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Slow Living & Interior Inspiration: My 2026 Reading List for a Restored French Home
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items Renovating a 1930s house in the French countryside with two little ones is a lot, so "slow living" usually feels like a work in progress. These books are the guides I’m using to find some balance in the middle of the renovation. From design inspirati...
Sections
3
Interiors
Decluttering & Organisation
Slow Living & Mindfulness
Interiors
A collection of interior inspiration books that celebrate the 'lived-in' soul of old homes. These are the guides I reach for when our restoration feels never-ending.
This is a wonderful source of inspiration for mixing Scandinavian simplicity with the character of an old house, since we are filling our home with pre-loved treasures.
The Vintage Way: Scandinavian-Style Home
Such a georgous book! A reminder that 'home' is a feeling we nurture over a lifetime, not just a set of four walls.
The Kinfolk Home: Interiors for Slow Living
Zoé de Las Cases' take on French vintage style reminds me why we fell in love with our 1930s home.
Zoé de Las Cases La Maison: French Vintage Decor
A lovely guide for finding that balance between a house that looks beautiful and a home that actually works for a busy family with muddy boots and little hands.
The Art of Home: Designer Guide to Creating
A gentle reminder that a home doesn’t need to be 'finished' to be full of joy. I love how this celebrates the layers, the vintage finds and the everyday mementoes.
The Happy Home: Layered Interiors for Joy
This book is a quiet meditation on architecture. it reminds me to focus on light, rhythm, and the deeper connection we have with the spaces we inhabit.
Slow Home: Architecture & Interiors for Life
Decluttering & Organisation
Practical home organisation systems for managing a busy family. Our 1930s layout has many charms, but built-in storage isn't one of them! These books should help me manage the 'kid-clutter' without losing the soul of our rooms.
Focuses on how a decluttered space can actually calm the nervous system, something every mother in the middle of a renovation needs to hear!
Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home
The author gets to the heart of why we hold onto things. It’s been a helpful book as I sort through what truly belongs in our future here.
Making Space, Clutter Free: Last Decluttering Book
A step-by-step manifesto for a simpler life. I find Shira’s advice so helpful for editing down our belongings before we move into newly restored rooms.
Minimalista: Guide to a Better Home & Life
A go-to for finding beauty in the practical. It’s about using a simple stoneware jar or a vintage peg rail to keep the daily chaos at bay.
Remodelista: The Organized Home - Stylish Storage
A lovely, emotional approach to tidying. It helps me let go of the things we no longer need, making room for the life we are building in the countryside.
Reset Your Home: Unpack Emotions & Clutter
A reassuring guide for those of us who aren't minimalists at heart. It’s helping me find systems that work for our actual life. It’s about making room for what you love, rather than just clearing it all away.
The Home Edit Life: No-Guilt Guide to Organizing
Slow Living & Mindfulness
My favourite mindfulness books for mental resets. These reads help me embrace a slower, seasonal pace, encouraging me to pause and notice the small joys found in the garden or around the kitchen table.
A visual escape into homes that prioritise presence over 'stuff.' It’s a beautiful reminder of the principles we want to live by.
Still: The Slow Home
A beautiful guide to creating a space that feels like an extension of the soul. it reminds me that a home isn't about perfection, but about the slow, intentional layers of wood, stone, and memory.
This is Home: The Art of Simple Living
Perfect for those five minutes of peace before the children wake and a gentle reminder to notice the frost on the meadow or the first buds in our garden.
Slow Down
A thoughtful look at simplifying life and walking a path that is truly our own, away from the 'hype' of the modern world.
Enough: Learning to simplify life, let go and walk the path that's truly ours
A 'don’t do it all' book that promotes rest. It’s a vital read for anyone who tends to put their own needs at the bottom of the renovation to-do list.
Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, Live Well
A collection of beautiful guideposts for well-being. It emphasises compassion toward ourselves, so important during busy seasons of life.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down
If you’d like to see more of what’s on my nightstand, I’ve gathered a few more of my favourite seasonal reads and slow living guides over on my website. You’re most welcome to come and browse the full collection here.
Slow & Seasonal Living | Mindful Motherhood - Maison Citrose
