ARTICLES

June 16, 2019

Decorating with the Louis sixteen style

The Louis sixteen style is the epitome of French elegance and style. It was historically a reaction to the curves of the Louis fifteen style. With its turned fluted legs, neoclassical tones and refined mouldings the Louis sixteen style fits perfectly well with modern contemporary décor and with Louis fifteen and fourteen styles. For this…

June 2, 2019

Adding décor to your French interior

After you have made all the big decisions and invested into new furniture the final touches are finally here. This is where you can tie your interior together and often make it all come other with a few final touches. In these interiors décor such as vases, cushions, tassels, prints, throws and flowers are what…

Designing an entrance that leaves a great first and last impression is an important part of the overall interior deign of the home. Whether you have a small space or grand entrance there are a number of simple tips that can be followed to transform the space. The French style is perfectly suited to a fine entrance as its soft and welcoming. In the following interiors we show you why we made the design decisions and how different French styles suit different spaces. Pic 1 This entrance was only a small space to work with but ended up looking goprgeous with this French provincial style furniture. We decided to add a curtain in blue and white stripe to soften, lengthen the sense of height in the room and add some homely charm. The teals tie in with the painted finish on the French provincial hall table. The antique finish was done in a slightly heavier antique finish than usual so that the hall table worked well with the pre-existing tiles on the floor. The trim and decoration was finished in antique teal tone to bring some cool welcoming tones to the room. The mirror was finished in the opposite [painted finish with a rub through on the mouldings and it was positioned close to the ceiling to add height and open up the space. Pic 2 This entrance had an ornate tile floor that need a hall table that was delicate and airy. The Louis fifteen style was perfect for this look. This hall table is smaller than the usual hall tables and is in a medium antique walnut finish. It has super fine cabriole legs, beautiful curves and carvings and an elegant sense of proportion. A tall classical ornate gilded mirror was positioned above in the portrait position to add height to the sense of space. This also helped open up the room as it was opposite the font door. A gilded neo-classical French table lamp helped link the hall table and the mirror and quintessential French basket of lavender helped to add some country charm. While the gold was quite formal and the overall was classic and refined. It ewas not too busy and welcoming. Pic 3 The space here was very limited so a ornate wall scone with marble top was attached to the wall to keep the entrance open and spacious. The silhouette or the ornate metal work against the wall create a real focal point as guests entered. A pot with dried flowers tied in the with the curves of the scone metal work above which a small French watercolour with antique gold double mount was placed just to soften the look. Pic 4 The entrance to this home had a long hall so a decorative light toned oriental runner helped create and rich feel to the entrance space. This space had high ceilings so the first impression needed to be grand, memorable and elegant. As the timber floors were exposed either side of the runner a rich gilded ornate Louis fifteen hall table with marble top create a beautiful first impression. A tall gilded mirror above the hall table was needed to balance out the curvaceous proportions and ornate carvings of the hall table and open up the space spreading more lighting into the back corner of the hall. Two prints in gold frames either side of the mirror created balance to the design and crated a focal point as guest entered the front door and look down the hall. Pic 5 This home had a modern contemporary feel which the Louis sixteen painted hall table suited perfectly. The hall table was finished in a light antique white finish with French grey trim to add some depth and body to the room and balance out the tiled floor. The bottom of the legs was also painted in the grey so that the contrast between the hall table and the floor did not stand out too much and so that the floor and hall table was integrated. A recessed panel with down lights was the perfect space to place an urn with oversized flower bouquet to add richness and a lively impressive feeling as guests entered the home.

May 26, 2019

Decorating your entrance in the French style

Designing an entrance that leaves a great first and last impression is an important part of the overall interior design of the home. Whether you have a small space or grand entrance there are a number of simple tips that can be followed to transform the space. The French style is perfectly suited to a…

Gold Finished French Glass Top Coffee Table

May 5, 2019

Gold finishes and the French look

Gilded finishes have been traditional in all furniture and interiors throughout Europe and in particular in France, Italy and Spain. Gilded finishes vary in both the type of metal used – it can also be silver or copper – as well as the final finish, it can be burnished bright or antiqued with special powders…

March 30, 2019

Caring for your French dining table

The Expansion Gap On Frame Top and Parquetry tables the framed border does not allow for contraction and expansion of the timber, that is why we have a small gap between the frame and the central panel on the top. It is a 2mm expansion gap which allows the expansion and contraction of the central…

March 17, 2019

Different French styles for your French lounge room

Formal Louis lounge A formal Louis lounge is the epitome of style and sophistication. Often using a mixture of Louis fifteen and Louis sixteen styles with elegant curves and carvings this is a refined look for any lounge room. The fabrics are usually neutral as abase colour but richness is added via using damasks or…

March 10, 2019

Different styles for the perfect French Bedroom

Louis and semiformal French bedroom Louis style and semiformal bedrooms are synonymous with classic furniture, highlighted with refined details such as fine carvings, rich gilding and delicate fabrics. The colours are often soft and romantic, but with raw, strong aspects such as timber polishes or brass fixtures. In these styles an element of contrast can…

May 13, 2018

Selecting a Bedhead

A beautiful French-inspired bedhead is a great way to create focus in a bedroom. A bedhead behind the bed creates a crowning effect – a centre point – and makes a statement that the bed is an important part of the room. There are two main types of bedhead. A timber frame with one of…

October 23, 2015

How to Design with Black in the French Style

After having just written about the colours of Provence it may seem strange to talk about black in French interiors, yet….

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