Jan de Luz brings his Basque-influenced style to America in a bold way: he rescues antique French architectural elements and accessories from the countryside-mantels, farmhouse sinks, stone sentinels and fountains, even wooden spiral staircases-and brings them to America. Installed in their final American destinations, each piece stands as a stately, impressive, and lovely piece of art in a living room, kitchen, garden, or any room of the house. With stunning photography by Tom O'Neill, an extensive resource list, and chapters that include "Importing French culture to America," "Pieces that Transform," and "Hunting for the Rare," this book is destined to become a classic for Francophiles, antique collectors, and anyone who loves the feel of the old-world countryside. Jan De Luz, was born in the Basque region of Southwestern France in 1949. He started out as an apprentice with a cabinetmaker, then in his 20s, turned his attention to recreating old fabrics. Following his passion is essential to Jan de Luz, and let to his first successful business - a chain of retail stores throughout France featuring the finest quality natural-fiber linens designed and woven in his own workshop. In 1996, he and his family moved to California and established an import business for French antiques. Jan lives on the Central Coast of California, with his wife, Brigitte, daughters, Carla and Lehena, and son, Olivier.