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61 Comments

  1. Those are wonderful elements and they work together beautifully in your style. I need to add a few of these to my decor, especially the silver. I love the depth and hues of real silver.

    1. Thanks so much, Rebecca! I agree about real silver, although I use silver-plate quite often, as well. I absolutely love finding an old tarnished piece in an antique market and shining it up and bringing it back to life… 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!!

  2. Lory, you have such beautiful things and they all work so well together.

  3. I love your design elements. At heart, so many of those elements are things I love in a room as well. Now I have this coastal house on a barrier island and feel like I’m being pulled in a different direction but I’m sort of fighting myself. For example, I just posted my blue and white plate wall and I have gilded shelves in the display…but if I were to take it in a coastal direction I should paint them a creamy white. Oh what to do. Every picture you shared was a treasure.

    1. Thanks so much, Nancy! I feel like I’ve actually seen coastal and French Country mixed successfully, so I’ll bet you’ll work it out perfectly… 🙂 In fact, I think that’s a challenge that would be really fun to explore. I think I would just think of the most beautiful resorts I’ve been to with that mix of European elegance and a relaxed seaside vibe. Places that come to mind – The Four Seasons in Nevis, Le Sirenuse in Positano and pretty much everywhere in the South of France.

      And now I’m running to see your plate wall… 😉

  4. bobbi duncan says:

    Lory, you know that I love your decorating sense. I utilize the same elements in our home. We have more English than French pieces of furniture, but these elements look just as nice in either. I’ve always been drawn to “bling” done elegantly—when I was seven years old, I saved all my allowance for over one year to buy an amethyst necklace I fell in love with, and the shop owner was kind enough to let me make payments on each week (a plus to living in a village where most people know each other). I guess I just love to look at beautiful things, whether it be home décor or a pretty sunset. I love the detailing done by artisans who took great pride in creating something beautiful that would last, allowing many to enjoy their time-honored craft. So much today is just thrown together, which makes me appreciate the things we have all the more.. Loved looking at YOUR gorgeous things, as always. Hugs!

    1. Thanks, Bobbi! I love your amethyst necklace story… 🙂 I enjoy English as much as French, in fact I think my style is somewhere in between (which is why I say it would take paragraphs to define it – easier to just show it… lol.) I, too, just love being surrounded by beautiful things. It makes life so much more pleasant!! Thanks for visiting!

  5. Love! Pinned and tweeted! Thank you so much for sharing this with us at our linky party. We hope to see you next Monday @ 7 because we can’t wait to see your new creations! Happy Friday! Lou Lou Girls

  6. Our tastes are similar many ways, and your list is mine, but I would add books, so I guess that would be seven things? For me the white linen is more likely to be found in warmer months, so maybe it would be six after all.

    1. Ha ha, thanks!! And you’re so right. How could I have left out books? For me it’s especially vintage leather bound books, but also beautiful coffee table books, the photo books I do and of course just books I love to read… 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!!

  7. Oh be still my heart Lory. You have exquisite style and taste. Such gorgeous details. Great post. I have to go back to read it all again and look at your amazing photos again.

    Have a great week.

    1. Thank you so much, Janet! What a lovely comment… 🙂 Thanks for making my day!! (Yesterday I spent at an antique market, so more goodies are on the way.)

  8. Thanks for this post, Lory. I’m a serious non-fan of the minimalist look. For me, too much is just right. I absolutely loved looking at the photos you included here. Enough elegance and detail to make my little soul very happy!

    1. Thanks so much! Ha ha, I so agree about the minimalist thing… 😉 I must be surrounded by pretty things!! Thanks for stopping by!

  9. Pamela Kearns says:

    Wow! Thanks for the information!! It helps my thinking to understand what goes into your style!! I find that I have already been drawn to these elements in my collections of my treasures from my garage sales.
    Question: I have made several bears from family and friends clothing. I call them “Memory Bears” I collect teapots. I have now gotten around 50+ teapots in my collection. I also have vintage handkerchiefs.
    How would you incorporate those collections into your planning?

    1. That’s an interesting question, Pamela. Do you mean in displaying them or creating them? For displaying, I think they sounds lovely together. Certainly teapots and handkerchiefs go perfectly together. So why not have a Memory bear sitting right nearby, maybe against a pillow that ties the whole package together, in a vignette on a shelf?

  10. Lori, everything is lovely and I would totally agree! Your mix is my mix! Beautiful!

    1. Thanks so much, Nella! Yeah, it’s not really intentional, but I just noticed I always use this mix of elements. Not surprised at all that it’s your mix, as well, since I love your style… 🙂

  11. I too love this mix! Another thing I always add is a touch of black to each room. My husband always jokes about my love of silver and asks me, “Is the queen coming?” Well, I’m ready when she does!

  12. Trixiebelle says:

    I really liked this article. Although my style is nothing like yours, reading this post helped me look at what design elements are important to me. I think of my style (loosely) as modern rustic, and I realized that in each of the rooms that I love, there are always some seashells, raw wood elements, large colorful glass floor vases, at least one antique piece, live plants, and modern cleaned-lined espresso/black furniture pieces. There are a few rooms that I have been wanting to tweak because they don’t feel quite right, and this article helped me realize what elements are missing in these rooms. Thanks for such an insightful article. I know this comment is coming nearly 6 months after your post, but I just found it on Pinterest. BTW, I really enjoyed the pictures of your home, it is lovely.

    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I am thrilled to be able to help someone else see their own design style in a more clear way. I’ve noticed for a long time that these elements are common to so many rooms that I love, so bravo to Pinterest for keeping still relevant posts in circulation… 🙂 And thank you for taking the time to let me know what I wrote resonated with you. It means a lot to me!

  13. Lory,
    thank you so much for this post! It is such a pleasure to find like-minded people 🙂

  14. Your design style is so elegant. I love all the vintage pieces and feminine touches!

  15. Perfect, Lory, simply perfect! I’m grateful! Your words resonate for me…and, finally, I feel I’m on target with the “style/look” that fills me with smiles and satisfaction. Thank you for sharing your style elements and wisdom in decorating in the lovely style I aspire to. I now feel I’ve been on target but haven’t felt the confidence in my direction and what I’ve achieved thus far. Reading your words, I now feel complete–long way to go for me but, goodness, I am so thrilled to read Designthusiasm this morning! LOL My words may sound overboard but I have struggles with confidence so I’m hopeful my words come across in the most complimentary way to you.

  16. Yes to all 6… everything is so beautiful…
    Love your style, elegance shows in everything you do…

    I always have to have blue and whit in every room…it makes me feel good..

    Thank you for the beautiful post….

  17. Great things to consider Lory – thanks for the really helpful advice! Plus your rooms and vignettes are just so beautiful as always! And can we talk about teacups!??! ❤️

  18. Your French burled wood server that sits in our entry hall, I have the same piece of furniture Question is what do you use on the wood and marble to keep it in good condition ?
    Thank You for your advice
    Eileen

    1. Hi Eileen! That’s one of my favorite pieces out of everything I own… 🙂 How fun that you have one too!! I use Lemon Pledge on the wood and just a damp cloth on the marble. I never serve on it so it doesn’t get stained. It’s mostly just dust to clean.

  19. I love your great look. I also LOVE chippy furniture but my husband doesnt want it in the house. He says there is a good chance the paint contains lead. What are your thoughts on this?

    1. Hi Kim! Thanks for the kind words!! Most of my antique furniture isn’t painted. The painted pieces I have I either painted myself, or they are reproductions. In fact, the only genuinely old chippy-paint piece I have is the little aqua stool. Well, I also do have some antique gilded pieces like a mirror and a few chairs. We don’t have small children or even any pets that might eat the paint, so I don’t worry about it at all.

      Is your husband also concerned about newer pieces of furniture and accessories that do not pass the California Prop 65 standards? I used to worry about that and have passed up some key pieces until I realized that it’s so pervasive that it would be impossible to buy anything for the home (particularly faucets and appliances).

  20. Thank you so much for this post. I love the 6 elements that you use in every room and I use the same ones in each room in my home. I am fortunate enough to have a lot of family pieces in each element to decorate with. I love the look. Great minds think alike!

  21. I love your decorating Lori and also use silver and crystal in my decorating. I tend more toward the English Hunt Scene decorating as I own and breed horses and grew up riding English and jumping. I’m addicted to Ralph Lauren’s horse country decor. I’m having trouble pulling everything together though. I tend to flip/flop on decorating ideas and styles. I’ll just continue to pour over all of the wonderful decorating blog ideas until I’m more cemented in my style. Do you happen to know any blogs that specialize in Country English with an equestrian twist? Thank you!

    1. Hi Victoria! Thank you so much for your kind words. Did you know I started my career designing for Ralph Lauren? Before I moved into home styling, I was a fashion designer for 25 years, and early on worked for Ralph. I was there the year they introduced the home furnishings line and it was absolutely instrumental in forming my taste. I was initially drawn to English Country and only later expanded into French-inspired decor. I still have many of the patterns in my closet from that very first collection.

      I think you would love The Enchanted Home. Tina’s blog is rooted in English Country and she sells products in that style as well.

  22. Teresa Snipes says:

    Lory,

    Simply stunning and elegant…as always! You never disappoint and every time I see pictures of your home it inspires me to continue to transition our home now that we are empty nesters.

    I so loved redefining our second guest suite that I just completed using so many of these same design elements and the reviews of those staying have been raves, so I am encouraged to continue more of that look throughout our home. As I was painting or ordering or buying in person I was able to see the elements of that suite come together better because I had already seen the same elements in your home. I didn’t have to imagine because I had already seen it through you!

    You inspire me to continue, so I’m working on finding those elements that are needed, like blingy chandies. I’m a typical Southern Belle with an over-abundance of silver and china, so I don’t have to change too many things. All over the house I’ve gone to whites and neutral backgrounds, so I feel I’m well on my way. Thanks again for your inspiration!

    Blessings,

    Teresa

  23. So lovely…..and I too love the elements of silver and gold, crystal and linen but now I’ll have to pull out some of my vintage linen to use as well. I can’t wait to see how it looks!

  24. I’ve gone full force with French Country since I moved into my apartment and I must say I ticked off all the boxes. I have a crown collection that I must curate in a better fashion, but I have a whole wall of vintage mirrors, all gold and gilded and it’s my favorite part of my apartment. I have too many cherubs, but can’t help myself. I have three armoires that I have purchased and painted and just love, beautiful glassware, china, etc. After a year, I am somewhat finished buying big things and am now looking over everything and am “curating” and fine tuning the rooms. I have stopped adding to my copper collection in the kitchen. I’ve slowed down going to estate sales…incredible buys and so irresistible. The only thing I don’t do is buy fresh flowers. I have purchased the most incredible silk flowers at thrift stores and love setting up new bouquets all the time. I have lavender, baby’s breath, gorgeous peonies, wispy wild flowers and no need to water them. I gardened for years and now let the honey bees have the real ones. I have a tiny studio in my garage so I store all the extras in vintage gym baskets overhead so I have a garden in there….along with a big beautiful chandelier. Love your blog.

  25. Suzy Laird says:

    Thanks for another great blog! I have some pieces I’d like to gild. I’d love to know exactly what paint is on your handy little brush. Col and type, please?? Suzy

  26. Shaoron Murray says:

    I used to have many of the same elements in my home, as some friends and I had an antique store for 16 years and we were our own best customers. I have since sold much of those elements. I tend now to the more masculine, with natural touches. I really don’t know what I would call my style now…mishmash! I love so many styles. I have French, chinoiserie, modern, old natural wicker, wood, antique, you name it!

    1. I can totally understand making that change. For me, the one constant is the antique pieces, even mixed in with modern, organic, or masculine design. But change is fine… 🙂

  27. Cecilia from Georgia says:

    Lori, your style is so elegant and cozy. Those cherubs, with the crown, are one of my favorite things in your house.

  28. Great article! Any source for the reproduction resin box (or something similar)?

    1. Thanks!! Nothing at this time, but I have found pretty resin boxes in the past. I’ll add them as I find them… 🙂

  29. I love your style! There is not one item in this post I not not love to have in my house . You have great taste and it is just my style!

  30. I have found my design spirit human in this post! I’ve always loved elements of French Country but felt pulled to more modern clean looks. After reading this post, I am thrilled that I have permission to blend both! I have some treasured silver pieces from my grandmother and my mother, a number of cut crystal vases from my mother, and I own the beautiful Ethan Allen dining table you show (although my chairs are still upholstered with 90’s Tuscan gold and red). I’m going to follow you here and look for you on Instagram. I feel reinvigorated to make changes in my home with this new focus!

    1. This comment absolutely warms my heart!! So glad to have reached a like-minded person and that you were inspired by the post… 🙂

  31. I love your style a few years we decided to get rid of some of our antiques I had such beautiful fresh decor. someone is so happy. wish I had kept them. your so inspiring and everything looks beautiful. thank you so much

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s so hard to think ahead and know what we will miss. Think of all the things we keep that we shouldn’t. No one can get it perfectly right… 😉

  32. Lisa Smith says:

    Happy spring, y’all! I am in the middle of redecorating the living room of our 108 year old house, and of course that means many design decisions. My style teeters somewhere between English cottage and French provencial, taking cues from both, and adding in my love of creamy neutrals and pale blue. I began this project with new brass window hardware and luscious white linen drapes. From there however, I developed designer’s block, if there is such a thing! Your post helped nudge me along, with your suggestions and beautiful photos. I’ll be checking in again soon!

    1. So glad to be able to offer inspiration. Good luck with your project!! Sounds fun… 🙂

  33. This is a beautiful and informative post. I pinned many images. And thank you for not including Christmas stuff! (I don’t think design bloggers/writers realize that we are all not Christians!)