Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 Ad Campaign Preview - Daria Strokous
Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 Ad Campaign Preview - Daria Strokous
Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2012 Ad Campaign Starring Daria Strokous, Kati Nescher was full of soft muted colors in the pastel tones. Pastels are perfect for someone who wants a home that is vibrant. Pastels really allow you to push color into your home while at the same time be restrained.
French Baroque Chair In Pink With A Gilt Wood Frame Very Pastel
If you truly love the luxury side of 18th century France, and adore anything to do with Marie Antoinette, you will love yourself for choosing this color palette.
Try working with the color wheel when deciding on the fabric for your chairs. Velvet can be extremely rich and vibrant for French furniture. The orange chairs above, would be ideally paired with coral, or a lighter pastel orange. Or having a settee in a lighter mint green, and choosing a coordinating pastel green for two accent chairs would be very striking.
The Louis XV style gilt Rococo parlor suite comprising of love seat, armchair, side chair use one pastel color- that being pink and combine it with two other neutral colors. This makes it very easy to decorate with pastels.
French Painted Louis XV Chest in Blue - Decorating With Pastels
French Painted Louis XV Chest in Blue - Decorating With Pastels From FRench Madame Blog
Adding color doesn't mean your house has to be fluorescent. There is a number of ways to go about decorating with this style.
1. Paint your furniture a pastel color, and accent with with gilt furniture ormolu such as the chest above. The gold ormolu showcases the color quite nice and causes it to appear very high end than your regular run of the mill shabby chic painted cottage furniture. Adding the gold furniture accents really makes your piece look like a million dollar gold cocktail ring.
2. Add pastels in with your upholstery. If you are not talented at upholstery, try a simple chair seat. Replace your dining room chair seats with fabric more of your liking and the particular period style you love.
3. Try sewing some throw pillows for your sofa, chairs and beds. This is a very simple way of adding vibrant colors of the exact shade of your liking. If you don't know how to do the cording, simply sew a box inside out, and leave an opening for stuffing, and sew it shut. It can be as complicated or as easy as you desire.
4. PAINT! One simple and easy way of getting color into your home is through paint. Consider stenciling your walls. You may not want something so bold, and it doesn't have to be. Stenciling can add some detail to your walls, and it doesn't have to be out there, punchy and in your face. Consider cream, and light yellow, which would make a perfect backdrop for gilt ornate french paintings.
In this picture, you can see they framed a wall with a pastel orange, and it can be a way of fooling the eye that you have molding. Get the classic french molding look with painting boxes of color on your wall. You can showcase your chairs, sideboard, or bombe chest inside the box.
5. Create hand made art for your walls. It doesn't have to be complicated. I hate to degrade this art piece, but you can create fabulous art with just tape and paint. Choose the shade of paint you want, buy the sample size and create a piece of art that ties in the color of the upholstery you have decided to run with.
6. Layer in accessories that you can paint. One week I decided to paint my waste basket in my bathroom a baby blue, and added ring ornate gold hardware to either side of the basket. Look at this picture of vases worth thousands, get the look by being creative.
Consider taking old vintage lamp bases, and throw away the lamp but keep the brass base and pair it up with an oversized bowl, and make a beautiful floral arrangement out of it. I did this with a lamp, and an old vase.
This vase would be just amazing spray painted a pastel color. You first would have to prime the vase using an oil based primer, and then you can use what ever you wanted over the top. Pair this with a very ornate brass lamp base to give it that high end french look.
Adding a bit of soft color and working with the pastel tones will allow you to have a soft touch to your home that you will absolutely adore. For most people making the leap into the soft pinks, light blues and cornflower yellows causes them to second guess them-self, because most people choose gray or beige. Make your house your own, and go with what you love, not what everyone else expects. Have a home uniquely YOU!
Mulberry Spring 2012 Ad Campaign Preview - Lindsey Wixson
Bright Pastel French Furniture By Euro Antics
Simply Stunning Pastel Painted French Furniture By Euro Antics
While the illusion of twisted and knotted rope, which is associated with the work of the Parisian upholsterer A. M. E. Fournier, is indicative of the mid-nineteenth-century's flair for novelty, the chair's curvilinear outline is characteristic of the Rococo Revival. The voluminous tufted upholstery, which was complementary to the popular style.
Upholstery springs, first employed in the eighteenth century for carriages and gymnastic chairs, came into more general use in the 1820s, making seating furniture more comfortable. By the third quarter of the nineteenth century, the art of the upholsterer rivaled that of the cabinetmaker, as evidenced at the 1867 International Exhibition, where the majority of exhibitors of fine quality cabinet furniture, such as Jeanselme and Fourdinois, also described themselves as upholsterers. A set of stools of similar design designed by Fournier is at the Château de Compiègne and inspired the Baccarat glass factory to manufacture glass seats in this style.
Italian Carved and Gilt Wood Rope Stool
Twisted Rope Round Ottoman
Design Toscano sells a wonderful tufted upholstered roped ottoman that has a ton of potential for being a very high end piece in your home. While it may not be the typical french look, it can be re-upholstered if you don't like the look of leather. Consider a high end colored velvet with a gilt gold leafed frame . If you like the look Design Toscano sells this ottoman for $249
A magnificent 18th century style edifice built by the famous perfume creator, François Coty. Its shining white stone is set off perfectly by the green of the 50 acre park surrounding it. 143 miles from Paris, 6 miles south of Tours and 1 mile from Montbazon. Surrounded by a 50 acre park, an elegant French garden in front of it, the château overlooks the valley of the Indre and the Touraine plain.
The Château d’Artigny has sixty-one rooms and two apartments between the château, the Pavillion d'Ariane (50 metres across from the château), the Hunting Lodge (600 metres) and the Port-Moulin (on the river bank, 800 metres). It also has two dining-rooms and three lounges (Régence, Rotonde and Royal). For leisure activities, the Château d’Artigny has two tennis courts, I-hole pitch & putt practice green, signposted walks in the 50-acre park, open-air heated swimming-pool, pool house with sauna, spa, fitness room, bowls, table-tennis, cycling, fishing.
A trip to France is not complete without a visit to the Loire Valley, the fertile playground of 16th- and 17th-century monarchs, overflowing with châteaux rising from the vineyards around the mighty Loire River. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the “Valley of Kings” is the most opulent of French tourist destinations. The region is rich with architectural treasures such as the Château de Chambord, so grand in scale that the Venetian ambassador, Girolamo Lippomano, was utterly dazzled upon seeing it in 1577 and wrote that his coterie “departed thence amaz'd, nay, open-mouth'd...” The extravagance of Chambord inspires gasps, and the gardens at Villandry and river-spanning perch of Chenonceauare likewise impressive.
One of the grandest of all is Le Château d’Artigny, the ambitious dream of perfume magnate François Coty, constructed in the 20th century to rival the extravagance of castles from a bygone era. Lording over a 65-acre estate in the Indre Valley just south of Tours, Château d’Artigny is graced with marble statues, formal gardens and a trompe l'oeil fresco painted on the rotunda’s ceiling. It is owned by Grandes Etapes Françaises, a family-owned company responsible for 10 châteaux-hotels and four-star residences celebrated for their architectural and historic patrimony. Housed in the castle and outlying annexes, the 65 guest rooms and suites span five different categories from Standard Rooms to the palatial Junior Suites and Duplex Apartments. Request a Junior Suite with a terrace overlooking the perfectly landscaped grounds. There are two apartments with interconnecting rooms, perfect for a family. Surrounded by opulent furnishings in the gilded restaurant, your clients can tuck into locally caught fish, regional cheeses and meats like géline de Touraine. To complement the sophisticated dishes, your clients can choose a bottle of wine from the cellar, stacked with more than 20,000 bottles. The Château d’Artigny can arrange guided tours of the Loire vineyards and there are complimentary bikes available at the hotel, tennis courts, a pool and a small health and beauty center with a hammam, sauna and Jacuzzi. From Travel Agent Central
Armchair (bergère en cabriolet) (one of a pair), ca. 1760–70, Stamped by Claude-Louis Burgat (French), Carved and gilded beechwood (1982.60.89)
Armchair (bergère en cabriolet) (one of a pair), ca. 1760–70, Stamped by Claude-Louis Burgat (French), Carved and gilded beechwood (1982.60.89) From The METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
Pink can look high end if you choose the right fabric and put some work into the frame of your french chair. A heavy weight satin would be recommended for upholstery, and you cannot go wrong with raw silk which tends to be strong. Raw silk is extremely beautiful and offers the richness and color of silk with a natural touch. As you can see gold frames are very rich against pink. Consider putting the extra work into your chair by gold leafing it.
This transitional armchair above combines the curvilinear design of the Rococo style with motifs that were widely used during the Neoclassical period, such as the continuous border of overlapping medallions on the arm supports and the guilloche pattern on the seat rails. The closed area between the arms and the seat, together with the concave back, classify it as a bergère en cabriolet, one of the new types of chair introduced during the eighteenth century that expressed the increasing interest in comfort and informality.
Vintage French Peach Satin Pink Chairs in A Lime Washed Frame- Unknown Dealer
Satin Upholstered French Chairs In a Coral Color Unknown Dealer
Landscape Near Chambery, Savoie, Rhone Alpes, France From All Posters
Landscape Near Chambery, Savoie, Rhone Alpes, France From All Posters
Chambery is a beautiful town in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Chambéry is the birthplace and historic capital of Savoie. Throughout history, it has been both Italian and French. It lies in a valley in the Alps surrounded by the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges and provides almost 360-degree views of the French Alps. To the north, it is bordered by Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. Chambery has long been a "crossroads to the Alps" dating all the way back to the 11th century
Town of art and history in the heart of the Savoie, Chambery offers to its visitors highlights of houses in the old streets and by its listed historical buildings. Dominated by the castle of the dukes of Savoie, the Old Town of Chambery is one of the most remarkable old neighbourhoods in France.
The Jean Jacques Rousseau Museum « Les Charmettes »
As the birthplace and historic capital of Savoy, Chambery enjoys an important heritage and numerous accounts of its prestigious past. Discover the Castle of Dukes of Savoy, the chambery chimes, Saint François Cathedral, Notre Dame Church, Saint Peter de Lémenc Church, the Charles Dullin Theatre and the Boigne Castle.
The museum offers many artistically and historically valuable objects. It is one of the place to be seen in Chamberry because it recalls the particular history of Savoie.
A MAGNIFICENT 19TH C BRONZE MOUNTED SEVRES CENTERPIECE
A 19th century French gilt bronze and porcelain "sevres" centerpiece $22,000.00
If you want to look at some really stunning French furniture, look no more than Arte Antiques & Fine Art Gallery on ebay, who are specialists in the antique world, among which to name are Decorative arts, Fine Art, and Furniture. They have been in business for many years and have a obvious passion for high end rare French antiques, many of which you would only see only at auction houses such as Sotherby's or museums featuring French antiques. Look through their impressive collection of valuable and rare French Styled antiques and gain an eye for some of the more highly sought after French antiques.
A 19th French Ormolu Mounted Vitrine by Francois Linke $75,000.00
A 19th French Ormolu Mounted Vitrine by Francois Linke
The shaped brèche violette marble top over an arched cornice, above a central bombé glazed door set with a foliate-cast ormolu frame and with similarly mounted glazed sides, the mirrored interior with pale-green silk damask-lined base and fitted with three adjustable glass shelves, the angles set with floral clasps, above a shaped apron with central 'crab' mount, on cabriole legs with acanthus-cast sabots, signed F. Linke to the top right clasp. Dimensions: H: 66.5" W:34.5" D:17"
A French Ormolu Mounted Desk by Francois Linke $45,000.000
A French Ormolu Mounted Desk by Francois Linke $45,000.000
A Superb 19th century French Louis XV style Marquetry & Parquetry Bronze Mounted Francois Linke Burea Plat. Signed: F. Linke on right bronze clasp. Beautifully decorated with floral marquetry design and parquetry cube design. The front drawer opens and has space to put your belongings. The front with 2 handles which open the same drawer. The back with a gilt-bronze acanthus relief. Standing on four cabriolet legs. Dimensions: H: 29" W" 38" D: 24"
A 19th c. French Two Tier Pastry Table $25,000.00
An Early 20th Century French Gilt-Bronze Mounted Louis XV Style Two-Tier/Pastry Table. Signed on Bronze clasp. F. Linke Decorated with parquetry cube design on both tiers with four bronze clasps holding the top tier. Standing on four Cabriolet legs with bronze sabots. Dimensions: H: 37.5" W: 36"
19th C French Gilt Bronze Mounted Louis XV Style Vitrin
A Very Fine and unusual 19th century French Gilt- Bronze Mounted Vitrine. $12,000.000 Stands on four cabriolet legs in the Louis XV style. Hand Painted on three sides with classical scenes. Gilt bronze mounted with "Rams Head" figurines on both front legs of the vitrine. The shape of the vitrine makes it significantly unusual and hard to find. Dimensions: 70" H 31" W 14" D
A 19th c. French Ormolu Mounted Empire Style Day Bed
A Very Fine 19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Gilt Bronze Mounted Day Bed. The out-swept sides using bronze swan molded figures. The legs in empire style with winged lion bronze clasps and paw feet . Above a drop in seat and an anthem. US $11,000.00
A Pair of 19thC. French Sevres Hand Painted Vases
An attractive pair of 19th century gilt bronze French Sevres style hand painted vases. US $6,290.00
The château of the Petit Trianon is a celebrated example of the transition from the Rococo style of the earlier part of the 18th century, to the more sober and refined, Neoclassical style of the 1760s and onward.
In 2008, the The Petit Trianon and the Pavillon Français reopened to the public after two years of restoration work. The idea was to recreate the place as it existed on the 6th of October 1789, when the royal family was forced by a mob of starving women to leave Versailles, never to return, and resettle into the Palace of the Tuileries in Paris. The overall restoration cost five million euros.
The Petit Trianon was built (1768) for the marquise de Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV. But she died before the end of the works and was replaced by, Madame Du Barry,
However today the Petit Trianon is closely associated with the person of queen Marie-Antoinette. She received the property from her husband king Louis XVI.
She used the house as her get away from the publics eye. Only she would know what it would be like with such high expectations and the constant quest to be perfect. She made it her intimate refuge from the pageantry of the court of Versailles. She had the Petit Trianon refurnished, redecorated and she refitted the gardens. The whole at a high cost. Little did Marie-Antoinette know that her retirement and the committed expenses were going to crystallize all criticisms against her palace. While isolating herself from the French nobility the Queen would find herself without her natural supports when the revolution burst out.
The Parisian mob did finally come to Versailles. On October 6th 1789, a mob marched on the palace and forced Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to travel to Paris to hear the grievances of a population suffering widespread economic distress and harboring a growing belief in their own right to wield power. It was one of the opening acts of the French Revolution. Eventually the Royal couple would lose their heads to the guillotine and France would become a Republic, with no need for royal residences.
A monarchy-with limited power-was restored in 1830, and Louis-Philippe, who reigned from 1830 to 1848, prevented the destruction of Versailles by donating his own money to convert it into a museum dedicated to the glory of France.
In the mid 20th century, John D. Rockefeller was an important contributor to the restoration of Versailles. It remains today as a symbol of the wealth, extravagance and refinement of the monarchy.
The improvement started in 07 and finished in 2008 which encompassed several aspects, including restoring the original decorative elements, creating additional museum areas, refurbishing the entire set of technical facilities and repairing the
outer woodwork, steps as well as the East and West wings of the Petit Trianon.
At the request of the Établissement pubic de Versailles, Montres Breguet agreed to fund an additional phase of work. The latter has just been completed in June 2010, thereby setting the final touch to this operation. It involved cleaning the South façade, restoring the sentry boxes framing the gate of the entrance court, consolidating the forecourt walls, as well as mending the cobble-stoned or paved areas. With the new renovations, the servants quarters are now open to the public.
The Petit Trianon is a small château located on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France. In this video they show the restauration of the Petit Trianon. You can see first hand some of the rooms being refinished and furniture being crated in order to work on the interior. It is interesting to see first hand what happens when the palace gets a facelift.
Private Apartment of Queen Marie Antoinette
Private Apartment of Queen Marie Antoinette
French Style Decorating Ideas -Le Petit Trianon
On the first floor the Living room called "Salon de Compagnie", decorated with splendid woodworks carved by Guibert, is one of the most beautiful rooms of the castle. The first floor is the dining room which features finely carved boiseries (ornate and intricately carved wood paneling) that are without gilding (gold leaf) to complement the bleu Turquin (blue Italian marble) mantle The pieces of furniture are contemporary of Marie-Antoinette. Picture Credit Metis Linens Blog
French Style Interiors - Petit Trianon. Versailles
French Style Interiors - Petit Trianon. Versailles
Here is a close up of one of the original chairs in the Queens bedroom. Bonnefoy du Plan oversaw the creation of the furniture pieces which featured carved and painted trellises, basketwork, floral forms and rustic garlands. The furniture is called “wheat-ear” furniture, so named for lily-of-the-valley, pine cones, and ears of wheat found in the design The third floor is known as the Mezzanine and was for the Queen’s staff. The room reminds me of classic Swedish Style. The Louis XVI furniture is known as the basis to much of the Gustavian style.
The comparison between the relatively modest room of the queen at the Petit Trianon and the royal apartments of the Palace of Versailles is striking. The small dimensions of the bed of the queen in her room at the Petit Trianon show well that here she lived as a single woman away off her royal husband.
It is known that Marie-Antoinette in her married life had known a humiliating experience. Louis XVI had been unable during 7 years to consummate the marriage. This was known in France as well from the royal courts of Europe.
The room is entirely authentic, the furniture of origin was found, repurchased and restored. It is refined furniture signed Georges Jacob. The clock of the Queen decorated with the two eagles of the house of Austria is back on its site.
Contiguous to this room is the cabinet “of the moving mirrors” who by means of a system of sliding slopes allowed the queen to shut her windows when she wanted to isolate herself
French Style- The Private Apartment of Queen Marie Antoinette
The Private Apartment of Queen Marie Antoinette
Private Apartment of Queen Marie Antoinette
Private Apartment of Queen Marie Antoinette
Private Apartment of Queen Marie Antoinette
Private Apartment of Queen Marie Antoinette
In the fifteenth century, the ruins of Nero's Domus Aurea were discovered in Rome. The first explorers to enter the interior of this spectacular palace complex had the sensation of finding themselves in a series of grottoes, and this is why the fanciful frescoes and floor mosaics discovered there were called "grotesques." A fashionable form of ornamentation in ancient Rome, grotesques consist of loosely connected motifs, often incorporating human figures, birds, animals, and arranged around medallions filled with painted scenes. Fifteenth-century artists such as Perugino, Signorelli, Filippino Lippi, Mantegna copied the ancient Roman examples; the most famous use of the style was Raphael's Loggie in the Vatican Palace, which became immensely famous and influential all over Europe. This magnificently illustrated book covers the entire history of the grotesque in European art, from its Roman origins through the Renaissance to the late nineteenth century. It illuminates how grotesque decoration was transformed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries into arabesque, chinoiserie, and singeries, and how it continued in the nineteenth century, leading eventually to Art Nouveau. 250 color illustrations.
In the fifteenth century, the ruins of Nero's Domus Aurea were discovered in Rome. The first explorers to enter the interior of this spectacular palace complex had the sensation of finding themselves in a series of grottoes, and this is why the fanciful frescoes and floor mosaics discovered there were called "grotesques." A fashionable form of ornamentation in ancient Rome, grotesques consist 
