CHATEAU CHIC

Textile designer Nathan Wilder reveals how he’s brought French style to his listed Norwich home

Why do you love French antiques?

In the 1990s I lived in Paris and my partner at the time was an antiques dealer, so we visited brocantes and vide greniers. I fell in love with large mirrors, rococo plasterwork and brocade fabrics – the French look is so sumptuous and romantic.

What do they bring to a space?

They give a sense of opulence, grandeur and elegance, and evoke memories from a bygone era of decadent living. I find that creating vignettes of mixed pieces, like the one in my dressing area, offers a layered feast for the eyes.

What pieces make a good foundation?

For a bedroom, a decorative upholstered or wooden carved bed is a must. As a huge fan of French mirrors, I would advise an ornate piece with foxed glass. If you have the ceiling height, a chandelier adds wow-factor – when the sun catches the crystals, lovely patterns of light are thrown onto the walls. Follow Nathan @frenchandwilder

A stand-out bed creates a good foundation for a French-style bedroom – here a decorative upholstered bedhead makes the perfect statement

Nathan has created a layered look in his dressing area with French treasures