Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Decorating French Empire Style Bedrooms



Neoclassical style dominated late eighteenth century European decoration. Two distinctive styles known as Empire and Regency emerged from neoclassicism. This particular blog post is dedicated to Empire design, with emphasis on creating French Empire style bedrooms. Pronounced "ahm PEER", this beautiful style was the signature look of Napoleon. Upon assuming the throne in 1804, France’s Emperor wanted a new look that reflected his military success and personal style so he began an ambitious art and design program that resulted in clean lines and bronze doré appliqué that suggested imperial grandeur. Since Napoleon was in the process of expanding the Empire through force, military accents figured heavily into the style of the day.

I adore this particular style even though it is a bit masculine. I find it can be softened with the right fabrics and accessories yet it still gives a home a elegant dynastic appeal. Whether you want a period room or a more modern bedroom with a French Empire twist, I have gathered some images to show you how to create a bedroom from his fabulous era in French history.


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It is fitting that we start off the post with pictures of the pinnacle of French Empire decor, the Empress Josephine's bedroom........


......as well as Napoleon’s bedroom at their Chateau de la Malmaison.



Furniture in the French Empire style was generally rectangular and symmetrical, and bronze doré appliqué, burnished gold, and jewel-like inlay finishes became hallmarks of the new style.

Also bedrooms were draped and swagged with luxurious fabric. Many time even suspended from the ceiling giving the French Empire bedroom the look of military grandeur. 

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Napoleon liked the luxurious tents and wall hangings that were associated with the ancient Roman Empire. Tenting became a design element of the French Empire bedroom after Percier and Fontaine decorated Napoleon and Josephine's château, Malmaison. These bedrooms were designed to resemble the campaign tents of Napoleon's military victories. Here the homeowner has created a bedroom Napoleon would definitely have approved of!

via pinterest


In designing your own French Empire bedroom look for wallpaper, fabrics, etc, that feature Napoleon's imperial symbols. These included the bee, the letter N surrounded by a laurel wreath, stars, and the eagle.

Black lacquer coated wood was very popular as was the use of furs, especially leopard.

In fact black was a very popular color of the day as it represented masculinity and military effect.

Empress Josephine had a love of nature and flowers as well as a preference for lighter materials and colors such as earth tones, poppy red, soft blue.  However during Napoleon's reign the French Empire style took on a darker look and rooms became more formal. Bright royal reds, emeralds or olive green, royal purple, golds, and rich browns were the colors of the day.

Lee Jofa

Satins, silks, brocades and jacquards, figured velvets, and fine wools were fabric preferences for the French Empire style bedroom.



French Empire chandeliers have a stately and dignified presence.These chandeliers function in two parts. The top part is called the tent and the bottom is called the bag. These parts combine to give off a swooping distinct shape.


I love this French Empire style daybed and the regal gold and silver color palette. 

From the book "The Bedroom"
By Diane Berger / Photography by Fritz von der Schulenburg 

Mahogany was the wood of choice but ebony, walnut, and tulipwood were also heavily used. Figures representing victory, swans, lions, wreaths, vines, acanthus leaves, Egyptian motifs and geometric shapes such as circles, squares, octagons and ovals were widely used.


Imperial symbols decorate the chair arms, curtains, carpets, and porcelain of most French Empire style bedrooms. You don't have to drench yourself in gilt but be prepared to use some even if sparingly.


You can create a softer version of the French Empire bedroom by using light weight cream fabric for the bed curtain. Even gauze will work. The trick is to find the right bed. Even a sleigh bed with the right curtain treatment will give you the desired look. And there is that little bit of gilt!

Create a bed yourself by using head and foot boards from a French style bed. You can find similar pieces at antique and collectible malls. I saw one this past weekend while treasure hunting that I thought would make a great Empire style bed but have enough projects on my plate so I had to walk away. 


Artistic metalwork flourished in an outpouring of beautiful clocks. Look for pieces such as these. You can find less expensive ones, just keep this style of clock in mind while looking.



Also a French Empire style bedroom needs decorative accessories like these candelabra. If antiques aren't an option keep an eye out for affordable reproductions found at home decor stores.

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Another popular motif for your French Empire bedroom would be the Greek Key design.

www.1stdibs.com
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via Pinterest

Details featuring eagles, bees, Napoleon’s initials, and laurel wreathes took center sage on cabinetry and metalware during the Empire age. Look for pieces that have these embellishments.

Napoleon was captivated by Egypt during his campaign there (May 1795–October 1799). He made a study of monuments, temples and royal tombs and brought back to France exotic motifs that caused Egyptomania throughout the Empire.


French Neoclassical / Empire Style Settee 
 In the French Empire bedroom Sphinxes and caryatids (female figures serving as supports) were prevalent on furniture.


Wouldn't this fabulous bed look stunning in a French Empire style bedroom. This antique is c1799, and on display in Musée de Louvre. Notice Empress Josephine's beloved swans. You could always stencil some classical motifs on your own creation.


Here is an old desk I recently painted black, added a burled wood paint technique, gilt striping and stenciled motif. A bed would be lovely painted like this and hung with Empire style bed curtains. Make an inexpensive bed look like a million dollars and give it a special place in your French Empire bedroom.


Black and gold paint in a Greek key design, lion pulls and luxurious bedding give an instant Empire feel to this bedroom. Add elegance and sophistication to your bedroom with old leather-bound books, gilded picture frames, trinket boxes and elegant, luxurious throw pillows.


Your Empire style bedroom can take on a more feminine feel with the right fabrics. Feminine floral stripes in pink and green against a more masculine green stripe gives it a nice balance.


Pretty French Empire style bedroom at Viscaya. This look could be duplicated with a plain sleigh bed and added gold leaf embellishments. Add beautiful bedding and a curtain of course!

Figures of fame and victory were echoed in the decorative arts during the Empire. Notice the stars and wreaths on the carpet as well as the brass embellishments on the bed. Also anything you can do to create a tent like feel will be perfect for your French Empire bedroom.


Marc Boisseau

Stroheim & Romann, Neoclassical print wallpaper and fabrics

Tented beds fit with the concept of imperial dynasty and conquest, so of course they work well in a French Empire style bedroom. Great accessories and wallpaper designed in neoclassical style complete the look.


Here is an example of finding the right headboard and making your bed look like it would fit wonderfully in an Empire bedroom. Put a small, tailored loveseat at the foot and it gives you the feel of a rectangular empire bed. Lots of pillows for that luxe feel and you are ready to enjoy.


Here a modern bed looks Empire chic with a cornice and curtain and classical accessories. The nailheads are the right accent to make the bedroom look as if it stepped out of the Empire period. Even if you don't have expensive artifacts, flea market antiques and brass accessories work perfectly for a French Empire theme.

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The ruffled curtain and pink color pallet gives this French Empire inspired bedroom a soft, feminine feel. Just don't get carried away. This style won't take kindly to an abundance of ruffles. Find pretty French chairs and any table with a brass pie crust top. What makes this softness work is the wallpaper with a design that resembles a wreath.

I realize the antique beds are out of many peoples price range. That shouldn't stop you from creating a beautiful Empire style bedroom. Get yourself a modern bed or head and foot board like these three examples and you are off to a great start. Pick up some French Empire style accessories in your treasure hunting and you will be good to go!

www.onekingslane.com


You might also enjoy a tour of Napoleon and Josephine's Chateau de Malmaison

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2013/10/napoleon-and-josephines-chateau-de.html



Click here to see the previous post


This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Decorating With Red Toile



This post is dedicated to red toile, a traditional and timeless classic that, even though it's popularity ebbs at times, still manages to find it's way into modern homes. The pattern usually consists of a white or off-white background and a repeated red pattern generally depicting a pastoral theme such as a couple having a picnic and frolicking in the countryside or even a lovely floral design. 

I have gathered some wonderful examples of how beautifully red toile can be incorporated into interior spaces, but first how about a history lesson in how this red and cream print set about it's household domination as far back as the 1700's. 

Toiles de Jouy, often shortened to toile (pronounced twall), is that wonderful printed fabric that gives a room an immediate French look. Toile is the french word for linen cloth or canvas and is the creation of Christophe Phillippe Oberkamp of Switzerland. After learning the trade from his father Oberkamp set out for Paris at the age of 20 in 1758. Over a period of a few years he formed a partnership with Jean Baptise Heut and set up a factory for manufacturing printed cotton. The town of Jouy-en-Josas (hence toile de Jouy) was chosen because of the clean water of the Bievre river.

In the 1770's the toile of Jouy grew increasingly popular and the company grew very successful. The pattern portion consists of a single color, most often black, red, or blue. In 1781 the factory was visited by Marie Antoinette and it became supported by the French monarchy in order to compete against the imported fabrics which had all but ruined the French fabric industry. 

Today, fabric designers take great liberties with those old patterns and print toile patterns on any color that looks good. However red toile is still an iconic fabric and whether you love it or hate it, its popularity shows no sign of waning.



Stunning red toile like this originated in the 18th century and became popular among the upper class in Britain and France.


French style interiors have grown in popularity with emphasis on unique charm and rustic beauty. Red toile fabrics are good choices for this type of interior.


Many people think it old fashioned, but red toile has a way of growing on you if used in a way that doesn't come across as too fussy. This piece via 1stdibs.com


An English interior with a subtle use of red toile. I love it on the folding screen!

Visit any type of interior furnishings or fabric store and it's a sure thing there will be some version of red toile. It has become a staple in home decor and even in the fashion industry.


Abundance and variety of fabrics is characteristic of the French home. Red toile is perfectly suited for many French fabrics like jacquard and provencial linens.


Beautiful red toile settee with canopy.This pattern looks lovely when combined with checks, plaids, or stripes.

The classic styling of red Toile pillows and canopy curtains featuring beautiful birds brings an aristocratic French feel to this bedroom.

via Pinterest

Since toile plays well with other fabrics, it is easy to have fun layering and mixing it up a bit.

 Designer Charles Faudree


Wallpaper in a red toile design is another popular way to add a French feel.


I adore this red toile de Jouy chair with a nautical design.

What an amazing large scale red toile! 

These large patterned fabrics were used to decorate entire rooms, including walls, draperies, cornices, and upholstery!


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If you are bold, go for it! Saturate yourself in red toile.


Toile does tend toward the feminine but as you can see in this picture, the lovely red toile covered chair and window treatment accentuate the room without making it fussy.

via Pinterest

The bath is an excellent place to start if you want to add some red toile Frenchness to your space.


A classic of interior design, versatile and playful red toile can be formal, shabby chic, or tailored. 


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With some red toile you can instantly create a rustic room reminiscent of rural Provence.


It is just a fabric that people throughout the centuries have fancied.

This red toile pattern is a perfect example of the original 1760's patterns which usually depicted pastoral scenes of the French countryside,


while this floral toile fabric features large, prominent flowers and birds. Used for drapery or upholstery these red toiles will look stunning in your home.


To create a simple, yet elegant, interior with that French feel, you may only want to inject a few key pieces of red toile in small amounts. Here the cushion and wallpapered armoire add just the right touch.


Even a touch of it in a room and you instantly think Fench.


Kitchens are another great place to incorporate some red French toile.


Designer Alessandra Branca

This classic 18th century design makes itself at home no matter the style.


via Pinterest

Charles Faudree

I love to see red toile on accent pieces..... 


and focal points.


You can even find the iconic red toile design on dishes.


These plates, cups, and saucers are transferwear and evoke the look of red toile.




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