{STYLE SESSIONS WITH...} French By Design
All Images FrenchByDesign©
(STYLE SESSIONS WITH... } Si Mazouz curator of the French By Design blog
I admit, I have a major blog crush. For those of you who have followed eat read love from the beginning this will come as no surprise. French by design remains a constant source of inspiration to me, even before I started blogging I would often stay up late scrolling through the beautiful images on the French by design blog. Making a regular appearance in my blog segment 'It's Friday, It's French', French By Design is at the top of the blogroll, not to mention very handy in the lead up to last year's eat read love tour of Paris.
With a shared passion for all things French, a deep love for Paris and living by the mantra “travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer" it is an honour to interview French Style icon Siham Mazouz the curator of the French By Design blog and her online vintage Etsy shop by the same name. This French girl expatriated in the U.S. East Coast likes to mix and match styles and eras to create an eclectic feel to interiors. A self-confessed vintage and design addict, Si likes interiors that “think outside the box” and compiles daily a selection of interiors, house tours, DIY projects or quotes on the French By Design blog. Si also contributes to other beautiful blogs such as Sfgirlbybay. Si shares her story, her signature 'eclectic chic' style and a few eat, read, loves of her own.
With a shared passion for all things French, a deep love for Paris and living by the mantra “travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer" it is an honour to interview French Style icon Siham Mazouz the curator of the French By Design blog and her online vintage Etsy shop by the same name. This French girl expatriated in the U.S. East Coast likes to mix and match styles and eras to create an eclectic feel to interiors. A self-confessed vintage and design addict, Si likes interiors that “think outside the box” and compiles daily a selection of interiors, house tours, DIY projects or quotes on the French By Design blog. Si also contributes to other beautiful blogs such as Sfgirlbybay. Si shares her story, her signature 'eclectic chic' style and a few eat, read, loves of her own.
Where and when did the French By Design story begin? The French By Design story began when I left my marketing job in France to move to America. My daughters did not speak a word of English back then, so I decided being more present at home was a better option for a while. I opened a small Etsy vintage shop and a blog to channel my creativity, and it grew way bigger than I had anticipated!
Describe your signature style? Eclectic chic. My style obeys no rule. I love to mix and match pieces from different eras, Scandinavian style with ethnic accents, industrial vintage with modern design pieces. It just has to speak true to my heart, feel good, and match my [or my client’s] personality.
Designers/stylists that send you weak at the knees? I love Paola Navone and her free spirited and easy casual style. Her personality transpires in the interiors she styles. I also love Jacqueline Morabito and her unique approach to light, whites and vintage pieces.
What inspires you to get out of bed in the morning? My family, always first, and my job. I love what I do and being my own boss. Hours are long, work is hard, but it’s so rewarding!
Summer or Winter? Summer, without a doubt. I grew up in Morocco, Africa, by the ocean, so heat, ocean breeze and SPF sunscreen resonate much more to me than coats, sweaters and snow shovels.
Local coffee stop love? I don’t have such a routine. I invested in a very good coffee maker and milk frother, so I prefer having a friend over and play the barrista myself!
If you could travel anywhere tomorrow where would it be & why? I am actually packing for Paris, my favorite city in the whole wide world. I never get tired of Paris and rediscover it like it’s the first time, every single time. There’s something so special to me about Paris. I read once a quote that said:
“travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”
I couldn’t agree more with this statement. There isn’t a place I wouldn’t actually travel to tomorrow if I had the chance to.
Eating: Sipping on an afternoon cappuccino
Reading: I need to make time for this. Between the paper magazines, interior design books and international digital magazines issues I go through for my work, I don’t have much time for a good book. But I miss it, so I’ll need to make time for it.
Loving: The first signs of Spring and the flowering shrubs I see every morning when I jog or walk with my dog. We get spoiled with a beautiful outdoor scenery in North Carolina.
Your perfect weekend is…. spent with my loved ones, lunching on the patio, barbecuing, drinking good wine, catching up around a homemade meal with visiting friends.
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Thank you so much Si for your time and for your daily inspiration. Merci Merci. Natalie x x x