By Gabrielle Fagan
For years we've had an enduring love affair with France. From this side of the Channel we seem unable to resist the charm of its relaxed cafe culture and chic lifestyle, not to mention its fashion and food. The lucky ones have holiday homes across the water, some are so enamoured they're upping sticks and relocating, but increasingly the most popular choice is to recreate the essence of a sophisticated French style in our homes.
Indeed, there's such a demand by Francophiles wanting to turn their homes into a replica of a Parisian retreat, a Provencal sanctuary or even a grand chateau, that there's now a myriad of shops and websites offering a menu of all things French - from furniture to fabrics to accessories.