French Refined

How 2 create a contemporary elegant French style living room

Louis XV

In a Louis XV interior you find playful informal Rococo styled furniture and decorative items. The main motifs used the shell, S and C curves with trailing ribbons, stylized foliage, fish, and scrolls in asymmetrical carved designs. The furniture, walls and accessories in the rooms highly gilded. The colors used; soft blue, pale yellow, sea blue and sea green hues.

Very large framed mirrors placed above the fireplace or above console tables between floor length windows. Gilded clocks, gilt bronzed cherub candle sticks, Sevres porcelain vases and Chinese ceramics accessorized the room.

Louis XVI

This era had neoclassic refined, delicate symmetrical interiors. The acanthus, scrolls, rosettes, swags and Greek keys were the main motifs. Silk, damasks and velvets fabric were used for curtaining and upholstery.

The furniture was slim and linear with straight legs fluted or reeded tapering to sabot feet. The back of the chairs were oval, rectangular or square. White used with bright pastels; the dominant colors. During both Louis' era's parquetry, tile, terra cotta floors (and Louis XVI marble) were covered with Savonnerie or Aubusson carpets.

The walls in both eras were paneled (called boiserie) framed usually painted with gilded moldings. The only difference more gilding was used during the Louis XV era and different motifs and patterns were used.  During the Louis XVI era silk wallpaper was also used.

 

Sister Parish said

"Innovation is often the ability to reach into the past

and bring what is good, what is beautiful what is lasting"

 

How to create a French provincial interior?

So how do you go about creating a French provincial interior? The most important thing to remember is the provincial style is a simpler version of the French styles mentioned above. Parquetry, tiled or timber floors covered with floor rugs in delicate (usually stylized floral) designs and colors would make a good start to the project.

Parquetry floors, delicately designed and colored rugs

Simple rectangular framed paneled walls or damask wallpaper could be used. The timber panels left unstained or painted white, ivory or a pale pastel color. Wallpaper could be used as a feature wall or as panel inserts.

Paneled walls or damask wallpaper, shuttered windows

Shutters and simple curtaining could be used for window treatments. The aim to create a casual elegance, the style should be restrained refined yet comfortable. A sense of peaceful tranquility;  can be achieved by using soft blues, greens, pinks and other pastel colors with crisp white.

Louis XV style chairs and sofas with cabriole legs overstuffed upholstery with painted timber frames

One of the most used chair designs ever is Louis XV. This graceful yet comfy chair has cabriole legs on small scroll feet. There were a variety of sofas and chairs known as marquise, canapé, corbeille, veilleuse and duchesse. The upholstery was made up of overstuffed cushions in rich fabrics. Chair and sofa timber frames were mostly painted. So for this project some simplified Louis XV chairs and sofas in cushion fabrics to coordinate or match the curtains and wallpaper would achieve the level of style and comfort needed.

Other furniture, commodes, console table

Other pieces of furniture during the Louis XV era were made with decorative veneers of mahogany, rosewood, cherry, pear or ebony. Floral marquetry, inlaid porcelain plaques, Chinese lacquer, Ormolu or gilt mounts were used for decoration. The commode of the era was curvilinear, with wave like fronts and short curved legs. A simplified version of a commode, console, coffee and side tables with a simplified Louis XV or XVI profile would be welcome additions to the room.

Lighting

For a formal refined look add crystal or wrought iron chandeliers. Plain lampshades for table lamps in simple styles work best. Pedestal floor lamps with a base of sculptured wood with patina and/or bronzed cherub candle sticks would also work well in this scheme.

Accessories

During the Louis periods Chinese lacquer and items from the orient were all the rage. So it would not be out of place to add some oriental style items. Maybe some oriental style vases, pots or screens? Lamp bases in the shape of Greek urns would also work very well.  Another option search for one piece of Serves porcelain (or a reproduction) and use as a starting point for the color scheme and relate everything to this one item.

Chinese lacquered items, Greek urn lamp bases or rustic French farmhouse decor

Or you may prefer to go with the French farmhouse style and add rustic items. For example a watering can used as a vase, carafes arranged near a window, wicker baskets, old tools and folk art add a homey touch. Watercolors of country scenes or ink and pencil sketches can add a sense of authenticity. And don't forget the large framed mirrors.

If you visit the creative buzzing blog http://creativebuzzing.wordpress.com you will find more detailed information, illustrations and links on this topic.

About the Author

Rosena works as an interior design, retail and visual merchandising tutor for Australian College QED. She I has also worked for the Retail Traders Association of Victoria as a Retail Trainer. Rosena has a Diploma in Interior Design, Post Graduate Diploma in Public and Community Health and is a qualified trainer. She also works as an interior design consultant, creates designer art work and is the Australian agent of Sample Board a new cool FREE digital mood board editor for the creative industries.

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