From Farmhouse to Chateau: How to Incorporate European French Furniture into Different Home Styles and Décor Themes

 

The word chateau is French for castle, and it’s precisely that - a castle. The term chateau has been used to refer to the most impressive homes in France for centuries. Whether you live in a farmhouse in the countryside or a high-end apartment in the city, finding a good piece of handcrafted European French furniture is vital to making your living space feel like a chateau.

This post will provide an overview of what makes up a typical French estate and how you can use these elements to create your own version of European chic in any home or apartment.

French furniture is known for its style and craftsmanship from the country's long fine art and architecture history. It's often ornate and detailed, made with wood and painted or lacquered to bring out the natural beauty of its material properties. French furniture makers have produced high-quality pieces since the 17th century when Louis XIV ruled France under his "Sun King" moniker (and commissioned many lavish decorations).

When you're considering incorporating French style into your home decorating scheme, it can be helpful to think about how this kind of design has evolved over time and where we might see its influence today:

French furniture styles can be divided into four categories: Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and Louis XV, XVI, and XIV.

The Baroque style was popular in the 17th century, characterized by ornate details and dramatic curves. In contrast, Rococo evolved from Baroque but was more elaborate, with even more delicate curves than its predecessor.

The Neoclassical style emerged when European culture wanted to distance itself from the excesses of previous eras, such as those seen during Louis XIV's reign (1643-1715). This trend continued into mid-18th century France where furniture makers produced pieces inspired by ancient Greek architecture mixed with Roman sculptures.

When you want to incorporate handcrafted European French furniture into your home, think about the current style and how these pieces will best accent your décor.

• Contemporary homes: The clean lines and simple, minimalist furniture of a contemporary home match European French furniture. In such a space, you can easily incorporate pieces painted white or another neutral color to give them an airy look.

• Traditional homes: Traditional homes tend to have more ornate pieces in their decorating scheme, which means they won't necessarily be as compatible with European French furniture styles. If you want to add some of these items to your home's décor theme but still want it to feel like part of your overall design plan, try pairing them with other decorative elements from different eras. This will help keep things balanced so everything doesn't feel too heavy-handed on either side.

• Modern homes: Modern interiors often feature sleek lines and minimalistic designs. However, this doesn't mean there aren't ways to incorporate handcrafted European French furniture pieces into such spaces without making them look out-of-place or clashing with other elements.

It would help if you considered the overall scale of the room. For example, if you have an entryway with high ceilings or a dining room accommodating large tables, European French furniture will look best when paired with antique pieces from different eras (i.e., Victorian or Art Deco).

Also, remember the layout. If your living room has limited seating options because of its design, adding additional seating options through chairs like sofas can help open things up visually while keeping everything organized in its little corner. Think about functionality. Do you need extra storage space? Do people often walk by this table? Will it make more sense for them to walk around instead? What kind of lighting do these chairs get from the window light alone?

Finally, consider your style. Many handcrafted European French furniture pieces work well with art and other accessories that can showcase the furniture while blending well into your décor.

European French Furniture is a beautiful addition to any home, but it's essential to consider how it will fit into your space. With so many different styles and designs available, there is something for everyone. If you want something more traditional or antique-inspired, check out our selection at Versailles Design Center.

We look forward to supplying your home with everything needed to elevate it to a stunning Chateau.