I love mantles.......all sizes and shapes!! The mantlepiece is an important part of the overall interior aesthetic since it more than often becomes the visual focal point of the room. One of the important considerations when deciding to purchase this old house was whether it was "mantley challenged." It was not, and I am blessed with three fabulous mantles. This blog post features a mantle that I do not have but is one of my favorites, the Louis XV style mantle. This mantle was highly favored during the Rococo period of 18th century France where it was was considered ornate. Today this style mantle is an extremely popular choice for the French home and is found in country chateau and rustic style French interiors as well as classical French spaces.
The Louis XV style mantle is characterized by the lively and curved shape of that wonderful serpentine arch. This graceful and understated design from the era of Louis XV embodies the refined architectural detail that is the heart of French Rococo.
If you are considering mantles, the Louis XV style will certainly add a sense of history and charm to your interior design.
Music from the Rococo period.
source unknown
Rococo artists and architects used a graceful approach to design. Their style was ornate and used light colors, asymmetrical designs and curves.
The Louis XV French mantle was at the heart of Rococo with it's sensuous curves and splendid carvings. This style mantle had a more feminine look.
The word 'Rococo' is derived from the French "rocaille", a word used to describe the rock and shell work of Italian and French grottoes. Many Louis XV mantles as well as other 18th century carved furniture were richly decorated with sculpted shells.
Chateau de Deulin, Luxembourg, Belgium
Mirrors are often used to enhance the space above the Louis XV mantle.
Alexa Hampton
Ted and Lillian Williams restored Chateau de Morsan
French trumeau mirrors compliment the Louis XV mantle beautifully. Mirrors tend to make the space look grander where pictures, another lovely choice, usually give a room a more casual elegance.
Corbis Images via Pinterest
The Louis XV mantle was developed in the early 18th century Rococo period in Paris, France. Rococo came to the forefront of interior fashion as a reaction against the symmetry, and strict regulations of the Baroque style.
Hélène Rochas's House in Paris via
Classic Louis XV style mantle with generous curves and exquisitely carved legs that rise up to end on a serpentine console.
Chateau de Varennes - Bourgogne - France
The Louis XV French mantle is somewhat lower and deeper than an English mantle and usually displays an exuberant Rococo style carved central cartouche.
Charles Faudree
The graceful lines and proportions make these mantles appropriate for numerous room settings.......
from sophisticated French Country.........
.......to the more Contemporary style like that in the home of musician Lenny Kravitz.
Mario Buatta
This mantle features the lines that characterize the movement of Rococo design.
Jeffry Weisman
trouvais.com
Typical of the reign of Louis XV, this mantle shows a classic profile, its simple uncluttered lines combined with generous carving.
More than the material, it is the quality of the carving that defines the quality of the mantle piece thus highlighting the magnificence of the room.
Nicky Haslam
The Louis XV French mantle can give any style interior a grand presence.
And yet they can maintain a delicate and understated elegance like this beautiful carved French limestone mantle.
Susan Gutfreund's Paris Apartment via veranda.com
Lavish , curvy, richly carved, and flamboyant, the Louis XV French mantle never goes out of interior fashion.
Louis XV mantles are very aesthetically pleasing mantels because of the detailed carvings on the legs and console sections.This frieze features a beautiful carved inverted shell with foliage in the center
http://www.residence.nl/interieur/woonkamer/41805-12-x-schouw-decoreren
The Louie XV mantle will also be right at home with the French Country style of decorating, with its warm and casual feel.
I think the Louis XV mantle is most beautiful when used with a stone chimney piece. This room is marvelous with it's understated yet refined French flair.
via Pinterest
Phoebe Howard
Give the Louis XV consideration for your mantle needs. It's a great feature for any room!
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This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
