5 things you need to add a touch of that Parisian “je ne sais quoi” to your home

Are you the kind of person to roll your eyes at cliché about French flawless style and French chic living? Or, quite the opposite, are you thrilled to analyse said style and all its trappings? If you are the later, you probably have already read one (or more) of the hundred books and article dedicated to that quite unique French way of styling things, whether it is yourself or your home, but here are my 5 easy tricks on adding a touch of that Parisian “je ne sais quoi” to your home (a topic that I would know, being a Parisian myself). 
 
 
Lean your artwork instead of hanging it 

Nothing says Parisian chic better that a nonchalant and effortless styling and leaning your artwork against the walls instead of hanging it, in a “oh that expensive piece of art? Yes, didn’t have time to hang it yet but couldn’t care less”spirit, will bring that special cool yet chic French vibes to your home. Not to mention it will save you from the hustle of whipping out the hammer. 
 
Make it even more extra by clustering art with different frames and heights together in a way that will make it look like your are collecting artwork (don’t have to be expensive pieces of art … think effortless before anything else).  
 
 
Collect coffee table books and stack them 

Again think nonchalance. Stacking your coffee table books, or any book actually, will make it look as if you were just reading them and didn’t have time to put them back in your book case. Make them become part of your overall decorative narrative.
 
LOOKING FOR INSPO ON BUYING COFFEE TABLE BOOKS?
Rediscover 5 beautiful French coffee table books in English we love 
 
 
Sprawl dried flowers in mismatched vases and straw baskets 

There’s nothing quite like a fresh bouquet to add a touch of effortless chic to your home but if getting fresh flowers from the flower market every other morning isn’t an option for you (it is absolutely not for me, I have neither the time nor the money for such a thing) then a few bunches of dried flowers here and there will definitely do the trick.  
 
Wanna make it look like you just pick-up the bouquet in the countryside and dried it yourself? Think bunches of lavenders in straw basket … so French!
 
 
Speaking of vases, invest in one or two it-pieces 

You thought only bags, shoes or girls could be “it”? Well, you’ll be surprised to hear that even a vase can become a it-vase. Such a must have will bring life to a room. Very popular lately among the French it-girls is the Love Handles vase from Anissa Kermiche, celebrating the female forms. 
Options I think are worth looking at in Hong Kong:
The Hong Kong vase collection from R.L. Foote design Studio
Astier de Villatte, a Parisian brand renowned for its signature approach to ceramic and available at Lane Crawford (in store and online) and kapok K11 MUSEA. 
 
 
Buy candles, too many candles 

And scattered them on your bookshelves, on the coffee table, along the floor, pretty much everywhere and in groups rather than sitting solo. Go for a variety of it: scented and unscented ones, candlestick, glass cloches …
 
Not sure which brand to buy? 
Rediscover our top 5 French scented candle brands available in Hong Kong