French Provincial as the public know it

FRENCH PROVINCIAL INSPIRATIONS 
I was doing some research for my next blog on French Provincial interior design dating back to inspirations from the 18th Century when Napolean I ruled and the French Revolution produced furniture, designed by highly skilled craftsman who lavishly decorated and carved highly functional pieces of furniture from timber and adorned it in rare upholstered materials. 


I then begun on my art history geek review of all the things I love to do with design history, which inspired French Provincial design today. Empire style is an early 19th century design movement which derived it's name from rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire and also corresponds to styles prominent during the Empire style such as;
- Biedermeier most prominent in Germany, 
- Federal style in the USA and 
- the Regency style in Britain. 
The Empire style in particular took inspiration from the Roman Empire and it's many archaeological treasures rediscovered in the 18th century.

ABOVE: Palace of Fontainebleau in Paris

The Empire style produced lavishly adorned interior's produced by highly skilled craftsman. Their skills were invested in over many years to produce the most exquisite examples of decoration which we refer back to as inspiration today. Every inch of the room was adorned and highly decorated or hand crafted by skilled craftsman and every detail thought about. Right down to the type of artwork to be commissioned to hang on the already highly decorated walls with flocked and gold guilded wallpaper.


FRENCH PROVINCIAL TODAY
French Provincial design today is inspired by these highly decorated Empire and Federal style interiors, with antique pieces of furniture eclectically and lovingly combined with new pieces of furniture to create a reinterpretation of these styles with a twist. Bunny Williams an internationally respected and known Interior Designer, reflects on her Amercian heritage and history (Federal style), to create well balanced interiors with current textiles and a mix of textures to create the elegance of the French Provincial era. I argue to re interpret her own flare she is so well known for by mixing the old with the new.

ABOVE: examples of Bunny Williams interiors

FRENCH PROVINCIAL WITH MY CLIENTS

That is what design really is to all my clients and me, a design I assist in creating for them that is representative of their style and preferred tastes with an individual twist to suit their personality and lifestyle. And a haven for them to retreat to with a twist that is their own.   

French Provincial Revisited

For all those devoted fans of all things French like me, I wanted to share a collage of images to reflect the mood and atmosphere of a true French Provincial Interior reflective of the original French roots. What do i mean you say ? Isn't French provincial all about extravagant and rare and beautiful materials and furniture you ask ?

Sorry to disappoint but no. It really all started in the provincial homes of the working class French pre 16th century where interiors were highly functional 

    

Do not be confused with French Provincial Interior Design during the reign of Napoleon with the simplicity and warmth of French farmhouse interiors which reflects the simplicity of organic materials to create warmth.

Where natural and raw materials from the earth where used to create the warmth of the outside in for practical cooking and insulation measures.