The Allure of French & Italian Decor Hardcover – September 1, 2012

I sent this to a friend and she loved it! I flipped thru it when visiting her and it looks very nice. Beautiful and alluring decor!

Without the aid of her many forthcoming books, one could easily find themselves lost on the path to an accurate French Country interior design. Her books were much more than an useful guide to creating a beautiful architectural plan, they also helped to stimulate an exquisite interior design.Betty Lou has managed to capture a faithful avenue to successfully creating a welcoming and hospitable environment that will favorably withstand the test of time.Having purchased many dozens of different books by various authors over the years, the path to an elegant, comfortable and alluring home was found primarily through exposure to the many wonderful contents of Betty Lou's books: The French Connection, Secrets of French Design, Unmistakably French, French Influences, Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America, Inspirations from France and Italy, The French Room and French Impressions. There is not even a close second to be found in other publications should you have your heart set upon French design.The Allure of French and Italian Décor continues on an expanded path to the delights of what the French and Italian civilizations have developed over many centuries. Quite an excellent and enjoyable book that one should be proud to display on their coffee table and share with their family and friends.

It was beautifully done but there was a little too much "modern" stuff in it mixed with the old. It was like buying an expensive magazine. Pretty but not what I expected. I enjoyed reading it.

As always, Betty Lou Phillips has given us a book with timeless design ideas and luscious photography. It is a joy to read and will have a permanent place in my library, along with her previous books.I have many interior design books, but Betty Lou's are the ones I turn to again and again for inspiration when I am thinking about a project.This book, like her others, is chock-full of interesting information, alongside photographs of gorgeous interiors. I am going to give this book to several friends for Christmas this year!

I LOVE Betty Lou Phillips but I was so disappointed in this book. It is pretty inside but everything looks so new & staged and not lived in. Not much inspiration and just the same old same old. There are a few good pages with good pictures but too much children's rooms and not enough fresh and new looks & ideas.I will buy anything Betty Lou publishes but.......even the cover was nothing special. It seems like she is stuck between old world style and contemporary and can't decide which way to go. This book is a long way from the fresh and exciting first books of hers. When I buy her books I want to see more old world French & Italian lived-in style (American interpretations that is) with fewer words and less bright colorful children's rooms.I looked at the book once and didn't feel compelled to pick it up again...I am sad to say.Sorry Betty Lou....we KNOW you can do better.

So many ideals for home decor I am looking forward to putting some ideas to use.

Betty Lous Phillips is an ASID designer, as am I, and she writes intelligently about interior architecture, use of fabrics and applied finishes - paint, wall coverings, etc. Photography is crisp and I find pick up a few really good tips from each of her books.

I love this author and have all of her books, but each one gets larger and larger and the content is thinner and thinner.I think she is trying too hard.

I am afraid I did not enjoy this book as much as I expected to. I was expecting the real thing but most of the homes were American, very brightly colourful and overdone.I thought it be about real French and Italian homes with that lovely old patina and glamour, but the hoes were mostly new, shiny and over coordinated. Sorry to be negative but maybe it was mistitled.After a re read - this book grew on me. I feel I was a bit harsh on first review as I was missing the patina of the real Italy! This has its merits though and is inspiring in a fresh way