Florence de Dampierre on her signature line,
exaggerating the details, and blue jeans

The original importer of French chic and historian of painted furniture and wall treatments, it was only a matter of time before Parisian born and Litchfield residing author and interior decorator, Florence de Dampierre, created her own line. In a creative collaboration with John-Richard, over 100 exquisitely produced pieces of home décor, accessories and wall art will be available beyond private clients. “I’ve been designing a long time, so it is not a big jump. But it will be nice that more people will have access to it.”

And like her well-researched and written books, she’s not just lending her name. “I am very involved in the process, up to the last detail. I design the furniture. I find the finishes. I go to the factory and make sure that products are exactly to my specification. I’m very hands on.”

We appreciate de Dampierre’s refreshing candor and genuine aesthetic passion as much as her bold use of color and trained eye for detail. Many of the soon to launch (December 9th) offerings feature exaggerated elements. Conversation pieces, yes, but also scaled and upholstered in consideration of comfort. “I try to put a subtle twist on classic ideas for interest. This first collection has much painted wood, distressed, lots of white. All kind of dreamy but with the occasional punch of color.” Huge paw feet tables and wall art of champignons set against bright (orange, purple, aqua!) geometric backgrounds are just two examples of the line’s whimsical elegance.

Stylish while retaining warmth, it’s an aspiration that many of us strive for in our own homes, now made more attainable.

Florence de Dampierre, who will also soon release a line of carpet, area rugs and pillows through Surya (we so admire this woman’s time management skills!), will be signing copies of her latest thoughtfully explored and beautifully photographed Rizzoli tome, Walls: The Best of Decorative Treatments on December 9th, from 12-3pm at JohnRichard. This much anticipated home fashion line will debut at the event.

While we had the tastemaker’s ear, we couldn’t resist asking for a few local suggestions for spending an afternoon. (We hope you can detect Florence’s divine accent.)

“Wonderful D.K. Shulman will also carry a selection of my pieces. R.T. Facts in Kent, he has great stuff. G. Sergeant in Woodbury. I love to go do zumba at The Barn. It’s a lot of fun. Then I love to go to Ovens of France to get some croissants and pain au chocolat. The West Street Grill is always good food, also for lunch. So many amazing places. Bantam Bread—Susie and Niles, I like them a lot, lovely people. I love their pie, their bread. I have a big sweet tooth. Dutch Epicure, of course. Arethusa Farm, we love their cheese and can not wait for their bistro. It will be very nice. Bantam Cinema, we absolutely treasure. And Bantam Market who has sushi that I adore! R. Derwin has wonderful stuff. I buy all my jeans there. Great things. That’s my nutshell shopping here! We are lucky where we live. So many nice places.”

Florence de Dampierre www.florencededampierre.com, who will also soon release a line of carpet, area rugs and pillows through Surya www.surya.com (we so admire this woman’s time management skills!), will be signing copies of her latest thoughtfully explored and beautifully photographed Rizzoli tome, Walls: The Best of Decorative Treatments on December 9th, from 12-3pm at John-Richard: www.johnrichard.com. Her much anticipated home fashion line will debut at the event.