i’m turning the tables a little bit today on si from french by design. usually si shares with us some most excellent and even exotic home tours from all over the world, but today she’s our unexpected guest! si currently lives in a beautiful charlotte, north carolina home, but she may be moving west very soon, so i’d thought we’d get sentimental today and share with you her vintage treasures and the very eclectic place she and her family call home right now. to see more inspiring decor ideas from si, visit her blog french by design.
Where do you live, and what’s your favorite thing to do in your neighborhood?
We’ve lived in Charlotte, North Carolina for the past four years – prior to that we lived in Provence, France, with a one-year layover in Morocco before coming to Charlotte. My favorite thing to do in my neighborhood here is running or taking long walks with Daisy, the family golden retriever.
Do you have a secret spot or off the beaten path place in your city you think we should know about?
I recently discovered NodA, Charlotte’s historic art district, a more “grungy” and a hipper area in town than the gentrified Ballantyne neighborhood. I love the vibe there, and the industrial vintage feel the buildings have. Shopping wise, you’ll find me often at The Depot at Gibson Mill in Concord, North carolina. This place is impressive, with booths and booths of antique pieces and vintage treasures.
What are your top online shops?
I have a thing for authentic vintage. So if I’m not scouting local flea markets or antique stores, I shop on Etsy, Ebay. I also recently joined Luvocracy, a site where many bloggers and community members share their finds throughout the web. This thing is addictive and very dangerous.
What five things can’t you live without?
My family comes first, dogs included. I just can’t live without my tribe. Then comes coffee. Good European, strong coffee. Cheese and wine come third on my list. After, and I’m sad to admit it, my computer and/ or iPad – we are trying to pledge tech free weekends as a family. Though very hard to implement, they are very beneficial.
How would you describe your style?
Eclectic above all…I grew up in Morocco, with a French mother and a Berber father, so the ethnic influence is very present in my style. I’m also very fond of Scandinavian design, for its simplicity and clean lines. My style does not follow any interior design rule. It has to feel good and feel right.
If you could go shopping with anyone in the world, who would it be?
If I could, I’d go shop with Charles and Ray Eames. This couple fascinates me and they were such visionaries! If I had to pick a contemporary shopper, I’d pick Paola Navone. This gal has some serious style and a unique eye.
Who are a few of your favorite Instagrammers?
I love Old Brand New’s Dabito feed [@dabito]. He has a great artistic eye. I also keep stalking photographer Daniella Witte [@daniellawitte] on instagram. Her shots are always sharp and I love her eye on raw beauty.
Favorite quote or expression?
Oh, tough one, I have so many favorite quotes. But if I had to pick one, I’d say Dorothy Parker’s “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”
Other favorites are:
“Wild women don’t get the blues” – Ida Prather Cox
“Anyone can be cool, but awesome takes practice.” – Lorraine Peterson
“The two most important things in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.“ – Mark twain
“There are people who have money, and people who are rich.” – Coco Chanel
What souvenir did you bring back from your last trip?
Some vintage black and white postcards from Paris and an Arne Jacobsen alphabet mug from the Merci Store.
What bores you to death?
I’d say people who take themselves too seriously, the know-it-alls, and the “uncurious” in general. I have a very hard time entertaining myself with such people.
what a beautiful and inspiring home.
thank you for sharing!
I love her home, and I love her answer to the last question…….thanks for sharing!
I love her too! How fun to see all the lovely.Had no idea she lived so close.
What a beautiful home. Interesting to see, who is behind “French by Design” :)
Hi Si,
Your place looks better than ever. Great photos and great feature. Kudos!
Mary Jo
Oh, merci, sweet Mary Jo!
J’adore la recette de pâte à crêpes sur le mur! Very cool!
Oooh love this. Reminds me of how I see my home looking in the future!
Thank you all for your sweet comments! You all made my day! Xx, Si-
Beautiful home… can you please please share with us where you found some of your furniture? In particular, the armless chairs and the black side tables.
Merci,
Rossana
Hello Rossana,
The desk chair is a scandinavian vintage find from Ebay, and so is the Danish low seating armless chair in the living room – i just reupholstered it with a camel fabric. The white lounge chaise is from Ikea.
The black metal side table and entryway console were handmade by local craftsmen in Morocco, but you can find some at Caravane, a French store [caravane.fr].
Thank you for your response. I checked out your blog and one post after another is gorgeous. Love your taste and style.
love your place! I agree wholeheartedly about uncurious people. They are so uninspiring to me as well. It’s an instant turnoff! After I ask you a million questions about your life…try asking me one!!!
So beautiful, your home! I do love the pillow covers on the white sofa. Can you tell me where you found those and are they the rough kilim fabric or soft?
Thanks so much!!
lisa
Hello Lisa,
The pillows are a DIY project. I found some old and unusable small sized rugs in a souk in Morocco and sewed the less damaged parts of them into pillows. They are the soft kind and I machine washed them as well to give them an additional patina.
Oh thank you for letting me know! What a beautiful job you did. I am just learning how to sew- you give me good ideas!!!
What a beautiful place! I love your style. Could you please tell us where did you find the vinyl with the crepes recette. Thanks!
Thank you Carmela. The wall recipe sticker comes from a French website that ships worldwide, and they currently have a promo with 50% off the entire site!
http://www.idzif.com
Thanks for your response! I’ve already checked the site and it’s fantastic.
Just gorgeous – all of it! Can you tell me where to get the cushion with birds on it, in the last picture?
Hey Virginia,
The cushion is from Anthropologie. Thank you for your sweet words about my home!