subject: How To Bring A Little Bit Of Paris Into Your Home [print this page] If you are a Francophile, the bad economy may be preventing you from taking that long-awaited trip to the country of your dreams, but you can still bring a little bit of Paris into your home. The French have long been famous for creating exquisitely crafted house wares using only the finest products, and their sense of style is simply unsurpassed. In these difficult times, you needn't spend a small fortune to bring some of this quality home: you just need to be choosy. Here are some French products that will add charm to your home without breaking the bank.
Linens: It's all about color and fabrics
The French absolutely love color, and that passion is manifested in their devotion to creating absolutely gorgeous linens. Even the most tedious tasks like drying dishes can be made beautiful with happy-hued, high quality tea towels. Although Americans are perhaps most familiar with table linens from Provence, the Basque regions also have interesting and often light-hearted designs. To add a little touch of France to your kitchen, tea towels are a practical and affordable option: and as gifts they are simply "magnifique!"
For Your Table Top
The French revolutionized the art of cuisine, and Julia Child brought that fact to America's kitchens. Why not serve your meals elegantly as the French do by using lovely imported serving ware? Salad bowls, serving trays, cutlery, exquisite glassware, and much, much more are mainstays of the French table, and they are made to last a lifetime.
Objets D'Art
Little decorative touches here and there can give a Francophile the "fix" she needs without overwhelming a room. One of the most popular little art objects on the continent is the chicken or rooster. The Gallic rooster is one of the symbols of France, and so roosters and other poultry abound in kitchens and other rooms across the country. A colorful pottery rooster or chicken strategically placed on a counter or window sill adds a feeling of whimsy to any home.
For the Bathroom
Yes, the French brought us the bidet, but they also brought us some of the best the world has to offer in terms of soaps and fragrances for the bath. Absolutely nothing smells like real French lavender, grown and cut in the fields of Provence. This fragrance can be brought to your bathroom in the form of sachets or as high quality soaps.
Online merchants make buying imported French goods easier than ever: you might have to postpone your trip to Paris this year, but you don't have to postpone the pleasure you will have in using and displaying wonderful French products in your home.
