Infusing your home a la francaise is more than decor; it's about adopting an ethos where beauty, comfort, and history intertwine seamlessly. Let's explore how to subtly weave this into the fabric of your own space, creating la maison that's as welcoming as it is chic.

Getting Started

Make Small Changes

Let me start by saying this takes time. Making a series of small changes around your home or apartment will add up and have a bigger impact. It will help the wallet as well. If you can remember this, and make small changes that you feel will make a difference, it will help a lot.

It’s the frame of mind you need to make this achievable.

Do a Deep Clean

There is something about a place being cleaned properly that will help to have a feeling of a fresh start canvas. Make sure that you thoroughly clean every part of your home. You will find that this makes it a much more enjoyable place to be. What’s more, there is something ritualistic about a deep clean that helps you settle into your space.

Embrace the Art of French Living

Cultivate a Sense of History

French interiors often celebrate the past. Start by incorporating vintage or antique pieces that tell a story. A weathered wooden table, an ornate mirror, or a set of classic Louis XVI chairs can instantly add character and a sense of history to your space.

The French have a knack for mixing eras and styles with panache, so don’t be afraid to blend the old with the new.

A Love Affair with Books

In France, a home without books is like a sky without stars. Dedicate space for books, whether it’s a grand bookshelf or a few cherished volumes on a coffee table. It’s not just about reading; it’s about creating an atmosphere where art, culture, and conversation intertwine.

Let There Be Light

Lighting is crucial. It’s all about soft, warm glows. Avoid harsh overhead lights. Instead, opt for an array of lamps, wall sconces, and candles. This not only creates a welcoming ambiance but also allows you to play with shadows and highlights, giving your rooms depth and warmth.

Savor the Details: A French-inspired Home

Color Me French

When it comes to colors, think of the limestone buildings of Paris or the lavender fields of Provence. To add sophistication and depth, soft, muted tones work wonders, with occasional bursts of rich color, like deep burgundy or navy. Whites, creams, soft greys, and pastels create a canvas for your life, allowing your personal touches to stand out.

Texture and Pattern

Layering textures and patterns is another secret. A French home feels collected and lived-in. Think of linens, wool, or silk, mixed with rustic wood (like adding a live edge shelf to the wall) and metallic finishes. Patterns should be used sparingly and thoughtfully, with classic stripes or floral patterns adding an element of visual interest without overwhelming the senses.

Mirrors: Reflecting French Elegance and Light

Mirrors are more than just reflective surfaces; they are magical tools that amplify light, enhance space, and multiply the beauty of their surroundings. The strategic placement of mirrors can transform even the smallest of rooms into airy, luminous spaces that echo the grandeur of Versailles' Hall of Mirrors on a cozy, human scale.

Opt for mirrors with ornate frames—gold leaf finishes, intricate carvings, or even distressed wood—to add a layer of opulence and history. Consider placing a large, statement mirror opposite a window to invite the outdoors in, or create a gallery wall of variously sized mirrors to add an eclectic yet elegant touch.

Mirrors positioned above fireplaces, in dining areas, or in entryways brighten your home and create focal points that captivate and charm. In embracing mirrors, you embrace a cherished secret of French decorating: the ability to create spaces that are as radiant and inviting as they are stylish.

The Art of the Table

Dining, in France, is more than just eating; it’s an experience. A Frenchified home pays homage to this ritual. Invest in quality dinnerware and glassware. Mix and match styles for a curated look. Add fresh flowers, quality linens, and candles to make even the simplest meal feel special.

More on how to entertain like the French.

Infuse with Life: Flowers and Greenery

No French home is complete without the vibrancy of fresh flowers and green plants. Whether it's a simple bouquet of wildflowers or a potted lavender plant, greenery breathes life into your décor. Position fresh blooms in every room to add color and fragrance, and consider a balcony herb garden to bring a piece of the French countryside to your urban oasis.

Living La Vie Française

Windows to the Soul

French homes often feature tall windows that let in plenty of light. Emulate this by keeping window treatments light and airy. Sheer curtains or classic shutters can recreate this effect, blending privacy with an inviting openness.

Create Outdoor Spaces

Even the smallest balcony can become a petite garden or a spot for morning coffee. The key is in the details: a bistro table and chairs, potted plants, and perhaps a small fountain. It’s about creating a space to pause, breathe, and enjoy the moment.

Cultivate a French Mindset

Finally, Frenchifying your home isn’t just about decor—it’s a lifestyle. It’s about appreciating beauty in the every day, taking time to savor life’s pleasures, and embracing a bit of imperfection. It’s a reminder that our homes, like our lives, are a work in progress, always evolving and never quite finished.

More reading:

• How To Create A French Hygge Style
• How to Embrace Your Inner French Girl

Transforming your home into a French-inspired sanctuary is an adventure in itself. It’s about crafting a space that feels uniquely yours, where every item tells a story, and every room invites you to linger. So, raise your glass (of Bordeaux, perhaps?) to a home that’s more than just a place to live—it’s a place to love, dream, and, of course, find your very own chez soi.

How about you? Do you have any tips for creating a French-inspired living space? Do share!

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Real estate, including homes, is responsible for nearly 40% of carbon emissions. Small, eco-friendly upgrades can go a long way to protect the environment and make your home more sustainable. So, if you plan to renovate your home soon, consider doing so in an eco-friendly way.

Mr. Misadventures and I had a “green” home for 8 years and in our current home, we try to approach our home, home maintenance, and renovation with an emphasis on being green. Here are some of our tips.

Upgrade your design to make better use of natural lighting

LED lights are wonderful additions to any home, as they reduce your energy consumption by 70% compared to incandescent bulbs. But your bill can still go up if you leave them on all day, especially if you have many artificial lighting sources at home.

We use Smart LED lights and control our lights centrally. We are militant about turning off lights in rooms we are not in. Of course, I was also trained by a military father who drilled that practice in me!

When renovating your home, find a way to improve your home’s design to make better use of natural lighting during the day. The more natural light you can get to flood your home, the less dependent you’ll be on light bulbs and lamps. That also means your light bills will fall even lower. 

So, how can you upgrade your home to get more natural light? One option is to expand your windows or open them more often during the day. Other options you can try include using brighter interior wall and ceiling paint and highly reflective tiles. You can also turn your walls into mirrors with higher gloss paints.

Also, consider replacing some of your interior walls with glass blocks, hanging a mirror or two, adding more reflective design elements, installing a skylight in your ceiling, or creating sun tubes. We have mirrors in strategic places to pull in natural light.

The backside of our home faces a little forest so we do not have any window covers. This allows us to have a ton of natural light. For windows facing the front of the house, we have “blackout” blinds, but in white so that they let in lots of light. We also, only close them halfway.

All these additions will help brighten your interior space during the day, making you less reliant on artificial light. You’ll be able to cut back on your energy consumption while reducing your carbon footprints and contribute your quota to protect the environment. 

Install a tankless water heater

Many people consider adding insulation and installing solar panels when looking to make their homes more energy-efficient. And we have had that in our home before. These are excellent additions, but they’re not the only options available. You can consider installing a tankless water heater in addition to your other energy-efficient upgrades.

With the average home using at least 3,000 gallons of water monthly and spending thousands of dollars yearly on water bills, adding a tankless water heater is highly recommended. 

Some research shows that a tank-mode water heater can waste 24 16-ounce bottles of water every time you shower, just waiting for the water to heat up. You can prevent this by installing a tankless water heater. But aside from cutting down your water consumption, it can also help you cut back on carbon emissions, which is why it’s an energy-saving upgrade.

Unlike a traditional water heater that constantly maintains a reservoir, a tankless option only heats water on demand and takes very little time. So there’s no standby heat loss, you’ll consume less energy, and you’ll be able to reduce greenhouse emissions associated with water heating. 

Turn to bamboo flooring

Bamboo can do more for your home than you can imagine. Most experts advise using reclaimed wood when looking to make your home renovation a lot more eco-friendly. But in cases where you cannot find reclaimed wood, you can always turn to bamboo. 

It’s important to tackle one misconception at this point before proceeding. Contrary to what many people claim, bamboo isn’t always more expensive than regular wood. It depends on what purpose you want to use it for. For example, bamboo flooring ranks among the most affordable flooring options, even lower in price than its hardwood counterpart.

Plus, it can look just as good as hardwood and deliver the same quality in terms of protection and durability. But one of bamboo flooring’s biggest drawcards or advantages is that it’s super eco-friendly and sustainable. It’s also fairly water-resistant, and when installed properly, bamboo flooring can last as long as 25 years.

Consider green roofing

Does your home’s roofing system need some renovating? Instead of going for the same old roofing system, consider turning some parts of your roof green (literally). A green or living roof system can be partially done or used to completely replace a traditional roof. It mostly comprises vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane. A complete green roofing system also includes proper drainage and a root-repelling system. 

I am well aware that this isn't feasible in many, many places, but I can dream, and so can you!

The vegetation does more than make your roof green; it acts as a natural insulator, regulating your home’s interior temperature and reducing your need for heating and cooling. That means you’ll depend less on your home’s artificial HVAC system, cut down on your energy bills, and reduce your emissions.

But that’s not all; green roofing also absorbs rainwater, mitigating runoff. Depending on where you live, you have even more reasons to consider green roofing. That’s because some cities like Washington, DC, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York now offer financial incentives for installing them. 

Upgrade to aluminum gutters

Aluminum is the most popular material for home gutters in America. It’s extremely lightweight, so it poses minimal damage to homes and is perfect for almost any climate. If you’re looking to install a guttering system for the first time or want to renovate your old one, consider installing an aluminum gutter.

Durability, lightweight, low-maintenance, rust-resistant, fire-resistant, and longevity are some of the few benefits of using aluminum gutters. 

In terms of its eco-friendliness, aluminum is recyclable, so it’s easier to promote sustainability. An aluminum gutter also goes through a manufacturing or production process that requires less energy compared to other materials. That means it contributes to a smaller carbon footprint. Additionally, they are designed to be very durable with a longer lifespan.

Overall, aluminum gutter systems have an average lifespan of 20 years, reducing how often they’ll need replacing and minimizing waste as a result. Their corrosion and rust-resistance features also extend their life lifespan, making them a sustainable choice no matter the weather condition.

So, if you want to renovate or upgrade your current gutter system, consider installing an aluminum gutter. You can click here for some examples of high-quality aluminum guttering systems. 

Focus on draft-proofing your home

If heat loss is a major concern for you, focus on draft-proofing your home during your next renovation work. The process involves sealing gaps and cracks in areas of your home where heat is more likely to escape, from under your windows to spaces around your doors.

The more you eliminate draft, the better you enhance the performance of your insulation the better. This can reduce your reliance on heating and cooling systems. That also means you’ll end up spending less on your energy bills. 

Draft proofing will improve your indoor comfort. But beyond that, it will also decrease your energy consumption and lower carbon emissions associated with energy production. The best part is you can do most of it on your own without professional help.

For example, you can use silicon sealant, caulk, weather stripping, vinyl, and polyurethane spray foam to seal tiny areas in your home where heat usually escapes.  

Install low-flow plumbing fixtures

Plumbing fixtures in your bathroom are responsible for a huge amount of wasted water daily. For example, did you know that as much as 30% of the average home water use goes down the toilet? This is something you can easily avoid simply by installing low-flow plumbing fixtures the next time you renovate your bathroom.

Even if you don’t intend to upgrade your bathroom any time soon, you can still save loads of water by going low-flow. 

Changing your plumbing system for low-flow devices should be a must if you want to make your home sustainability-oriented and eco-friendly. You can find some fixtures offering dual functions, with one flush for solid waste and the other for liquid. 

Donate your unwanted items

It may not seem like it has anything to do with home renovation, but it does. Decluttering is an important aspect of any home upgrade project. Whether you want to boost its visual appeal, create more space in your home, or make it more functional, you have to declutter and reorganize.

I am SUPER vigilant about this!

That means getting rid of items you no longer need, especially when they’re crowding your space. Some people even consider moving into bigger homes just because they feel they're running out of space when all they need to do is declutter!!! 

But that’s just one part, and what you do with your unwanted items after decluttering is another. The last thing you want is for any unwanted item to end up in a landfill, and studies show that landfills already contribute to 14.3% of methane emissions.

So, donate them instead. Even the items that seem valueless will be very helpful to others in need. 

As you start to think about renovating, remember every small eco-friendly step counts. Renovate with eco-conscientious and sustainability, creating an eco-friendly home.

How about you? Have additional tips for eco-friendly ways to renovate a home? Do share!

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Plan Ahead

If you have a large family or lots of stockings to fill, then don’t wait until the last minute. You can pick up small gifts that will be perfect for stocking stuffers all year long. The clearance sections of big box stores are often great places to get stocking stuffers at a great price. Yard sales are often great places to find cars, dolls, or books to place inside of kids’ Christmas stockings.

Buy in Bulk

Consider buying your stocking stuffers in bulk instead of just single items. This way you can save money, and fill multiple stockings easily, with less work. Need some chapstick for the stockings? Buy the multi-pack of five or ten instead of single containers. Like to include warm fuzzy socks in your stockings? Buy the big pack and split them up into individual stockings. You can buy lots of perfect stocking stuffer gifts in bulk to make things easier on both yourself and your wallet.

Be Practical

Some of the best stocking stuffers are those that will be the most useful. Pens, key chains, flashlights, lip balm, and socks are all wonderful stocking stuffers and you know that they will get some use. It’s great to have a few fun or extravagant stocking stuffers, but practical stocking stuffers are usually appreciated too.

Get Creative

Once you have a general idea of what you'd like to give, it's time to get creative! If you're stuck, think about your recipient's hobbies or interests. For example, if they love baking, consider getting them a cute oven mitt or cake decorating supplies. Or, if they're into fitness, perhaps a new water bottle or yoga mat would be appreciated. The possibilities are endless!

Ask for Help

If you're still having trouble coming up with ideas, don't be afraid to ask for help from friends or family members who know the person better than you do. Chances are they'll have some great suggestions that you would never have thought of on your own.

With just a little bit of planning and creativity, finding the perfect stocking stuffers for your loved ones this holiday season is easier than you think! By following these tips, you're sure to impress everyone on your list without breaking the bank. We hope these stocking stuffer ideas have saved you some time and stress this holiday season! Remember, it's the thought that counts, so as long as you put some thought into your gifts, They are sure to love them.

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Gift wrapping is often the most stressful part of the holiday season. You feel pressured to have everything neatly wrapped and looking beautiful, but let’s be honest, gift wrapping is just not everyone’s forte. Not to worry though because these gift wrapping tips will leave you with beautifully wrapped gifts every time!

Set up a wrapping station

Wrapping your gifts is much easier if you have everything that you need in one place. Ideally, a waist high workstation where you can sit or stand to wrap your presents is best. In your gift wrapping station, you will need wrapping paper, scissors, ribbon, tape, gift tags, and a pen. Having everything in one place before you get started makes the gift wrapping process much easier.

Buy Quality Wrapping Paper

If you want your gifts to be beautifully wrapped you need to use a medium-weight wrapping paper. Lighter weight wrapping paper tears easily and can even shred when you cut it, making it more difficult for you than it has to be. You don’t have to buy super expensive wrapping paper, but you probably don’t want the cheapest stuff you can find either.

Use Plenty of Tape

While you don’t want to make it impossible to open the wrapping on your gifts, you do want to make sure that the wrapping paper sticks to the present. This is especially important if you are going to be transporting your gifts, or mailing them. Make sure that you use enough tape to keep your presents beautifully wrapped.

Use Bows and Ribbon Sparingly

Bows and ribbon are the icing on the cake when it comes to gift wrapping. But beware: too much of a good thing can quickly become overwhelming. When adding bows and ribbon to your wrapped gifts, always err on the side of less is more. A simple bow or ribbon accent can go a long way in terms of both aesthetics and holiday cheer.

Don't Be Afraid to Get Creative

There's no rule that says all gifts must be wrapped in traditional wrapping paper. If you're feeling really creative, try using fabric instead. A cute scarf or piece of cloth can make a unique and memorable wrapping for any special occasion. And if you're really in a bind, aluminum foil always does the trick! Get creative with your materials and you'll be sure to impress everyone on your list.

Wrapping gifts doesn't have to be a stressful ordeal. With these easy tips, you'll be able to wrap all of your gifts quickly and easily. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this holiday season!

How about you? Do you have any gift wrapping tips you would like to share? Do tell!

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We love open architecture and modern design. When we returned from living in France we searched high and low for lofts in San Francisco, but the market was at a high point and anything we liked was way out of our price range. So we took the hunt to the East Bay where we focused on Emeryville and West Oakland. In total, we looked for a place to call home for a year to no avail.

It was by chance the day before we were leaving for an Alaskan cruise that I spotted an ad for our future home in Berkeley on Craig's List. We ran over to take a look and instantly fell in love. And then we left for Alaska. This was 2007 (in the days before Docusign) and let me tell you, faxing real estate paperwork from a cruise at $1.50 a page was a little crazy. If you have ever bought a home you will know that there is a lot of paperwork!

But we got it and we have loved and cherished our little corner of paradise ever since. 

We are also minimalists. After a military childhood of moving every 2-3 years and an adult life where I was, at one time, moving every year, I got rid of a lot of stuff. The one exception is books. Mr. Misadventures and I are bookworms and you will quickly see our love for these objects in the images below!

We'll start on the ground floor. Our unit is in the back, cut off from the street, and is a little oasis with bamboo and Japanese maples. We have two terraces on the bottom floor, front, and back. This is the front (see the books in our entrance!).

The back terrace is a little smaller but just as private (you can see it in the photo below). The first floor is our office and TV room. The floor is polished concrete (all our floors have radiant heating which is awesome in the winter!). There is a large sliding wall that can close off the office. The sofa is a sleeper couch for when we have guests.

On the second floor, you've got the kitchen, dining, and living space. Mr. Misadventures spends a lot of time here! He loves the kitchen, everything is Italian from Scavalini, and when we moved in, we custom-built a china cabinet and wine bar to match the kitchen cabinets. You can see the wine bar to the right in this photo.

We also ordered a round glass table from Florence that expands to sit from 4 to 8 people. Our house is rectangular and I wanted to offset it with a round table that was small enough for just the two of us, but that we could open when we entertain. We went to Florence a few months after buying the house and ordering the table and we actually stumbled upon the store where our table came from!

That splash of red is my beloved Nespresso maker!

You can see the custom-designed dish cabinet and part of the living room in this photo. The floors are Brazilian cherry. There is tons of natural light and we have special shades that block the heat from the sun when we get the rare hot days. The house is sustainably built so all the materials are eco-friendly and so easy to clean. Mr. Misadventures and I can clean the house on the weekends in 90 minutes teamed up from top to bottom.

From the photo below you can see the stairs down to the office and the stairs up to the bedroom. Also…more books! It is about the only clutter we have. Without kids and a lot of knick-knacks, we are able to pull off the minimalist look very easily. I was worried that our real estate agent would say we needed to stage the house, but our design aesthetic and minimalist approach meant we didn't have to move everything out to stage, whew!

These are the stairs that lead to the bedroom. I only show them so you can see what Jessica has to traverse every day when she decides to lay in the sun upstairs! Old lady legs and all, she makes it!

On the third floor is the master bedroom which includes a bathroom and walk-in closet (the office on the first floor is also considered a bedroom because of the sliding wall and closet).

We have a terrace on this floor the full length of the bedroom perfect for lounging and reading a book or contemplating life with a cup of coffee.

It's funny, when we took these photos for the listing website, I realized that 90% of our furniture comes from Room & Board. We are huge fans of this locally sourced, American-made furniture store based in the Midwest. Their furniture is extremely well made with quality materials and I have never had a complaint.

Their customer service is stellar! We are lucky enough to have a store in San Francisco and I love it! It’s funny, I think the delivery guys know us a little too well!

Getting their catalog is such a treat and Mr. Misadventures and I drool over it every time we get it.

That's a peek into our house(until it isn't!) hope you enjoyed it!

How about you, is there a particular brand or manufacturer that you gravitate toward in your own home?Save

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