Cara's Modern French-inspired Condo

Cara and I are so alike but are very distinct in many ways.

This is her:

Photo from Tory Burch

and this is me:

Photo from Kate Spade

This is her:

Photo from Tory Burch

and this is me:

Photo from Tory Burch

So last week we were talking about her and her husband's newly-purchased unit at Rockwell, and their plans of decorating it into something different from her usual, favorite clean and sometimes, Asian look. 

In Interior Design, this is her:

And this is me:

Photo from Houzz.com

But she's decided to take a break from the Asian look for this new condo that she and her husband, Leon, purchased late last year. She's leaving plain and boring behind for a girly-er, fluffier look. 

Their condo's style will be a kind of Moderny French..clean lines and a pop of European accent  (Damask prints here, nice French window detailing there, but really more Carla Bruni than Marie Antoinette).

So I asked her to show me photos that she will be giving her designer, and here are a few of the pegs:

Neutral colors off-set by the plum-colored tufted long-john and ceramic turquoise stools--these are so her, if you ask me. There's still that hint of Asianness in this design.

She likes the unexpected spattering of Zebra print here--this is not exactly French, but it makes a good finish to an otherwise uneventful backdrop.

Clean lines, again--but pay attention to the moulding detail on the ceiling, then thesoft sofas and fluffy, colorful flower arrangements that give balance to the clean and masculine shelves, fireplace and coffee table

Do you notice how this can be so French-Asian-Art Deco? 

 Subtle Chinese-inspired accents

I have always been an American-home kind of person; never appreciated the boringness of "Asian," and have never really considered going French--that's probably because it isn't a popular choice in Manila. Everyone here is going Spanish, Japanese or Filipino. I think, though, that more people should go for a good, snobby and updated French look. 

Will be sure to post photos of their place once the unit is done! :)