The French Vintage Home

by Sharon Santoni
Two summers ago I was lucky enough to receive the visit of a really charming guest, all the way from Texas.
Laura was over here on a buying trip for her new on line store, French Vintage Home, freshly created with her business partner Audrey.
The first time they met, Audrey and Laura discovered  a mutual love of travel, adventure, design, entertaining, and of course, French antiques. An idea was born; to create a business out of those shared passions and bring it to the world in their own unique way
Together they form a dream partnership.  Audrey has experience in house linens, having had her own linen business for thirty years, creating linens for many customers including Martha Stewart, Target and Neiman Marcus.  She also has a real taste for  French living, as her very own château in south west France attests.
In 1998, Audrey bought a 15th century château which was a total ruin and with the help of a Beaux Arts architect, restored it to pristine condition. Once this was finished, she grew tired of retirement and wanted to use her experience and love of design in another way. 
Laura is a very talented interior stylist, photographer and floral designer with experience in film and television.  She  is currently featured as a “Tastemaker” in Time Warner Cable’s “Signature Home” national media campaign.
Today The French Vintage Home is nearly two years old, and going from strength to strength.   Laura and Audrey shop together in France whenever they can,  hand selecting the perfect vintage items for their website.   Whenever I see the sheets they find I have to pause to take breath!
A good way to keep in touch with any pop-up events is to subscribe to their newsletter, full of wonderful pictures, useful dates and even  recipes from Audrey’s Dordogne kitchen!
They sell on line of course, but also at wonderful pop-up events and parties in Texas and California.
If you take the time to tour the French Vintage Home store, you’ll love Laura’s photography, and  the unique selection of French antique items for sale.

23 comments

The enchanted home April 19, 2013 - 1:19 pm

Wow what beauty..and what a neat story. I will absolutely go for a visit now!

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Lorraine April 19, 2013 - 1:26 pm

Audrey's home is just stunning! I signed up for the newsletter so I can drool over everything !

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Tara Dillard April 19, 2013 - 2:43 pm

Audrey. She's the FIND. Of course we've known her all along thru her work.

Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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Curtains in My Tree April 19, 2013 - 3:47 pm

I would say they are living the Dream life
the linens are to die for

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The Blue Farmhouse April 19, 2013 - 4:39 pm

I explored it all and it's refreshing to read today after such much chaos lately in the news. Thank you for sharing!

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Anonymous April 19, 2013 - 6:26 pm

I was lucky enough to go to one of their more recent pop up events in Dallas, Texas. It was WONDERFUL, and that is an understatement. The items I purchased were so unique, and a welcomed addition to my growing Francophile home collection. It was so much fun talking to them both and hearing about their travels the history behind some of the items for sale. I most impressed how genuinely nice and gracious both women were. I will try to go to any pop up they have in the US. It will be like going to meet up with your best girlfriends who happen to live and travel to my most favorite destination. FRANCE.
A. Joseph

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PURA VIDA April 19, 2013 - 10:01 pm

one of these days that lucky Texas visitor is going to be ME!

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Norma April 19, 2013 - 11:33 pm

It's always inspiring to read about women who are living their passion. I'm off to look at their website and sign up for the newsletter, their wares look absolutely wonderful.

(BTW I'm definately going to copy that crate labelled Provence in miniature for my mini brocante, it's slightly different to any wooden crate I've seen before, and I love the way they've used it.)

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vicki archer April 20, 2013 - 9:36 am

Their style is wonderful… and I would love everything on French Vintage Home… even though I am in France for so much of the year! xv

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Catherine April 20, 2013 - 9:52 am

What a fantastic looking home! Great to see people who are genuinely passionate about French style making the effort to actually go to France to source the products. Well done! Cx

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Jade April 20, 2013 - 11:40 am

Everything here is sooooooo beautiful……..hope to visit your guesthouse one day!
Have a wonderful weekend,

Jade (from Bavaria, Germany)

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Barbara Lilian April 20, 2013 - 2:19 pm

Thank you Sharon for introducing me to other blogs I probably wouldn't have found. I'm just off to sign up for their news letter. Lovely photos as always.
Enjoy your weekend.

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laura mcguire April 20, 2013 - 4:34 pm

Oh Sharon, I love it! Thank you so much for sharing our story. I have such great memories of my time with you in Normandy…dinners on the patio, your beautiful children, the guest cottage, your garden, the forrest, the horses, etc. You really live a beautiful life. Thanks for giving us a glimpse.

xox, Laura McGuire

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LaPouyette April 20, 2013 - 6:00 pm

It makes me smile seeing some pictures, taken by Laura at our place La Pouyette, in your post…:)
Bon week-end and sunny greetings from the Périgord,
Karin

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peggy braswell April 20, 2013 - 9:01 pm

I will sign up for the news letter + trot over to the website. thank you for the tip. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Janet Bocciardi April 21, 2013 - 12:31 am

Sigh…. lovely!! That last photo, btw, is stunning

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Colleen Taylor April 21, 2013 - 1:16 am

Beautiful store, lovely story. I just subscribed to Audrey's blog. If I subscribe to one more blog, somebody better stop me! You have the most interesting posts Sharon. XO

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Yvonne @ StoneGable April 21, 2013 - 2:17 am

I headed over to French Vintage Home and was delighted. What beauty and inspiration! Thank you for the wonderful new source!

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Sara.RêveBlanc April 21, 2013 - 10:24 am

Bellissime foto e bellissimo negozio….me ne sono innamorata!
un bacio
Sara

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Nantucket Daffodil April 21, 2013 - 2:01 pm

Thanks for introducing me to these lovelies!

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Lanora Potts June 14, 2014 - 4:10 pm

Loved the article in the Dallas Morning News. I purchased a very large set of silver and havee not been able to find anyone in Dallas that can give me any information about it. Have tried several well know shops. The owners of the Whimsey Shop , who shop in France say it is definitely french. Is the any possible way I can get in contact with you and let you see it. I would be happy to meet you or for you to come to my home on Lupton. It has pieces that we have never seen before. please let me hear from you.

Thaank you

L.A.P.

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Neil Mandell January 5, 2015 - 11:22 pm

Audrey Friedman is the most talented and creative woman I have ever met. I did work with her in 1978 and have admired her ever since. Viva le Audrey!

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