Charles Faudree has elevated French Country style to a fine art. With an exuberant decorating attitude based around his favorite principle that "too much is never enough," Faudree has achieved an international reputation for creating settings that have all the elegant accoutrements of a French Country estate, lacking pretension but never charm.
With a discerning taste for the eclectic, Faudree is a master at one of the main tenets of this style-combining traditional prints, patterns, colors, and textures with just the right furnishings. Faudree has always been drawn, almost charismatically, to the charm of Country French. He comments, "There is simplicity, a gentle softness to the furnishings I find very calming and soothing. I love the mix of fabrics, blending plaids with florals and old tapestries. Country French is a truly working-class style."
Faudree is delighted to finally share his extensive knowledge with the public, in this long-overdue book that focuses on how to make any home into an elegant, inviting, and comfortable French Country retreat.
Date Published 12/1/2003
Ratings
Rated By: S. Gartman "distdesinc"
From: Timonium, Maryland
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Comments: Excellent book by a very polished stylemaker This book is a very interesting synopsis of Mr. Faudree interpretation of a timeless style. His taste is bold and inspiring. It is one of the most successful american versions of country french I have seen. His designs fit the homes they fill and welcome the visitor and homeowner alike. I recommend this book to design professionals and anyone wanting to explore this style with an expert.
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: Faudree's always a pleasure...but If you are a fan of Charles Faudree, you will be a fan of the book. It is a nice summary of his design philosophy. My only complaint is that 80% of the photos have already been published in magazines. If you are a subscriber to Traditional Home and Renovation Style, this book will seem very familiar.
Rated By: Margaret K. Duffy
From: Virginia Beach, VA
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Comments: Oh How I Love Charles Faudree! I think most everyone with a love of home decor starts at a point where they peruse through magazines, looking for pictures that appeal to them; rooms that just "feel right". This is how I became aware of Charles Faudree, many years ago. Many years later, I still love his style and have done my very best to capture it in my own beloved home. I am one of his long-time loyal fans, who has written to Traditional Home asking for this very book to be brought to French Country lovers everywhere. Charles Faudree's French Country Signature is wonderful and inspirational! I am just thrilled with my copy. I like that Faudree shared a little more of himself with his fans. This book gives a little more "behind the scenes" secrets. You will treasure this book. Thank you, thank you Charles. Hugs and kisses to Nicholas.
Rated By: "kidbookfan"
From: Missouri
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Comments: Charles Faudree is the master of French Country If you love French Country, you will love Charles Faudree. His work brings out the best in the design - his use of toile and color are unequaled. This book is just the BEST, the best photographs, the best of arranging objects in the room, all un-paralleled. This is a book you can really get some great ideas from! I noticed that one review chastised the re-use of some of the photographs that have appeared in earlier publications. My thought on that is, so what? They were marvelous to see the first time and now here they are in one beautiful volume of decorating, to enjoy and view over and over again. I have tons of decorating books, and I have found a truly beautiful and delightful favorite in Charles Faudree's French Country Signature!
Rated By: Muriel Pastorini
From: Chicago area
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Comments: Looks dated I received this book as a gift (because I am always decorating and my friends know it), but this book left me cold. The rooms look very old and dated to me. Like something my mother would have liked 20 years ago. The rooms are too fussy and showy and busy for today's tastes. I can see, though, how this book might appeal to the nouveau riche in suburbia, but the rooms don't leave much space for personal style or creativity.
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: A stroll through the 1980s The pictures in the book are a stroll through the 1980s. The interiors look as if they've been around that long. I found the book a real bore, even though I like current country French and Italian styles. This book just doesn't look current..
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: THE expert on French Country! This is a marvelous, beautiful book, with exquisite pictures of a terrific designer's work. If you love French Country as I do, this is a must have. It's wonderful to look inside this book, because you can actually see Charles Faudree's own homes, in addition to some of his clients. His own collections are marvels - and truly give one an idea of what and how to collect. I love to go over and over the pictures because you really see something new every time.
Rated By: Mary Beth Pasteur
From: Vermont
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Comments: I have to join this discussion.I think this book is boring Thanks to the other reviewers who had the guts to say that they didn't like this book. I bought it and was very disappointed in the rooms it pictures. Fuddy-duddy, frumpy, phony, and "too studied" come to mind when I look at these rooms. I think the rooms look rather old and drab too. They certainly are nothing like the bright and lively country French and northern Italian country style that I adore.
Rated By: tommie van deusen
From: San Francisco Bay area
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Comments: I just got my copy, and I am very displeased with it I am displeased with this book because it doesn't seem to be "au courant" in how it portrays French Country style. French Fussy would be more like it or Suburban French. The rooms are too full, formal, sweet, and busy to convey the relaxing ease of true Country French style. This is like old Country English which someone has tried to say is French. I also agree with the reader who said it looks like the 1980s. Yuppie French? Oui.
Rated By: Merilee Pinkerton
From: southern Missouri
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Comments: This is phony French Maybe I'm a snob because I'm from Missouri which has such deep French roots. Maybe it's because my family is French and we've travelled to France many times. But the rooms in this book are phony French. I suppose Charles Faudre, whoever he is, doesn't know any better, but he should have called this book Nouveau (riche) French or French for Dummies. The rooms are pretty enough but they're too "done," too planned, too busy, and too precious to be anything like the real thing.
Rated By: L.O. Franchini
From: L.A., CA
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Comments: I love French but I don't love this I love French style but I don't love this book. I think Mr. Faudri has his French and English mixed up. I think the rooms look like an odd mix of breeds. I also don't care for the fact that the rooms pictured in the book have a terrible amount off furniture and accessories in them. It's too much and the result doesn't look authentic but self-conscious, in my opinion.
Rated By: Heather Merton
From: Seattle
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Comments: A dull little book I'm sorry I got this. If you want dull decorating, buy this book. I'd say that it's aimed at people like my mother, but even she is cooler than this. It's full of dull, traditional, expected, "by the book" decorating. There's nothing fresh or new about this. If you want ordinary, traditional, old style, you don't need a book to create it. If you want a fresh sparkle or idea, find a better book than this one. Maybe people with no style of their own will find this appealing. I can't imagine why.
Rated By: Meribeth P. Louden
From: Delaware
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Comments: Doesn't grab my soul I adore all things French so I am puzzling over my response to this book. I don't like it. It doesn't grab my soul the way real French style does. This book misses the mark by a mile. Of course, isn't this designer from Tulsa? (Oh, sure! That's where I go for decorating ideas.) Come on!
Rated By: Midwest Book Review
From: Oregon, WI
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Comments: A 'must' for any strong interior design library Author and designer Charles Faudree is recognized as one of the top interior designers in this country, with his signature colors, fabrics and textures reflecting the French Country look which has achieved such popularity in urban circles. Jenifer Jordan's color photos enhance and highlight his French Country Signature presentation, which packs in color and detail to his interior design choices. From classic French furniture pieces to fabrics and color choices for all rooms, Faudree's French Country Signature is a 'must' for any strong interior design library.
Rated By: Antoinette Cerillo
From: San Juan Capistrano, CA
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Comments: Cozy book! This book having been authored by a famous decorator lends authority to his opinions. Lovely photos of projects he has done for people's homes with quick read commentary.
Rated By: Heather Paisley
From: Norman,OK
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Comments: WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!! This book is a definite must have for anyone interested in french or even english country design. This is the only design book that I've paid full price for and it was definitely worth it!!! Charles Faudree's is a design master and this book is filled with beautiful,stunning photogtraphs. It's one you won't want to put down......so,sit back and enjoy!
Rated By: H. Olney "French Envy"
From: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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Comments: Charles Faudree is incredible !! This book is a marvelous collection of the master of French interior design. As always the rooms are full of his signature fabrics and needlepoint pillows interlaced with my beloved blue and white staffordshire platters and figurines. A must have for a lover of English or French interiors. Anyone finding this book boring either has no taste or they're blind !! What a pleasure to find all his best rooms gathered into one volume !!
Rated By: Claire E. Gallagher
From: Bridgehampton, NY
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Comments: Classy and Wonderful I love Charles Faudree's style and the book is just what I expected. If you love Charles Faudree you will love this book. The rooms have warmth and character and very french country.
Rated By: Betsy
From: California
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Comments: An expensive disappointment! I've admired Mr.Faudree's work in Traditional Home magazine and just knew I would love the book. Unfortunately, most of it was a rehash of photos and text I'd seen before. The rest was dull and tired. If you are looking for something fresh and authentic, this isn't the book for you.
Rated By: Bette Hedberg
From: Eugene, OR
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Comments: My French Country Bible! A beautiful example of French Country decorating done with exquisite taste and organized flair! A perfect reference for those who love to layer by using elegant fabric and furniture combinations as well as treasured table top collections. Not for those who prefer a more "simple" approach to design. Rather, this book shows how to live with, and artistically display, the things that you love. Every time I look through it, I catch something new and find myself inspired once again. A must have for those who admire elegant European design done with an American sense of livability. Oh yes, and I love that Mr. Faudree is not based out of NY or LA!
Rated By: Cynthia Kerr "Cindy"
From: Tulsa, OK
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Comments: The Best Ever... I have the good fortune of living in Tulsa and have personally viewed Charles' interior design firsthand. He has amazing talent which echoes throughout this book. Simply beautiful pictures with hundreds if my thousands of ideas.
Rated By: Blakes
From: New York
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Comments: A Visual Delight! Charles Faudree has captured the warmth and beauty inherent in excellent design. His rooms make me want to walk in the door, sit down, lift my cup of tea and luxuriate in my surroundings. He combines accessories and furnishings with rare aplomb and makes it look as if even I could do it! Especially appealing is the way he brings in other elements - 19th century English transferware, for example. I have traveled the world and collected treasures from all over; it's nice to see the combinations he so tastefully puts together. I spent my last birthday with 7 friends in a chateau in S.W. France. Please Mr. Faudree - Invite me over (but be careful, I may never leave!).
Rated By: James D. Felter
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
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Comments: Design is in the Details! A beautifully illustrated and photographed book that shows the best of country french design. As a designer I especially enjoy the detail shots and great use of photo montage to illustrate the design principles. I don't care for wordy books as I feel one can definitely get a great deal more from researching the presentations as illustrated on their own.
Rated By: Mollie B. Krebs
From: Virginia
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Comments: French Country at it's best! If you love the french country look then this book is for you. It is like the bible for decorating in the french country style. Yet Faudree's genius lies in his ability to mix in English, Swedish and other genres so that it looks like a real home and not something out of a French country showroom. He can even mix antiques into a contemporary home for a flawless look. You will want to jump into the pages of this book and live in these rooms. They are absolutely gorgeous!
Rated By: Earline L. Porter
From: Fort Worth, TX
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Comments: My New Bible Charles Faudree is my ultimate favorite designer and this book is not a dissapointment. It is something I can study over and over again. Being close enough to Tulsa, I recently got to experience Mr. Faudree's personal decorating first hand. This book is testament to his impeccable taste.
Rated By: C. G. Riggs "Gay Riggs"
From: Baytown, TX
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Comments: WOW! Love It !!!! It's Charles Faudree!! What more needs to be said. I've been a fan of his for years. Noticed his rooms in some of my favorite magazines. Especially Traditional Home. He NEVER fails to delight and inspire. Tons of ideas on every page. Wish he would publish a book every year !!
Charles Faudree has elevated French Country style to a fine art. With an exuberant decorating attitude based around his favorite principle that "too much is never enough," Faudree has achieved an international reputation for creating settings that have all the elegant accoutrements of a French Country estate, lacking pretension but never charm.
