Beautiful, Versatile French Armoires

French armoires can fill a space like no other piece of furniture. Imposing, regal and stylish, Armoires are quintessential statements pieces that come in many shapes, sizes and colors. These days, armoires are used in every room in the home for a multitude of purposes.

 

Photo Attribution: ebay

Traditionally, armoires were used to hang or store clothing because European homes of days gone by did not have those functional areas we call “closets”.    While spacious closets are the norm today, armoires continue to delight lovers of French style who want to add a bit of old world romanticism to their bedroom.

Photo Attribution: Found on Belgian Pearls Blogspot

This spectacular Dutch armoire with a heavily distressed patina finish is truly the focal point of this dining area. Armoires are increasingly popular as buffet cabinets to store china, linens, silver and other dining room essentials behind the beautiful doors of an elegant armoire.

 

Photo Attribution: Hvitur Lakkris blog

An armoire in the guest room is perfect for storing  extra linens while also offering some drawer space. And an armoire in the nursery serves a similar purpose – a beautiful decorative place to hang clothes and store bedding, diapers, toys and more.

Photo Attribution: Found on thisivyhouse.tumblr.com

Consider all of the extra storage an armoire could bring by adding one in a bath room for storing linens, soaps and supplies.

Armoires are also often used as media cabinets, and it is easy to see why. A large open space for the television and plenty of storage below for DVD’s, cable boxes, sound equipment and more. For those who don’t want their living room dominated by a flat screen TV,  an attractive armoire might be the perfect solution. .

 

There are so many ways to creatively use an armoire in your home. Not only do they add that functional storage we could all use a little more of, but they look beautiful doing it. No more clutter, just a lovely, organized working space behind closed doors. Painted, distressed, mirrored or stained wood, Belle Escape can help you find one that will fit nicely into your desired space.  Then, let the creative juices flow!

Fabulous French Country Cabinets

French Country display cabinets are unparalleled in style, function and versatility. They are used in living rooms to display pictures, books and treasured objects, in dining areas to store dishware and linens, in kitchens to hold pots, pans and food staples and in family rooms as entertainment centers. Characterized by beautifully hand-carved wood, French country cabinets are usually substantial in size and serve as a centerpiece of a room, adding a sense of warmth and sophistication to any room. While many feature open shelves or glass doors, the most traditional French Country Cabinets boast chicken wire doors. And whether they are stained or painted, one color or embellished with painted flowers and scrolls, an aged and distressed look is de rigeur.

Here are some examples of French country cabinets we found online. Which one is your favorite?

Weathered chicken wire display cabinet.

Dijon painted French country cabinet.

Floral French painted cabinet and secretary.

 

Rustic wood stained chicken wire cabinet.

 Class French country stained pantry with chicken wire doors.

For more inspiration, view the French Country cabinets at Belle Maison!

French Country Furniture Flair

French Country decor is popular worldwide. It strikes the perfect balance of beauty and comfort that easily fits into elegant homes and country cottages alike. Country French aficionados love the vibrant hues, classic patterns and rustic accents that give a warm and cozy feel to any room.

A wonderful distressed, painted or carved French Country cabinet can bring attention to a lovely collection or provide storage for serving pieces or family room items.

Place a painted French country sideboard in an unexpected location like an entryway and accent it with vintage candles, pottery and plants to add a slice of old France in your home.

There are so many different ways to decorate your dining room in French Country style. French country dining tables include round pedestal tables, wood trestle tables with metal stretchers or painted tables with motifs. And while traditional French country dining chairs boasted ladder backs and patterned seats, today’s French country options include French shabby chic chairs with rattan backs, upholstered chairs with French scripted writing, colorfully painted chairs with cabriole leg or simply wood and metal Parisian Cafe chairs. The accents, including Parisian Flea Market chandeliers, vintage mirrors and aged candle holders tie the look together.

You can make a space truly remarkable with a painted French chest in a whimsical or elegant design. Hand painted French chests with unique embellishments can transform an ordinary room into a stylish place with a soul.

French Country accents complete the look and they are rarely just decorative. They usually have an undertone of usefulness: candlesticks that can be pulled off shelves for service, jugs and jars that house kitchen staples, baskets that corral plump produce from the garden or large clocks that keep time for all. Simple yet elegant – unaffected by decor trends and fashion, this timeless home decorating style fits comfortably into any home without feeling antique.

For more decorating ideas, visit Belle Escape’s collection of French country furnishings.

Finding the Perfect Display Cabinet

I think we all come across the same issues in our homes in trying to find more storage for things that we have accumulated over the years. Sometimes we just need the space to store them, and other times we want to display our treasured objects for everyone to admire. Selecting the right cabinet requires a lot of thought. First, what is the function: storage, display , bookshelf or a combination? Second, what is the best size for the space? And third, what style goes best with your home’s architecture and the room style. Display cabinets are often the focal point of a room and kept for decades, so finding the right one is important.

Some display cabinets become the soul of the room. This vintage distressed cabinets adds warmth to the room, making it feel cozy and inviting. This particular cabinet serves provides storage and display features by simply keeping the cabinet doors open to reveal an array of treasured items.

This traditional French Country dining room has a moderately sized display cabinet with the best of both worlds: storage below and enclosed display space above. The glass front cabinet is the perfect place to store attractive pitchers, platters and serving pieces that are not used for everyday dining. Although the cabinet is a good size, it doesn’t overwhelm the space and still provides plenty of room to sit comfortably and move around the dining table.

I love the idea of having open shelving in the bath to store linens and other items for easy access. The monochromatic look here is just gorgeous. The textures of the baskets and flowers add interest and warmth. Subtle elements of the seaside like the lantern, starfish and sand colors make it perfect for a coastal cottage.

This is obviously the office of a woman who loves her books. The cabinet stores her rare volumes and treasured keepsakes. Behind the glass doors they are protected from dust and damage. The muted color of the cabinet allows it to blend seamlessly into the background. It is important to note that she didn’t forget the top of the cabinet as a decorating element as well. The soft colors of the dried hydrangeas blend well with their library neighbors.

This massive china cabinet definitely screams look at me, but it is really the pop of color on the blue plates that our eye goes to. The designer has cleverly disguised the fact that the cabinet is so large by adding equally large topiaries on either side and two inviting chairs right in front. They don’t distract from the beauty of the cabinet, but they do help in minimizing it’s large presence.

Grand and ornate or subtle and petite, when it comes to choosing a cabinet for your home, the choices are endless. Look to your home’s original architecture to guide you in choosing a perfect match and enjoy!

French Country Dining Room Furniture

French County style dining rooms are warm and inviting spaces that allow guests to pull up a chair and linger over a dinner with friends and family. French Country design has been around for centuries and remains one of the most popular dining room styles today. To achieve this look there are many pieces you can pull together to create that inviting, French country appeal, but the centerpiece of it all is the dining table. The photo below is a great example of a rustic French Country dining room with a grand fireplace and wood beams. The sunflowers appear to have been picked from right outside in the garden, but the real showstopper is the lovely table with it’s dark finish and carved legs. A table that looks as if it has stood the test of time and has a patina and shine from the numerous meals it has served. The room isn’t fussy or formal, but an ideal spot for everyday use.

A classic French Country dining room has warm-toned colors with notes of nature throughout. Borrowing from the colors of rural France, the harvest is always on your mind with notes of greens, golds and reds. Friends from the barnyard are also incorporated, especially a grand rooster. This dining room beautifully incorporates the colors of the French countryside with a mustard-colored table with lovely cabriole legs and heavily distressed  ladder-back chairs that add to the room’s warmth and hospitable feeling.

While traditional French Country decor is quite colorful, a more neutral French country palette has become extremely popular in recent years. Note the grey weathered table with a dark stained top and the linen upholstered chairs. A perfect match. A more romantic feel is evident and a light, clean and refreshing appearance results.

The natural wood French kitchen is also in vogue, like this dining room with a long weathered trestle table made from natural reclaimed wood. Soft burlap upholstered chairs, especially ones with words en francais, are also very popular these days.

This long pedestal farmhouse table is a sturdy foundation for any serving or decorative pieces placed on top. Although this room is a more formal dining room with traditional paneling and carpeted floors, the furnishings and decor give it a relaxed, unpretentious look that is delightfully French country. Weather you are eating with a party of five or twenty-five, French Country dining tables will make all of your guests feel welcome and comfortable.

French Provencal Style – Get the Look

French Provencal Style is timeless and widely popular due to its warm colors, natural materials and charming relaxed appeal. This decor is as much at home in a small farmhouse as it is in a stately manor. We have selected a few gorgeous examples of Provence-Style spaces from our Pinterest board that show you exactly how to get the look with items from Belle Maison Francaise. Start making your wish list today!

French Settee, Gilded French Chandelier, French Wood Coffee Table

Elm Creek Distressed Oak Chest , French Country Dining Table, French Country Wire Mesh Cabinet

La Reine Daybed,  Diamond Carved Entry Chest,  Scroll & Medallion Bench

Parisian Flea Market Bench,  Paris Scroll Pillow,  French Carved Table

Old Provence Dining Table,  French Carved Dining Chair,  San Lorenzo Parisian Candlestick – Pair

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

Dream Dining Rooms

Dining rooms are the gathering place of the home. A place where family and friends come together to enjoy a meal and each others’ company. With our busy lives, many families are hard-pressed to do this for even once during their day, which makes it even more special when it happens. Make your dining area a warm, inviting place where you and your family or guests choose to linger and spend time with each other. Choose the right size table for your space. It may be a round table like our Provence Round Dining Table or long and rectangular like our French Farmhouse Dining Table. Either way, choose what feels right for your special gatherings.

Display cabinets can offer much needed extra storage for linens, dishes and serving items, while showing off some of your most treasured objects. Our Striped Hutch and Buffet (above) has all the storage you need with open shelving and lots of drawers. We also have cabinets with decorative glass doors like our Arched Cabinet with Glass Doors (above)  or Glass Door French Vitrine (below) in order to keep your items safe and dust free, yet still show off the beauty of what’s inside.

Selecting the right chairs for your dining room needs can be a daunting task. You need to ask yourself a few questions. 1) Who will I be seating at my table? Children will do better with hard surfaces that can be wiped down as in our Livorno Ladder Back Chairs  and adults might prefer upholstered seating as in the Regal Distressed Armchairs. 2) What is my style? Do you tend to have formal dinner parties or casual family dinners? 3) Will it match the rest of my decor? If your house is entirely in the shabby chic style, you probably don’t want to select chairs that are drastically different.

With the season of Thanksgiving upon us it is important to evaluate your dining space and make sure you are ready for the big feast day. The table, chairs and cabinets make up the important basic bones of the room, and the linens, dishes and lighting are like the jewelry to go with the perfect outfit. When it all comes together, the effect is fabulous!