Butterflies flitting through sun-drenched purple lavender fields, delicate but vibrant ruby coloured poppies waving their heads in the breeze, landscapes in all shades of the rainbow, and markets full of delicious aromas… Provence is a land that connects you with all your senses. And if you would like a little bit of Provence at home, then pop on to the website of  L’Auguste Provence for meaningful hand-crafted gifts featuring a gorgeous selection of exclusive artwork and the prettiest Provence lavender bags…

Artistic and evocative Provence crafts

Friends  Stephanie, Laure and Caroline who live in Provence, pooled their skills to create gorgeous arts and crafts products that bring a little bit of Provence to you wherever you are.

Organic lavender fills the prettiest little bags and cushions, which feature their exclusive water colour designs. “The scent of lavender is uplifting, calming and inspiring” Stephanie says. “People never seem to have enough time these days to recharge their batteries. So, keep an organic lavender scented sachet in your bag, desk drawer, under your pillow or somewhere close to hand. The scent isn’t just lovely, it has other benefits too, when you breathe in the aroma of lavender – it has a calming, relaxing and de-stressing affect on the nervous system, .”

Bags, pouches cushions and well-being products all make the perfect gifts – and even treats for you. The company is named after Stephanie’s grandfather August, a skilled craftsman of Provence. Laure is the artist who creates the unique watercolours that feature on all of L’Auguste Provence’s products. Inspired by the colourful landscape of Provence she mixes the vibrant hues of the countryside and the day to day scenes with contemporary patterns. And all of the products are entirely bespoke, hand-made and 100% Provence.

Meaningful gifts and treats

At the heart of L’Auguste Provence’s ethos is a passion for well-being. It’s why they use organic lavender and the best materials in their products in their atelier in Provence. “It’s the little details that make a difference” says Stephanie. And it’s those details that show in everything they make from the pretty travel kits to the silk eye masks, tote bags, pouches and cushions. They also make bespoke gifts that are perfect for wedding guests, anniversaries, birthday parties and more.

L’Auguste Provence products can be delivered everywhere – a little bit of Provence, wherever you are…

Find out more and see their gorgeous range of products: L’AugusteProvence.com

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The French seem to have got it all figured out. Walking down the streets of Paris, you’re likely to be overwhelmed by just how elegant and fashion-savvy everyone seems. A vintage suit jacket here, classy blue jeans there, antique rings everywhere; the average Parisian you meet could probably rock a runway without having to do an outfit change.

But the French exhibit their intrinsically unique sense of style in more than just their clothing. Homes and furnished apartments in Paris have a classy, antique yet contemporary feel that has proven quite difficult for most people to replicate.

We look at 10 Parisian decor ideas that will make your rental apartment feel more like home.

Wood with a Blonde, Light Finish

When looking for a rental space, consider going for apartments that use wooden flooring with a light, varnished finish. If you’re already living in a unit without wooden floors, invest in statement furniture pieces with a light-colored finish. Blonde wood has elegant detail and grain patterns that add character and warmth to a room. Such furniture will, therefore, give your home a chic Parisian air.

Vintage Rugs

Parisian apartments are synonymous with one thing – unique, vintage rugs. Rugs do much more than ensure you’re not stepping on cold linoleum floors when you step out of bed. Vintage rugs instantly elevate a room, giving it a classic, antique vibe. Such rugs also add personality and style to a room, thus are very instrumental in creating a space that feels true to you.

Think Tall Bookshelves

Is it possible to find an apartment in Paris without books? Parisian homes are identified with tall, wide bookshelves, often covering entire walls. If you’re looking to replicate this feel in your home, you could add bookshelves in different rooms of the house. Since they may take up quite a bit of room, it would be a good idea to place them in corners, using up the space that would otherwise remain unused.

Contemporary Art

Art is a common fixture in any Paris home. By going for bizarre and interesting pieces, you will be able to introduce chaos to the room in a classy and artful way. Besides, would it not be fun to (quite pretentiously) tell your friends you “totally see what the artist was going for”? Investing in local art is a good place to start. You’re likely to come across wildly talented artists whose paintings you can afford.

Statement Pieces and Antiques

All the old French homes you’ve seen in the movies have one thing in common: they all have unique furniture and vintage statement pieces. If you’re looking to go “French”, think sophisticated and vintage. Mission-style furniture, wingback armchairs, velvet chaise lounges – go big!

Chandeliers

Maybe we should’ve kicked off the list with this glamorous feature. Chandeliers give a home a chic, refined look. They help provide ambient lighting to a room, giving off a warm glow that will make your living room cozier. Overall, chandeliers don’t have to be expensive, but if you’re looking for something elegant and vintage, you may have to pay a little bit more.

Stark White Walls

While white walls are many tenants’ enemies, they work well if you’re going for a Parisian theme. Loud and elaborate wall paint will draw attention away from all the antique rugs, vases, and furniture you’ve placed in the room.

Also, the colors may clash, which is not what we want. However, if you’re still not sold on the white, you could probably experiment with a light grey.

Dried Plants

Dried plants, placed in graceful statement vases can be found in most Paris apartments and homes. This trend has been around for generations and is a great alternative for people who don’t have much of a green thumb. Dried flowers are especially popular: their colors blend quite well with the tan and brown elements presented in many Parisians’ decor themes. Of course if you’re dead set on getting some living plants I would recommend this guide to help you out.

A Whole Lot of Lighting

While this isn’t necessarily something you can control, tall floor-to-ceiling windows play a huge role in how French homes look. If you’re looking to live in a space with a similar feel, look for a home with wide windows the next time you’re scouting for an apartment. Good lighting makes a room seem wider and more spacious; adding a number of mirrors in the room will help amplify this illusion even further.

Candles and Scents

The way your home smells will factor in a great deal in terms of the amount of time you spend in it. Thanks to the large bouquets of flowers present in almost every room, Paris homes have a beautiful, welcoming smell. But don’t worry – you can replicate it. Spring for candles and sage sticks with lavender, iris, geranium, and other quintessential French scents.

Suddenly, Your Friends Are Always at Your Place!

French decor trends do a lot to make a previously uninspiring apartment feel like home. Now, all your floors are covered with warm rugs, you’ve placed beautiful dried plants in your elegant blue vases, there’s a tall bookcase in every room… It’s a little wonder your friends are suddenly always at your place!

The post Paris decorating style appeared first on The Good Life France.

Everyone who visits the Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley comes away with a memory of the exquisite gardens, the impossibly romantic white stone castle over a river with its pointy towers and arched bridge – and especially of the flower displays in every room.

We asked the floral team at the castle to share their top tips for creating a bouquet at home…

How to make a bouquet fit for a castle…

What you need:
Flowers and foliage
Ribbon
String to tie the bouquet, wire to hold the Tartan style ribbon or other pretty ribbon

Flowers used by Chenonceau
Ruscus aculeatus – known as Butchers broom. Perfect for its dark green leaves and red berries
Rose hips, for an extra colour zing
Skimmia or other ornamental shrub with small berries
Roses

Select your roses and foliage and lay them out so you can see the colours together. Choose your vase first so you can cut the stems of the finished bouquet to fit.

Make 8 loops with the ribbon to create a loose bow look (corsage style). Make the first loop, pinch and twist, then start another loop, pinch and twist until you have them all, then hold it together with wire in the centre.

Alternate the flowers and foliage until you’re happy with the arrangement. Try to form a round shape by squeezing the flowers together. Tie them together and insert the wired bows to the arrangement and fluff up the loops.

Create a large bouquet for your Christmas table or several little round bouquet for a long table.

Read about the Chateau of Chenonceau – the castle of flowers…

Readers in the UK can really up their Christmas wreath-making game with the brilliantly fun and fabulous online tutorials at ClassBento.co.uk They offer craft and hobby classes galore and send you the kit you need in advance.

The post How to make a Christmas bouquet chateau style appeared first on The Good Life France.

French style is famous throughout the world. Cultivated over hundreds of years of design and fine arts, it’s a seemingly effortless style that isn’t always that easy to achieve. But there are ways and means to make it easy! You don’t need to live in a Chateau, or in Paris, Provence or a rustic farmhouse to get French style…

Table Linen for French style

French joie de vivre is all about the good life, family and friends time – especially when it comes to food. And a beautiful table plays a big part. Just as with food where French cuisine is all about the freshest and best ingredients – home style is also about natural materials. Linens, lace and fine cottons are all a feature of French style.

We love the gentle hues of pebble soft grey, natural off white and dusky pink table cloths from Pimlico.eu and the matching napkins. And we’re not remotely surprised by how popular this Belgian company’s products are in France. Linen is a natural, light, and robust material, as ideal for dressing summer tables as it is in winter. And lace adds delicacy and sophistication or country style as you wish.

Whether indoors or outdoors, culinary happiness is better with visual pleasure – it’s the French way. Here’s how to host a dinner party in true French style

Keeping it light, fresh and simple means you can dress the table how you want. Pimlico’s subtle, soft colours are perfect to blend with colourful or plain china, bowls of fruit, jars of flowers, wine buckets and bread baskets.

Add a bouquet of fresh flowers, from country style to simple sunflowers or sophisticated orchid arrangements to bring a table to life. Flowery ice cubes in a carafe of water, with slices of lemon or lime and mint leaves say summer fun. Candles – whether in an eye catching silver holder or something simpler bring life to the table. A soupcon of lace adds elegance and style, and we love the matching lace runners Pimlico makes. A hint of blossom and serene shades are a gorgeous backdrop or layering for extra style.

Provide a few blankets for guests for a meal outside to extend the night – Pimlico’s soft throws in muted colours to match the table ware are absolutely perfect for this.

Classic French style curtains

Window dressings in France are often so pretty that people stop in their tracks to take photos. When it comes to curtains French style is to keep it simple, authentic and chic. But simple doesn’t mean plain. The devil is in the detail, scalloped borders, lace, velvet ribbons, beautiful embroidery. Let your curtains pillow and pool onto the floor fora  romantic look. We love Pimlico’s washed linen, lace and voile curtains. They’re timeless and come in a beautiful palette of dusky pink, soft Hampton Blue, pebble and off white. And – they’re easy care, machine washable and non-iron. Perfect!

French style bedding

Create your own boudoir style with beautiful luxury bed linen of the highest quality. Go for timeless white. Or an elegant French grey cover that feels velvety soft and adds a romantic look. Or pretty runners and soft throws. Comfort is important – and the feeling of being cossetted and cocooned in your comfy bed!

Secrets of French style

Carla Van Impe of Pimlico says “French style is all about adapting the look to suit the mood – from the simplicity and relaxed vibe of rural life to the chic elegance of chateau style. Our colour palette is all about laying the foundation for your stylish interior and tables so that you can add your own personal style and finishing touches. Whether it’s a posy of lavender against natural linen on a table, or a beautiful array of greenery against soft grey and pink. Or perhaps a lace curtain gently drifting in the breeze, or a pretty French-style embroidered curtain to cover the bottom half of the window. A sumptuous bed throw or simple but stunning white bed cover might be just the thing to bring your bedroom to life.”

The subtlety and simplicity of Pimlico’s collection brings a beautifully balanced, graceful French style to any home. The secret lies in created a muted palette and being fuss free. You want to let key pieces in the room steal the show and allowing accents of colour to shine through.

Get the look – Check out the Pimlico.eu range of stunning tableware and throws, bed covers and curtains….

The post How to create French home style – anywhere appeared first on The Good Life France.

Julia Girard-Gervois of TripUSAFrance organises amazing tours of France. Though she now lives in the USA, she loves to bring a taste of French style to her table. We asked Julia for her top tips to create a French flavour at home…

French table style

Always make sure that the dinner table is dressed before guests arrive. Use a beautiful tablecloth, individual napkins, fancy wine glasses, and flowers. Be careful to not overdo it – you want to keep it stylish but simple.

Aperitifs are soooo French

Don’t sit at the dinner table as soon as guests arrive, start the evening in true French style with an aperitif – maybe in the garden or the living room. Have some amuses-bouches for the guests. Olive tapenade served with pieces of fresh bread or slices of saucisson are easy but delicious. Serve with  Champagne, Muscat Pastis or one of the most popular French aperitifs – Kir: white wine and a splash of fruity liquor such as Crème de Cassis. Turn it into a Kir Royal by substituting the white wine for Champagne. The apéritif can easily last over an hour if the ambiance is good. French people never rush this moment.

Match wine to dishes

First off, if you really want to have French style – serve a minimum of 4 courses. Appetizer, main course, salad and cheese plus dessert. This sounds like a lot of food! The key is to serve smaller portions for each course instead of one big meal.

Make sure to serve some French wine during the meal. Try to pair it according to the food that you prepared. Oysters for the appetizer offer some crisp white wine such as a Picpoul-de-Pinet, earthy meat Boeuf Bourguignon for the main course go for some bold red wine. (SomMailer French wine club deliver the best boutique wines from France, throughout the USA).

Salad and Cheese courses France

The third course should be salad and cheese. French people take this step very seriously. Beforehand prepare a beautiful cheese board with at least four different cheese options. Try to mix them up, some creamy Camembert, some hard cheese like Comté, some blue cheese like Roquefort and maybe some mild goat cheese. The board will be shared between the guests. The salad is very simple. Take a bowl of sliced fresh lettuce and add a simple dressing. Maybe just plain olive oil with a touch of Balsamique. Walnut oil with some fresh walnuts is also really good.

Bread with your meal – it’s the law in France – almost!

A French table never runs out of bread! You should have bread on the table at all time. Make sure to put aside some bread for the cheese platter. If you want to keep it 100% French, you shouldn’t have any butter on the table. Only at breakfast time in France do butter and bread meet.

Digestifs

Offer a “digestif” at the end of the meal. Usually a shot of strong liquor. A typical drink would be Cognac, Armagnac, Chartreuse or Calvados. As the name of this drink implies, it’s supposed to help you digest your dinner!

Finally coffee

After the digestif it’s time for some coffee. French people LOVE to drink coffee after dinner. Make sure to have some decaf coffee as your guests may not want to drink a shot of expresso before going to bed. You could at this time serve some fruit and nuts or dry fruits and even some chocolate.

If you want to enjoy the very best of authentic French gastronomy, join Julia on one of her brilliant tours of southern France or Normandy: TripUSAFrance

All the lovely tableware on this page came from Pimlico.eu

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I’ve been renovating my neglected old farmhouse in rural northern France for some years now. It’s been transformed from a hovel with dirt floors and gaping holes in the roof, bare concrete walls and corrugated iron doors that flapped in the wind into a comfy home. But it needed a bit of a style makeover when the DIY was done.

I love art and when I discovered IXXI I knew I’d found my inspiration.

Incredible collection of art

This young, innovative company makes art personal. They take the greatest paintings in the world – whether by Van Gogh or Monet, and have partnered with several major global Museums. Or they take your own much loved photos of family, mementoes of places you’ve been. Or a Pixel or collage. And they turn it into art for you to hang on your wall.

There’s a huge choice – classic to modern paintings or take your own photos and upload them. From here IXXI make them into art to the size you want. I wanted to go big!

Fill your walls with joie de vivre

I wanted to wake up every morning looking at the Eiffel Tower, even though I live a long way from it. So when I browsed the thousands of photos on IXXI’s site, the dreamy work of French artist Nathalie Lété stood out. Pinks and blues, perfect for when you open your eyes first thing – dreamlike and pretty.

For the spare bedroom I chose Van Gogh’s Noon – Rest from Work from his copies series (copy after Jean-Francois Millet). The blue sky and yellow wheat fields with a couple resting in the heat of a summer afternoon are the stuff of day dreams.

I’m looking forward to fill my other rooms with art I love. Be warned, the more you look in IXXI’s site – the more you look, the more possibilities you see and the more inspired you are.

IXXI Your World

But these aren’t just copies of paintings or copies of your photos set onto paper or canvas. They’re made into laminated cards. Water and UV resistant, non tear, long lasting and oh so clever. You can choose from several different sizes. And you clip them together with a truly innovative plastic popper system (which come in different colours). And there are no nails to bang into the wall. The designers created a way to hand the art by using an ingenious sticker system which works brilliantly.

The concept was devised by Three Dutch designers who wanted to offer “endless possibilities in image, shape and size” that’s affordable. They were inspired by an award-winning project they created in Holland clipping together 17000 postcards. They transferred their ground breaking concept to art for homes, museums, leading brands, photographers and designers, around the world joined in, from Disney to the Louvre – making their art accessible to all.

My art arrived in a tile sized box with everything needed to put it together which is easy (actually, popping the plastic clippers is good fun), and to hang it up.

And it really does bring joy to art in the home.

IXXI mail to anywhere in the world, find details here: www.ixxiyourworld.com

The post IXXI | Art that fills your walls with joy appeared first on The Good Life France.

France has long been famous for its style. The French “look” has developed over hundreds of years reflecting the savoir-faire, know-how and attention to detail that is a particularly French thing. From the refined grandeur of Chateau style to Provencal, Parisian and rustic styles, the French look really does suit all tastes. And there are constant themes, including the use of blue and white as key colours and great quality fabrics – especially bed linen.

La Chambre Paris – French bed linen online

For the most beautiful French bed linen – whether it’s cool, pure French washed linen or fresh, soft percale, or silky sateen, there’s nowhere better than La Chambre Paris’ online store. A family-run company based in Paris they supply beautiful French bed linen at a price that won’t give you sleepless nights. And when they offered to send me some linen to try out for myself, I was delighted.

Beautifully packaged, each sheet in its own bag, each duvet in its own bag and pillow cases in their own bag. I almost didn’t want to put them away! Even before you put them on the bed, you can’t help but look forward to the feel of the cool sheets and how they will look. They are so French.

Perfect French blue and white bedding

La Chambre Paris keep it simple when it comes to colour. Blue and white – the most classic colour combination. Keep to one colour or mix them up and totally get that oh-so-French chic look.

Blue and white has been an elegant combination for centuries – the most popular combo in porcelain and pottery more than 1000 years ago. But it was in the 18^th century that the pairing of these two colours really became popular in fabric form in France. The contrast is simple but elegant a quintessentially French look. White and blue is used in the most elegant bedroom of luxury hotels in chateaux and manoirs, in farmhouses and homes throughout France. White and blue in home décor, are as French as the Eiffel Tower.

Whether you’re going for a look that’s smart, tailored, chic or cosy, elegant and refined, hip or rustic, good quality bedding is the starting point for French style in the bedroom.

Bed sheets to fall in love with

My conclusion – absolutely beautiful bed linen. I’m buying more (that’s my bedroom above and I think the linen looks amazing!). There are several more reasons I’m loving La Chambre Paris:

Affordable. The company cut out the middle man and work with a single partner, an artisan company who have been making the highest quality fabrics to traditional methods that are eco-responsible and sustainable, for three generations.

Non iron. Yep, we’ve all got better things to do right? Just wash, dry and you’re good to go.

Eco-friendly. For every order placed, La Chambre Paris plant 10 trees. They support Eden Reforestation Projects, a non-profit project to plant trees in area where deforestation has caused poverty and environmental problems.

So French in the detail. Beautifully stitched, there are even little labels indicating the longest and shortest sides of fitted sheets so you don’t have to try to work it out. Love that.

Comfortable, luxurious, soft and strong. I love the French washed linen for it’s light and airy, cool, fresh texture. It makes me feel like I’m staying in a luxury hotel – in my own bed.

And they deliver to anywhere in the world.

Here’s where to find La Chambre Paris and discover their gorgeous French bed linen for yourself: lachambreparis.com

The post Fabulous French bed linen appeared first on The Good Life France.

The south of France is defined by its colour. Azure blue skies, the deep purple of lavender fields, olive orchards, bright yellow sunflowers and lemons. Ruby red poppy fields, the turquoise Mediterranean and wine dark grapes in the vineyards.

Everywhere you go, the colours of Provence and southern France are captured in a keepsake – the famous gaily coloured, sun-drenched tablecloths. They decorate cafés and homes everywhere in France. You’ll find them piled high at markets, luring you into specialist shops in the south of France. They make for a fabulous souvenir, bringing a bit of that famous sunshine and je ne sais quoi into your home.

Now you don’t have to go all the way to the south of France to get your fix. French Shopping’s online shop has a fabulous selection of traditional, authentic Provencal tablecloths. You can have them delivered at home – wherever you are.

People have loved French tablecloths for centuries

In the 17^th century the port of Marseille was a hub for all sorts of exotic imports – including vivid textiles from India. A huge fashion hit, everyone wanted the brightly coloured cloth. Especially the aristocracy. At the court of Louis XIV, “Les Indiennes” as the material was known, was all the rage. In fact it was so popular that for a while it was banned in France as traditional cloth manufacturers complained bitterly. But the French appetite for the bright textiles never left. And, when the ban was lifted in 1793 it became a hit all over again. Although many people used the material to create clothes, in Provence the cloth was popular for tablecloths too as it was easy to wash and maintain. And it’s been that way ever since.

Provence tablecloths for your home

A brightly coloured French tablecloth brings a little bit of Provence into the room, wherever you are. They’re just as practical as they were when people fell in love with the cloth in the 1600s. Now, as then, it’s easy to clean, hard wearing and downright gorgeous.

At family run online business French Shopping you’ll discover their great range of Provencal tablecloths. It includes the ever popular Lavender Collection, reminiscent of the wonderful fields of scented purple flowers and the Cicadas Collection in uplifting blues and yellows. There’s also the Provence, Rose Garland, Olives, Lemon and Alpine Collection (perfect for Christmas tables). They come in a range of sizes and styles, round, oblong and square, plus napkins to match.

Everything is 100% made in France and the online shop ships globally. What would you choose?

These lovely French tablecloths also make great gifts for friends and family – especially at Christmas!

Spread a ray of southern France sunshine over your table and enjoy a little art de vivre!

The post Best online shop for French & Provence tablecloths appeared first on The Good Life France.

Genuine Marseille soap is made by artisans with the provenance, passion and long-standing tradition in their blood to lay claim to makers of genuine Marseilles soap. A bar that contains 72% olive oil – and once tried, you will always be loyal to its soapy concoction.

History of Marseille Soap

In 1688 Louis IV passed the Edict Of Colbert allowing the use of Savon de Marseille label for olive oil soaps. By 1924 there were 132 soap makers, but by 1950 there was an explosion of petrol-based soaps and the olive oil soaps went out of fashion. Now there are just five savonneries who can claim the true title Soap de Marseille and they have a certification mark to prove it too – a small square soap block with the Union des Professionals du Savon de Marseille stated clearly on their packaging.  Without that, the soap is in effect – a fake.

Marseille Soap today

Fer a Cheval, Marius Fabre, Savonnerie du Midi, Le Serail and Pre de Provence produce the ever popular green olive oil soap bars. To earn the classification of Marseille soap, it has to fulfil certain criteria. It must be made in Marseille, in a cauldron, have plant-based oils and be fragrance free, no dyes, no preservatives. Any chemicals, additives or mention of allergens and you’ll just have an ordinary soap. Many soap makers buy flaked soap, soften the flakes through rollers and add perfumes and colourants. The genuine article is hard, homogenous. Its angular imperfectness wears down slowly, the special soapy lather lasts for about six weeks even with daily use.

Using it for the first time was a revelation – good for skin and for hair. My skin felt clean, but not dry and it left my hair soft.

How Marseille Soap is made

The area around Marseille provides all the ingredients – olives, salt from the Camargue and from the port, palm, groundnut and whale oil to stabilize the soap. Olive oil on its own produces a sloppy soap, the other oils enable the soap to clean, not break but still dissolve in water. There’s a five-step soap making process and the genuine bars must have a minimum olive oil content of 72%.

Using antique machinery, the soaps pass through several stages. First there is empatage, pasting all the ingredients together in large cauldrons, like a witch’s brew, until homogenous. The second stage, cuisson et lavage, is the process of cooking the soap and then washing out the salts.  A taste test is made, physically with the tongue, and if too much “sting”, more water is washed through. Washing removes glycerol and fatty acids, leaving soap behind.

Like boiled treacle, the soap is poured into cooling vats to sit for 48 hours. It’s then sliced into strips and put into miniature blocks and cut using wire or traditional soap cutting machines. The bars are then stacked on wooden shelves to dry. They range from 1000g to 100g blocks. For Marius Fabre, Le Mistral wind passing through the drying room allows the soaps to dry slowly to avoid splitting. Their soaps are cut and scraped to create a crisp edged soap. The final touch is estampillage – stamping the soaps with their trademark names and proudly advertising the 72% olive oil content. Marius Fabre hand stamp their soaps before cutting. Le Serail use an old stamping machine with four plates that emboss and give the soap a softer shape as the machine squeezes the soap in the process. Once stamped, the soaps are simply packaged, nothing fussy.

Why Marseille soap is so special

As with many artisan skills, it takes a long apprenticeship to learn how to make soap. Family run Marius Fabre was founded in 1900. Secrets kept and passed down the generations. Le Serail was founded in 1949, by Vincent Boetto. His grandson continues the business. Producing soap is a passion and not about time saving. It is the process of creating, getting close to the product, using your hands, the physicality of the process that deems these soaps worthy of their status. A commercial soap can be made in just four hours, packed and shipped within the day.

Marseille soap takes weeks, space is at a premium, and because of this the price is higher. But you will have an authentic product and a supporting role in keeping these traditions going and soft skin to boot.

Judi Castille is a freelance writer, illustrator and landscape/farm photographer with a passion for gardening and cheese. She lives in Creuse, Limousin in the heart of cow country and blogs at: judicastille.com

The post A Soap story from Marseille | Savon de Marseille appeared first on The Good Life France.

Typing the hashtag #interiordesign into Instagram will yield over 14 million results, with vintage and post-modernism coming in as the top two styles for people all over the world. While not necessarily a part of either category, French style combines a little bit of everything that makes interior design so beautiful and intriguing. Whether you’ve just returned home from yet another trip to the French countryside, are dreaming of days spent in a Paris cafe on a rainy day, or are simply looking for ways to decorate your new French home according to local style, here are a few timeless tips that French interior designers recommend.

Have Fun Incorporating The Rich History

As a Francophile, or at the very least an ex-pat in France, you’ve probably fallen in love with the country’s rich history. The great thing about purchasing property in France is that most homes come with a history dating all the way back to the 17th and 18th centuries. When decorating your home, don’t be afraid to incorporate this history into your interior design and take advantage of the existing layout. If your home features elaborate ceiling molding, for example, try to preserve and highlight this feature by avoiding recess lighting. If it boasts large French doors between your living room and kitchen, find unique ways to merge the iconic character and elegance of the space with practical luxury.

Don’t Try Too Hard

As you’ve probably noticed about the French and their impressive culture, they are effortlessly stylish and so are their homes. “The French adopt the same laissez-faire attitude towards interiors as they do with their style,” noted Marissa Cox, a Brit-turned-Parisian behind a popular French lifestyle and interior design blog. Feel free to adopt the same attitude and feel encouraged to mix vintage with new and special, modern nicknacks with old vintage travel finds. This might be a little easier than you think, as you’ve probably got a lot of fun travel photos you can use to create a decorative photo collage in the salon next to vintage photos of the French countryside. While they might not seem like an obvious pairing, that’s exactly what laissez-faire French style is all about.

Find Your Personal Style

One famous interior designer noted that the three secrets to decorating like the French are being aware that perfection doesn’t exist in French homes, knowing how to mix different styles from different time periods, and being confident in whatever choices you make. Learning how to craft your own personal style will come with some trial and error, and it is that process that is so delicately and deliciously French. Sooner or later you’ll take a look around your new home and notice it’s more French than you’ve realised, and also that it feels more like you than ever before.

The post Take Cues From French Interior Design Trends For A Stunning French Home appeared first on The Good Life France.