In a busy modern world that seems increasingly fast-paced, overcrowded and monopolized by technology,  the allure of the ‘good life’ is more potent than ever. As an antidote to texts and tweets, traffic jams and queues, additives and packaging, we seek out the simple and the wholesome, and long for the luxuries of space, a leisurely pace of life and fresh air. France can offer all these things, with its traditional farming methods, its authentic regional cuisine, and its low population density. Add to this the inimitable French sense of style and  joie de vivre, and you have all the ingredients for an enviable way of life.  Perfect French Country  revels in the timeless and authentic beauty of the French country home.

Perfect French Country is a fantastic new edition of the previously published title by the same name.

Despite its success, Farrow & Ball has stayed true to these origins. It is the quality of the paint, with its exceptional depth and subtlety of colour, that has made the company famous worldwide. Farrow & Ball paints look as good on the walls of a slick Soho flat as they do in a period ballroom and are as perfect for a cottage as in a castle. Divided into chapters according to style, including Classical, City, Modern Country, Cottage and Country House, the first part of the book shows Farrow & Ball paints and wallpapers in a wide range of unusual and beautiful interiors. Part Two of the book is devoted to colour. From the themes of All White and In Neutral to Softly, Softly and Bright and Beautiful, each chapter explores a particular palette and shows how colour can be used to create atmosphere, character and charm. Inspiring, instructive, celebratory, this book brings out the painter and decorator in us all.

The English style in interior design is admired and imitated the world over.

At its grandest it is a stately home furnished with antiques, but the houses featured in this book are cottages, farmhouses, townhouses and apartments. What links them is as much an attitude as a look. The English style of decoration is practical and informal, designed around the inhabitants of the rooms and their lifestyles rather than to awe or impress. These houses are lived in and loved, with interiors that are comfortable, relaxed and not afraid to be pretty.

The book’s chapters – Plain English, English Eccentric, English Rose, English Country House and Classic English – reflect the many and varied facets of English style, and each section ends with pages devoted to suggestions for furnishing a house in all these versions of English style. At the back of the book, there is also a listing  of suppliers to help readers create their very own take on perfect English style