The French style wardrobe

Most people think of a wardrobe as a purely functional piece of furniture, but for us, the wardrobe is an opportunity to create a truly unique centrepiece to the bedroom. The French provincial wardrobe is a breathtaking piece of furniture that enhances atmosphere in the bedroom and lifts the space to create a relaxed and luxurious feeling. For the French, especially in Parisian apartments and the large country homes, the décor and design of built-ins is just as important as the décor and furniture in the room. This makes perfect sense when we think of how prominent built-in furniture like wardrobes, cupboards, TV units and doors are in our home. Learn more about our wardrobe design service here.

Custom designed to be truly unique

No two wardrobes are the same. We custom design every wardrobe especially for the client, not only because every space is different and everyone’s storage needs are different, but also because everyone prefers a different look. Every feature, from the panelling, door designs, ornaments, finish, colour and antiquing can be customised to suit a person’s particular taste.

The French provincial wardrobe styles

Our French wardrobe designs can have features of the French provincial style, Louis XV, Louis XVI, Hamptons or more Parisian modern styles. It all depends on the look you want. The wardrobe above, for example, is in the French Louis XVI style with square elongated features including elegant panelling, ornamentation and light gilding. Most notable is the pelmet with adorns the tops of the wardrobe creating a beautiful crowning effect. Some other designs include more simplified panelling and ornamentation with less curvature as in design no. 1  (below) or a more Louis XV style with curved door mouldings as in design no. 2. To see more of our designs see our wardrobe portfolio.

Designing your French wardrobe

Each wardrobe usually begins as a preliminary on-site sketch when Jean-Christophe – our head designer and owner of Christophe Living – visits the client’s home. Learning about the space is essential not only for the dimensions but also for getting the look and feel right. The wardrobe needs to tie in harmoniously with the current interior design and with the person’s needs and taste. As this is where we get ready to start of each day, creating the perfect wardrobe requires a personalised and client focused approach.

Jean-Christophe then meticulously drafts the designs with the client being very much part of the process, so as to ensure every detail is right. Each wardrobe is made by highly trained traditional craftsman in our Sydney workshop under the supervision of Jean-Christophe. For a detailed overview on our custom building process please see our step by step guide to our design process.

Choosing the finish of the wardrobe

The finish of the wardrobe can really impact the final look. A French white finish, for example, creates a fresh bright feel and look. This is perfect for a more modern style bedroom or a Hamptons style bedroom interior. This wardrobe below is in a white painted finish with none of the antiquing you would find in the Louis XV style.

Alternatively, a light antiquing can be added to give a sense of depth and softness, while a soft trim in a contrasting colour like French grey can also create charm and character. To see what types of finishes we can create for furniture please see our paint finishes range. The types of finishes available is endless because we specialise in and love recreating Venetian and antique special paint effects.

See our website to find out more about our wardrobe design service and see our wardrobe portfolio to see more of our designs and to find inspiration for your bedroom makeover.