Trends come and go, but French interiors, old or new, never go out of style. The New French look is spirited and fresh, layered but never fussy, effortless yet always chic. It confidently uses elements of colour and pattern to create an elegant atmosphere, but with a new contemporary edge. Referencing history, it offers a respectful nod to the past without ever looking stale and stuffy.

In this first book of the Style Study series, interior designer Lauren Li takes a deep-dive into the best examples of the New French look to discover what makes the aesthetic so appealing. From the city to the beach, the country and the mountains, Li explores the work of leading French architects and designers to reveal how they do it.