The inviting personality and comforting patina of Country French antiques and accessories are even more welcome this time of the year when we look for new ways to add instant warmth to our homes. The charming texture and depth of antique furniture, antique paintings, and copper layered with the masters’ touch are special additions to make your house into a home this holiday season!
Since the early days of the French monarchy, antique furniture styles have followed the lead of the Royal French Court. From the moment the royal wedding in 1770 of the daughter of the Emperor of Austria, known to us as Marie Antoinette, and Louis-Auguste of France, who was to become King of France only four years later, her interest in ancient Greece and Rome, and the classic architecture and furniture those civilizations produced, started to exert its influence on the preferred styles of the court, eventually resulting in what today is known as the Louis XVI style.
The Queen of France was also known for her exquisitely romantic bedroom furniture and appointments, the influence of which can be seen in Versailles today, and which is reflected in the Louis XVI style throughout the 19th century. A splendid example of this romanticism and classic design is our choice this week of a truly special antique three-piece bedroom set.
From its stately architecture with its tailored lines and fluted corner posts which so resemble the fluted columns of ancient Greece, to the elaborately cast and hand-chased bronze ormolu mounts, this three piece bedroom set exudes a timelessness that has maintained its appeal for over two millennia! Upon closer examination, we discover that exotic mueche mahogany was used, a wood imported from North and South America’s tropical regions with a unique grain variation. This highly prized wood provides the perfect backdrop for the jewelry-like quality of the bronze ormolu mounts, which depict rosettes, exquisite floral and foliate motifs, and even the ribbon that appears to band together the fluted corner posts which is a reference to the fascis carried into the Roman Senate to mark the beginning of a session. Hand-crafted by extraordinarily talented artisans in the 19th century, our own 21st century in-house artisans have transformed the bed to accommodate a Queen size mattress set by crafting rail extensions, leaving the headboard and footboard intact and original.
We are certain Queen Marie Antoinette would approve!
As we celebrate the arrival of fall by adding natural autumnal accents around our homes, we will be posting new and fresh fall decorating ideas on Antique in Style. We promise posts bursting with fall inspiration to make your home even more welcoming for the upcoming holiday season.
Bring a new look to your antique buffet with a quick redesign for fall with antique accessories, antique transferware, pumpkins, and florals in crisp hues. If you prefer the softer side of fall, this look is the perfect mix of elegance and nature!
