I just spent a week in France, and I now have 5 new home decor cravings

(Image credit: Future)

published 1 February 2023

Some walk a few blocks to their parents’ house and some go further afield. I go to France, and sure it takes a little longer when I just want to stop in for a cup of coffee, but as you can imagine, I have zero complaints. People often ask whether I feel more French or English, and it only takes a moment or two to realize that more cordon bleu than rouge runs through my veins. Heading back home means I get to hang out with my family and eat too many croissants. Every trip also always gives me a lot of home decor inspiration to bring back to my London rental.

I have to highlight that to me, the French don’t “do” decor; it is just an intrinsic part of a space. Nothing is staged, nothing is even super thought out, or at least it seems that way… how do they do it?

From sitting and scribbling in Wes Anderson-esque cafés to playing card games in my mother’s living room, I came away with five intense home decor cravings that no amount of cheese is likely to fulfill. Since I only had 20 pounds of luggage, this is what I’m shopping now that I’m back in town.

$40

1. Thick stemmed glassware

Be it to hold good wine or filtered water, stemmed glasses are the norm in France and I really took note of thicker stemmed glasses this time around. I love that these clear picks from Uncommon Goods are stackable, too. This is an amazing space-saver for tiny countertops like mine.

$68.99

2. Extravagant lamps

As mentioned, I realized this time around that I need a car for my next visit so I can legitimately bring back the entirety of the antique store in my mother’s local town. I spotted the most gorgeously extra lamp with a curved raspberry base and slightly wrought silver detailing, topped off with a cream shade. I fell in love. This chinoiserie print is pretty extra, especially with the crystal detail. It's a good swap.

$9.82

3. Comic book-inspired artwork

I happened to visit during the International Comics Festival in Angoulême, which welcomes artists from all over to this cool town that I love and always spend time in. Walking through the streets and drinking red in a couple of bohemian bars definitely inspired this choice as you see comic book snippets and illustrated art everywhere. I think it’s a really unique addition to a home as it tells a story, a little more literally than your usual gallery wall addition.

From $51

4. Simple tablecloths

Dressing a table is no longer associated with being a chore, and I'm here for it — Christmas or not. I love gingham and chequered looks. Lace looks good too if that’s your vibe, but a plain linen tablecloth like this one in Sandy Beige from UO is my personal favorite and is sure to perk up a rental dining table before you can say canape.

$34.99

5. Fluted vases

There is a lot of crystal in my mother’s home, which I’m not usually allowed to go near unless it’s Christmas. Apparently being in your thirties doesn’t make you any less clumsy. Anyhow, I kept seeing heavy-cut and fluted glass vases everywhere. I actually picked one off the street going as trash near my place in London (here for judgment) a couple of months back, and it is one of my best finds. I want more and this fluted option from H&M caught my eye immediately.

I'm Cam, the former deputy editor of Real Homes who worked on the site from 2020 to 2023. As a renter myself, sharing a home with two friends (and my cat) in London, I know all too well the challenges that this can pose when it comes to creating your perfect setup. As someone who has always loved everything interior design-related, I cannot rest until a home feels right and I am really passionate about helping others get there too, no matter what their living situation, style, or budget may be. It’s not always the easiest to figure out, but the journey is fun and the results are so worth it.

After interior design, travel, art, and photography are my next big passions. When I’m not writing or editing homes content, I’m usually tapping into other creative outlets, exploring galleries in London or further afield, taking photos, scribbling, or drawing!