Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America

I highly recommend this book for those who are looking for ideas in the French style.


Just What the Doctor Ordered   January 20, 2000
Paul B. Johnson
45 out of 47 found this review helpful

My wife and I are in the process of building a French Chateaux house and need all the design ideas and suggestions we could find. Betty Lou's book was a "God sent". Her selection of featured photographs are incredible with lots of variety in colors, fabrics, moldings, and furnishings. (We actually copied several elements from her book in our home's design.) We also found the book an invaluable resource for showing a contractor ideas of what we wanted in terms of trim, cabinetry, paint colors, etc., etc.

The best compliment I can give this book is that its pages are showing wear.


Finally! Eye candy for the American Francophile.   December 27, 1999
Carmen Claudette Billedeaux (Lafayette, LA)
37 out of 40 found this review helpful

I LOVE French country interiors and I love this book! I've been waiting for someone to show the beautiful interiors of great designers here in the United States. Finally, Charles Faudree's canines, delecious colors and endless yards of toile', all in one book. The writing is delightfully smart and usable covering information on textiles, antiques, techniques and the whole concept of the French country. This book gives a real sense of the talent of designers here and also how to reach them and a list of shops and dealers in French furnishings and accents. Betty phillips is a professional in her feild of interior design as well as in her ability to capture the essence of French country in this book.


Sun-drenched colors of Southern France   March 3, 2004
Rebecca Johnson (Washington State)
36 out of 39 found this review helpful

"French country decorating at its finest is the harmonious mingling of fabrics, textures, and patterns - an artistic blending of the familiar with warmth and sophistication."

As you open this book, you may start to have the desire to suddenly order hundreds of pastel pink tulip bulbs. While this book is not quite as lavish as "Villa Décor" it is much more practical. There are extensive instructions for using color, texture and scale.

Betty Lou Phillips has included a wonderful picture of a library with bookcases spanning the library walls. Her work has appeared in Southern Accents, Traditional Home & Bath, Window and Wall, and Decorating as well as many magazine covers. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers.

There are eight main chapters:

What Is Provencal Charm?
Making an Entrance
French Quarters
Table Matters - Kitchens and Dining Rooms
Bedrooms, Bedding, and Baths
French Accents
Outside Interests
Trade Secrets

I loved reading the "Table Matters" section which includes a comparison between French and American kitchens. The bedroom section had me wishing I had some fresh croissants on hand for a breakfast tray.

There is no need to travel to France to buy beautiful fabrics, furnishings and fixtures. A complete list of catalogs is also included.

This is "French Country Style in America," so it is a fusion of various ideas from a variety of locations in France.

~The Rebecca Review


Finally! Eye candy for the American Francophile.   December 27, 1999
Carmen Claudette Billedeaux (Lafayette, LA)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I LOVE French country interiors and I love this book! I've been waiting for someone to show the beautiful interiors of great designers here in the United States. Finally, Charles Faudree's canines, delecious colors and endless yards of toile', all in one book. The writing is delightfully smart and usable covering information on textiles, antiques, techniques and the whole concept of the French country. This book gives a real sense of the talent of designers here and also how to reach them and a list of shops and dealers in French furnishings and accents. Betty phillips is a professional in her feild of interior design as well as in her ability to capture the essence of French country in this book.