French Finesse

- WITH A NORDIC TWIST

French Finesse is the continuation to our two previous cloth-bound coffee table books – The basic introduction to interior decoration: French Sensations; and our gardening book: French Moods.

This time we’ll focus on the details, taking a closer look at what it takes to add finesse and sophistication in your decorating. We visit new and exciting homes with an eye for the concepts and details and focus on decorating with both French and Nordic treasures.

As always, the almost 400 beautiful photographs were all shot in natural daylight.

ISBN 978 - 87 - 92843 -30 -2

J E A N N E D ’A R C L I V I N G : F R E N C H F I N E S S E

French Finesse

French F

inesse

-WITH A NORDIC T WIST

JEANNE D’ARC LIVING Vivian Christensen Lonnie Würtz Jensen

The first book from Jeanne d’Arc Living was published in 2008: The interior decorating book French Atmospheres.

The book can be described as a basic introduction to decorating in the FrenchNordic country style and almost 20,000 copies have been sold worldwide. The following year saw the publication of the gardening book French Sensations – in Nordic Gardens, a different kind of gardening book that carries the style outside. In subsequent years, several other books have been published. This book is the follow-up to the first two books in our series of cloth-bound coffee table books. This time we’ll take a look at the details, colors and delicate finesse that are so important when decorating in this style.

Jeanne d’Arc Living publishes not only books but also the monthly magazine Jeanne d’Arc Living with plenty of inspiration for the entire life style: decorating, gardening, food and DIY projects.

The company also runs a wholesale business with everything imaginable relating to the style including furniture, applied art and clothing.

French F

inesse

-WITH A NoRDIC T WIST

JEANNE D’ARC LIVING Vivian Christensen Lonnie Würtz Jensen

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ISBN 9 78 - 87 - 92 843 -30 -2

Contents

1. Crème de la Crème.......................... 6 2. Delicate Pastels................................ 44 3. Gray Elegance.................................. 88 4. Shades of Brown.............................. 122 5. A Touch of Black.............................. 156

Dear Reader,

The desire to make a book that really focuses on the details has been high on the wish list of Lonnie and myself for quite some time. We've always had a penchant for details, and we especially love all of the close-up photographs – which have arguably become something of a trademark for us. We always use detail photos on the covers of our magazines and books, a choice that's more or less unheard of in the industry. We also would like to make a book that primarily deals with old items. This is where our hearts truly lie.

Now it's a reality: the book that takes a close-up look at the details.

Let them speak their own impactful language and guide you to the means necessary to create finesse in your decorating. The book is organized by colors – colors that fall within a relatively narrow spectrum yet significantly impact the decor. Finesse can be brought about in many different ways, with things, nuances of different colors as well as contrasts.

Contrasts have always played a great part in our daily work. We feel that things work best when they're in balance – neither too sweet nor too rustic. A nice mix of things often produces the very best result.

Enjoy!

Lonnie & Vivian

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F rench F inesse - W ith a N o rdic T wist

Chapter 1

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME

Crème de la Crème

The definition of 'cream' is "the best or most essential part of something" – something delicious: Crème de la Crème. There are countless shades of white and cream and still more undertones. Warm, velvety cream colors ranging from very dark and yellowed to a light eggshell. Cold, white shades that can seem almost transparent and brittle.

At first you may not notice the color difference but on closer look, they stand out more and more. We associate the cold white with purity and calm. Think of a snow-covered winter scene or a bathroom with white tiles, which can seem almost sterile.

White on white can be exquisite. Gossamer, thin, transparent white curtains fluttering in the breeze. Beautiful, old fragile glassware with the most wonderful milky-white surface that allows the sunlight to filter through. A lovely, big bouquet of various white wildflowers. Soft cotton sheets and linens, freshly laundered and line-dried in the sun and then ironed with lavender-scented ironing water...

C r è m e de la C r è m e

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White is classic and tasteful in every way and never goes out of style. Within our line of business, white and weathered have been popular for years now and show no sign of being on the decline. To the contrary, it appears that white has won a permanent place in most of our hearts.

Keeping a room entirely in various shades of white creates a great effect. It gives a sense of peace of mind. If you choose to decorate exclusively with shades of white, it's important that you play with the use of different materials and surfaces. Textiles with different textures, for instance, will bring in a feel of nuances and create a form of contrast, yet at a less visible and indirect level. You can achieve the same effect by using paint with different gloss levels. Painting a piece of furniture or a wall with a matte limewash paint or a high gloss paint will produce completely different results.

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F rench F inesse - W ith a N o rdic T wist

You can never have too much ribbon and lace, preferably vintage and wound around a spool or a piece of cardboard. Having the original price intact or some other fun piece of information that reveals a little history would be an added bonus.

Shelf paper was frequently used in the old days. A valance was often added as decoration on the front side of the shelf. These rolls look very pretty left out as decoration.

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F r A ns k e f o rne m m elser i n o rdis k e haver

So many of the vintage items that we love so much appear more cream-colored than white. An old piece of furniture that has been painted several times may have originally been true white. It's been painted with traditional oil-based paint, which was formerly used for everything, and over time it has turned increasingly yellow. That's exactly what gives these pieces of furniture their very own authentic charm.Old books and old paper are another example. They, too, develop a very distinctive yellow and cream color over time. The same is true for old textiles.

Some of them become so brittle that they practically fall apart. And yet you cherish them like little treasures. Oftentimes they have the prettiest bobbin lace and insertions and the most deliciously soft, creamy colors imaginable. It's authentic and original and helps to bring out an amazing atmosphere in your decorating.

CR èmE DE L A CR èmE

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Worth Protecting

If anything is worth protecting and safeguarding, it would be these lovely old crafts. Just think of the hours that were put into each small piece. These things have an enchanting fragility. This is true for the most delicate bobbin lace, embroideries, monograms, lace and insertions. You'll often find these pretty touches on old clothing, linens, tablecloths, top sheets or perhaps just a nice box.

As you make your way around various flea markets or when you visit lifestyle boutiques, you probably come across lovely, old sewing accessories. These can include anything from spools of sewing thread, darning yarn, embroidery yarn or other types of yarn used for different purposes. Lovely, narrow lengths of lace. Or perhaps letters embroidered on paper. You might see other fun things as well – maybe parts of the decoration from a bridal gown or a confirmation dress or a hat. They all have great decorative value. Put together a collection of matching colors in a small basket or bowl or arrange the items in a nice jar.

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F rench F inesse - W ith a N o rdic T wist

Unique Bridal Wreaths

Antique bridal wreaths are another effect that's frequently used in decorating right now. Whether they're Scandinavian or French doesn't matter as long as they're old and beautiful and have plenty of soul. When visiting flea markets and other places with the potential of making a good find, keep an eye out for not only bridal wreaths but veils, gloves, decorated combs, hatpins, jewelry and brooches as well – pretty much anything that would have been used for weddings and other celebrations. Use these items for pretty still lifes in your bedrooms or a guest room. They could also be the final touch that's been missing in the bathroom. Try to arrange these pretty things to allow them to be enjoyed up close. Many of these beautiful decorative pieces were handmade and are thus truly worthy of close study. The old bridal wreaths are most frequently made from metal thread with pearls or metal thread covered with lace or fabric on which pretty, handmade lace or fabric flowers are attached.

C r è m e de la C r è m e

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Old dress forms

are a must in today's French-Nordic decorating. The prettier and more unique, the better. Use them in every room to create beautiful still lifes.

Old Garments

old clothes are often both brittle and ill-fitting. The fabrics, on the other hand, are a whole different story. Back then much of the clothing was made from handmade fabrics which aren't even available today unless you're prepared to pay hundreds of dollars. That might also be the reason why you can still be lucky enough to find these lovely old treasures. keep in mind that some of them are more than a hundred years old. That really requires some quality fabric! Use these beautiful garments for decoration either on a dress form or on a nice, old hanger.

If it happens to be a wedding gown that was used in your family, that of course only makes the piece more interesting.

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F R A N S k E F o R N E m m E L S E R I N o R D I S k E H AV E R

Want to see more?

Contakt:

Tel. +45 36 93 20 10 Email: info@jeannedarcliving.dk for more informations.