A very popular influence in interior decorating these days is the French style. From the decadence of Louis XIV's court to the rustic simplicity of the French countryside, we are seeing the French influence everywhere--French writing on everything from clothing and furniture to kitchen utensils, pastels and white with silver or gold flourishes, the eminence of the fleur-de-lis, lavender sachets and barn wood with old-country appliqued embellishments, and elaborate crystal and mirrors paired with engraved aged silver and gold.There are several branches of the French trend you might have spotted. French country has rustic peasant-style influences, reminiscent of sunny southern France, with its fields of lavender, vineyards, and white-washed cottages. Then there is French Classical/Traditional, which definitely reminds you of the gilded, crystal, and white palaces of the French court and Versailles. Finally, there is a sort of French shabby chic trend, which uses worn, tarnished, or peeling elements of the traditional style in such a way that it resembles relics of a glitzier past.
Whatever your taste, you will probably find something you like in the French style. It is airy, delicate, and bright, which might make it a perfect fit for dim spaces or rooms that seem too open and spare. Do you like French style decorating but don't know how to get started in your own home? If so, I sincerely hope this French style vignette will get those interior design juices flowing!
