French House Chic by Jane Webster
French House Chic by Jane WebsterJane Webster the amazing and courageous Australian who swapped her suburban Melbourne life to that of château owner in rural Normandy, France has just released her elegant new book French House Chic.
French House Chic is described as “a glimpse inside the most private of French residences: from supremely elegant Parisian apartments to lavishly upholstered sitting rooms in French country estates” (French House Chic) and is a natural sequel to Jane’s bestselling books At My French Table and French Ties.
Château Bosgouet – Home to Jane Webster
If you, like me, have loved and followed Jane and her family through the restoration and furnishing of the once abandoned 19th-century château, Château Bosgouet, their family adventures in Normandy and the creation of The French Table Cooking School you will love this sumptuous glossy book that explores and celebrates French design and chic style.
So having said how much I admire Jane and having followed her story, you will understand that a dream of mine came true today with meeting and lunching with Jane, the primary inspiration for the purchase of our family holiday home in rural Brittany, France.
There is something special about watching one of your own countrymen or countrywoman pursue their dream and create a wonderful lifestyle for themselves, their family and friends and value add to the village they call home. Jane’s story fuelled my passion to take courage and go for it – I will always have Jane to thank for the lifestyle my family enjoys today.
I do not know anyone with more personal style and elegance than Jane as evidenced in her stunning transformation of Château Bosgouet and its gardens, the creation of visually stunning meals and her classic personal style.
While enjoying delicious food at Bistro Rex (the latest French bistro to hit Potts Point), Jane shared with us, a keen group of Francophiles, how her husband Pete and herself came to make the decision that changed their life, their enduring love of France and how her new book evolved into being.
French House Chic Book Review
French House Chic with its glossy pages filled with sumptuous photos of rich parquetry floors, gilded mirrors, chandeliers, antique furniture and topiary garden art is a visual feast.
Growing up in a family of antique dealers provided Jane with extensive knowledge and a fine eye for detail and this expertise is generously shared throughout the book. Off To The Market is a worldwide resource section including antiques, books, fabrics and wallpapers, cookware and more.
This latest book also shares much of the personal story behind the château purchase and how they have managed to juggle schooling, special occasions, business and their wider family over two continents for 12 years.
With chapters on:
- Dreaming of a French House;
- Reception Rooms (including L’Entrée, Le Salon and La Salle À Manger);
- Rooms for Retreat (including La Bibliothèque, La Chambre, La Cuisine and Le Jardin); and
- Off To The Market
French House Chic gives visual inspiration on how to achieve the most French look in any space.
Being the powerhouse that Jane is, running The French Table culinary tours and cooking classes when in Normandy, weekend Market Tours when in Melbourne and authoring books is not the end of the story; new Paris tours with a focus on exploring homeware, antique and fabric stores together with brocante visits is next on the agenda.
In the meantime, Jane will be guest appearing at numerous locations including the Paris to Provence Festival held at Como House, Melbourne where she will be sharing her unique story and, of course, her beautiful books.
French House Chic is a book that simply must be added to your library, coffee table or better still, bedside table. I believe your dreams will be filled with beauty if you last look upon its pages before sleep.
