Grey, grey everywhere ...

by Mireille
(Lyon, France)

I live in Lyon, France, and have just finished looking through the January/February 2010 edition of Campagne Décoration. This is a good magazine for French Country style. A bit upscale (more châteaux than cottages), but you can use many of the ideas.

But this edition was so full of grey walls, grey curtains, grey furniture, grey doors and floors, I just couldn't believe it. (I am attaching a picture so you can see what I mean!)

Don't get me wrong: grey is elegant, subtle and complex. But I'm sure there's such a thing as too much grey, and then it makes rooms dark and sad looking.

I miss the sunny, happy colors of the French Country style that I used to know. This new version of 'chic country' is just depressing. I hope it will be over really, really soon.


Renate's Reply: Funny, isn't it - all of a sudden French, Tuscan, Swedish and 'international' country styles are all beginning to look alike!

It's the Big Grayout. Wherever I've been lately - even in Munich and London - it's the same basic look in upmarket 'country interiors' shops everywhere. And though I like neutrals, I miss the colors, too.

Great contribution, Mireille, thank you lots! Campagne Décoration isn't well known over here, so it's good to get the info straight from the source!