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December 2002 Newsletter: Five easy steps to decorate a room with fine French country antiques - Also, see pictures of our Voyages - buying trips to France

December 2002: Five easy steps to decorate a room with fine French country antiques - Also, see pictures of our Voyages - buying trips to France

Bonjour, chers amis and friends: Happy Holidays, Joyeuses Fetes!
Thank you for subscribing to Les Nouvelles by french-corner-antiques.com.
Today Guy and I want to share our experience in the French way of decorating, and how it allies simplicity and functionality to bring a relaxing casual environment.
We added to our site a Voyage section with pictures of our past buying trips. Please see

http://www.french-corner-antiques.com/voyage/

As Guy and I finished setting up our new display in the Stamford Antiques Center I realized how easy and rewarding an experience it had been. Our furniture and objects fell into place like magic: we had set the mood. I want to share with you how we did that. Hope you too can have such a moment of exuberant Joie de Vivre.

Five easy steps, starting from an empty space:

1. Paint the walls in a warm, solid color - we used ochre
2. Place your rug in the center of the room - we used a Berber rug orange-red from Morocco.
3. Center the largest piece of furniture in the room - we used a large oval dining table.
4. Arrange the medium size pieces symmetrically around that table - we placed a pair of mantels on each side of the narrower walls, a long and narrow farm table (used as a console table) against the longest wall, hung a shelve on the wall above it, and hung one mirror above each mantel.
5. Break the symmetry when adding the small pieces of furniture, seats and accessories - we added a fireplace screen next to one mantel and added a small side table next to the other one, then placed an armchair on one side of the farm table-console.
Why breaking the symmetry? To not have a stiff and rigid arrangement. I treat the main pieces of artwork and wall hangings as I do the furniture, centered and symmetrical. Then I soften the arrangement with the smaller pieces.

Beauty and simplicity go along well. I like to let each antique stand out for its own beauty. More is not always better for a French touch.
During our buying trips to France, we are regularly invited by friends and colleagues. The visual effect of their collections is enhanced by the simplicity of their interior decoration, while architectural features of the buildings act like stage sets, adding to the impact of their antiques. Subdued window treatments filter the sun while providing privacy. The serenity of nature penetrates these rooms, letting in as much light as possible to illuminate their furniture and art work. Home accessories participate in the ambiance, they give the finishing touch, their light colors set off the darker woods. Sometimes fine fabrics are hung on walls. Beautiful blond woods, fine inlays, and marquetry all have strong decorating power in themselves. Antique accessories are used with restraint by our French friends. A collection of fine small antique objects - bibelots - can be featured in a cabinet, on shelves, or on one table.

It is incredibly rewarding to make a place look good - feel good -and having beautiful antiques helps. It’s a part of our Joie de Vivre that we wanted to share with you.

Talking about decorating power and simplicity, see what a simple and affordable faience plate like that Gien can do:

http://www.french-corner-antiques.com/detail.php?iid=24

It is as inconspicuous as it is brilliant. A round central medallion finely painted, contrasting with a large undecorated border. Et voila!
Same with a small pocket-watch holder with its Eiffel tower drawn on the back. Simple but meaningful. Telling a story, and its own history by the same token. The maker wanted to please a loved one while also paying tribute to Monsieur Eiffel. See

http://www.french-corner-antiques.com/detail.php?iid=87

Thank you for joining us. Guy and I want to send you our best wishes for the Holidays, Bonne Annee a vous tous.

Guy et Daniele Veroli