Dan Carithers October 1999- Featured on Magpies and Magnolias Blog

Now retired after a 50-year career creating rooms photographed for shelter mags like Veranda, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Southern Accents, Carithers rooms still remain current, and is often the most blogged about designer around.  In 2003, Carithers was named one of House [...]]]>

Dan Carithers October 1999- Featured on Magpies and Magnolias Blog

Now retired after a 50-year career creating rooms photographed for shelter mags like Veranda, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Southern Accents, Carithers rooms still remain current, and is often the most blogged about designer around.  In 2003, Carithers was named one of House Beautiful’s “Giants of Design”—the highest honor bestowed by the magazine; it’s only been given to a handful of honorees during its 100-year history.

Dan Carithers grew up in small town Jefferson, Georgia, and first gained notoriety as the design director for home furnishings at Rich’s Department Store.   The job had an added bonus of being able to travel abroad which exposed Carithers to the latest home fashions and antiques from London and Paris. Carithers launched his own firm, and also established a long-time consulting position with Baker Furniture, and created an high-end upholstery line with Sherrill Furniture.

Carithers tends to lean towards the elegant side of decorating.  Antique-filled homes with bold punches of color is a signature style of Dan Carithers. He suggests to pick out your accent color first, and repeat it throughout the house.  As you can see in many of his designs, he tends to use neutrals on the walls, such as chocolate browns, creams and beige.  Carithers often used mirrors to expand light, using slipcovers that often left the bones of the chair exposed.  He often utilizes thought-out pieces for his rooms often looking around for the perfect choice.  He mentions that a chair can have great impact in the direction of a room. 

Dan Carithers French Style Decorating - Carither’s Home Featured in Southern Accents 

Dan Carithers French Style Decorating - Carither’s Home Featured in Southern Accents

Dan Carithers French Style Decorating  Featured in Southern Accents

Dan Carithers French Style Decorating - Carither’s Home Featured in Southern Accents

Dan Carithers- Southern Accents Magazine

Dan Carithers Traditional Home Magazine

Dan Carithers French Style Decorating - Carither’s Home Featured in Southern Accents

Southern Accents Oct 1997

Kitchens I Have Loved Blog scanned in some pictures of the Carithers Home which show a provence styled interior

Carithers Home -Kitchens I Have Loved Blog

Carithers Home -Kitchens I Have Loved Blog

 Dan Carithers In Veranda Magazine

Traditional HomeDan Carithers- Featured On Developing Design Blog

 Dan Carithers October 1999- Featured on Magpies and Magnolias Blog

Dan Carithers October 1999- Featured on Magpies and Magnolias Blog

Dan Carithers October 1999- Featured on Magpies and Magnolias Blog

Dan Carithers October 1999- Featured on Magpies and Magnolias Blog

Dan Carithers October 1999- Featured on Magpies and Magnolias Blog

Gerard Tremolet worked in the fashion world most of his life, but after leaving the industry of fashion, he pursued his own interests in interior design. Back in 2007 he and his partner purchased the Chateau d’Ailly in Normandy and renovated it to transform it into a bed and breakfast. To decorate the castle Gerard Tremolet [...]]]>

Gerard Tremolet worked in the fashion world most of his life, but after leaving the industry of fashion, he pursued his own interests in interior design. Back in 2007 he and his partner purchased the Chateau d’Ailly in Normandy and renovated it to transform it into a bed and breakfast. To decorate the castle Gerard Tremolet drew his inspiration from his love of the 18th century, adding his own personal touches along the way.  While the colors aren't historically accurate, Tremolet shows us that bright, bold color can be used in period styled homes and furniture.   

Saturated dark red walls in the dining area are paired with a beautiful collection of natural vintage styled baskets and blue-gray provence chairs for a nice contrast.  The combination of the damask wall fabrics, striped velvet fabrics, and iranian patterns show us that even complex color combinations can work together. Colors such as yellow, turquoise, hot pink and lime are some of the colors used throughout the Chateau d’Ailly.  French XV, XVI furniture, and Italian Venetian furniture and accessories are paired together giving off a look that is carefully collected and adored.  A modern styled "Renaissance-style " approach is used through the home, and can be seen in the guest bedroom.  One the best rooms is shown below.  The walls and curtains are of a Thevenon toile de Jouy.  A Louis XV armchair sits in the bedroom and can one of the best examples of French style in the home.  

To read the full article head over to Elle Decor.

‘Nicky Haslam’s Folly de Grandeur: Romance and Revival in an English Country House’, is Haslam's newest book on authentic, English country style decorating.

Haslam shows interiors with carefully mismatched antique and vintage furniture, with color palettes of warm welcoming tones.   From vignettes, to getting the most bang from your hallway, Haslam gives away a wealth of visual interest to the reader.  Learn how to incorporate art, [...]]]>

‘Nicky Haslam’s Folly de Grandeur: Romance and Revival in an English Country House’, is Haslam's newest book on authentic, English country style decorating.

Haslam shows interiors with carefully mismatched antique and vintage furniture, with color palettes of warm welcoming tones.   From vignettes, to getting the most bang from your hallway, Haslam gives away a wealth of visual interest to the reader.  Learn how to incorporate art, accessories and furniture for a home which is comfortable, yet strikingly beautiful.

Haslam shows off his own 1720 house in Folly de Grandeur.   Floor plans and diagrams illustrate the homes detailed history, as well as the traditional garden, furnishings, and the details of the conservatory.  Images of the house through the seasons shows his true love and attention for the home's details.  Images of his collecting from flea market finds and treasures from boot sales are captivating.   He shows off upholstery, curtains, chair backs, improvised lampshades and slipcovers.

Interesting Links:

- Nicky Haslam -British Interior Designer's Website

-Nicky Haslam's Country House - WSJ-Nicky Haslam, renowned interior designer and London man-about-town, calls a 16th-century royal hunting lodge in the English countryside his home away from home—rose chintz sofas, portraits, flourishing garden and all

-NOW AND THEN: Dreamy English Country Cottages by Colefax and Fowler- Decor Arts Now

-1stdibs Introspective - Nicky Haslam- 1st Dibs

-Interview: Nicky Haslam- House & Home Magazine

-Oh, Nicky, You’re So Fine, You Blow My Mind, Hey Nicky! The Style Saloniste

>Other Design Books Featuring Nicky Haslam:

-Designers at Home: Personal Reflections on Stylish Living -Personal Reflections on Stylish Living presents the personal living spaces of fifty distinctive design leaders, including Charlotte Moss, Celerie Kemble, Ashley Hicks, Barry Dixon, India Hicks, Vicente Wolf, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Kevin Sharkey, Suzanne Rheinstein, Rose Tarlow, Jay Jeffers, Michelle Nussbaumer, Jan Showers, Alex Papachristidis, Madeline Stuart, Matthew Patrick Smyth, Colette van den Thillart, Malcolm James Kutner, Ken Fulk, Scot Meacham Wood, Bunny Williams and more. These select dwellings range from chic apartments and luxurious estates, to charming country homes.

-Sheer Opulence (Decor Best-Sellers) by Nicholas Haslam

Reviews:

By L. M. Keefer

You will savor every word and image in this book as Nicky Haslam takes you on a remarkably personal tour of his folly of an English home which he describes as "quite simply the prettiest small house in the world." Formerly the home of renowned designer John Fowler, Haslam fell in love with its "fairy-tale facade", as Fowler did shortly after the end of WWII. Haslam describes seeing the folly for the first time: "History does repeat itself. And so it was that, some thirty years later, I turned the last bend in the rough lane through these woods, came to a clearing by a lake, and, turning, saw this rose-pink, brick-gabled folly glinting in the evening sun."

Haslam recounts, "I like to think of him (Fowler) standing in the doorway as his celebrated clients like Debo Devonshire or the Pembrokes drew up to be greeted by his quizzical smile and promise of a nifty Blood Mary. One of his early assistants, Nina Campbell, told me recently that, even before he came to live here, John's nickname was 'Folly' Fowler...."

Situated on the hunting grounds of King Henry VII, the home has a rather magical past before Fowler. It was on these grounds that Catherine of Aragon first set her black Spanish eyes on King Henry's son Arthur, Prince of Wales, to whom she was betrothed. You may sense a certain magic pervading the house, or maybe it's Haslam's unabashed affection for it. In its Tudor beginnings as a refuge from hunting, it was a humble three rooms. Around 1720-40 a fanciful Jacobean facade was affixed to the front, and it was expanded.

Describing his first walk-through after Fowler inhabited it, Haslam allows us to see it through his eyes: "There was no furniture inside the house the first time I saw it.... But in each of the tiny rooms - not one is more than 12 feet wide - the walls were beautiful.... Shabby drapes, some edged in fading hand-painted borders, fell forlornly at dusty windows. Le Grand Meaulnes and Miss Havisham had nothing on this sleeping timeless Wunderkammer. And, strange as it seems now, I knew then that I must retain an echo of this delabre atmosphere; it seemed an essential element of the building's magical being."

You may feel you are in the midst of an E.M. Forster novel as you read this, complete with iridescent photos by Simon Upton, to accompany the descriptions.

Leaving much of the home the way Fowler left it, Haslam brings fresh life and luster to it with his original and fresh style. He says of his style: "It would be hopeless to pretend that my style, at home, is anything but a hodgepodge of the things I love....And the house's soul doesn't seem to object to the hodgepodge." It seems every room and piece in the home has a story, and Haslam is happy to tell them in his colorful and amusing storytelling style. His storytelling matches his decor: charming, lighthearted, insouciant, droll and sentimental.

You may find yourself raptly reading every word and studying the pages as Haslam chats about the house and its history, walls, soft furnishings, curtains and drapery, and furniture. Then he takes you on a grand tour of the rooms: the old hall, the staircase hall, the library, the dining room, the kitchen, the flower room, the guest rooms and master bedroom and John Fowler's old bedroom, which, surprisingly was one of the smallest bedrooms in the home.

Along the tour, Haslam sprinkles his design admonishments: "Increase the scale of wall coverings in small spaces." And "I never buy anything purely for its monetary value. I like possessions that smile back at me." Then there's: "Edging chintz in a solid color is an essential touch." (This book may make you wonder if it will be the catalyst for reviving the classical appeal of chintz in a major way.)

You will get to stroll outside, too, and view the terrace, the conservatory, the lake and the unique Garden Room. You may feel you have stayed for a pleasant weekend as Halsam's guest.

This is already one of my favorite of the many decor and design books I own. It should become a classic in design libraries. If you like florals, stripes, painted walls and furniture, tole and hurricane lamps, ruffles, chinoiserie, slipcovers, skirted tables, leaded glass, carved mantels, flagstone, portraits, architectural engravings, busts, books, flowers and rooms that look like they have evolved for 30 years - because these did - you should adore this book. If you enjoy English, cottage or European country styles, you should have this book in your library, or on your ottoman to peruse over and over again. Because you will.

Nicky Haslam- Featured On Kalynor Blog

Nicky Haslam- Featured On Kalynor Blog

Nicky Haslam Architectural Digest January 2011 Little Augury Blog 

Nicky Haslam Design Featured On Meade Design Group Blog

Nicky Haslam Design Featured On Meade Design Group Blog

Nicky Haslam Design Featured On Meade Design Group Blog

Nicky Haslam - Mrs Blandings Blog

Nicky Haslam's Country House- online.wsj.com

Nicky Haslam Pinterest

Nicky Haslam - New Orleans- nh-design.co.uk

 Nicholas Haslam Design -This Is Glamorous Blog

Nicholas Haslam Design -This Is Glamorous Blog

Nicholas Haslam Design -This Is Glamorous Blog

Nicholas Haslam Design- littleaugury.blogspot.com 

Pam Pierce has single-handedly brought back the popularity of slipcovers, as her interiors bring forth the charm of the old world European interiors to center stage once again.  Slipcovers have always played a key role in her interior designs.  Linen ruffles and gatherings in dark olive, and oatmeal are paired with stone floors, re-claimed wood tables, white [...]]]>

Pam Pierce has single-handedly brought back the popularity of slipcovers, as her interiors bring forth the charm of the old world European interiors to center stage once again.  Slipcovers have always played a key role in her interior designs.  Linen ruffles and gatherings in dark olive, and oatmeal are paired with stone floors, re-claimed wood tables, white washed wood furniture, and time aged painted decor.  Pierce tends to use natural materials like stucco, limestone, reclaimed beams, and sea-grass to create a sense of warmth and history.  Her designs also incorporate architectural salvage such as reclaimed antique doors, and iron to create an aged European feel.

Decorators and homeowners have realized the possibilities that slipcovers offer a home. Slip-covers are not only decorative, but practical. At one time, slipcovers served the means of protecting upholstered furniture from the dust of summer months, although they have evolved over the years, from just large sheets which covered furniture, to be tailored to fit the shape of sofas and chairs, even having decorative pleating, ruffles and embroidery.

3 Ways To Borrow Pam Pierce's Slipcover Looks:

1. Use The Same Material On All Of Your Furniture

Get the look of a set for less, by slip-covering all of your furniture in the room with the same material.   Unite several pieces of furniture out of the same bolt of material.  Buying matching sets of vintage or antique furniture can be rare and costly.  Create the look of a set by using the same material on all the pieces.  Create drapery out of the same material to unite the room.  Several ebay sellers offer bolts of fabric, which can be shipped to your home without having to drive from store to store.

2. Choose Natural Fabrics

Heavy linen, and cotton canvas have been popular as natural slipcover choices.  French tickings can give a natural look, while at the same time, isn't plain to look at.  Consider using unbleached muslin, which can be dyed in soft shades of blue, green, or yellow. Gingham, simple checks and stripes lend a sophisticated touch to a Provence styled home.  Stripes, patterns, florals hide dirt well, and are easier to launder.  Checks, stripes and florals work hand in hand.  Consider using 2 or three fabrics together in a room to create interest.

3. Go The Extra Mile With Detailed Slipcovers

Gathers, and wide flat box-pleats add interest to the bottom of slipcovers. These details can be used just below the seat of the chair,  on a line with the seat frame. This style works particularly well with French chairs, as the legs themselves are decorative in themselves that they do not need to be concealed.  Consider pairing down the accessories and furniture in your room, and opt for longer gathers, which puddle on the floor.  Work this idea in larger rooms, where the furniture itself is the main focal point.

Additional Links:

- Drop Cloth Slip Cover Tutorial-beneathmyheart.net

-How To Make A Club Chair Slipcover- lisaroy.ca

-DIY Ottoman Slip Cover-dittledattle.blogspot.com

-How To Sew Double Cord Welting -littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com

-Upholstery Adhesive - Beacon Magna-Tac 809 -littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com

-How to Make a Sofa Slipcover- makethingsforhome.blogspot.com

-How To Bleach Drop Cloth- myjoyinthejourney.blogspot.com

-Slip Cover Tutorial - 6 Part Video Series- missmustardseed.com

-How To Make A Chair Slipcover- honeybearlane.com

-Wing Back Slipcover- thebrickpathstudio.blogspot.com

Marble painting has been an art form since the sixteenth century, and was quite popular in India. In Rajasthan there are around 4000 marble mines and because marble was so widely available, it became a canvas for the local painters. The intricate designs were captured on [...]]]> Faux Marble Painted Chest From Old Town Crossing

Marble painting has been an art form since the sixteenth century, and was quite popular in India. In Rajasthan there are around 4000 marble mines and because marble was so widely available, it became a canvas for the local painters. The intricate designs were captured on stone with paint, and sealed to preserve it's extravagant beauty.

Marble has always been considered a luxury, and can be more expensive in the areas of the world where it isn't naturally located. The look of marble is the result of interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals. The swirls and veins form patterns as a result of the mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides that are present in the layers of the stone. Pakistan is one of the largest marble exporters of the world with exports totaling to around a 100,000 tonnes.

The textured look of marble can add a regal and sophisticated touch to any interior space or piece of furniture, however the trouble is, marble can also grab a chunk of change out of your wallet. Faux marbling is the practice of copying the look of marble with paint.  You can improve the tops of your chests, dressers, sideboards and buffets with faux marble.

Faux stone painting was known to be an art used in Pompeii, but it really took off during the Renaissance in Europe where two schools taught the art of faux painting.  For professional artists during this time, it took an apprentice 10 years or more to fully master the art.  Many of these  techniques were used widely by the 17th century and remained useful in architecture well into the 20th century.

Preparations

Start by identifying the style of marble you want to replicate.  Marble comes in varied hues of white, pink, gray and black.  Go on to the internet and look through the various pictures and decide what look of marble you want to transfer.

Step 1- Sand down the top of your chest or dresser, then paint it with a satin paint.  Satin paint will allow all your other paint layers to be able to move around easier.  Flat paints will only eat up your paint, and cause them to smear.  Start with eggshell.

There are a number of ways to paint marble.  Here are a few ways to start as a beginner:

-One very easy way of getting detail and depth without over thinking things is to use plastic.  Take a garbage bag, and cut it a little larger than the size of your dresser or chest top.  Second paint the plastic, and crumple it slightly before you press the plastic on to the surface.  With your hands or a kitchen dough roller, press the plastic into the paint.  Next, pull the plastic off, and let the paint dry.  When the paint is about dry, smooth out the pattern using an over-sized badger softening brush.This technique works quite well if your paint isn't thick, but rather thinner.  Ideally, you want to build up several layers of detail. I have found using wood stains, which are tinted and transparent, you can get the depth that is seen in marble.

-Another easy technique is creating marble patterns with a sponge.  Take the sponge and dab it lightly along the surface to produce a “marble-like” pattern.  Take paint and glaze and combine a mixture of 60% transparent glaze to 40% paint.  This will enable your pattern to look a bit more organic in nature.

-In the past I have created marble “veins” using a feather, or a paint brush which you can alter, by notching out some of the hair to create a a three prong comb.  The smaller paint brushes are usually the best.  Drag all your lines diagonally using a twisting and turning motion. Soften the marble lines as the paint is near dry.

The key to faux marble is lots of softening, and transparent layers.  You don't want your marble to appear like it is a two step process, but rather marble that is deep, and takes on the appearance of rich marble.  A couple prominent veins really go a long way, amongst softer features.

When you are ready to “seal” in the marble look, use poly-crylic clear gloss or satin.  Apply it with a sponge applicator, and let it dry overnight.  Then, using 320-grit sandpaper, lightly buff the surface before sweeping off the dust and apply a final coat with a spray can.  You can buy polycrylic both in a can and in a spray.  The final coat creates a stroke free finish when sprayed.  You may want to repeat this process once after the second coat dries.

Using paint to portray a marble finish isn't as difficult as you might think.  Don't over think the finish, and you will love how it turns out.

Faux Marble by Pierre Lefumat- $28 Amazon

This is a monument to 60 years dedicated to decorative painting. The first part of the book is a step-by-step guide for painting the most widely imitated marble varieties including white breccia, yellow sienna, sea green, and more. The second part of the book is a gallery of Lefumat's photorealistic faux marble. Each page represents a closer and closer detailed view. Experts and beginners alike will draw inspiration from this magnificent book

Step by step instruction for recreating Lefumat's masterworks in Faux Marble. Over 140 pages of rich close-up color photographs of Lefumat's painted panels. Hundreds of pages of faux marble for reference and inspiration.

French Painted Enfilade With Faux Marble Top- Foxglove Antiques

Faux Marble Painted Chest From Old Town Crossing

French Painted Enfilade With Faux Marble Top- Foxglove Antiques

Faux Marble Writing Desk- Hideaway Antiques

Swedish Giltwood And Cream Painted Table With Faux Marble Top- Christies 

Pair White Granite Urns on Faux Marble Pedestals- Gottlieb Gallery

Italian Neoclassic Faux Marble Scagliola Pedestal- David Neligan Antiques

A Painted Faux Marble Serpentine Bombe Commode From Christies

Italian Painted Console Table- Piet Jonker Architectural Antiques

A Pair Of Painted Wooden Night Stands- Piet Jonker Architectural Antiques

A Pair Of Painted Wooden Night Stands- Piet Jonker Architectural Antiques

Set of Four 18th Century Faux Marble Columns 1st Dibs Paris

Louis XV Painted Console Table With A Faux Marble Top- Wirthmore Antiques

Pair of Faux Marble Painted Columns- LEBRETON INTERIEURS

Modern Louis XVI Style Giltwood Table Painted Faux Marble Top- Seller Glo

A Florentine Gilded Console With Faux Marble Top- Valobra Jewelry & Antiques

Pair Faux Marble Columns- Greenwich Living Antiques & Design Center

Located 30 miles south of Paris and widely considered one of the most spectacular examples of 18th-century style, the Château du Marais is home to the apartment of designer Juan Pablo Molyneux and his wife, Pilar. The castle was built by the architect Jean-Benoît-Vincent Barré for Master Jean de La Martinière, Treasurer General of Artillery and Engineering, and has been considered one of the most remarkable examples of castle style Louis XVI located near Paris. This castle has been owned by families like Noailles, Castellane, Talleyrand-Perigord and Pourtales.

Additional Links:

New York Social Diary- The Hotel Claude Passart, the 17th century Paris residence of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Pablo Molyneux.

Designer Juan Pablo Molyneux refurbished the 17th-century structure at Château du Marais with rich tones to suit his grand style. An 18th-century gilt-wood chandelier hangs above a Régence bureau plat, a Louis XVI armchair, and a rug from the 19th century; the oil painting is from the 18th century. (Photo Credits- Architectural Digest September 2006)

Check out the beautiful marble walls

A Pair Of Painted Wooden Night Stands- Piet Jonker Architectural Antiques

19th Century Italian Carved Wood Bust On Faux Marble Base. Thomas Jolly Antiques

20th c. French Faux- Marble Column or Pedestal- Olivier Fleury Inc.

Pair of Italian Faux Marble Planters- Dragonette Ltd

Painting furniture can be an outstandingly satisfying craft. You can find an old, outdated piece and breathe new life into it with a simple color of paint. Once it’s in a new space, it can brighten and invigorate it, adding charm and drama all at the same time.

Sometimes the hardest decision of all is what [...]]]>

Painting furniture can be an outstandingly satisfying craft. You can find an old, outdated piece and breathe new life into it with a simple color of paint. Once it’s in a new space, it can brighten and invigorate it, adding charm and drama all at the same time.

Sometimes the hardest decision of all is what color to use. When you want to go bold, here are some top color choices to consider.

Emerald Green

Emerald green is the hot color of 2013, according to the design industry. It connotes thoughts of riches and a recovering economy, and its lushness can bring a look of jewel luster into your home.

Because neutrals are still popular to decorate with, a splash of bright, bold, emerald green can be a lovely contrast against beiges and tans. Think about painting a chest or end table emerald green and adding some gold or silver accents or hardware. You’ll have a standout piece that will take charge.

Red

It seems red is a classic for painted furniture, one that can last through the years. Every room can hold a bold piece of red painted furniture, and the colors can range from candy apple to deep garnet. Like emerald green, a deep jewel tone will add drama, and a brighter red will add cheer.

Whether it’s a chair, table, or something else, a red accent piece of painted furniture will work well with almost any other color schemes, from neutral palettes to brighter colors ranging from blues to greens to yellows. Red can add freshness, drama, or whatever look you’re going for.

Blue

Colors of nature are very in right now, so painting a piece of furniture with the bold tones of blues in nature will be just the thing to do in 2013. Blue can be soothing like the sky, or invigorating like the sea. Choose from any blue shades to create a bold standout piece that will bring the natural world indoors.

Like red, blue tends to work well with most other color palettes and is a wonderful contrast to black and white.

Lavender

Whereas pink or purple may be too young to place in areas other than girl’s rooms in the home, lavender is like pink all grown-up. A single painted piece of lavender furniture will pop in a room and add that vintage drama that can bring the room to life.

Lavender is a great color to mix with other bold tones, like yellow and green, or use it against a white palette for extreme drama. Have fun with it – go bold – remember, it’s not a kid color anymore!

Yellow

Yellow is taking off on the runways now, so why not bring it in the home. A bold piece of yellow painted furniture, from chests to chairs to dining tables, will add a fresh new feel to any room.

Yellow can brighten darker areas and works great with natural woods or metallics. Don’t be afraid to go bold – lean towards the canaries, lemons, and golds rather than the softer butter and cream yellows.

Adding that piece of boldly painted furniture to your home will invigorate your home. Take a look around at what you have already; you never know, the very piece you want may already be in your home…just waiting.

Heather Legg is a writer who writes about small businesses and Spokeo removal, the art of creativity and keeping a positive perspective every day.

DE TONGE Provincial Table- Famous French Furniture Manufacture-Coco House, Palm Beach, FL

Wrought Iron Leaf Iron Chandelier In A Happy Yellow- dos gallos

Antique Yellow Painted Wicker Fiddelhead Chair - BG Galleries -Weymouth, MA

French Painted Tole Garden Table - Milord Antiques

Cabinet de curiosités Clément Lafaille, après 1766. Style néoclassique. Muséum d'histoire naturelle de La Rochelle. Source

Yellow Reproduction French Vaisselier- Traditional Home

Yellow Painted Provencal Armoire - Cote Jardin Antiques

Louis XV Painted Buffet - Bremermann Designs

French Commodes - Available Through Cote France

Marieclairemaison

French Painted Buffet Deux Corps-  Jean Williams Antiques

Blue Painted French Furniture- European Paint Finishes

Etienne French Painted Furniture

Cote France Tables

Green Painted French Provence Styled Furniture- Available Through Cote France

Louis XV Period Painted Console Table,  Bermingham and Co - New York

Au Rendez-Vous de Montmartre, Paris And Beyond Blog- Red Painted Desk Cote France

Red Painted French Louis XV Chest- Cote Jardin Antiques

When it comes to expensive antique or vintage furniture, you want to keep your furniture in good shape for as long as you can.  Upholstery can get messed up fast, especially if you have kids. Their sticky fingers and accidental spills can leave your furniture looking [...]]]> French Bedroom- The World of Interiors Nov 2011

When it comes to expensive antique or vintage furniture, you want to keep your furniture in good shape for as long as you can.  Upholstery can get messed up fast, especially if you have kids. Their sticky fingers and accidental spills can leave your furniture looking beat up and grungy. However there are some ways to keep your furniture looking nice:

1.    Fix scratches – Scratches on wood can easily be fixed with something you probably already have. No it is not a chemical or stain. Instead rub the scratch with a walnut. Somehow the nut removes scratches faster and better than anything you can buy at the store.

Also consider getting Minwax wood finish stain marker to fix those small scratches on wood based furniture.

2.    Remove stains – Some stains seem impossible to remove, but have no fear. Almost every satin can come out if you have the right stuff. My first go to for stains is Oxyclean. Safe to use on almost all fabrics and carpets, this miraculous cleaner helps me to get out stains like blood, wine, and even grape juice. This works well for stains in the car also, so it is well worth investing in a bucket of the wonder powder.

- You would be surprised how well plain white soap works.  With a bit of water, and white soap, stains usually lift right away.

-If your upholstery starts to look dingy, or has developed stains and spots, before you do anything, it is important to vacuum it. This will lift the dirt up off the upholstery so that when you go to remove the stains with water, you won't be grinding in dirt and dust which, when wet, can further dirty your couches and chairs.

- When a spill occurs, blot the spot, don't scrub or rub.  Clean up the spill with a dry white cloth as quickly as possible to prevent the stain from spreading.  Blotting is perhaps the most crucial, and also common sense part of how to clean upholstery.

3.    Use Tablecloths –The best way to keep your dining room table looking new is to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. When kids are around try to keep delicate fabrics and woods covered. A thick tablecloth will help to keep your table shiny and new looking.  Exchanging out tablecloths will keep your kitchen and dining areas looking fresh.  Use white linen for special dinners and beige linen for every day use.

4.  Use Satin Wall Paint- This French interior walls are painted in a vibrant shade of red.  This living room, designed by Miles Redd, shows the red interior we all dream about.  Redd adds a feminine feel by using  pelmets around the window.  A red upholstered French chair brings this red room together.  Use Satin Paint which can be cleaned yearly, which can brighten up dull wall paint.  While flat wall paint is quite lovely to look at, it cannot be cleaned.  Satin has a bit of a sheen to it, allowing you to gently wipe down the walls year to year.

5. Use The Right Outdoor Paint.  Rich rattan furniture can be seen through out the French cafes.  Copy this style for your own patio, by updating it with a rich cherry red.  Outdoor paint is formulated differently than indoor paint and often extends the life of your furniture.  Many more additives are used in outdoor paint to keep the color rich through sun exposure, and rain and the winter season. Painting wicker furniture can take a lot of time, so it is important to use the right paint.  Using a paint sprayer that hooks up to a compressor will allow even coverage, as well as be able to paint all the areas the brush cannot get to. A sprayer will allow you to paint all 6 or 8 chairs in an afternoon.   Spending a bit more for the right paint will ensure your furniture will last for years without peeling, or loosing its color.

6. Save Your Paint For Touch Ups.  Over time, furniture will need touch ups.  Save your furniture paint for future re-painting.  From year to year, patio furniture will scratch or flake off.  Having the extra paint on hand will allow you to re-paint table tops or areas of the furniture which tend to scratch.  If you are thinking about adding an additional piece to your collection, your stored paint will save you time from matching paint and making another run to the hardware store.

7.  Invest In A High Quality Vacuum Cleaner- These old fashioned mattresses have become very popular with Zentique, Home Decorators Collection and Restoration Hardware.  Although this style presents a primitive look, you truly don't want to keep mattresses exposed over time, as dust and dirt settles in quickly.  Mattresses are often not cleaned in most homes, yet we spend 8 hours on them in a day.  In this video, you can see how much dirt a Kirby Vacuum picks up off a clean-looking mattress.  Consider investing in a high quality vacuum cleaner that is of professional quality.  Kirby vacuums and Dyson Vacuums are considered the best vacuums on the market.  Check out both vacuums in this video.  Cleaning your mattresses, furniture, and carpets will extend their lives restore the air quality in your home.

8. Invest In Slip Covers- Joni from Cote De Texas wrote an excellent article listing  the top 6 must haves for the year, and slipcovers was one of them.  Slipcovers are the covers that protect the furniture from dust and stain. They can be removed and are easy to wash and clean.

Slipcovers also allow you to exchange out one pattern for another.  Perhaps having two slipcover sets - one for the winter and another for the summer.

9.  Use Slipcovers For Your Dining Chairs- Your kitchen or dining table is used regularly, so consider making or purchasing slip covers for your chairs.  Chair seat covers come in a variety of styles that fit with any décor. Even couches can have a blanket tossed over them to prevent sticky hands from ruining it. While a blanket can be tossed into the washing machine, a couch can’t. By taking precautions you can keep your furniture looking brand new.

Items to Consider:

-ViveVita Linen Dining Room Chair Covers in Sets of 2

-Sewing Slip Cover Patterns From McCalls, Vogue and Butterick on Amazon

-Simply Slipcovers: Stylish, Practical Solutions for Tried-but-True Furniture

-Custom Slipcovers Made Easy: Weekend Projects to Dress Up Your Decor

-The Complete Photo Guide to Slipcovers: Transform Your Furniture with Fitted or Casual Covers

 Ruffled Slipcovers From Tumblr

Shannon Bowers Home - Featured On Cote De Texas

 10.  Keep Your Furniture Out Of The Sunlight.- If you have a choice in upholstery, consider upholstering the backs of your french chairs in a different fabric if they sit near a window with sun exposure.  Over time the fabric which has been exposed will fade in color.  Having the front upholstery different than the back will allow the back to fade naturally, without the front looking quite a bit different.

Light is important, and you don't want to have to close your curtains just to preserve the furniture.  Slipcovers can also allow you to exchange out linens over time, giving you fresh prints and fabrics to change up your home through the seasons.

These are just a few of the ways that you can preserve and protect your furniture. From antiques to words of modern art and design, it is much easier to prevent then it is to repair. So be alert to dangers and do not be afraid to cover up delicate pieces.

About the Author:
Ken Myers is an expert advisor on in-home care & related family safety issues to many websites and groups. He is a regular contributor to www.gonannies.com. You can get in touch with him at kmyers.ceo (at) gmail.com.

Source Magazine Juliette & Victor 2012 - Photo credit Louis-Philippe Breydel

Photo Originally Appearing on Belgian Pearls Blog

18th Century French Interiors- The Essence Of Frenchness Blog

French Table Cloth Looks From Art et Decoration

Linen is a staple of French decorating. Not only does it have a wonderful texture, it also gets better with age, softer each time it’s washed. - Photo Credit Home Life

Classic French Country Decorating- Browse the full range of Mamie Carreaux

Sébastien and Raphael Llado Levavasseur

There are some people, who just can’t stop gushing about their Provence inspired elegant bedrooms. You may also come across people, who hold minimalist contemporary furniture, in very high esteem. Yet, every once in a while, comes a creative soul, who wishes to incorporate furniture designs from widely [...]]]>

Sébastien and Raphael Llado Levavasseur

There are some people, who just can’t stop gushing about their Provence inspired elegant bedrooms. You may also come across people, who hold minimalist contemporary furniture, in very high esteem. Yet, every once in a while, comes a creative soul, who wishes to incorporate furniture designs from widely varying historical ages, in his home.

The ensuing unique mix of tradition and modernity that their homes possess becomes an extension of their quirky and eclectic personalities. If you happen to be someone, who falls in this category, then the following 5 tips are sure to give you some great ideas.

1. Existing Furniture Must Be Removed

It doesn’t matter if you plan to combine tradition and modernity, in one particular room of your house. Your eclectic vision might even encompass your entire home. Whatever might be the case, a clean space is necessary in order to invite timeless design ideas to inspire your mind.

This means that rather than moving things around, and making haphazard additions and omissions to your design area, you should remove all furniture from it, and start from scratch.

2. Retain Pieces That Match Your Larger Schemes

Once you have removed all furniture from the particular room that you wish to design (or redesign, for that matter), you can proceed to think about what goes and what stays, in them. Here, you need to be objective about the furniture pieces that would mesh into your design, rather than letting your emotions rule.

Remember, only the truly deserving furniture pieces must find a place of honor in your eclectic home.

3. Rethink about Your Walls and Flooring

Sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in the larger designing scheme of your house, so that you completely ignore the finer and subtler details. If you are not careful, you can end up with all the right furniture in your eclectic home, only to realize that the color of your walls, and the material of your floor, totally kills all your efforts.

In order to avoid this, it is advisable that you dabble with neutral colors and designs that go well with all kinds of furniture, be they from the 19^th century, or the current era.   This will give your home the poise and balance to carry off an assorted look.

4. Add New Pieces

Once you have got the basics right, then you can proceed to adding more and more appropriate furniture pieces to your room. The key here is to maintain a delicate balance between furniture from differ rent historical periods. You can approach several furniture West Palm Beach stores that have in-house design consultants, who can help you to acquire the right look.

5. Accessorize Leniently

In order to have a really eclectic house, which also feels like home, it is essential to add some personal details to it. You home will look more and more inviting, as you inject drapery, mirrors, framed photographs and art that mix well with the larger plan of your home.  For instance: a postmodernist painting can strangely work well with old-fashioned motifs on a wooden chest of drawers, beneath it.

A combination of eras, in your home, is all about experimentation. Yet, with a bit of luck, you can also chance upon customized furniture packages Miami that make your task easy.

With its elegant decor based patinas, furniture and unusual objects unearthed in the region, " Gustave  "is a small house of the sixteenth century, in the walled city of Belleme, transformed into a delightful tea room, deli and curio shop.  Read the original article at Magazine e-magDECO 

Raphael and his dog Donut.

Sébastien and Raphael Llado Levavasseur
18 rue Ville Close, 61130 Bellême
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 2 33 73 94 89
Website: http://www.maison-gustave.fr/

A Louis XV Style Gilt Metal Mounted Painted Side Table

At the entrance of the teahouse is the deli.  Two-body Swedish early nineteenth Lisa Martino "The House Fassier" display and confectioner Louis XV style chair XIXth "Stephanie Mayeux Antiques".

Petite Antique French Lady's Writing Desk w/Orig. Tooled Leather

Provence Style Chest -Benjamin Wilson Antiques

Distressed paneling sits behind a Louis XVI style caned seat

Portrait of Lord Swedish Lisa Martino 

 Gustavian clock with a Louis XV style hunting table, with a  Caned Louis XVI style bench

Pair of Louis XV Painted and Parcel Gilt Chaises a la Reine

A fruitwood table -Louis XV period

A Pair of Louis XV Style Fauteuils

Provence Style Chest Greenwich Living Antiques & Design Center

A 19th Century French Carved and Painted Provincial 3 Tier Table

While French Provincial furniture is beautiful to look at just by itself, it can also become dingy and old looking over time. There are ways to make it more modern and artistic though. Here are a few ideas for ways to [...]]]> Painted Finishes on Vintage French Provincial Furniture Using An Overhead Projector - By Meranda S.

While French Provincial furniture is beautiful to look at just by itself, it can also become dingy and old looking over time. There are ways to make it more modern and artistic though. Here are a few ideas for ways to update your French Provincial furniture into a more modern style:

1. Update the Hardware –  Paint the original hardware.  Look to see how this French dresser painted in a cremy white has the original handles which are updated in a brushed bronze.  If you end up painting your dresser black, consider painting the pulls black and distress them to show the beautiful metal in the ornate parts of the handle.  This technique works with any paint color.  To make the pulls stand out a bit, consider adding a brown glaze to the painted pulls or a dark brown wax to show off the details a bit more.

2. Go Pastel – Painting your furniture in pastel colors is a great way to keep the authentic feeling while still updating the look. Distress the paint finish with a hand sander.  Even brighter paint colors look antiqued with a bit of brown glaze.  Paint on the brown glaze and wipe it off.  Consider painting with an eggshell finish as your basecoat, which gives the glaze something to grip on to.  The glaze technique leaves residue giving you an aged appearance.  If a paint finish doesn't look right, add some glaze and you will love the finished look.  Glaze makes everything look nicer, and is the trick many professionals use for brighter paint finishes.

3. Black, White or Red – If you want a really modern look, you can paint your furniture bold black ,white or red. Consider going glossy for a very rich French look. Rust-Oleum has a wonderful oil based line called "Enamels Spray" that produces a rich glossy lacquered appearance that doesn't need any priming. Consider only using this brand in the warmer weathered months.

4. Bright Colors – Fun colors can bring new life to your furniture. Neon pink, bold blue, bright yellow and glossy green make it stand out and also give a great juxtaposition to the classic style of the furniture itself.

5. Cushion Crazy –If you have chairs whose cushions are looking a bit rangy, don’t reupholster them with the same old boring stuff. Go crazy with leopard prints or cowhide for a cool and crazy look in your home.

Example of Tip 1- Look how the hardware is painted blue, and slightly distressed? 

6. Patterns – Add bold stripes of color to boring furniture and liven them up. You can change the whole look of a piece with just a few stripes. Use tape to make sure your paint comes out crisp and clean

7. Frames – If you have a French Provincial mirror or picture frame, do not toss it away. Make it into a centerpiece by framing something unusual like a wreath of flowers or a chalkboard. It will stand out and make your home a talking point.

These are just a few ideas on how you can update your French Provincial furniture. There are so many opportunities to make the most of this beautiful style. Just take a few minutes to think about what you could do with it!

Author Bio: Paul and his wife Julie both spend quite a bit of time coming up with ideas, blogging, and researching all things related to childcare. They take care of all the necessary information related to “babysittingjobs.com/”. He personally thinks his blog will help with finding information on all things related to a babysitter.

Meranda's French Provincial Dresser Painted Using An Overhead Projector - Patterns From Ikeas Cardboard storage boxes.

Baby Blue French Scalloped Cabriole Leg Dining Room Table From Grange

Magnificent French 19th Century painted Armoire- Get this look using brown glaze over pastel paint

Magnificent French 19th Century painted Armoire with interior
buffet.Unusual Louis XV style, hand carved details, stands on small
cabriole legs. Exterior paint is pale turquoise, interior, mustard
yellow. Original hardware. Exceptional piece. $16,000

A Stunning French Provincial Chest - Check out that finish!!  A pro paint finish!  Sorry this picture doesn't do her finish justice....   Louis XV Style Chest From beeandrooster-ebay121 on Ebay

Here is another picture of this dresser pulled off the original listing

If you love this distressed finish, check out this faux finish from Kingston Crafts on Esty

French Provincial Buffet From Fabulous Pieces on Esty

Painted cottage tea cart Cottage Chic Beach Chic Ebay Seller LpMarketing

Serpentine French Provincial Dresser Poppyseed Living Esty

French Provincial Dresser By Me- Meranda Snyder

Another Beautiful Paint finish by Meranda- Using Layers of Oil Paint.  First Brown, then a coat of butter yellow which is applied and taken off with a rag within minutes. 

A Stunning Black Painted Provincial Shelved Cabinet by Lily Field Furniture

Another beauty by Lily Field Furniture

Augustus French Provincial Dresser 

Meranda S- French Provincial Makeover Using an overhead projector and a zebra pattern

French provincial Dixie 50's bedroom set made over in faux burl, and drilled new holes for new hardware

Another hand painted burl chest - White Provincial Furniture.

]]> http://thefrenchprovincialfurniture.com/ways-to-update-french-provincial-furniture/feed 0 http://thefrenchprovincialfurniture.com/office-furniture-for-the-dining-room http://thefrenchprovincialfurniture.com/office-furniture-for-the-dining-room#comments Fri, 09 Nov 2012 04:26:52 +0000 Mer http://thefrenchprovincialfurniture.com/?p=5294 French Secretary Tiered Desk - GBP 4,295.00 by Sweetpea & Willow

In many homes, space is at a premium so many home owners need to think strategically about how to best use the space they have available.   The dining room is a great option for a space that can double as a home [...]]]> French Secretary Tiered Desk - GBP 4,295.00 by Sweetpea & Willow

In many homes, space is at a premium so many home owners need to think strategically about how to best use the space they have available.   The dining room is a great option for a space that can double as a home office, while at the same time functioning as an area to eat.  In many modern homes, the dining room is left unused, so why not turn it into an area that functions for a secondary business?  In some homes, space is very limited after the kids all get their own rooms, so family rooms need to be thought out.

If you’re thinking about using your dining room in this way, then consider investing in a secretary desk, which can hold a computer, keyboard, which can house all the computer equipment, leaving the dining room table left clean for dinners.  Slant desks are perfect for dining room furniture as they often have  additional cabinet space that could  house extra books and binders for school or business.  At the same time, they close up so you don't need to see the computer keyboard, and all the mess that everyone has while they are working or studying.  You may also want to get a sideboard that can double up as a filing cabinet.

An antique Louis XV desk of rosewood and fruitwood with marquetry inlay and original ormolu and hardware.

Painted open front Biblitheque with barooque bonnet

Rare 18th Louis Xv Century French Oak Desk, Vintage 1950 French Secretary Desk Louis XV

French Provincial Louis XV Painted Chestnut Bibliotheque - This white painted, display cabinet or bookcase displays a moulded cornice above a conforming, paneled case enclosing open shelves, on a plinth base. It offers great display space and storage. Eron Johnson Antiques

This large and impressive French writing desk is hand-painted in antique white and rubbed down considerably to achieve a heavily distressed vintage look. It features four small drawers below four classic pigeon holes. The shapely legs and scalloped underside make this a wonderfully sophisticated piece of French furniture

Louis XV Polychrome Painted Two Part Breakfronted Bibliotheque- A French Louis XV Polychrome Painted Two Part Walnut, Beech and Oak Breakfronted Bibliotheque C1780, the uppermost with molded conforming cornice above the paneled and scrolled sides with a pair of inset screened doors flanked by outer conforming screened doors, each with thumb molded decoration and with arched asymmetrical tops and center panels enclosing shelves, above a base section with four solid arched panel doors on a plinth base.

French style decorating has become so popular because of beauty of the the old world looks that are associated with the style.  There are a couple of elements that you can incorporate into your landscaping and the type of furniture you choose which will give you the classic French looks found in Provence.

1.  [...]]]>

French style decorating has become so popular because of beauty of the the old world looks that are associated with the style.  There are a couple of elements that you can incorporate into your landscaping and the type of furniture you choose which will give you the classic French looks found in Provence.

1.  Consider replacing your lawn with gravel.  It sounds like a bad idea right?  Create texture using raised garden beds, and add in patio furniture, water gardens, which adds a lot more texture than just plain grass.

Consider showcasing the lawn that you do have.  If you have rectangular backyard, consider cutting around your lawn, forming a circle shape in the center of your property. A circular or square pattern which you can edge with stone or coordinating greenery can give you more of a designer look.

2.  Add In Rustic Container Gardens- Garden style urns can really capture the old world romance that you see in Versailles.  Paint can do wonders to those new resin urns that you see at home depot.  To get a rustic look, start with painting your urn an oil paint in flat black.  After it dries, mix together sand and brown paint and apply it to the urn.  When it is almost dry, take the hose, and spray water on the urn.  The pressure of the water will create a natural distressed effect that doesn't look like you painted it yourself.  Consider using this picture as your inspiration.

3. Create Order In Your Backyard- Pair common elements together to create a landscape that looks like it was designed by the pros.  Plant fruit trees, instead of regular trees that will mature and produce dozens of fruit from year to year.  Line up urns, and patio chairs along the edges.  Line up shrubs and hedges in a row to draw special attention to these selected areas.

4. Consider investing in metal furniture that you don't have to shelter over the winter.  Having a large yard is a lot of maintenance.  Wood furniture over time can root if it is left in the snow, while metal furniture, does a lot better in winter conditions. If you can shelter your furniture, do!  If you cannot, purchase clear plastic shower curtains at your local dollar store to drape over some of your furniture.  Wood, and metal furniture can be touched up with paint from year to year.

5.  Folding outdoor furniture is really popular in France.  Consider investing in a set of folding chairs which you can paint.  Any sort of metal furniture will create the French mood you are after.  Don't worry if the furniture you choose is vintage, as anything can be improved with paint.  Metal garden pots, posts, fences, chairs are all elements that are commonly seen in the French countryside.  You cannot go wrong with anything metal in your back yard if you are after the French look.

Wisteria now sells a stunning French chest painted white and beautifully designed to resemble the styles found in 18th-century France. The chest has vertually no distressing, giving it a very fresh look for your home.  The ornate medallion carving and trim are all done by hand, as well as the paint and distressing applications. This chest features mango wood [...]]]>

Wisteria now sells a stunning French chest painted white and beautifully designed to resemble the styles found in 18th-century France. The chest has vertually no distressing, giving it a very fresh look for your home.  The ornate medallion carving and trim are all done by hand, as well as the paint and distressing applications. This chest features mango wood construction which will last for generations.  Wisteria has this chest priced at $1,099.00

How To Get This Look For Your Home:

1.  Start With The Right Styled Furniture-  You cannot get the French look in your house without French furnishings.  Shop online at websites like ebay, amazon,1st dibs and look for specialty retailers such as Wisteria and Restoration Hardware.  Look in your local classifieds such as craigslist.  Vintage French furniture is very common, and has the right bones, and often times just needs a bit of lipstick.  Buy vintage furniture and upgrade and trade out some of your lower quality pieces with genuine antiques as you go along.

2.  Painted Hardware -Wisteria has painted the hardware on this chest.  The look is fresh and new.  Often times finding the right hardware can be a battle on it's own.  Consider keeping an eye on ebay for French hardware.  Esty has become another place to look for inexpensive French hardware.  Hold out for getting the just right match for a special piece.  Shiny brass is common, as well as a bronze for rustic Provincial furniture.  In the past I have cheated and bought an oil rubbed bronze metallic paint which transformed my furniture quite nicely.  If you do decide to take this route, consider priming your hardware with an automotive primer first.  I have found this primer sticks to metal the best.

3.  Pick The Right White.   I just finished a summer of re-painting some of my older furniture in our home white.  Picking the right white can really make your pieces look expensive than the rustic old cabbage and roses white that was popular in the 80's.

Choose a color that is has a sight gray hue to it.   Pick color families from beige, blue and green.  The colors will have just a slight hue and makes a difference than a basic primer white.  Brighter whites and glossy finishes work really well on modern Hollywood regency furniture and empire furnishings, but not so much on rustic countryside looks.   White is very rich, the hue just has to be right for Provence styled furniture.  When white furniture is put into a white room, the furniture itself should look richer than the wall color.  A gray hue will give you the just right pop of white in any setting.

French Armoire From Old Plank

Louis XV Style Painted Sideboard Seller Berkshire Home& Antiques

Tufted French Louis XV Painted Parlor Chair- Charming Louis XV french parlor chair, painted in a belgian white with beautiful aged patina and exquisite rose and ribbon carvings. Newly upholstered in an organic muslin with tufted seat.

French Provincial Painted Buffet- Handcarved painted buffet in tones of blues and grays. Rectangular top with molded edge and rounded corners. A pair of paneled doors with trailing foliate scroll over a shaped apron. One full inside shelf and one narrow shelf

French Painted and Parcel Gilt Commode- A french painted and parcel gilt commode featuring two upper drawers and two full width middle and bottom drawer. Brass pulls and hardware.

French Antique Louis XV Hand Painted Chest Seller Jean Marc Fray

French 19th Century Painted Bombe Commode, 

French 19th Century Painted Bombe Commode - his French Bombe commode has a wonderful shaped faux marble top, very abstract with wonderful coloring and patina. Solid brass pierced ormolu are on all corners, splayed feet, drawer pulls and escutcheon plates and plinth. This exceptional three drawer commode has a soft feel with painted lined detailing around the drawers and shaped side panels. Faux marble top is outstanding!

You read a lot about “French farmhouse style” when it comes to interior decoration and design – but what does it actually mean?

There’s no strict definition, but the look is rustic in nature with a faded charm about it. Central to a kitchen diner with French farmhouse type kitchens are, of course, dining tables. To [...]]]>

You read a lot about “French farmhouse style” when it comes to interior decoration and design – but what does it actually mean?

There’s no strict definition, but the look is rustic in nature with a faded charm about it. Central to a kitchen diner with French farmhouse type kitchens are, of course, dining tables. To conform to the style, these should be large – the central feature of the room – and not overly ornate in design. A real French farmhouse would have a large solid oak dining table which was used both for preparing food and for serving it on for informal eating.

A dresser, also made of oak, is generally another requirement, whilst flooring would always be tiled, unusually in a rustic way as with terracotta etc., with earthenware pots on view on surfaces.

The overall French farmhouse feel is one of utility, with a few decorative pieces to make it feel homely. But practicality very much takes precedence over design. In other words, function comes before form. But in recreating the style, many of us today wish to put form on an equal footing with function. And that’s all quite do-able with the right design ranges.

If you search the web under “French farmhouse style” furnishings, you’ll get a feel for their rustic utilitarian nature, and rural charm. It’s a style which always has the oak table as the centrepiece and usually a mix of oak and oak painted furniture around with a few complementary decorative artefacts as well, such as ewers and bowls, range cookers, iron or brassware cooking utensils and a genuine working farmhouse feel about things.

To complement a large oak table, check out some of the oak dining chairs from Furnishing Homes or some of the other French farmhouse style ranges at the Furnishing Homes sites and you’ll soon get some excellent interior design ideas to work from.

In almost all households that take pride in owning a lawn or a backyard for recreational purposes, you will find that there are one or more pieces of old outdoor resin furniture. This type of furniture is preferred over the usually popular metal or wooden furniture (for indoor requirements) due to the fact that wood [...]]]>

In almost all households that take pride in owning a lawn or a backyard for recreational purposes, you will find that there are one or more pieces of old outdoor resin furniture. This type of furniture is preferred over the usually popular metal or wooden furniture (for indoor requirements) due to the fact that wood tends to decay when left in the sun and the rain and metal will tend to rust and undergo degradation.

This immense popularity of old resin furniture for outdoor requirements can be attributed to the fact that this discount furniture Los Angeles pieces have become quite popular and almost every household is buying it in order to save some money.

While resin furniture are more sustainable to the environmental degradation factor, there is no point denying that they will be needing their fair share of care and cleaning in order to stay in the peak condition. Here are 2 tips to get rid of the dirt on your old outdoor resin furniture:

1. Use The Right Type Of Brush

What do you use for dusting off dust and other form of debris from your old resin furniture? The obvious answer to this question will be a brush. But have you ever considered the type of brush that you are using for this purpose?

In case you didn’t know, the type of brush that you must use for brushing off the loose dust and debris from your old resin furniture is extremely important for the cleansing procedure as well as for the condition of the furniture.

This is why almost all furniture cleaning experts are of the opinion that you must use a long and stiff bristled brush for the purpose of getting rid of loose dirt from your old outdoor resin furniture. This will not only make your cleaning procedure more fruitful but will also ensure the long term longevity of the furniture.

2. Use Water Force

The fact that the outdoor furniture is made of resin and not wood or steel in contrast to the commonly found indoor furniture is kind of a boon in disguise when it comes to cleaning.

The stubborn dirt, grime and dust that you find on your old outdoor resin furniture can be eliminated by using the garden hose’s water power on the spot. Take the garden hose, point it at the spot where you find the stubborn grime and then use your fingers to increase the force of the garden hose and ensure that the grime is eradicated.

This way you can rest assured that your furniture Los Angeles is not being damaged but is being clean at the same time. Don’t forget to wipe it dry after this process.

These 2 tips for cleaning your old outdoor resin furniture is extremely helpful in case you are looking to add a few more years of usability to it and ensure that it stays clean and clear. Grime free furniture is a visual delight!

Cooper Rustic Reclaimed Wood Industrial Farmhouse Side Chair Kathy Kuo Designs

RST Outdoor Perfect Folding Table Chair Set Patio Furniture $475

RST Outdoor Bistro Patio Furniture, 3-Piece Set $148 From Amazon

French Iron Patio Decorating Ideas

Antique Oak Finished RESIN French Country Outdoor Urn with Swag

Belgian Pearls blog had an interesting post on Belgian architects François-Xavier Van Damme. The architecture of the French southwest region are a huge inspiration for his architects work. François-Xavier sent Greet, (author of Belgian Pearls blog) pictures of his own country house, which sits in the Flemish countryside.

Inside the home are carefully chosen reclaimed materials, [...]]]>

Belgian Pearls blog had an interesting post on Belgian architects François-Xavier Van Damme. The architecture of the French southwest region are a huge inspiration for his architects work. François-Xavier sent Greet, (author of Belgian Pearls blog) pictures of his own country house, which sits in the Flemish countryside.

Inside the home are carefully chosen reclaimed materials, designed around the French style.  The door is left untouched, in it's bare state, and reclaimed oak boards line the floor and give the room that rustic touch. A painted beamed ceiling gives the room detail and an old world effect. The white painted walls give the room a lot of bright light, while the raw wood seen in the furniture and on the floors add charm that we might see if we lived back in the 17th and 18th centuries.  French 18th century furniture designs can be seen throughout the house. Take for example the study corner with beautiful cabinetry, as well as the bathroom cabinet  which both have the classic door designs that we see in 18th century furniture from France. The gorgeous paneling is the perfect finishing touches for this French inspired home.  Carefully planned furniture, a lack of clutter allows these outstanding architectural features to really shine in this home.

The current owner of this castle must sell as he is moving to Hong Kong. Just five years ago, he found the property in terrible shape, fell in love with it, and painstakingly restored it back to its previous glory.  All five bedroom suites, several living rooms feature working fireplaces, a study, and hobby room are all [...]]]>

The current owner of this castle must sell as he is moving to Hong Kong. Just five years ago, he found the property in terrible shape, fell in love with it, and painstakingly restored it back to its previous glory.  All five bedroom suites, several living rooms feature working fireplaces, a study, and hobby room are all in pristine condition. The owner even used reclaimed materials from other French chateaux to be sure that no "foreign" or inappropriate materials interfered with the building's integrity.

The property even has modern luxuries such as a pool and pool house. In addition a wine cellar, caretaker's cottage and parking for ten cars makes this property an interesting business investment. The original castle dates back to the early 18th century but its gardens surrounded by olive and fruit trees and rose bushes.

The price is €5,900,000. Details at estatenetfrance.com.

About Le Bar-sur-Loup

Le Bar-sur-Loup (City of Oranges) is an enchanting old village which is restored with the old houses clustered around the 13th-century chàteau and church in the center. The narrow village streets below the chàteau are still very medieval, with many covered passages ("abris") where houses now fill the space above the streets.

The Château (which is privately owned and cannot be visited) was probably built from the 10th-13th centuries. The present construction is from the 14th-16th centuries, although it was pillaged and partially burned in 1792.

Martelle International are makers and importers of estate quality furniture, antique reproduction furniture, fitted cabinetry, fine architectural woodwork and home accessories. They employ master craftsmen who merge art and impeccable execution, to achieve excellence in a finished product. Here they have a painted powder blue and gilded gold chest of drawers with accent rings made [...]]]>

Martelle International are makers and importers of estate quality furniture, antique reproduction furniture, fitted cabinetry, fine architectural woodwork and home accessories. They employ master craftsmen who merge art and impeccable execution, to achieve excellence in a finished product. Here they have a painted powder blue and gilded gold chest of drawers with accent rings made of mahogany wood made in the French Provence style. They have this chest listed at US $1,394.07

Furniture Classics is a company who produces solid wood, antique reproduction furniture. This company is three generations strong, and dedicated to producing well priced, dependable constructions of authentic reproductions.

They have several product lines. Solid wood and traditional construction details are themes throughout each product design. Using kiln dried woods consisting of acacia, alder, mahogany, oak, pine and teak. Their craftsmen combine these timbers with traditional mortise, tenon, dovetail and dowel joints creating exquisite pieces of furniture. “Tenon through” and “dowel through” constructions are evident on many items. Naturally these old world techniques are combined with modern glue and screws where craftsmen have deemed necessary, but this is all part of bringing increased value to customers.

Stain and painted finishes are hand applied starting with physical distressing, and ending with lacquered top coats. These solid wood pieces are often enhanced with intricate hand-painted designs and finishes.

French Provincial Ebony Rub Oak Chest Dresser Sold By Marcia Treasures on Ebay

For more than 40 years interior designers throughout the United States and Canada,  Sarreid Ltd has been known as being an innovator in the home furnishings field since 1967. After receiving many requests from customers to provide them with identical pieces of the best [...]]]>

French Provincial Ebony Rub Oak Chest Dresser Sold By Marcia Treasures on Ebay

For more than 40 years interior designers throughout the United States and Canada,  Sarreid Ltd has been known as being an innovator in the home furnishings field since 1967. After receiving many requests from customers to provide them with identical pieces of the best selling items, Sarreid Ltd finally decided to manufacture the best of their furnishings that could be then made available to the public on a wider scale.

Their goal was to make exact replicas of the original antique that they had in their possession, so they could produce quality pieces that look identical to the originals. Every item could be made using the original techniques seen on the pieces themselves by skilled craftsmen who restore Sarreid's genuine antiques. Their reproductions look like thousand dollar 18th century antique furniture.  This is partly due to the amazing skills of their craftsmen, (whom they recruit from all over the world), but also the steps they take to make the furniture look genuine.  They start with reclaimed wood, and every item is hand finished by their  team of antique restorers, replicating the finish of the original antique in every detail. The end result is that each replica is unique in its own way, just like the original. Expansion, shrinkage, small cracks, and wood imperfections are all inherent qualities of their product.

Sarreid sells exclusively to fine furniture stores and design galleries.

Antique French Louis XVI Style Painted Blue Leather Game Table With Four Armchairs

When you think of game tables today, the first thing that comes to mind for most people are pool tables, ping pong tables, and hockey tables. Before the modern invention of the television, a family would play games together.  A [...]]]>

Antique French Louis XVI Style Painted Blue Leather Game Table With Four Armchairs

When you think of game tables today, the first thing that comes to mind for most people are pool tables, ping pong tables, and hockey tables. Before the modern invention of the television, a family would play games together.  A game table was a very practical piece of furniture in the home, and was used daily.

Antique game tables are smaller than regular tables because they were designed with the intention of 2 people playing a game together.  Larger game tables can accommodate 4 players, and sometimes more.   Here is an exceptional example of a burl wood poker table that can hold 6 players.

Some of the most beautiful french tables often have precious mother of pearl, ebony and wood inlay combined with bronze decorative hardware that adorned the feet and mounting corner hardware on the legs.

Many game tables have a removable chess board on one side, and the table design on the other. Other tables have a chess board on one side and a backgammon board on the other side. Small drawers are often built in for storing game pieces. Some designs actually have drink holders that pull out from the sides.

You can expect French Napoleon III period tables from the 1860's to be painted in black lacquer or cream with gilt bronze hardware. They often have tapered fluted legs compared to Louis XV tables.  French game tables make great additions to your living room. Station these tables against a window and add two comfortable bergere chairs, and you may be surprised to learn that you use it more than you think.

French Country Louis XV Game Table

Antiques Super is selling an antique French Louis XV inlaid mahogany game table. This beautiful game table is made in solid veneered mahogany and rosewood in the French Louis XVI style. This table has terrific inlaid and bronze details. Antiques Super is selling this table for $1,325.00

French Provincial Rococo White Painted Game Table- A charming French provincial rococo white painted and parcel-gilt leather-top game table; the square russet-colored leather top with hand-tooled gilt decoration; above a scalloped apron fitted with 4 drawers; raised on graceful cabriole legs ending in hoof feet