The French Touch
Craftsmanship-lost and found. This is the quest and the discoveries of Jan de Luz. Ancient artisans in France built castles, churches and châteaux with the idea that beauty endures. They chose materials that would last and used processes that assured the influence of time would add character, itself a value.\ Jan de Luz brings the French touch to America in bold ways through architectural elements and accessories rescued from ancient buildings throughout France-stone and marble mantels,...
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Jan de Luz brings Southern French style to America in a bold way: he rescues antique French architectural elements and accessories from the countryside-mantels, farmhouse sinks, stone sentinels and fountains, even wooden spiral staircases-and brings them to America. Installed in their final American destinations, each piece stands as a stately, impressive, and lovely piece of art in a living room, kitchen, garden, or any room of the house. With luscious photography by Tom O'Neill, an extensive resource list, and chapters that include "Importing French culture to America," "Pieces that Transform," and "Hunting for the Rare," this book is destined to become a classic for Francophiles, antique collectors, and anyone who loves the feel of the old-world countryside.
This kind of bold self-acceptance is integral to my view of style as a grooming of point of view. One doesn't need to have Ed Venegas' life experiences as a world traveler to tackle major projects with such aplomb, nor Karen Venegas' intelligence and humor to relish individualism. One only need look inside oneself, do what's necessary to like the view inside and then to love life. With those preconditions, the innate vigor of the life force and nature's own power of imagination will bring amazement and keep you productive. And, if you learn how to stay in a state of amazement while being productive, you will be living, breathing style - your very own, inimitable style.\ Maybe I'm too French, or too me, or just too much, but this is my view. This is the French Touch according to Jan de Luz.
Contents Acknowledgments Photographer's Notes Foreword by Michael Layne 1. Style as Point of View 2. Designing Transitions 3. Hunting the Rare, the Fine, the Serviceable 4. Discovering Passion 5. Hearth as Home 6. Gardens of Delight 7. The French Touch Resources
