
French Style – The Romance of the City
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French Style – The Romance of the City
We all have certain stereotypes in our minds regarding tastes and customs in different countries. For instance, the word “France” often conjures up associations of elegance and sophistication reminiscent of the lavish palace interiors from the times of Louis XIV and Napoleon, the bohemian settings of Montmartre apartments, and the enchanting atmosphere of stylish Parisian […]
We all have certain stereotypes in our minds regarding tastes and customs in different countries. For instance, the word “France” often conjures up associations of elegance and sophistication reminiscent of the lavish palace interiors from the times of Louis XIV and Napoleon, the bohemian settings of Montmartre apartments, and the enchanting atmosphere of stylish Parisian cafes. It is from such images that the famous French style of interior decoration is created.
Its main distinguishing features can be described as richness and exquisite taste. Oh, it’s indeed so. Expensive, refined furniture must necessarily be accompanied by luxurious drapery, gilding, and rich stucco work. And all this should not create a sense of discord or tastelessness, but rather, be an embodiment of beauty and harmony.
This is an extremely challenging task for a designer, and to achieve a good result, it’s crucial to have as much knowledge as possible about the main features of French-style design. Here they are:
- A bit of eclecticism and historical var
- iety is allowed, meaning you can mix classic, baroque, rococo, Empire, modern, creating an impression of rich family heritage, facilitated by numerous old photographs and household items, seemingly handed down from our grandparents;
- A certain amount of genuinely antique furniture in the interior, which is highly valued in France, many acquire it at flea markets, where prices are much more democratic;
- A preference is always given to a pastel palette;
- Wall finishes usually feature light matte shades, while floors are made of light parquet boards;
- An effort to equip a fireplace in the living room, or at least have an imitation if a real one is not feasible;
- Numerous graceful and elegant decorative elements – mirrors in gilded frames, candelabra, paintings, antique clocks, etc.;
- A small but exquisite tea table in the center of the living room;
- Rich stucco on walls and ceilings;
- No built-in lighting – only luxurious chandeliers and lamps with an antique effect.