Meet Philippine. You might know her as founder of C'est Beau Chez Toi, a home styling studio based in San Francisco. Or you may know her as a creative director working with some brands you know and love.
We know her as our cool friend with great taste. We've worked with Philippine for years developing our sourcing trips in the French countryside and she always brings us something new. This summer, she is spending time in France with friends and family as she does each year.
Lucky for us, she's sharing some of her favorite places and experiences from her summer travels.
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
French Country Entertaining | Lessons from 12 Generations
What I love most about French country entertaining is the ease with which it comes, especially in my family and our village of Montrozier where my family has spent their vacations for twelve generations.
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
Cooking What's in Season
Before we even think about setting a table, we think about what's growing. Sometimes we pick vegetables ourselves from La Ferme d'Agen, where you walk through the potager and pick what you will cook. Other times it's the Saturday market in Rodez. Either way, the menu builds itself around what looks best that day - not what we planned weeks ahead.This approach removes so much stress. When you cook what's actually in season, everything tastes better with less effort. A perfect tomato needs little more than good olive oil and salt. Fresh herbs from the garden transform the simplest dishes. Our stone houses with their slate (lauze) roofs provide the perfect backdrop for this kind of effortless hospitality. (I'll take you inside these homes in a later village feature - today is about the art of entertaining within them.)
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
Living with Beautiful Things
The entertaining style here grows from layers - mismatched serving pieces inherited from ancestors, treasures picked up from local brocantes, things that have earned their place through use and beauty. We might use beautiful French embroidered vintage sheets as tablecloth - not because it's precious, but because that's what fits the table for the size party we're having.
This isn't about trends or themes. It's about being surrounded by beauty in your living space, using things you actually love, and creating an atmosphere where people want to linger.
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
The Philosophy: Quality Over Quantity
I'd rather have one beautiful piece that I will love, cherish, and reuse than multiple items that lack character. This philosophy extends to everything - from serving pieces to linens to glassware. Each item has earned its place through beauty, function, or sentiment. Even the recipes I choose can’t have more than 4 ingredients.
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
The Practice: Planning for Effortlessness
Summers are long, and with a large extended family, it's hard to have a night off. What I've learned is to plan within the day - cooking early in the morning so everything is ready and I'm not stuck in the kitchen when people arrive.
But what I like most - a skill I learned from my paternal grandmother - is setting up while everyone naps to escape the afternoon heat. This is when I move through the house, gathering what I need without anyone underfoot.
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
The Secret: It's About the Setting
We might use beautiful French embroidered vintage sheets as tablecloth - not because it's precious, but because it's what we have and it's beautiful. Perhaps my grandmother's transferware for a rustic lunch, or the good glasses that have survived decades of family meals. Linen napkins that have softened with age and countless washings. Flowers cut from the garden, arranged simply in whatever vessel makes sense.
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
The Reality: Living Style
This isn't performance - it's how we actually live. The worn wooden table that's hosted countless meals, the mismatched chairs that somehow work perfectly together, the way afternoon light filters through old stone walls onto carefully chosen objects.Each gathering builds on the last, using the same beloved pieces in new combinations. The copper pots that move from stove to table. The baskets that hold bread in the morning and flowers in the evening. The platters that have served twelve generations of family meals.
| Photography by Philippine Scali |
What This Teaches
French country entertaining isn't about having the latest trends or perfect matching sets. It's about building a collection of beautiful, functional things over time and using them with confidence. It's about preparation that allows you to be present with your guests rather than stressed in the kitchen.Most importantly, it's about understanding that true hospitality comes from genuine pleasure in gathering people together, not to impress. The best evenings happen when everyone feels relaxed and welcome. This approach to entertaining can be achieved anywhere - it's about mindset and curation rather than budget or space. Start with quality pieces you truly love, plan ahead to reduce stress, and remember that the goal is connection, not perfection.
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