The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Has the time come to inject some eclectic Gallic style into your home?
Take inspiration from our neighbours across the Channel and inject some eclectic Gallic style into your home, writes Felicity Donohoe
With summer travel in the air, why not take some inspiration from across the continent and add some French flair to your home? Despite the opulence you may have seen in the Palace of Versailles or the elegant chic of a Parisian high-end apartment, the French are actually far more eclectic in their interior design, with influences coming more from pieces that resonate on a personal level, rather than a slavish adherence to design rules.
Ornate architectural motifs from the 17th and 18th Centuries can be readily found in older city apartments but features such as high ceilings and elaborate mouldings provide the foundation for inspiration, rather than rules to follow. Interior design may juxtapose a hyper-modern glass standing lamp next to a Louis XIV antique table, or a battered, vintage wooden chest will sit within a white, sleek Scandinavian-style hallway. The idea is to allow the individuality of the piece to shine in its environment and to surround your home with things that bring you pleasure.
And as for recycling? Well, the French have been making style points by reusing old items long before it became a lifestyle choice for the
rest of us. Often reluctant to discard special family items, the French will keep these as part of their day-to-day living environment
rather than lock them away for safekeeping, meaning that their old and quirky style remains part of the household vibe for years.
A rough guide (rather than rules) to French chic in the home:
Be inspired by original features. For example, if your floorboards are nice, polish them up, let them shine and just use a simple rug rather than carpeting over completely. If you live in a modern home, add quirky, older pieces that offset the clean lines.
Follow your fancy – not design trends. Adopt a bit of laissez-faire to your style, and if that means a disproportionate oversized gilt mirror in the hallway, so be it – and don’t forget the hidden gems to be found in secondhand shops, too.
Every room holds equal importance, but with food central to the French way of life,
the kitchen deserves as much – if not more – attention than the rest! Tried and tested favourites stand the test of time over new gadgets.
Ultimately, the home reflects the personality of the owner, so curate your belongings down to those that mean the most to you, et voila! – a beautiful space for your pleasure and happiness.