Design & Decoration: French Design Tips for the Home

Meet Jo Mills. She is mum to three children, interior designer, artist, shop owner and a lover of all things French.  I was introduced to Jo through the November edition of Country Style.  Jo lives in Toowoomba, a beautiful country town 2 hours from Brisbane, where she owns a lovely French inspired shop called French Allure.  Jo is sharing tips on how to bring a French inspired feel to the home.

Q1. What do you love most about living in Toowoomba?

I especially love the climate, ease of gardening — of course when water is plentiful!  — and accessibility to the coastline and other major shopping destinations including Brisbane.

{Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers}

Q2. What captures you about French design?

The true essence of elegance and charm — whether it be a Parisian Apartment or Provincial cottage — the design: it definitely has a playful attitude towards the past.

{cottage — rustic charm and simplicity}

{city apartment: chic and stylish}

Q3. How can you use the concepts in your home?

French Design concepts allows us ability to mix old with new, and cleverly transforms the arrangement to suit either a contemporary home or traditional one.  Don’t be afraid to mix curves and straight lines within an interior.

{curves and lines}

• Fresh colourful flowers in abundance, drawing the eye and the awakening the senses.

• Interiors made over by changing just your scatter cushions to incorporate the seasons as they come and go.
• A good reshuffle of furniture pieces, many of which take on a new look in another arrangement.

De-clutter. I tend to do this every 12 months or whenever I feel the need; less clutter equals available practical space. And I remember so well, my Grandmother saying “everything is in its place” time and time again – it eventually paid off for me!

{everything has a place}

Q6. How can decorating a room set a mood and add comfort to family life?

Mood and comfort are often overlooked for the sake of buying a certain piece for its aesthetic enhancement. We tend to overlook the fact that many of us would prefer practicality to visual approval.   Creating the right ambience  is easily achieved through correct balance of all design aspects from lighting and colours to fabric, mixing textures, adding elements such as candles and perhaps favourite personal items.  After all it is about creating the space to suit your taste and style.

{create a space that suits your taste with lighting, fabric, textures and personal items}

What do you love about French design?

Check out the French Allure website.

Other Design & Decoration Posts