Guest Picks: Decadent French
Such wasted years!
Luckily this changed and became a full-blown love affair, hugely influenced by my time living in Paris. I could now see and explore the context for this extraordinary, romantic style so rich in history and the intensely committed craftsmanship of its time. And then came Versailles. How does one not fall in love even deeper, and want some part of it for themselves?
These are my selections for ways to bring the decadence of French style into your life. Denise from The Swelle Life
I needed reviving after seeing this stunning, delicately detailed console table — it took my breath away. It needs space to be admired, so my next house will be chosen based on its capacity to accommodate such a showpiece in all of its feminine, Marie Antoinette glory. It's just that beautiful. Its wonderfully curvy legs are hand carved as are the 'lace' edges, highlighted in white against the pale pink. Now I think that is just perfect, but just to torture us a bit, they offer the option for custom painting the interior, carving and main body in any combination of 15 lovely colors, for an extra £245.
If I slept in this gold, mahogany, button-back bed would everything in my dreams appear larger than life and gilded? Probably. And it just might conjure a few ghosts from Versailles.
I usually like my French on the minimal side of ornate, but the all-over, intricate detail done in soft antique beige and lightly distressed finish is a really lovely way to step out of a subdued comfort zone.
In my dream house I have one room to do with what I please, preferably with floor to ceiling windows revealing a Versailles-esque garden. I would create a tea salon in husband-repelling pastel shades, and in the background this mahogany and rattan French daybed with intricate hand carving would await my daily nap in the sun. I would add all kinds of embroidered silk pillows in dusty pinks and blues, but I'd be careful to leave generous peeks of its comfy cream pinstripe cushion.
Usually people congregate in the kitchen, but I might linger a bit in the bathroom if it had a vanity that transported me to 1920s Paris, like this one. It's a rather masculine set with its firm columns and black granite top, and I'm usually drawn to more delicate and curvy features. But I find myself mentally storing my toiletries in the special storage compartments in the roomy cabinets. Classic French charm and it's practical. J'adore.
Is there anything more decadent than a velvet upholstered mahogany coffee table with crystal buttons? This piece is the opposite of practical so it must be total luxury — you can't set anything on it! This low-lying beauty was created to be tiptoed around and admired from a distance. Children are only allowed to look at it in photos. The price listed here includes the crystal buttons, but you have the option to order the coffee table without them and save £550. But that would be just silly. They belong together.
I've got at least a bit of French flair in each room of my house, but the theme falls apart in the backyard which is devoid of any real charm — and that's tragic! And easily rectified. The simple addition of a well-placed, delicate French loveseat in the garden extends the ambiance of your interior to your outdoor space and sweetens the view from inside.
One of my most favorite places in the world is Ladurée on Champs Élysées in Paris. This chandelier drips with French gilded hand-cut crystal pendants and reminds me of the regal fixtures that accent so powerfully their Marie Antoinette–inspired salons. I feel a craving for rose macarons coming on...
I can't remember the last time I chose a bath over showering, but that would change instantly if I could slip into this early twentieth century French reproduction fireclay tub.
The horrors of seeing myself in a three-way mirror would surely be tempered by the beauty of this gorgeous antique ivory boudoir piece. It would serve as a dreamy room divider or dressing screen (for the hopelessly shy) and can even be used to hide sinful clutter. A lovely distraction indeed.
I've always fantasized about having an authentic piece of old French architecture incorporated into my house. I like to imagine that a feature with such a rich history would imbue my own house with some enchanting qualities. The obvious starting point would be a house that already comes with some charm, but these orangery windows from the 1800s would go far in transforming the typical cookie-cutter dwelling into something special.
If such a style of chair was good enough for Marie Antoinette's husband and his royal posse, it's certainly going to succeed in pleasing me. This painted fauteuil is upholstered with "exclusive designer fabric" which appears to be tapestry and piped in silk cord — and I'd hope it would be! I like the regal yellow which strikes a nice balance between a bright and a muted shade. It's cheery yet versatile and that's something that makes a space a bit more special.
Gold furniture would come off as far too ostentatious in my house; I think grand salons with sky-high ceilings would do best for pulling off this look with proper panache. But I do find silver to be a more accommodating, yet still indulgent, alternative — it can sit alongside other finishes more naturally.
How could you not feel a bit like Marie Antoinette sitting at this opulent French vanity table? If I had this set in my bedroom (or in my daydreams, my dressing room), it would make getting ready an indulgent treat — something I don't find fun right now!
Now I would be terrified to sit on this Louis XVI style settee dating from the Napoleon III period as it is upholstered in its original Aubusson tapestry. But to have such an extraordinary specimen of Old World craftsmanship in one's midst would be well worth the fear. If I had one of those glorious rooms that are meant to be peeked into on occasion rather than actually used, that is where this hopelessly romantic two-seater would go. But I would definitely visit on a daily basis.
The choices we make to fill the empty spaces are what makes a room truly special. They also reveal so much about ourselves. I am always on the hunt for a priceless treasure that I will adore for a lifetime and never dream of relegating to the attic. This French Lyre pendulum mantle clock in white marble and fine cast gilt bronze mounts is that kind of find. Rather than the mantle, I see it on my handpainted French bombe sideboard alongside my art deco gilt decanter and liqueur glasses.
A beautiful chaise lounge is a true indulgence. It occupies almost as much space as your sofa and tells the world that you plan to do a lot of luxurious reclining — or that at least you want to look as if you do! I'm drawn to this sumptuous gold and white framed, scroll-back chaise for its elegance and somewhat masculine aesthetic. I try to be mindful of my husband when making decisions about our space and I wouldn't see this as a compromise in any way. The neutral, soft shades and clean lines would sit alongside a range of styles and palettes beautifully.
This mahogany chair has such unique, feminine style with its wavy, gilted curves and suede textured upholstery. It would be a gorgeous contrast to minimal pieces with clean lines, which is how I would place it for maximum impact. It deserves a lot of attention.
I've always wanted a bedroom — both space and ensemble — that would accommodate a French velvet bench. They are so quietly elegant and luxurious and should not be merely an accessory but used daily for putting on stockings or resting while perfume settles into your skin before dressing. This silver bench is handmade from Acacia wood and finished in a silver blue velvet. It would be stunning as part of an icy blue ensemble, or against rich mahoganies for a touch of subtle, regal color. More French-inspired home pieces: Frugal French Finds French Decor Ideas
The muted magenta shade of this elegant bombe chest is pure joy, but if it's not your style you can have it custom painted in any combination of 22 available colors. There are plenty of brights and pastels — my favorites. Custom painting costs an extra £250. But if you can afford this chest in the first place, that's likely not a hindrance.
Q