courtney allison’s french country cottage

by Sharon Santoni

French Country Cottage by Courtney Allison

Sometimes on this blogging journey I am stopped in my tracks, simply amazed by the talent of a fellow blogger.  That is exactly the case for Courtney of French Country Cottage.    Her gifts as a stylist, designer and photographer are astounding, and I regularly pop over to her blog to check out her latest posts.   We have never met in person, but over the years we’ve exchanged emails and I’ve watched in admiration as she has built her website and developed her beautiful photography.

French Country Cottage by Courtney Allison

Her style is elegant and feminine.  Comfortable and welcoming.   She has mastered a light, gentle colour palette and the art of layering textures and patina.

French Country Cottage by Courtney Allison

We both share a love, or maybe I should say a need for fresh flowers.   She has vases and even buckets of blooms scattered around her home and the result is breathtaking.  Courtney says in her book : “Flowers can change the feeling of a room completely in an instant. They speak volumes in their petals and pretty shades and they add something to a room that nothing else can. To me, a room is not truly finished without a bouquet of flowers—or even a small jar with a single bloom.”

French Country Cottage by Courtney Allison

Living in California, she and her family are able to spend a lot of time outside and her garden and alfresco living areas are to die for.   I can see so many similarities between her life and mine, in particular the love she has for her house, and how we both feel that we have grown with the house until it becomes inseparable from our life story.

French Country Cottage by Courtney Allison

Tomorrow Courtney  publishes her first book,  French Country Cottage, and boy is she generous!      Her beautiful book not only gives us a fully guided tour of her home, but also some very practical and easy to follow ideas for creating a French country decor wherever you are.

She has given me permission to share a few shots from the book, but there are many many more beautiful images to enjoy.   If you’d like to purchase the book it is already on pre-sales here, and will be in bookshops tomorrow.    Happy reading!

25 comments

audrey friedman August 13, 2018 - 4:57 pm

You are so right, it is absolutely beautiful.

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Carole August 13, 2018 - 5:02 pm

Be still my heart ❤️!

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Chris August 13, 2018 - 5:13 pm

My book is arriving tomorrow . Really looking for to it .
Hope you are working on a new book , I just love yours !
Chrissy

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Donna Dowd August 13, 2018 - 5:16 pm

I have enjoyed both of your books, and it was wonderful meeting you on your Chicago book tour. Courtney’s book is on pre order for me, and I will savor the pictures in it just as I do in yours.
Merci!

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Carol Luciano August 13, 2018 - 5:38 pm

Pictures are beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I will certainly check it out.

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katzcradul August 13, 2018 - 6:10 pm

Speaking of beauty…. I recently checked out your book My French Country Home at my local library. I read every word and studied every picture over the last two days. This morning, I had my 17-year-old son look through it before he returns to college tomorrow. He said, “The photography is exquisite.” I agree. Bravo. I can’t remember ever enjoying a book more. Kudo.

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Eleni August 13, 2018 - 6:29 pm

I have your books, Sharon, and thoroughly enjoyed them, absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the info on Courtney’s book. I have pre-ordered it today. Love your blig

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Cate Tuten August 13, 2018 - 6:44 pm

Sharon, you and Courtney are two of my favorite bloggers!! Home, pink, french, and glorious garden abundance—-you both share those things so very well!! Blessings, Cate Tuten

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Mary from Life at Bella Terra August 13, 2018 - 8:26 pm

I agree with Cate Tuten whose comments are just above mine. I love what you and Courtney do!! I’m always amazed that every single photo that Courtney shares is P.E.R.F.E.C.T! I wish I had a style that I loved and used everywhere…..however, my tastes range from French country to classic to a bit of modern…..anguish.

You are both extremely talented and I feel so lucky to follow you both.

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Maggie August 13, 2018 - 8:38 pm

Hi, Sharon. I’m not surprised that you and Courtney have gravitated toward each other – you are kindred spirits on different continents. I felt that “stopped in my tracks” pull when I discovered both of your blogs! She definitely has a masterful eye evidenced by her photographs. I recall once a series of photos of a vintage bench she has in her living room. Beat up little thing with remnants of robin’s egg blue paint. I would not have looked at it twice. But Courtney staged it and showed us the beauty of that little bench and I fell in love with it. That’s a gift! Both of your blogs teach us to appreciate beauty and I know I join a slew of others when I say thank you for that oh-so-needed and wonderful gift! Best.

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Lynne August 13, 2018 - 10:29 pm

Now that’s a BBQ area! High praise indeed from an Australian.

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Courtney August 13, 2018 - 10:43 pm

You are absolutely so sweet Sharon!! What a lovely post and such kind words-thank you!! I am so thankful for your friendship and that we have met in blog land- and do hope we meet in person soon- I think a trip to Europe needs to be on the calendar asap!
Much love,
Courtney

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Bobbi Duncan August 13, 2018 - 11:05 pm

Awaiting Courtney’s book, which I know will be a joy to read. Her transformation of this home has been nothing short of amazing, and I’ve so enjoyed watching it all come together over the years, Big congrats!

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Pat August 14, 2018 - 1:16 am

My big beautiful book is on its way, and I am sooo excited.
Pat

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Victoria Savu August 14, 2018 - 1:43 am

Love Courtney’s blog. I think I discovered her through you Sharon. I pre ordered her book and can hardly wait to see it. I live in a small cottage and think her book will fit my house and style perfectly. I never miss her blog or yours. Her book will be on display along with both of yours. Another good book is ” French Accents” by blogger Anita Joyce. Victoria

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Colleen Taylor August 14, 2018 - 1:51 am

So very true Sharon, her blog & her book is stunning! X

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Nancy August 14, 2018 - 2:26 am

I share the same need for fresh flowers. Luckily I live in Southern California and have access to my garden flowers, bu often there are also purchased blooms in my home. Another book I must purchase!

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Pamela August 14, 2018 - 5:56 am

Her book looks awesome!! Her photos for me are always eye candy.

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dottie monta August 14, 2018 - 6:11 am

Thank you, Sharon, for this new source of inspiration!
Your simpatico with Courtney is easy to understand, and your kindness in wanting others to appreciate her talents is so nice to see.
Won’t you please assure her that many of us are eager to tap into her beautiful ideas!

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gmail login August 14, 2018 - 12:08 pm

Sharon, you and Courtney are two of my favorite bloggers!! Home, pink, french, and glorious garden abundance—-you both share those things so very well!! Blessings, Cate Tuten

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Carol Burger August 14, 2018 - 9:13 pm

Courtney’s book arrived today & it is fabulous!
What an inspiration!

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Lucia Donahower August 14, 2018 - 10:55 pm

Sharon
Thank you for sharing Courtney’s beautiful photos! I will order her book. Have a wonderful week!
Thank you
Lucy in California

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MARLA March 4, 2019 - 10:52 pm

I bought her book before I had a chance to read this issue of your blog. What a treat the book is….a feast of flowers and beauty! I have all of your books and whenever I buy one as a gift for a friend they are just delighted with it! Thanks for your blog!

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Tonja Long Cannon March 8, 2019 - 3:25 pm

Beautiful ! I love your design!

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Olivia August 30, 2021 - 4:59 pm

It looks incredibly cute and yet elegant too. For a long time I was looking for someone to entrust the interior of my apartment. And only Domestic Painters Tugun did everything as I dreamed. Thank you for these photos and story!

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