Sophisticated Summer Classics

Sophisticated Summer Classics with a worldly, French, effortless sense of taste. Here are our favorite picks for summer essentials for home & entertaining with a classic appeal. Since summer is about fresh, casual elegant and easy, I've chosen my very favorites in ocean blues, clean white, and natural colors, perfectly suited for this sunny season. 1. Bella Bianca Dinner Plates "I use them here at FrenchGardenHouse a lot, because they are the perfect plate to layer with all your antique and vintage plates for a stunning and personalized table setting. A wonderful design for gracious entertaining! " 2. Vintage French Plaza Athenee Tip Dish. "Vintage Hôtel Plaza Athénée tip dish from the New York Hotel between Park and Madison Avenues, it's been a home away from home for travelers, celebrities and titans of industry since 1984. Not just to hold your Cartier watch at night, use this to serve olives for your martinis on your summer tables." 3. Country Willow Panier Market Basket. "A decorative treasure for your collection, this basket is a delight to display and use. Original natural surface with outstanding patina - perfect to tote a collection of books, a cozy throw, some candles and a bottle of wine and glasses to your garden for an early evening of relaxing." 4. Under the Southern Sky written by our friend Kristy Woodson Harvey, the ulitmate beach {or back yard} summer read to tuck into your beach bag. 5. French Country Linen Pillow. "A new favorite. The covers have an easy envelope closure, the insert is down filled. Bring a classic, casual elegant look to any chair or sofa at home with these delightful pillows - for summer we've layered them on our outdoor seating area at FrenchGardenHouse." 6. Brittany Lobster Towel. "Featuring the world renowned {and best!} Brittany Lobster, the Homard Breton. This decorative jacquard towel features Monsieur at his best, trimmed in the blue designs and stripes of the Brittany area of France. Oh so French, chic, and beautiful with colors of Cream, edged in classic blue, red, white and taupe, traditional Breton colors and designs on each side. These are fabulous when used as extra large napkins for your seafood boil, or line a bread basket for your summer tables." 7. Vintage French Champagne Bucket. "An essential summer staple" not just for champagne. This decorative Champagne Bucket was originally used in a hotel, made from aluminum. This has a beautiful blue metal label of the Champagne house on the front with Champagne De Castellane. " 8. Antique French Chopping Board. "This board with history transforms into a rustically elegant small cheese or charcuterie board for your entertaining pleasure. Use it to slice citrus fruits for juicing or to keep at your bar, too. We use boards like this for an appetizer board for the two of us here at FrenchGardenHouse." 9. Summer Blue & White Floral. "Like a breath of fresh air, this Peony Arrangement is a new way to look at traditional blue and white. Planted in our hand painted chinoiserie metal tole jardiniere, these pink peonies are unforgettable." 10. Champagne Cocktail Cubes. "Create MAGIC for your summer gatherings. Like a fairy godmother, drop a flavor infused cube in every guest's champagne to create a mimosa, Italian soda, or artisan-flavored champagne cocktail instantly." For instant French 75 cocktails, use these lemon infused cubes." Life in the summer is relaxed and easy, these Sophisticated Summer Classics will make your summer environment stylish. I hope you enjoy this more casual and beautiful season!

Here are a few things I'll be doing this summer to celebrate the season:

Spend as much time as possible outdoors in the garden. Walk around the neighborhood. Read for fun! Entertain outside with easy, simple meals at beautifully set tables. Eat more meals outdoors in the front or back garden. Savor the flavors of summer. Invite friends for breakfast or lunch at the seaside to support our local restaurants. Shop local farmer's markets for fresh produce and summer fruits. Take at least a few walks at the beach at sundown. eek, so many of you have emailed or messaged me on Instagram about posting more photos of ME somewhere. Just because you asked...here is one. : ) Really, our antiques are much more interesting than pictures of me.

{ps. While I love this photo of me, taken by my friend Christine, the false eyelashes were silly!}

What are you looking forward to doing this summer?

A BIENTOT

Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com