French Country Style Table Linens

Peggy's little shop full of home essentials caught my eye yesterday while driving down Capital Hwy during my stay in Portland, OR. I knew I'd love it because just about everything French lined the walls and filled the tables. My senses were ignited with the beauty and color.

When I saw these beautiful table linens I knew I was in the right place and the sweet sales girl delightfully obliged my taking pictures of everything French in Peggy's French Shop.

I tend to be drawn to just about everything French and when I read the introduction in Caroline Clifton-Mogg book, French Country Living, I began to understand why.

Carolyn writes . . . There is an enormous charm in the distinctive decorative style inspired by the French countryside. The romantic landscape, with its small farms, sleepy manor houses, and narrow, medieval village houses, remains a vital part of French life, and the roots of most French people - whether their home is a rural retreat or a chick city apartment - lie firmly in the countryside.

She goes on to write . . . In attempting to define something as nebulous as the decorative aspects of French rural style, one realizes that at its heart is not so much a set of rules or dictums, but rather a feeling. A sense of natural comfort and elegance is found in every aspect of French country living - from the manner in which objects are arranged in the rooms to the way in which they are used. . .

There is a lack of clutter, but at the same time an all-encompassing visual feast . . .

Anyone who has acknowledged a wish for a tranquil environment, a need to be surrounded by natural things, a liking for soft tones, subdued shades, and natural materials is expressing a debt to the rural style of the French - for what you see on the surface is not the way it is; there is always a further layer, a hidden depth.

When I read that - my feminine soul whispers - "yes . . .yes. . . yes."

These beautiful table linens are just another aspect of the irresistible allure to things French for me. Most of my own table linens are of these French themes.

This is a just a dish towel. I'm thinking it'd be sweet as a table topper of a white linen table cloth and these flowers set in the center.

These chic French linens are collected from the heart of Provence by Bruno Lamy of Couleur Nature where they say "a beautifully set table is alluring and simply irresistible. The bountiful colors of natures brilliance cloak a table with artistic patterns and stylish grace; available in all collections with napkins and place mats to match."

For more beautiful table ideas, expressions of femininity and beauty do visit Between Naps on The Porch and the Inspired Room and Hooked on Houses.