- Follow us:
Tuesday, November 28th, 2017
What’s French Romantic without a little taste of wine? Featured here is the Hooker Furniture Dining Room Studio 7H Wine Rack 5465-50002-MWD.
French. Just the very word makes you think of style and elegance. Whether you’re thinking of architecture, food or design, it’s all the same. The French have also mastered the mixture of classic with contemporary which makes them a dominant force to reckon with.
But are there really secrets to their style? Or are there characteristics that you can confidently use right in your own home?
Find Comfort in Juxtapositions
As mentioned, you have to be able to mix the traditional elements with the contemporary stuff. Do not afraid to experiment so that you get to see the different possible combinations of furnishings.
A truly chic French Romantic home should be able to stand the test of time. it must be resilient to the interior design trends. It must also balance the Old World charm with the contemporary style. Make it a point to stimulate the five senses with the design elements that you bring into your home. Visually, the objects must be there but they must also satisfy the tactile sense through the textures.
Design is not about being perfect, it’s about defining, redefining, experimenting, making errors, correcting them, and finally arriving at a style that you can truly call your own.
Basically Chic
French romantic interiors are basically simple. They make use of a neutral color palette so that balance can be achieved in the living spaces. Pair the complementary colors which sit on opposite sides of the color wheel. These hues will naturally jive without you even trying.
A neutral palette is also awesome to use because it is easy to live with. It is not complex, so, a wave of calm will automatically be felt when you enter a home in these calming colors.
Add a Touch of Vintage
The French are also known for their rich history. Just pay a visit to their museums and architectural marvels, even their streets, and you would see how amazing the people are.
Mix modern with traditional by, say, adding bronze furnishings to parquet flooring. You can also hang artworks and vintage sculptural pieces on walls. Find interesting vintage pieces from our collection here.
Bold French art can also add a different level of fun to your home. You don’t have to be serious all the time. Even the French know how to have fun now and then so inject some abstract paintings on the background or even some of your framed black and white photographs. Even your sketches – when properly framed – can become the conversation pieces in your home.
Century Furniture Bedroom Atlanta Low Post Bed With Upholstered Headboard – King Size 6/6 I29-146
Learn to Layer
Paris is known for its robust flea markets so be able to layer your furniture, décor, lights, paintings, knickknacks, mirrors, and even your silverware. Use an anchor palette then slowly build from there.
The layers throughout your home should add a level of sentimentality that your guests can feel the moment they enter your place.
Mix and blend the artworks, colors, and furniture in a surprisingly fresh way. The rooms are supposed to be opulent, of course, you’re recreating French lavishness, but you also have to add a dash of roughness to the refined pieces.
Mix attitude with a little warmth. Group furniture and artworks according to textures or create intrigue by making the pieces as diverse as possible.
Say Yes to Blush Tones and Gilding
Paris is no less than the most romantic city in the world so create the fairytale charm that it is supposed to evoke. Use gilded bronze furnishings. Add blush pieces to the mix and you’ve just recreated Marie Antoinette’s le salon.
Tags: French design, French design elements, French furnishing, French furnishings, French interiors, French Romantic, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on French Romantic: The Splendor of Things Vintage
Monday, June 19th, 2017
BLOG 1. Hooker Furniture Bedroom Arabella King Upholstered Panel Bed: The Arabella Collection shares its take on French interior design through these neutral yet stunning pieces.
Elegance is the first word that would come to anyone’s mind when French style is mentioned. Whether you’re thinking about French clothing, food, wine or their interior design, there simply isn’t anything bad to say. French interior design, in particular, effortlessly combines both the traditional and contemporary ways of design principles.
The French Personality
French interior design is sophisticated, daring yet chic. It can also be quirky as well as personal. If you would travel anywhere in France and would take the time to look inside French homes, you would notice that no two homes are look or even feel alike. Their confident vision in terms of designs is the key to getting away with the one-of-a-kind flair.
So, are there any rules in going French this summer season? At first glance, you may think that there aren’t any. The truth is, French interior design also has some do’s and don’ts.
The French Do’s
Still from the Arabella Collection: Hooker Furniture Living Room Arabella Four-Door Credenza
The French Don’ts
Now it’s time for the do nots. Of course you would also want to know about these so that you won’t go wrong with your chosen design –
French Colors
French style also centers on what sort of hues you are allowed to use – think of royalty, regal beauty, and sometimes, even simplicity. After all, after the French Revolution, more and more people turn their back on frilly aesthetics and went for things that are simple – you should do the same.
French interior design is flexible when it comes to colors. Just allow your personality to shine through to your palette. If you want calmer surroundings, then go for white, off-white, mushroom, taupes, gray, light green or powder blue.
If you are bold enough, then try teal, shades of red or emerald green. These will surely create an interesting feature wall, for instance, if not some pops of color in a mainly neutral backdrop. Nothing is every practically off limits when it comes to French interior design.
Tags: French design, French furnishing, French furnishings, French interior design, French interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Summer a La French
Thursday, July 14th, 2016
The Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Four-Drawer Thin Console may appear distressed but it also offers a bluish hint. This makes it unique.
Many designers have been approached by clients and asked if they can create a French style for their house. This may not be the correct term to use but if you ask enough, you would then learn that what clients mean are whitewashed furniture, candleholders, lanterns, chandeliers, white lace and linen towels. Silver trays work, too.
Apparently, French style actually means French provincial or shabby chic. Some can even see elements of this style inside French homes. So, what makes a home essentially French?
A Little Geography Lesson
Each region in France comes with its own identity and style. There are also different decorative materials and building structures. These give the regions their own distinctiveness along with a unique regional culture that is too hard to ignore.
Don’t think of Versailles as the capital of everything that’s French. This could prove to be true if you were living in the time of King Louis XIV. His was an era of royal debauchery and the excesses the monarchs had unsurprisingly led to their downfall.
If you’re thinking of going French then you have to learn to do things in moderation. Being excessive like Louis XV is not going French. In fact, moderation is the very concept of French style. Use deliberate designs but not in such a way that they are no longer discreet. The features must look effortless.
Even children’s bedrooms that are done in French style should be minimalist. The color palette should be simple and the rest of the space, clean.
Aim for Harmony, Not Luxury
Almost all French people don’t like vulgarity and garishness. To them, what’s elegant and beautiful are those that have zero glitz, shine, travertine, gold brocade, polished mahogany or fine silk. The lesson here is, for as long as the design elements feel right to you, then they’re just that – they’re right for you.
Materials that are good for French style are wood, terra cotta, stone, plaster, iron and steel. You should consider using prewashed linen because it is soft but has creases, it’s never perfect but it feels just right.
All’s Not White
French people don’t live in an all-white home. While many people believe that white is the fundamental color of anything French, this isn’t the case at all. French people actually feel that this color is too impersonal.
If you want to do it the authentic way, then you’d have to settle for neutrals. The French palette is all about being subtle so use a lot of gray, beige, light blue, black, taupe, brown, or sage. The patterns have to be discreet just like the rest of the design elements.
Orient Express Furniture Bar and Game Room Harper Barstool – Stone Wash Bisque French Linen 6415-BSUP.SW BIS
French Can Be Colorful, Too
When you have to use color, then you’ll have to embrace the vibrant hues that tend to make a statement. Make sure that you keep it simple, though. Use no more than dual colors since having too many colors in a room is just wrong.
Since French homes tend to be small, they use color in order to maximize space or to define zones. A one-room apartment, for instance, would do well to reduce its clutter and to have small cabinetry and accent colors in lime green, peacock blue, terracotta orange, red, hot pink or mustard yellow.
French Is Eclectic
If you’re also thinking that going French also means being traditional, then you’re wrong again. Instead, you’d have to embrace eclecticism. This is because the French have undergone evolving civilizations; hence, there isn’t a single French identity. So go ahead and mix styles and eras and you don’t even need to apologize for that.
The French has a complex history so if you try to sum it all up in one box, then you’re going the wrong way. While you can use whitewashed furnishings, you are also welcome to use anything rustic.
Tags: French, French design, French design elements, French furnishings, French interior design, French interiors, history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, May 26th, 2016
Artistica Dining Room Axiom Wood Back Side Chair 560-021
While baroque may have a certain characteristic that is entirely its own, it has different versions to offer from Europe to Latin America. While they have a slightly different look for every country, there is a reason why only a single term is used to describe them. All come from a common aesthetic beginning.
Baroque, in Spain, originally referred to an oddly-shaped pearl. In Italy, this term is used to describe a sophistic argument with little dialectic worth. It soon became known in every European language and most used it to define anything unusual, extravagant, irregular, even absurd.
A Little Baroque History
During the second half of the 19th century, Heinrich Wolfflin together with his followers brought a whole new meaning to the term baroque. This Swiss critic used the term to define more specific features such as movements (e.g. a curving on the wall or a water feature showing different water patterns).
Baroque could also be used to represent infinity. So this could be used to define the whole horizon or a trick of mirrors which can alter optical perspectives.
In Renaissance architecture, baroque is the right term to use when describing churches and palaces. These could be royal palaces, cathedrals, parish churches, monastic buildings, country mansions, etc.
The Baroque Building
A structure can be given form in various ways. It can be a piece of sculpture in the middle of a building. It can also be a mere box which is given definition by regular-shaped walls. As a skeletal framework, it is what architects see as a mass that needs to be worked on.
Churches during the Baroque period were always built with vaulted ceilings, hence, the term cathedral ceilings.
Manipulation of Light
The light that focuses a certain point in a physical structure may vary but the effect that it renders will always be the same. So imagine using the same kind of lighting on a brick wall and a smooth, granite one. Baroque architects used this fact to give emphasis to texture and proportion. The difference now lies on the level of appreciation that the spectator shows for each rendition.
Accessories Uttermost Beatriz Baroque Mirror 07673
A Touch of French
The greatest look that the French were able to contribute when it comes to the baroque style could not be found in architecture. You will appreciate French baroque if you take a careful look at beautiful landscape gardening. Baroque gardens have always been Italian in nature with small parks, flower beds and plants. It wasn’t until Andre Le Notre, a landscape architect that a new perspective for garden landscape was born. The French garden often stood at the center of the palace with gravel-filled carriage areas, gates, and the drive all around it. The French-inspired baroque style was the inspiration for The Netherlands and Belgium architecture.
Urban Baroque
Grand staircases are reminiscent of the aristocratic buildings during the 17th century. Having these in your home would be a good way to let people know that you mean to use the baroque style.
Baroque, more often than not, is a kind of art illusion. There are scenery paintings and other false perspectives, sculptures abound, ornaments everywhere.
For a more modern baroque style, try to use a lot of white. The elegance of marble is most welcome, as are opulent moldings, curvaceous lines, jewel tones, and gilded finishes.
You can also mix eras to create a result that is surprisingly baroque. An example is installing metallic wallpaper, and mixing it with a painting of a raven on the wall, a glass chandelier, and a modular credenza.
To cap the baroque design, make sure that you create a focal point that is sure to catch everyone’s attention. A well-placed chandelier or a wooden sculpture will do the trick.
Tags: baroque, Baroque design, baroque furniture history, baroque style, French design, French design elements, French furnishings, French furniture, French interior design, French interiors, history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2016
Maitland-Smith Dining Room Arm Chair 4130-812 is simply gothic.
Gothic interior design or those medieval interiors both represent like eras. But do not imagine creepy mansions and artwork when thinking about gothic style, instead, think of architectural beauty and intricate furniture pieces.
Victorian gothic is, in essence, an architectural design that started as early in the 1740s. Compared to modern gothic interiors, they are similar because they show opulence and elegance. Gothic architecture first took the spotlight around 1150 AD. This was during the Medieval Period and it immediately became a significant part of every building design. Back then, it was called the French Style.
Examples of the gorgeous Gothic style can be found in abundance in the U.K. and the rest of Europe, more so in Paris, France. Gothic cathedrals are the perfect examples of gothic architectural wonders that have endured centuries.
Gothic Design Today
These days, gothic structures stand as a testament to the unique ability and solid engineering that are used hand-in-hand in their creation.
Have you heard of the flying buttress? This is one of the most recognized gothic elements in the world today. This was created during the Medieval Era. One can be seen in the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris.
Gothic’s got a pointy sort of style with ornate doorways, beautiful archways and perfect symmetry. Architects need to use balance in all aspects of a gothic home. This doesn’t mean that their brains have been hardwired to create everything that’s dark and gloomy, though. With the right set of eyes, you can appreciate the artistry that gothic design stresses. These great minds have been trained to value the beauty of old cathedrals and other majestic structures.
Maitland-Smith Accessories Black Marble Vase 2100-302 has all the elements of gothic style – a dark, rich color and its ornate metallic design.
A great way to wrap your mind around this unique interior design is to imagine intricate and ancient churches instead of dreary places. These are actually sanctuaries with stately windows complete with stained glass. Designs of roses or trefoils are also quite common as are majestic fireplaces situated below exposed beams and wooden rafters.
Beautiful candelabra should complete this divine style.
Gothic Interior Design: A Vertical Style
The gothic design is mainly a vertical style depicted by the looming peaks and arches, with windows growing larger and larger as you walk in each room. There is also an increased amount of lighting and ventilation as the years pass. The gloomy feel of the Romanesque churches are long gone.
Victorian gothic furniture pieces are usually made with sturdy and heavy oak wood adorned with the designs that are reminiscent of the Medieval Period. Headboards, chairs, cabinetry come with beautiful legs, arches and spirals. Heavy fabrics encase these heavy furniture pieces with every upholstery displaying the most majestic colors.
Including benches, pews and altar chairs is an effective way to show the kind of crafts that was featured during that time.
Gothic colors tend to be dark and rich with sombre hues of ruby, purple, forest green, ochre, and gold. You may use black but do so sparingly. It is not good to fall into the usual gothic notion where rooms are dark and even probably haunted. Vibrant colors like deep burgundy, emerald green, dark blue and ruby red are all acceptable.
Uttermost Accessories Alita, Mirror 11587 B
Gothic walls are covered with greenery, flowers and heavy patterns. Homeowners also use stencil designs and heraldic symbols. Paint your walls with flat colors in order to replicate the stone surfaces.
Accentuate stained glass windows with full suits of armor, wrought iron, candles and pews. Cornices and carved ribbing are also common characteristics of gothic interior design.
Display wooden, carved sconces as well as pottery dishes. Wrought iron lamps should be able to cast that needed glow inside an otherwise dark room.
For the final touch, go full gothic by adding dramatic elements such as moldings, dark wallpaper and heavy curtains. Just like you would with any style that you choose, go all out in using the gothic interior design.
Tags: dark color scheme, dark colors, dark design, dark hues, dark-colored hues, French design, French design elements, French furnishings, gothic, gothic interior design, gothic interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Victorian gothic
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
