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Top 7 Must-Have French Furniture Pieces

From the opulence of Louis XIV to the sophistication of the French countryside, every period throughout France’s turbulent history had a unique style. For those trying to recreate these looks in their own home, here are some of the most classic must-have furniture pieces with French origin.

1. Armoire

Armoire is a word borrowed from the French language to mean wardrobe. The armoire has a long history in French design, but its style has changed quite a bit throughout history and even differs based on region. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, when French style was quite opulent, armoires featured intricately carved doors. French country furniture, which has the more traditional style of the French countryside, has more subdued armoires with simpler carvings. Antique armoires are still popular, commonly sold in a variety of wood finishes.

2. Chaise Longue

Literally translating to “long chair,” a chaise longue is an upholstered sofa in the shape of a chair. Although many see the chaise longue as a luxurious but primarily decorative piece of furniture, it was not always this way. French craftsmen began making such furniture in the 16th century for aristocratic customers, who would relax on these sofas in sitting rooms as they greeted guests. In more modern times, many have used them to accent living rooms or as benches in master suites.

French Louis XVI Style (19/20th Cent.) Walnut Full Size Bed with a Cane Pane- Newel on eBay

3. Louis Bed

When shopping for French furniture, one may often come across the term “Louis bed.” The “Louis” in “Louis bed” is likely referring to Louis XIV, Louis XV, or Louis XVI. The rules of these men span from the mid-1600’s to the late 1700’s and the French Revolution, and during this time, the popular style of bed was largely the same. The Louis bed commonly features intricate hand-carved head and footboards fit for a king. The wood comes either stained or painted, depending on one’s personal tastes.

4. Vitrine

While people commonly use the word ” vitrine” in English, it is originally a French word for a display cabinet. Traditional French vitrines feature glass doors so that one can display cherished items on glass shelves. Many also have mirrored backs, allowing for one to view both the front and back of the items on display inside. The vitrine dates back to 18th-century France, but they continued to grow in popularity throughout the following centuries.

How To Restore Faded Leather Furniture – Kimberly Satorre’s Russet Leather Couch Makeover

Have you ever come across a leather couch that has been faded, yet still appears in excellent condition? Kimberly Satorre posted some pictures of a couch that was apparently free because the color was faded and worn out. She says restoring leather is an easier process than most people imagine. You can do it too!

Kimberly Satorre– “Before and after real leather couch refinish, free for removing First photos were before shots and the last were after layers of dye and refinishing. Carmel color leather stain and sealed. I used Fiebing’s russet color…It turned out beautiful”

Here is what it looked like after she restored it.

” I used Fiebing’s Russet color”
” The key to redying would be to wet the surface first “

Kimberly Satorre It is best to color it close the same color I think . Get some dye and simply clean the leather with soap and water and then on the under side test an area by taking a really wet rag wipe an area and while it is wet. Apply the dye with a dust free cloth. I use circular motion and it will appear darker until it dries and if you like that color won’t be while thing. Once u let it sit for about 72 hours apply the sealer.

She mentions that Fiebings sells both dye’s and sealants. She comments on the thread that the plastic container is what she used for the sealant.

Does It Cover Cat Scratches One Reader Asks:

Kimberly Satorre it does cover scratches. I am not positive but I was told that real leather doesn’t leave scratch makes as it is really hard to tear. but I used the die on a pleather couch with cat scratches and it covered them but the scratches were still there.

Another reader asks ” Does the dye ever come off onto your clothing after sitting on the couch after dying? I have a stained and soiled leather sofa in a condo in Fla. I may want to dye. It’s a rental unit too!”

Kimberly Satorre If you are wet it may…., just as if from the factory though.

Renee Seeling I used to use Fiebings on my saddle leather. Kept it pliable, clean and did not rub off no matter how much riding I did.

Zentique Adele Arm Chair $1400 Amazon, Zentique Jute Medallion Arm Chair $600 Amazon

Zentique Bastille Sofa Ebay $1750

Anna Fiechter’s Painted Cigar Table

Anna Fiechter who lives in Saugerties, NY took a plain sidetable, and transformed it into something spectacular. I believe her style is inspired by the shape of furniture that you would see during the French Renaissance.

For this piece she used General Finishes Lamp Black, Aubusson Blue,Barcelona, Primer Red, Provence, Pure White. The horses she said were are image transfers.

Follow Anna Fiechter on Facebook.

The white floral painted details really adds character to this piece

The style of the pillows work perfectly with this piece

The horse transfer really gives this piece an extra wow factor.

Karolina Lolo’s Distressed Green Painted Stamped Chest

Karolina Lolo posted this lovely picture on facebook of her new furniture makeover of 2018. The piece looks so well done, it could have been an authentic piece from a old house or chateau.

“I don’t use candle wax in distressing:) more sand paper and spatula:) Images are from Prima stamps.”

Karolina lives in Poznan, Poland. Follow Karolina Lolo on Lolo’s Craft

The piece in it’s natural state

The finished chest

Question: Do You Keep The Original Hardware On Vintage French Furniture?

French Provincial Dresser by John Witticomb By Ebay Seller htala

Nat Black Do you typically leave the French provincial handles on your finished piece or do you try to change them for a more modern look?

Leigh Carpenter KEEP!
Andrea Jackson ALWAYS KEEP. It really helps sell the piece
Sandy Merritt Gentry Keep!
Christie Wanamaker Keep
Sara Arendt-Jaynes Definitely keep them. French Provincials tend to look ‘off’ when they are changed to a different style. I think I have seen one, maybe two, that looked good with something else in all my years of doing this.

Julia Harrison‘s French Piece In White (Here’s one where I kept them.)

Julia Harrison I usually keep, but I think changing them can be pretty too. Here’s one where I kept them.

Julia Harrison‘s French Piece Where She Changed The Handles

Kade Johnson Leave them
Jeannette Robinson Keep. If you ever do change, sell the rest on EBay or Etsy. They bring good money and that is where I look when I have a piece missing one.
Dannielle Carver Leave them
Jeanette Birks Keep just change color
Connie Baumeister leave them. if I paint white I paint them white and leave them on then distress all.

Marnie Owens‘s French Chest.

“ It is a base coat of cream (home made chalk paint using plaster of paris, but very close in color to Annie Sloan Old White) with the cream, Annie Sloan French Linen and Paris Grey over the top. I just kind of blended the colors together as I was painting to give it more variation. I then sanded to distress some areas and waxed it with Annie Sloan clear wax.“

Joanna Torija– I just got this awesome dining set – table and 6 chairs. I have decided to painted in French Linen ASCP. See the before and after. Follow Joanna at Jarful House

Jennifer Legreca Motley‘s Table Makeover

Dianne Banks– I decided to give my pine waxed dresser a facelift. The bottom took ages trying to get rid of wax and then a lot of orange bleeding through the chalk paint. So I thought I would put a primer on the top section and then chalk paint it. One quick coat of primer and this is the result.

Find great french provincial hardware in LOTS On ebay

Andie Pauly’s English To French Highboy Transformation

Andie Pauly

September 4, 2017

I changed the vernacular from English to French because someone told me I couldn’t. lol. I changed all the hardware and added escutcheons. I also filled in the shell detail with wood putty. I used Amy Howard Cartouche as the base, then Seashell by Vintage Market, then French Blue by Amy Howard. The next step is a dark grey drybrushing. Then I sanded and waxed, first with clear, then dark wax.