To celebrate the launch of my new book Petit Chateau, I thought it would be fun/interesting for you if I interviewed myself about the book (lol)…
Q. Why did you write Petit Chateau?
As we started work on restoring our cottage in Tasmania, I began sharing, via social media, the day-to-day activities happening onsite and what we were getting up to. I was blown away by how many people were excited and interested in following along. So I shared as much as I could via my Instagram account @frenchconsul and involved followers in some key decisions (like trying to choose the front door colour – oh my, that was a tricky colour decision!). Once Grand Designs Australia joined us and began filming our build, I wasn’t able to share as much content as I would have loved to, for a whole year – I had to wait until after the show aired. Creating this book seemed like a wonderful next step, a more permanent way to catch up on the progress I had been sharing so you could again enjoy and be part of the story that was restoring and extending our heritage home.
Q. This isn’t your first book, is it?
No, I wrote two books before Petit Chateau. My first was a career advice book for young women called Career Advice you wish your mum had told you and my second was for new mums, titled The Real Baby Book you need at 3am. I love writing non-fiction. I have a background in journalism and my favourite content to write has always been about informing and helping others in a genuine and real way.
Q. Who is this book for?
- If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s really like to restore an old house or you just love all things heritage, then you’ll find the book informative and beautiful, I hope!
- The book is also for lovers of all things French Provincial and country style.
- Many of French Consul’s followers and customers have written to me over the years to ask me to print a coffee table book of my photoshoots. To have as a keepsake, and for inspiration in decorating their own homes a la Provencal.
- So…Petit Chateau is for Francophiles, interiors lovers, and those who dream of a time gone by and quality, artisan detail and decor.
Q. What’s in the book, can you share some examples?
There are lots of personal photos and stories about how we found the cottage and my design decisions throughout the whole restoration and build. I’ve included my floorplan, our architect’s hand-drawn plans, and my interior mood board. Everything you see in each room has been itemised in the book, so you can ‘shop’ the rooms I’ve created. There are so many decisions you have to make when decorating or renovating so hopefully, the product guide will help in some way. There’s also a handy travel guide to some of my favourite places to shop, eat and be inspired in Tasmania, for your next trip. I’ve recommended the trades I loved working with and provided their contact details, and I talk about the beauty and history of the house and how the cottage revealed herself to us.
Purchase a copy of Petit Chateau here.
Watch Karen’s Grand Designs Australia episode here from 8th February 2024 on ABC TV.
