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Home Sweet Maison audiobook

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Home Sweet Maison Audiobook Summary

French Women Don’t Get Fat meets The Little Book of Hygge in this lively, sophisticated, and practical illustrated lifestyle guide that shows how to enjoy la belle vie–to live like the French every day–transforming your house into a home defined by beauty, family, and accessible elegance.

How do the French create the elusive and alluring sanctuaries they call home? This question long intrigued Danielle Postel-Vinay. Thanks to a chance encounter with a French expat in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and years of immersive research, she embarked on a quest to discover the secrets of the French home aesthetic.

Experiencing first-hand la belle vie–the beautiful life–Postel-Vinay now shows everyone how to create their own French sanctuary, a home sweet maison, no matter where they live. Providing more than just interior decorating and design tips, Postel-Vinay teaches you how to foster the warmth, beauty, and rituals inherent in the French home and create an environment better suited to living a rich, full, connected life. At the center of the book is the idea that your house should be a reflection of you, your hobbies, your family history, your rituals, all the things that make your life unique. A happy home is a home that expresses your rituals and your taste, not one that relies on prefab decor from a mass retailer.

Home Sweet Maison encapsulates the very heart of the French way of seeing the world: set the table formally, adhere to all the conventions of ritual and tradition, then take pleasure in indulgence. It’s about using French concepts and routines to change our homes, our relationships, and our lives for the better.

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Home Sweet Maison Audiobook Narrator

Carrington MacDuffie is the narrator of Home Sweet Maison audiobook that was written by Danielle Postel-Vinay

Danielle Postel-Vinay lives with her children and Parisian husband in the Hudson River Valley of New York.

About the Author(s) of Home Sweet Maison

Danielle Postel-Vinay is the author of Home Sweet Maison

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Home Sweet Maison Full Details

Narrator Carrington MacDuffie
Length 4 hours 55 minutes
Author Danielle Postel-Vinay
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date March 13, 2018
ISBN 9780062797865

Subjects

The publisher of the Home Sweet Maison is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Family & Relationships, General

Additional info

The publisher of the Home Sweet Maison is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062797865.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Lizzie

March 14, 2018

Danielle Postel-Vinay gives her readers a refreshing take on the lifestyle genre. Home Sweet Maison is a sensory journey into what makes a French home, well....French. Setting aside French stereotypes of snobbery and romanticism, Postel-Vinay gives her reader an up close and personal look into the form, function and even history of every room in the French home. It’s a fascinating look at culture, both American and French, and the constant struggle between tradition and modern living. Postel-Vinay never forgets she is an American, from a particular time and place, the 1970’s Midwest and she neither dismisses nor puts on a pedestal one way of life. Instead, there is a love story in these pages: the love of her Parisian husband and his family and of course France. How do we prioritize what we love? And celebrate that love in how we live? Home Sweet Maison helps us answer these questions and one needn’t be a Francophile to appreciate this author’s wisdom.

Jenna

January 05, 2022

I'll admit that I was skeptical at first. It struck me as something in the same vein as A Little Book of Hygge - which was cozy, but the only practical, actionable thoughts I came away with were buying candles, and expensive Danish furniture. But this was a charming and practical little book, one I am planning on buying and referencing. It, of course, had poetic hyperbole that makes it so lovely. Do I believe a house feels that it is incomplete without a cave? Non. Do I want one? Oui. I expected this book to be about how the French set up and decorate a room, but came to realize it was full of practical ways that the French live. I didn't expect a manual of how the French do laundry, but there it was (and no book has ever made me want to laundry before, but this one made its sound charming). I thought maybe it should be titled something that would help distinguish it as a book of French homemaking and realized, that it was right there in the subtitle. Overall it was charming, inspiring and a quick read. Very apropos for the beginning of the year.

Ann

February 09, 2018

Written with charm and precision, Home Sweet Maison is both a guide to creating unique and beautiful spaces, as well as an insightful and fascinating exploration of French culture. From practical tips to larger philosophical questions, Danielle Postel-Vinay shows us how to bring French warmth and elegance to our own homes – and, in turn, lead richer, more connected lives.

Jess

October 11, 2018

This was great! Seriously, one of the gems of the French vs American genre. The author shows a great appreciation, though not an infatuation, for French culture, and includes good practical advice for incorporating potentially desirable elements into your own home.

Kristi

October 08, 2019

This book isn't for everyone...but it was definitely for me. I actually listened on Audible...and have re-listened twice! I use this as more of a workbook for certain areas of my home. I definitely enjoy the French way of life and this was an excellent glimpse into French home life and schedules.

Sarah

May 31, 2020

I found myself feeling quite inspired by this book to embrace my inner francophile when it comes to home decor choices and behavioural norms.Danielle Postel-Vinay draws on her own experiences, having grown up in a typical American home in the mid-west, being introduced to the French way of life by a friend-mentor as a young adult, and ultimately having married a Frenchman. She lives in New York City, but has also lived in the south of France and has spent a great deal of time in the homes of her in-laws in France.This is by no means an academic or deeply philosophical examination of the cultural variation in approaches to domesticity, in the vein of Alain de Botton's The Architecture of Happiness. However, it is a thoughtful series of essays, arranged into chapters addressing particular rooms within a home (L'Entree, Le Salon, La Cuisine, La Chambre etc.) intertwined with supporting anecdotes and memories from Postel-Vinay's personal history.I was somewhat surprised to find that, based on Postel-Vinay's observations, the Australian domestic way of life (my corner of it, anyway!) seems to be closer to the French than what she perceives the American to be. Broader subjects she explores include the fundamental discongruence between modern "open-plan" styles of domestic architecture and the traditional French domestic arrangements. She relates that, in France, a room is associated with a particular function or purpose for the household and its inhabitants, and that multi-purpose spaces can undermine the capacity of that room to create a sense of family togetherness and joy. Thankfully, this is about as close as Postel-Vinay comes to Marie Kondō's concept of domesticity. I was relieved to find that my habit of surrounding myself with books, pictures and items of nostalgia, not to mention paperwork, is quite compatible with creating a French ambience. She refers on several occasions to the French people's employment of "Cartesian" organisation, such that everything has its proper place in the larger system to creates a better whole. This applies equally to placement of kitchen utensils as it does to the adherence to consistent ritualized domestic practices.For those who aren't French speakers, Postel-Vinay provides a helpful glossary at the end of the volume, which includes many frequently used domestic words, but also several intriguing concepts (eg. the apero-dinatoire), of which I'd never previously heard.A quick read, with many helpful and reasonably achievable suggestions for embracing a little of the French joie de vivre into one's everyday home life. I particularly appreciated the "Creating Your..." section at the end of each chapter, where Postel-Vinay distills the preceding chapter's contents into a few discrete elements.

Luke

March 10, 2022

Okay: yes, the core of this book is how to emulate classic French home decor, but what makes it worth your potential time isn’t facts like all of your quilts should be 100% cotton or that there’s a difference between a bookshelf (a storage place for your books) and a library (a curated representation of yourself showcased by books). Rather, it’s the undersold psychology, history, and culture that developed the ideas that eventually led to decor being how it is. For instance, way back when, the cellar was where a family would hide everything precious from would-be robbers. Treasures meant to be saved, cherished, and celebrated in private. Not just money or gold or jewelry but the little joys worth saving (which gave birth to the wine cellar). I feel like this book is CRITICALLY undersold in its contents. What is essentially a book about the compounding psychology and its effect on a culture is sold as fluff - a quest for an aesthetic for aesthetic’s sake.And, let me say, aesthetic for aesthetic’s sake is one of my least favorite things. It’s playing dress-up. Pretend. It robs things of meaning and nuance.Want an example? When hipsters started to get noticed, it was initially for their odd fashion (deservedly so) but, when approached, these bearded, scarf-in-the-summertime people would say they’re just dressing how they like. DOING what they like. They found small businesses, had no interest in growing into bigger markets, supported others, and have more of a vested interest in pursuing their dreams and supporting their community than checking the boxes expected by society. But changing your way of life is difficult. Going against the grain is tough. On the other hand, scarves are, what, twenty bucks? Grow a beard, throw on a flannel, wear a scarf and you may not be the truest form of hipster - the 00’s punk rocker - but you LOOK like it so maybe you can catch some of the attention the ones with integrity and credibility have gotten.And that’s when it became a joke.But what if it's instead bait? What if you're lured in by the aesthetic and then explained the significance behind it and you, half-committed at this point, start to see something greater?Then it might be worth it.

❁ karol ❁

January 10, 2022

This book is about how the French decorate/assign the purpose of each room in their home. From the entrance to the basement. The author compares and contrasts between how the French and Americans treat each room of the house. The Americans like to have an open space and utilize every room about the same way. They don’t give each room a different purpose like the French do. The entrance? The French encourage you to decorate to your personality. Are you into traveling? Put all the pictures you’ve been to. Are you into Art? Put some of your artwork or artwork of others. Are you in the medical field? Place some medical books by a table. It shouldn’t just be a place where your guests put their shoes and coats. The entrance gives your guests a first took into your personality.The living room? The French believe that this should be a place of togetherness. Where you engage in meaningful conversations with their guests or family members. The French believe that you shouldn’t have a tv in the living room because it takes away from the togetherness. Instead playing board games or card games is a great way to gain a good connection with anyone. And other rooms in the house like the kitchen, laundry room, basement, office/library and even the bathroom. It was an interesting book and gave me a new perspective to think about when I have my own house one day. The things I’ve learned in this book is definitely something I’m going to incorporate in my life in the future. Totally going to put this book by my entrance :)

Jason

October 28, 2020

This book was good- but not what it sells itself as. It purports to be a book on how to "frenchify" your American home. It wants to be a How To decorating guide. What it actually is is a memoir. She's an American, born in the Mid-west, and a Francophile. She met a French woman while a teen who had a huge impact on how she saw the world. Then she married a Frenchman. Then she lived in France. Her claim to expertise on the French Home is based on her limited exposure - her friends house, her in-laws homes, and her other limited exposures. That and French home décor magazines. It was still good, but not the dive into French home life and its impact on architecture and home design as a piece of cultural anthropology that I was looking for. Fun, quick read with some insights. Brutally honest about some of the defects of French culture. Also good at pointing out some of the weaknesses of contemporary suburban home design. Biggest take aways: Your home should be a symbolic representation of yourself. (Working on it) Kill your television, or at least hide it. Your living room should be about conversation and interaction, not boob tube centered. (I have long wanted to put a set of shutters in front of our tv. I may yet do it.) Keep food production separate from food eating, and eat together as a family as often as possible. (Got it covered)She had some ideas about laundry that were interesting, and I'm going to look for the stain specific detergents she recommends.

Chloe

August 03, 2018

A delightful little book. I love Francophile books, and books about making a home, so this was right up my alley. I have no doubt many French people would disagree with her generalizations about French homes, but what struck me was that many of her generalizations about American homes absolutely don’t apply to my home or the homes I grew up in, though I definitely recognize them from the homes of my childhood friends. Anyway, the home she aspires to may not be 100% authentically French, but it does sound like a lovely place to call your own. If you read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, there is a step where you are meant to visualize the home you want at the end of the process. The home described by Postel-Vinay could very well be that for many readers. I’m a bit more given to eccentric wall colors, and feel uncomfortable with too many neutrals, but the author and I agree that separate dining rooms need to make a comeback, and that the salon should be as ready to host artists and philosophers as it is to host friends and neighbors.

Ashley

April 24, 2019

A very sweet, charming book about the intricacies of French customs in relation to home decor, organization, and the importance of purpose within every room. Really though, part of the charm of this book is the author's details about her introduction into French traditions through her late friend Jacqueline; their close friendship is described so well that I can see the author's first trip to Jacqueline's home playing almost like a movie in my head. The final chapter on creating one's own boudoir was a personal favorite and inspired me to want to carve out my own little boudoir filled with items that bring self care and peace. A lovely read if you've always dreamed of your own little home in France

Debbie

April 30, 2018

A relatively concise book that outlines the various rooms used in a traditional French home, Home Sweet Maison shares tips on how to make the most of each room. Focusing on the purpose of each given area, from the entry to the boudoir, Danielly Postel-Vinay shares her experiences of discovering the interiors of French homes from childhood to her adult life as well as how she has adopted and incorporated some of these traditions into her modern home. It was enjoyable to learn about the various parts of a French home, and how much sense it makes to keep areas of the home separate. This deliberate attention to each given space was a lovely discovery and I look forward to trying out these ideas and systems for myself! In particular I am keen to try product from the Carbona (carbona.com) to help keep clothing in great condition.

Santanna Rina

April 20, 2022

You know a book is a five-star read when you highlight throughout and take notes. I have absolutely fallen in love with the European way of creating homes and living. It all started for me last year when I read Meik Wiking's books. I could not believe the amount of connections I had to this book and the flashbacks I had to my grandparent's home. I didn't realize till now, how embedded the French culture was in their home. I have notes on things I want to incorporate into our home, and notes of Parisian parenting expectations and ideas I hope we can use in the future. "Your home knows your past, it directs you to your future". After reading this book I am filled with validity and love, excitement and encouragement. I am grateful I crossed paths with this book.

Kate

July 04, 2022

Charming read! I love that in this book you’re learning about French culture and values and so much more than just decor through the stories the author tells about her French in-laws, her life as a mother both in France and the U.S., her French husband, and her dear French friend and mentor, Jacqueline. This book walks you through a French home but in so doing really paints a picture of the life of the author and the profound relationships she’s had with the French family and friends in her life. It was unexpected and absolutely lovely. Also, I want a whole novel about Jaqueline. She sounds like such a character and was fascinating to learn about!

Stephanie

February 16, 2018

I got this book from goodreads first reads. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I mostly really appreciated how spot on the author was about US home cultural practices (that I hadn't noticed because I'm too close to the matter) and how they differ from the French (which I know nothing about). Awareness is half the battle and therefore I found it a pretty useful home guide. A number of the concepts it reviewed I've seen many other home help books touch on and while I found a few things absolutely wild it still felt nice to know about. I got an ARC so there were a few comical typos but the heart and the message of the book is great.

Debra

December 30, 2020

I very much enjoyed this book! It is definitely one of my favorites that I will read again! Her descriptions of the French and the French lifestyle interest me very much! Danielle describes how she came to know the French through her job, her marriage and the people she came to know and love in her quest to find out more about the French. Like Danielle I am interned in the French people, their culture and their homes. Unlike Danielle I cannot learn about them the way she has. Reading her book has brought me closer to my own culture, beliefs, lifestyle and given me an in depth understanding who I am as a person and of my own French heritage.

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