living life the french way

by Sharon Santoni
[blank]Last weekend, a guest asked me to choose one element of French living that I appreciated above all else …[blank]
[blank]Before I had time to answer, he eagerly guessed at my reply:
 “Is it the wine? it has to be the chateaux? or maybe Paris …”[blank]
[blank]I smiled, because I knew my answer before he even finished asking the questions …
I think I’ve known it from the start ….[blank]
[blank]what I like best of all in French living is it’s simplicity;
  the lack of bling;
 the paring down to the essential, and seeing that essential suddenly look like the greatest luxury on earth.[blank]
[blank]Simple living feels calm, orderly and peaceful.
It leaves more time for the important stuff, for family and friends.

Time to savour the moment,

to enjoy, to relish.[blank]

[blank]and while simplicity in decor may look …well, simple to achieve,
it is actually a fine art, requiring a sure eye and heaps of self control[blank]

[blank][blank]thanks to Franck Bel for these beautiful pictures[blank]

34 comments

DREAMS ON 34th STREET ~ French Bread & Family September 6, 2013 - 6:57 pm

Sharon…this posts speaks to me, and is very reason that I visit you almost every day.
Merci!
w/L

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Anonymous September 6, 2013 - 7:06 pm

Thank you for this terrific post Sharon – simplicity helps me breathe more easily. Pam

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I Dream Of September 6, 2013 - 8:09 pm

You summed it up perfectly. It's that relaxed ease that is such a way of life that attracts me to France, and I try to emulate it wherever I am. You do it beautifully! XO

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Jennifer Taylor September 6, 2013 - 8:13 pm

Wow.. What a beautiful answer.. You made me feel calm and peaceful just from reading this! I hope that I can grow into a more simple living person.. Less is more and you're right.. it allows more time with Family and Friends and less time fussing about the house or the bling. Loved reading this today!
Jen

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Lee September 6, 2013 - 8:36 pm

This post has been by far my favorite I have ever read from your blog. It is stunning! from the photos to the sentiments. So beautiful. You captured the essential of a happy life. I wish you much joy!
Lisa
Leeshideaway.blogspot.com

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Brenda September 6, 2013 - 8:56 pm

I love the beauty of simplicity. You have nailed it!

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Pam September 6, 2013 - 9:04 pm

oh is this hard for me! i love my "stuff" and sometimes don't know when to stop! living here in paris has helped me live a bit more simply…what a beautiful post! xo pam

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Chris September 6, 2013 - 9:11 pm

bingo.

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Prince Snow Farm September 6, 2013 - 9:32 pm

Then I guess this means I should move to France. LOVE a simple life. In fact, more and more as I get older. Your images are lovely.

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The Blue Farmhouse September 6, 2013 - 9:59 pm

Wow…Sharon…so simply stated and most of all so achieveble by us all. Thanks for this reminder.

Rita

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Gee Singh Newbanks September 6, 2013 - 10:07 pm

Simplicity… that's what we need to understand. The delicate balance of simplicity , effortless beauty… no bling.
Here we loose that. A lot of designers, decorators, homeowners who try and emulate the French country style go nuts with BLING!!
Thanks for this post!!
Happy today.
Hugs, Gee

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The enchanted home September 6, 2013 - 10:32 pm

This post and these gorgeous images was like instant therapy to an exhausted body and mind (mine)! Its been a long busy BUT productive day and I am imagining just walking outside to sit at one of these wonderful tables for the next 3 hours eating and drinking myself silly only having to worry about what time I get to do it again…lol. Sounds like a dream!

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Mary September 6, 2013 - 11:07 pm

You're right! When I think about why I prefer to travel to France, over and over again – I think about those beautiful vistas, the beautifully old doors with carvings and dents, peeling paint on the shutters, old stones, etc.! Just being there in whatever city or countryside is so relaxing for me.

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Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon September 7, 2013 - 12:17 am

Your words pretty much summarized my thoughts yet I would not have been able to articulate it as well. Now I have the words when I am asked what my attraction is to it all.

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Elizabeth Eiffel September 7, 2013 - 12:24 am

You've articulated what my husband and I have long felt. When away from My French Folly we yearn for our French life. It is the simplicity of life that enables us to be more connected to our surroundings and those whom we love. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to achieve at home in Australia with a life time of accumulated complexities, physical, and emotional. Bon weekend.

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La Vie Quotidienne September 7, 2013 - 1:40 am

Wonderful. It takes real talent to find simple beauty, an ability I would like to cultivate. This is so lovely.

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Katherine September 7, 2013 - 2:35 am

It is a fine art – and dear lady, you do it so well.

In case no one has told you recently – thank you for sharing the beauty of France with all of us.

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Anonymous September 7, 2013 - 6:26 am

Perfect subject. Thank you for your eloquence!

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Colleen Taylor September 7, 2013 - 7:09 am

Beautiful photos. I love that last sentence you wrote Sharon "it is actually a fine art, requiring a sure eye and heaps of self control." Thank you for another wonderful post. XO

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Nathalie September 7, 2013 - 7:28 am

superbes clichés…. superbe reportage…. magnifique ambiance champêtre… on ne rêve que d'une chose… y être…
Merci
Bon week-end,
Nathalie

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Anonymous September 7, 2013 - 1:38 pm

Clocks are ticking slower in the countryside.
Love from the lazy sunny Great Plain in Hungary. Dorka http://www.dorottyaudvar.co.hu

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Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen September 7, 2013 - 1:40 pm

Truer words were never spoken.
Sam

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Karen Albert September 7, 2013 - 2:50 pm

Dear Sharon,
A lovely post; as I am clearing away and packing some things to put my condominium on the market.
I realize this, the more I give to charity, is freeing up my spirit and helping others as well!

Xoxo
Karena
2013 Artist Series

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The Cottage Keep September 7, 2013 - 3:44 pm

Dear Sharon: That is exactly what I love about the French way. Everything you do and make in France is simply beautiful. You make it simple yet very beautiful. You put time and thought into things and produce things that outlast time. Here in North America there is a race to make many things that have no thought or substance to them. It is very sad because we have become such a throw away society and we have to work all that much harder and longer to live like that. Thank you for reminding us of how life should be and for sharing the beauty of your French life.
Belle

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Unknown September 7, 2013 - 4:27 pm

For someone who takes loads of "loot shoots" the lack of bling idea is a different one! But, okay. I can agree with you on the simplicity idea.

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Sweetladyelaine September 7, 2013 - 6:40 pm

I love simple..it is very elegant! Thank you for your beautiful pictures. I do love French things and living simpler. Although, I am not there yet but I am working on it! I will have to visit you more often for inspiration when I move to my new to me house.
Blessings My Friend,

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Sheree September 7, 2013 - 8:15 pm

I love this. I have always been a less is more person. Simplify Your Life is a wonderful book on the subject.

Mom was a more is more person and I loved what she did but I love calm simplicity at home.

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Jo-De Davis September 7, 2013 - 10:26 pm

You nailed this, Sharon! It describes the essence of everything I (and I feel, all of your readers) LOVE about "French!" Why, oh, why, is this way of life so unappreciated in the States? We have a lot to learn – I just want to go into my own little microcosm of French life and live it to the hilt!!!

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Karen (Back Road Journal) September 7, 2013 - 10:32 pm

Your photos are words are wonderful. I don't live in France but I do totally agree with you about the pleasures and contentment of living a simple life. We left a very cosmopolitan city to move to rural New England and have enjoyed every moment of it.

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Lorrie September 7, 2013 - 11:10 pm

What a beautiful post. I so agree with you. I've had people ask why I don't have pictures on every wall in my home. I like some empty space for imagination. Simplicity. Such a great concept.

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Krista September 8, 2013 - 12:40 am

Simplicity, yes, that is what I treasure most too. 🙂 Bit by bit I'm building it into my Aussie farm life, and I love it. 🙂 I'm so glad I found your blog today. 🙂

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Vicki September 8, 2013 - 3:16 am

The photos/images are indeed beautiful…but even more beautiful are the words of your post. Thank you, Sharon; much pause for thought here, as my husband and I downsize our life voluntarily, moving too-many possessions on their way to new homes and new owners, freeing up space in a home with not so much to busy the eye; an oasis of calm. This does not come to me easily as I'm a collector…but it's growing on me. There comes a point to an end in "accumulating"…or, if anything, the concept of 'if one comes in, then another goes out.' It doesn't mean, in other words, that I will never buy anything again, because I will, but I am definitely more rested with clear floor space and uncluttered shelves. It's taken a hard look to keep things that are functional and not just decorative. I've been somewhat burdened…not quite the word, as it was a loving burden…from inheriting too much from too many relatives who entrusted their possessions with me when they passed from this life. I've had to surrender and declare, "but there is only one of me" and I have room for just 'so much' because my house cannot continue to be a warehouse or secondhand store or museum. It has to be my life first, with my own loved things, and I haven't really known this inside myself til just lately…so I've given myself permission to conscientiously and thoughtfully discard, maybe keeping one special item of ten. It's not so much liberating as it is healthy and it's filled me with a certain serenity. Maybe I just defined to myself what simplicity means, for me. Simplicity is peaceful for my soul.

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Debbie September 9, 2013 - 2:15 am

Beautiful photos and words. It's refreshing to see that for something to be considered worthy it doesn't have to be brand spanking new or of the latest bling design that will no doubt be out of style and the words ''that is so last year" come to mind as the new style bling hits the shops.
I love the fact that the French remain in style and fashionable without going overboard. They respect their history and the fact that so many wonderful old pieces of furniture and other items are cherished and brought back to life instead of taken to the tip. Simplicity and carefully purchased items that compliment each other without fuss. It is the little things that make a home and yard look inviting and peaceful. I like to put a fabric table cloth, use proper cutlery, dinner set and put flowers and candles on the table when we eat outdoors on the patio/garden instead of using the ever so popular in Australia, paper plates and plastic cutlery. Some of my dinner/bbq guests have looked a bit surprised but would much rather comment on my lawn and how it needs mowing. In Australia many people put more energy into mowing their lawns every 5 days (they like to cut it really short) than taking the time to setting the table nicely for guests. Maybe the move from eating in front of the tv to the table is a big enough step.

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My GREEN Life and Real Estate September 9, 2013 - 3:39 pm

Such a lovely post, Sharon. Beautiful photos. I much prefer the calm of simplicity as well, and in my French experiences it is about having fewer, but higher quality, things. The beauty of simplicity… thanks for the reminder 🙂

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