What is it about the French and style? They seem to be born knowing how to dress beautifully, while French cuisine is considered among the finest in the world. And they're justly proud of their extraordinary design heritage: priceless antiques passed down lovingly from generation to generation, along with a love and respect for fine furnishings and an eye for putting things together that the rest of the world longs for.
The French people have an affection for beautiful things that has nothing to do with ostentation or acquisitiveness. There's a seemingly effortless, elegant way that French homes are decorated that emphasizes taste and comfort, rather than price or the latest trend. A French interior is a constant work in progress – there's always a place for a new vase filled with fresh flowers, an exquisite piece of Limoges china, or a chair still dressed in its original 18th- century fabric. Paris's flea markets are unlike any others, and antiquing is a national obsession.
We call this relaxed decorating style French Country in order to distinguish it from a more formal French traditional style, but providing a distinct definition is not easy; French Country is really a catch-all term for a range of regional and historical influences. The general look used to be called French Provincial, to acknowledge the rustic textures, primitive furnishings and beautiful colours associated with Provence, and by association all of rural France. Today, French Country refers to a style of casual decorating that's perhaps a little more smooth and sophisticated.
French Country combines a mix of antiques (mainly from the 18th century) with colours inspired by the matchless light and rustic beauty of the French countryside, and wraps it all in comfort: cozily stuffed upholstery, curtains that puddle dramatically on the floor, richly textured fabrics and carpets. But what truly seems to distinguish the look is another, less definable, quality: it's an instinctive sense of harmony and scale that makes the most eclectic room somehow just right.
France's Golden Age of culture and enlightenment first blossomed at the court of Versailles under Louis XIV (1643-1715), who set the style for all of Europe. Under his rule, which has come to be known as the Baroque period, craftsmanship in possessions was a measure of social status; furniture and interiors became ever more elaborately carved, gilded and decorated.
Baroque furnishings are often large in scale, almost comically ornate, and incredibly intricate, making them a challenge to place in modern rooms, which tend to be somewhat smaller than the grand salons of the Renaissance. Usually, a single grand Baroque piece is used as the focal point in a room, with smaller furnishings sparely placed as supporting players. Balance and harmony are crucial elements in a French interior.
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