Fabulous French Arm Chairs

French upholstered arm chairs have been “en vogue” since the time of Louis XV. Prior to that time, arm chairs were primarily made from wood and designed with erect backs. But the Renaissance period redefined all art forms, including furniture design, leading to more comfortable lounge chairs with cushioned seats, semi-reclining backs and swooping arms. Plus, arm chairs became true works of art with intricate carvings and emblems, cabriole legs and stylish fabrics. Suddenly, every parlor from Paris to St. Petersburg was filled with artistic arm chairs where friends would converse in comfort.

Photo Credit: Mobilier de Salon

French arm chairs have never gone out of style, but recent years have seen a resurgence in their popularity, with classic designs being coupled with contemporary fabrics and painted or distressed finishes. Today’s French arm chairs still often boast intricate carvings and cabriole legs, but comfort trumps artistry when it comes to fabrics. Soft linen or jute fabrics are used to encase downy-soft pillow top seats. And decorative French pillows are often used to further enhance comfort and add a bit of whimsy to the look.

Photo Credit: sazsabellagio.blogspot.com.au

More recently, French style arm chairs with scripted fabric have become a “must have” for lovers of French furniture. French scripted chairs with white fabric and black or brown French words are particularly popular, as are burlap upholstered arm chairs with grain sack words.

Photo Credits: MySweetSavannah.blogspot & Etsy

 

Photo Credits: Photo Credits: franciskasvakreverden.blogspot.com

French arm chairs with cane backs have been in style since Louis XVIII when lighter furniture was embraced in Paris, perhaps as an expression of their intent to leave the heavy revolutionary years behind. Cane back arm chairs are still extremely popular as they work well in both elegant and more casual decor settings. To give these chairs an even fresher look, they are often painted in colorful hues and distressed for a vintage look and feel.

Photo Credit: Maisondecor8.blogspot.com

French arm chairs have also caught the imagination of shabby chic lovers who might refinish an old French chair found at an estate sale and add a comfy pillow top seat and pillows with feminine features such as ruffles and floral embellishments.

Photo Credit: VintageSoul1020.typepad.com

French arm chairs are also being transformed into more cosmopolitan pieces, with tufted linen fabric covering the once intricately carved areas of this style of chair. Wildly popular and infinitely versatile, tufted arm chairs work well in vintage and modern decor settings alike.

Photo Credit: blog.templeandwebster.com.au

If you’re looking to add a French arm chair to your decor, you can find get some inspiration here: Belle Maison French Arm Chairs

The French Chair Affair

Choosing the right dining chairs can feel a bit like looking for the “one”. We are first attracted by the appearance, but then we want more details. Is it our style? Does it make us feel comfortable? Is it stable enough to stand the test of time? It’s important to really know what you’re looking for in a chair, and not to pick one solely based on first impressions. So decide what will be the best fit for your lifestyle first, and go from there.

This Versailles Chic inspired dining area is so romantic and feminine. With the curved upholstered chairs, gold gilded, mirrored walls, and an antique chandelier, you feel as though this is a corner of the famous Hall of Mirrors in the palace itself. If you look closely you will notice that some chairs are slightly different, yet they all have similar tones and upholstery which unites them all together. The end result is a soft, intimate dining experience.

This French Country eat -in kitchen is casual and inviting. This is the heart of the home where the family gathers together over home cooked meals and to catch up on everyone’s day. The weathered wood of the cane-backed chairs are a perfect choice for everyday use. Comfort and style in one cozy package.

If a more formal dining area is what you are looking for, steer toward a chair that will not only look fabulous, but provide plush cushioning for your guests. After all, you need to be comfortable if sitting through all those wonderful courses right? This French Chic space provides the “WOW” factor with the rich charcoal grey fabric on the chairs and the gold accents throughout. I would feel absolutely privileged to be a part of this dinner party.

Even though the table in this dining space is quite traditional, these square-backed chairs add a sleek, modern element to the room and the chocolate brown fabric is rich and sophisticated. Include a focal point of large artwork and the modern element is clearly punctuated.

If you are like me and adore all the different types of French chairs, whether it’s well rounded or square, casual or formal, subdued or expressive,  then you too have succumbed to The French Chair Affair.

Elements of French Decorating

French decorating encompasses styles from many periods in French history and regions throughout France. Whether it be French Country, Vintage French or Old World Chateau , all of these styles can be distinctly French, yet would not necessarily blend well together in one room design. Choose pieces with similarities in color palette , fabric, wood or style that complement each other. The three choices below are great examples of how curves, color and elegance can blend together into a feminine flair that is clearly French.

Adele French Settee      Arched Cabinet With Glass Doors      Ornate French Carved Table

What says French-style more than anything is a magnificent chandelier. Romantic, glamorous, glittering works of art that add the perfect amount of light to any room. You can go stately and sublime or large and dramatic. Ranging from wood to metal, crystal or glass,  a chandelier can definitely be the crown jewel of a home

French Shabby Chandelier            Elysee Chandelier           Gilded Versaille Chic Chandelier

One of the best ways to incorporate the illusion of space and light is to add a mirror to a room. This is often a quick way to infuse a room with a French feel. French accent mirrors provide that extra architectural element or sparkle of glamour as well. There are many gorgeous French mirrors to choose from, so finding one to suit your preferences can be simple. Try a traditional trumeau mirror or the large gilded variety to make a bold statement. Antiqued and masterfully crafted, these mirrors will reward you with a finished look to your space.

Aged Provence Mirror     Vintage French Antiqued Gold Mirror     Lattice Fleur de Lis Mirror

Elegant burlap? Is it even possible? Oh, yes and a very popular way to modernize a traditional french designed couch or chair. It is a trend that appears to have staying power. Easy to maintain and care for, burlap and natural linen fabrics offer a common color scheme and a greener choice for fabrics. French burlap fabrics are often seen as scripted or vintage coffee sacks integrated into country decor, but this more modern take on tradition is more formal and chic.

Of course nothing is more luxurious and elegant than velvet. What could be more vintage French than an expertly tufted and upholstered velvet sofa? Lovely lines, soft features and so comfortable, it is no wonder velvet fabrics have been used in French design for centuries.

Vintage French Canopy Chair           Tufted Chateau Sofa           Petite Skirted Sofa

Vintage French decor can be country casual or vintage formal, but normally not minimal. Accessories play a key role in a French inspired room and are usually abundantly placed throughout. Every detail adds to the overall style you are hoping to create  -it’s all in the details. Add interest and character with accessories to let all who enter know your home is your castle. For a truly authentic, antique look try adding aged, white pottery.  It is a timeless way to add instant Old World charm to your decor. For finishing off your French design, remember you don’t always need to follow the rules, just suivez votre coeur (follow your heart).

Fleur Crown With Cross  Antiqued White & Gold Candlesticks  Distressed French Creme Pottery

French Style Living Room

Experience the plush comfort of our natural fabric sofa sets and separates to create a soft, neutral tone to your living space. Our Maison Blanc living room collection has a wonderful sofa, armchair and settee set to show off curvy lines and a romantic feel to your room.

If you are looking for a more masculine and relaxed look try the striped furnishings such as the Napolean Striped Wingback Chair. It has traditional lines, yet with the natural linen fabric and sporty stripes, it can be used in a less formal space.

Our Louis sofa, club chair and settee have clean, crisp lines and classic French white linen upholstery. This collection puts a modern twist to classic vintage Louis design. It will look fabulous with an array of styles and other elements already established in your home.

Comfortable and chic, this two-tone upholstery with linen and burlap is finished off with a brass nail head trim. The curvy backs and skirts of the burlap sofa and armchair make it a nice addition to a bedroom, vanity area or dressing room. Unique and stylish!  Take advantage of our 10% OFF sale and find the perfect pieces for your space and start enjoying the comfort that it brings.

Tufted Chic Furnishings

Tufted furniture is right on trend for 2012 and is updated and modernized for a fresh new look. Tufting is the art of upholstering by pulling and puckering fabric through a thick layer of padding and fastening it in place with a button covered in the same fabric. It takes a steady hand and precise care, but the end result is magnificent. The fresh new look eliminates the traditional feel of tufting and allows it to blend well with many different styles and furnishings. Plush chairs like this French Chic Loft Chair and French Script Chair are perfect stand alone pieces that will complement any decor with their beauty.

Belle Maison Francaise has many tufted pieces to choose from. Natural linen fabrics in neutral colors to add to the softness of the furnishings. Tufted chairs and sofas are in style, but have you considered an ottoman that can be cozy and functional too? This Square Tufted Elm Wood Ottoman is a great way to add a style. A coffee table with storage underneath and can provide extra seating when needed? Ideal for many households. The tufted furnishings may be a trend for 2012, but truly, “tufted” truly is an enduring style.

French Armchairs – Chic & Sleek!

These fabulous armchairs from our Belle Maison Francaise boutique are beautifully designed to replicate period pieces from a variety of vintage French styles such as Baroque, Rococo, Louis XV and Provence.

Belle Maison features a wide variety of French style armchairs that blend old world styling with fresh fabrics and chic embellishments. Some of the hot trends in French armchairs today include the use of burlap fabric, nail heads that create a sleek silhouette and printed French words or motifs on the seat backs. Comfy and regal, French style armchairs always make an impression!