Papering over the cracks

For the last couple of months I've been delving into the state of property in rural France. There is lots available simply because the aim of the common man and woman in France is to move out of the country and into a new-build unit in a town.

Amongst the wide variety of size and shape, one aspect of style remains constant, and that is the compulsion to wallpaper everything in sight. Not just the walls, but ceilings, fireplaces, cupboards, and, I suspect, the occasional sleeping cat!



These two images are of the same house!

Of course, the practical reason may be that it is only the wallpaper that is stopping the plaster from falling off ... but it is hardly the epitome of French chic. In fact, it makes me want to throw up.