other very important element of French Chic is not being wasteful; being able, capable and willing to use what you have. Reinterpret it in a way that works for you. In today’s world and economy, it is very good advice.
Since so much of American design influence comes from Europe, who do you feel the French look to for inspiration?
French look every where for inspiration. The goal is always to make it personal.
Coco Chanel once said : “Your home should be a reflection of your soul.”
What type of projects are you working on right now?
I am working right now on several decorative project for clients, on my next book for Rizzoli, on various projects (from my own fabrics and wallpaper to home products) and my New Year’s wish is to finalize a television show.
Three chances to Win this Book! Here’s how….
If you would like to win one of three copies of the book “French Chic: The Art of Decorating Houses”, this is what you need to do:
Step 1: If you have not already done so, sign up for My Design Secrets updates via RSS feed or email.
Step 2: Leave me one comment below. Creativity and humor appreciated but not required. If you are receiving this post via email, click here to comment. Replies to the email will not be accepted. We can tell who signs up via email but if you sign up via RSS, you have to let us know in your comment.
One entry per person. You have until 11:59PM EST on Friday, January 9th to enter. A random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.
Good Luck!
Click to Win a $250 Gift Card from Amazon!
The winners of this giveaway are:
Chrysa Duran
Jennifer Barr
Sharon Jones
January 6th, 2009 at 9:07 am
I love decorating books
January 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I will be getting my first place soon (married in June! How cheesy and awesome, I know!) so the French can definitely lend me a decorating hand! Oui oui!
January 6th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I would love this! It would make decorating the Stone House so much easier. Thanks for this.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Love that picture with the dog.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
January 6th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Cool book.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I love the elegant yet eclectic styles of French design bringing in the old with the new.
January 6th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
French Designs, sounds fun.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I need design help!!
January 6th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Great book. Happy 2009.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Je veux gagner ce livre.
I want to win this book.
merci
January 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
cool book
January 6th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
This is a great coffee table book too. I love to study it and then share it with my mom. Thank you for the giveaway!
January 6th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
These two photos are just a small glimpse. The photos are fantastic showing you entire rooms as well as small elegant details. Also, if you are a foodie, one of the chapters includes details on entertaining with recipes included!
~Lorrie
January 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
deck the halls i’d love to win
January 6th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Not sure if the French style is for me, but would love to try.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
love to win a copy of this
January 6th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I’m a French teacher… would be cool to share this with my students… and look through it for myself too!
Merci mille fois!
January 6th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
love to win
January 6th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Hi Lorrie, I just discovered your lovely blog and I’m excited to explore it for some inspiration, tips and ideas! Looking forward to being a regular reader to this very cozy e-spot =) Happy New Year! Much health, success and peace at heart to you and those you love! =)
January 6th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Oui! Merci!
January 6th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
This book looks fabulous. I definitely need to redesign.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Love to win this book, thanks for the giveaway
January 6th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
love decorating maybe this will make me and my house “french chic”
I am subscribed to your RSS
thank you
January 6th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
This book and the author seem fabulous. I am in the middle of decorating now, and I can use all the help I can get.
saradenhart@gmail.com
January 6th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I am not sure I need French design ideas when you have so many great design ideas. But then I could always learn more.
Happy New Year.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Right now I’m living with “funky thift store” chic but I am a foodie and I do appreciate design, culture and uniqueness.
I’d be very interested in winning. Inspiration can be found anywhere!
Thanks
I already subscribe via email!
January 6th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
I must need this book because I always thought a chic house meant living in a Bedouin tent somewhere. Go figure!
January 6th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED LOUIE THE14TH. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF SOME OF THIS STYLE APPEARS IN HER BOOK.
IIT IS INTERESTING HOW THE FRENCH HAVE INSPIRED OTHER CULTURES. THEREFORE, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO WIN THIS BOOK TO SEE FLORENCE DE DAMPIERRE’S VIEW OF FRENCH “CHIC.”
January 6th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I enjoy your blog – and the book looks really beautiful!
January 7th, 2009 at 12:08 am
I’ve vacationed in Paris twice and my impression is that fashion, art and design ooze from the streets. I’d love to have the French Chic book to capture all of that “oozing”!!
January 7th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Would love to redo my bedroom after reading this book. Thank you.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Want this book
January 7th, 2009 at 4:23 am
wow – i would love to win this for the gorgeous decorating, but also the food tips you said were added as well!
January 7th, 2009 at 4:29 am
I’m in the process of a couple of rooms extreme makeover. This book will come in handy.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:32 am
already a subscriber and loving it! This sounds like such an awesome book, we could use some of that french class in this house!
January 7th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I’d love to win!
January 7th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Please enter me. I would like to win this for my wife!
January 7th, 2009 at 8:50 am
My decorating style is so boring. I would love some help from the French! I joined by Google reader.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Don’t be a French dip and Grinch me! Just send me the prize.LOL
January 7th, 2009 at 10:44 am
When I say this book-my heart skipped a beat!! I am ALL about french design!! I live and breath it!! I am also part french! This is a book that I would LOVE to have!! I usually don’t throw my name into this hat, but, when I saw this book, I had to make an exception!!!! PICK ME!!!!!!!!
January 7th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I just moved into a new home this year and would adore this book!
January 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Can’t get enough of decorating books! The more the merrier! Please send one my way!
January 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I have always admired the French interpretation of “chabby chic” as well as their master of combining old with new furniture pieces. I need some creativity injected into my “style” and I believe this lovely book would do the trick!
maggie@mannwieler.com
January 7th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
enter me
January 7th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I love this look, I have tried to decortae myhome in the french counrty chic!
January 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I have been trying to find my decorating style for a long time. From your pictures and descriptions, I’m beginning to wonder if French is my style. I would love to get this book and find out if it is! Thanks for the chance!
January 7th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Moi would love zee decorating book. Merci beaucoup.
Thanks for the opp.
Seriously, moi would love this book.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
My real name and the name of my 25 year old design business is MARIE ANTOINETTE CUSTOM HOME INTERIORS. I am not french, but many of my design projects are in the “chic french” style. My name alone should qualify me for one of these books, so please pick me, I would love to have this in my referance liabrary.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I subscribe via Reader
What a great prize! I could use some inspiration in my house!
January 7th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Sign me up for the wonderful book giveaway
January 8th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Ooh la la! Donnez moi ma chance!
I have been on major cleaning spree lately in my zoo-oops I meant my house. Getting things in order has made me really pay attention to the decor and how much I seriously need to change it. This would be perfect!!! I love French decor-nothing rivals it!
Merci!
January 8th, 2009 at 12:55 am
I subscribed via reader. Thanks for the giveaway!
January 8th, 2009 at 2:28 am
in an ideal world, my home would look just like the pictures in this beautiful book. alas, my bank account will not allow me to live the life of a french heiress. i would love to settle for flipping through the pages in this master piece, however. please- sign me up.
January 8th, 2009 at 5:56 am
I signed up to your RSS feed in my yahoo. I am trying to do a french provincial kinda thing in my master bed room but I’m failing miserably and now that the walls need a new coat of paint and I’m contiplating pulling up the carpet and putting hardwood down this book would come in quite handy. Thanks for a great giveaway!
January 8th, 2009 at 11:36 am
I added you to my google reader! We are in the process of buying our first house and I can’t wait to decorate! This book would be a great resource, the more inspiration the better! thanks!
January 8th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
This would be great since I am moving into an apartment hopefully soon!
January 8th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Lovely.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
French Design = Joie de vivre
January 8th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Happy 2009!
January 8th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Count me in please
January 8th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
omg i will die if i win this book! the designs are so beautiful!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Nice book.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
i have a new house need new ideas
January 8th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I see that you are all very inspired by the French!
Good luck to everyone:-)
~Lorrie
January 8th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I’ve always loved French style in both home and dress. I’d love to have this book to help inspire me. Maybe include two tickets to France??
D
January 9th, 2009 at 12:20 am
oh la la! I likes!!!! I’m always into new decorating books, as I have my first house and we are renovating it.
January 9th, 2009 at 1:44 am
This looks like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway!
January 9th, 2009 at 4:59 am
am subscribed via email…and this book sound awesome…thanks for entry
January 9th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I’m signed up for your RSS feed. Thanks!
I’m not the best decorator, but I tend to dress my house like I would dress myself. That can be good or bad depending on my mood. I also like to switch things up different times of the year. Particularly my living room. In the winter it’s more warm and cozy and in the spring it’s switched into light and airy. Changing the rugs and drapes completely change the feel.
January 9th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Sweet
January 9th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I would love to win this great decorating book.
January 9th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
i love new decorating ideas
January 9th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I love this book from what I have seen here. Would so so love to win. Thanks for such a great giveaway as I love decorating and design.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
looks like a great book.
I subscribed
January 9th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Sounds like a great book! I’m always on the hunt for good decorating ideas!
January 9th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
The pictures depicted are gorgeous. These are beautiful rooms.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
What a great prize. Thank you.
January 9th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Nice giveaway, My house needs a little French Chic
January 9th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Would love to have this book. I’ve been married for 38 years, and am in the process of divesting myself of a lot of things we’ve had through the years so that our grown children can enjoy them, and I’m ready for a change in the decor of my home. Some things I will keep and incorporate within my new design, but also would like some new things.
January 9th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
looks like a great book:) ty 4 the entry:)
January 9th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
January 10th, 2009 at 12:19 am
This book would be very helpful, as I am a realtor and love to assist my clients in preparing their home for sale.