How to Have a French Inspired Look

Formal Style

• French period furniture designed during the reigns of Louis XIV, XV and Louis XVI or in Baroque or Rocco styles can be found in the most luxurious and elegant settings. French furniture from these eras featured ornate carvings and elegantly curved cabriole legs. Ornamental details on Baroque furniture from the time of Louis XIV were symmetrical and balanced, with carved and inlaid panels appearing on chests and cabinets. Tortoiseshell and engraved brass veneers, granite and marble table tops and gilded carvings provide a defined, upscale look. A lavish, French-inspired bedroom may include a tufted fabric headboard, Rocco-style dresser, an elegant crystal chandelier and an ornate, gold-gilded vanity or wall mirror.

Casual Country Style

• French Country decorating provides a casual, welcoming atmosphere and continues to be one of the most popular decorating styles in America today. Color palettes are light and cheerful, reflecting the hues found in the French countryside. Pale shades of beige and creamy yellow suggest aged plaster walls while bright splashes of golden yellow, red and lavender draw inspiration from colorful fields of sunflowers, poppies and lavender. Exposed wood beams and wrought iron furnishings add a rustic touch. French Country fabrics feature delicate floral patterns, toile motifs or roosters. Roosters in particular are commonly found on accent pillows, French pottery, dinnerware and are made into ceramic accent pieces. Overhead pot racks displaying copper cookware or a baker’s rack displaying wine bottles, French pottery and baskets filled with fresh fruit give a French Country feel to your kitchen.

Shabby Chic Style

• Distinctively French-inspired, shabby-chic decorating turns time-worn junk into elegant, trendy decor. Distressed finishes are an important element of this decorating style, in which cabinets and furniture are deliberately scratched, chipped and dented to provide a look of natural wear. After a base coat of paint is applied, a glaze mixture is added in either a lighter or darker shade. The translucent quality of the glaze allows the base color to show through and parts of the glaze are deliberately wiped away. Slip-covered furniture in white or light colors provides a relaxed, welcoming look. Decor has a feminine emphasis with floral patterns, pale or pastel colors and lace embellishments.

Modern Style

• A touch of vintage French inspiration can mix beautifully with modern or minimalist decorating styles. An elegant French Louis XV style chair placed in a room with minimalist-style furnishings will stand out as an accent piece. A chinoiserie-style dresser blends nicely with the sleek finishes in a modern bedroom. Burlap or vintage French grain-sack accent pillows add rich texture and contrast to a modern leather couch. Imagine modern furniture upholstered with toile fabric or an accent wall covered with fleur-de-lis pattern wallpaper. A little French inspiration in a modern home creates a look that is ultra-chic.