Thursday 1 August 2013

Essentially French!

There is a style of interior decorating that for me remains a perennial favourite and at it's heart is essentially French. Armoires in chalky greys, putty coloured linen, sparkling chandeliers, rustic market baskets, Louis 14th chairs, bleached dry woods in palest tones, armorial crests, oversized rustic candlesticks and chunky wooden lamps, ticking and toile and elaborate swept framed Rococo mirrors - a recipe for heaven in my books! Here are just a few of my favourite finds:   

Above image: a shop filled with divine chalky rustic French furniture and accessories for the home - i gigi general store (take a look at their virtual tour video of the shop - DIVINE!)
 Above images: 1.gorgeous vintage furniture and brocante from Lisa Luby Ryan 2.contemporary Belgian kitchen in grey, white and oak from Timeless Living 3.traces of antique paint on a stunning vintage crested mirror by French antique specialist Brownrigg Interiors 4.Svanby Grey skirted slipcover Henriksdal dining chair by Ikea 5.colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)
Above image:grey linen slip covered dining chairs and palest blonde woods in a pretty white dining/kitchen - Funda properties - Holland
Above image: pretty French chairs in pale white and ticking linen from Appley Hoare Antiques
Above image:the stunning dining area in the kitchen of blogger Seizoen & Stijl - linen slipcovered chairs, rustic wooden table in a soft palette of grey, and taupe. Fabulous industrial metal lights!
Above image: soft vintage French styling from Seizoen & Stijl blog - linen slipcovered chair in a gorgeous putty shade, rustic wooden table and vintage baskets and accessories.
Above images:1. antique styled accessories from Aidan Gray Home 2.washed white slipcovered sofa (the Ektorp in Blekinge white from Ikea is similar)against a grey willow basket at the lovely home of blogger Freudentanz 3.zinc grey lanterns from Authentic Provence 4. soft white draped curtains and 'string' coloured tieback featured in the pretty contemporary country interior from i gigi interior design service 5. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated) 
Above image:Soft damson grey washed linen sofa, rustic metal industrial tables and windows dressed with yards of draped stone linen curtains - Marco Meneguzzi Design 
Above image: antique wooden French buffet and fabulous limed chunky wooden table lamps by Life in Oxfordshire
Above images: 1.vintage French styled mirror in soft shades of washed grey by Camel and Yak 2. French influenced living room with pretty rustic console table with chalky grey jar lamps, baskets for storage and crystal chandelier by Home Unique Netherlands 3.original vintage French grainsack cushion from Anton and K 4.draped shades of stone and taupe linen curtains - Marco Meneguzzi Design 5. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)     
Above image:gorgeous oak beams in this conservatory dining room with pretty chandelier, linen covered Louis chairs, glazed dresser and limestone tiled floor - House to Home magazine
Above image: antique French furniture from Anton and K featuring a lovely bleached oak linen press 
Above images:1. gorgeously ornate faux stone candle holder from Bliss and Bloom 2.large grey wash wicker baskets from Camel and Yak 3.stunning raw wood and linen French chair from i gigi general store 4. heavenly antique mirror, console and accessories from Room 17 featured here in the divine home seen on the room seventeen blog 5. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)
Above images:1.Svanby Grey long slipcover Henriksdal dining chair by Ikea also available in Blekinge white 2.embroidered monogram linen cushion along with other French inspired goodies from UK shop Lots of living 3.gorgeous rustic French accessories including these lovely twiggy wreaths from Room 17 4.antique flax linen flour sack cushions from Hen and Hammock 5.linen lined wicker storage baskets from Summerill and Bishop 6.antiqued metal and glass brazier candle holder from Interiors by Vale 7. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)   
Above image: limed oak and linen French style upholstered bed from De Bongerd in the Netherlands in this stunning pretty neutral attic bedroom scheme 
Above image:sublime French mirrored armoire in a pretty taupe bedroom with lavish pin tucked, draped curtains featured in the Wealden Times with photograph by David Merewether  
Above images: 1.lanterns, candlestick lamps and French style limewashed furniture featured in a coastal cottage - House to Home magazine 2.white ornate French style mirror from Out there interiors 3.Travertine tiled ensuite bathroom/shower room with pretty deep buttoned chair in a gorgeous shade of mushroom and classical stone mirror featured in House to home magazine 4.embroidered monogram linen pillow by Pom Pom Interiors 5. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry (the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)
Above image: elegant neutral tones in this master bedroom with winged headboard by Sims Hilditch Interiors of Bath
Above image: gorgeous linen French chair and fur throw from Room 17
Above image: antique stone angel from Life


For more information on anything shown in the above images and links to tutorials, please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their respective web sites. I create my mood boards/colour palettes with a computer programme called Photoshop by Adobe which is available for both Apple Mac and PC computers.

The colour swatches shown above I create as a suggestion for furnishings, carpets, ornaments, fixtures, fittings and paints. They do not come from manufacturers charts but I am sure that if you want to use them for paint shades that your favourite supplier will be happy to help match them. 

As always, if I have featured your photograph and you would rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove it with my sincerest apologies. 

With warmest wishes
 





28 comments:

Burlap Luxe said...

Singing my music over here, all things French rustic charm authentically soulful.
I so remember your 500 year old cottage home and I would say your design style tastefully beautiful feels and compares to the beauty in these photos.
I was so taken whit your grace and beauty I have followed you sense the beginning.

Love those lamps, when I find them they are most of the time a major costly investment, I also love if I find one in aged wood and transform it to what I imagine it to be like the one I found for $7.00 at a thrift shop, it will due for now, I posted it in a few postings back, I pretend its one of the greats as you posted here.

Thank you dear for the grace and beauty you share with us. I am leaving you with inspiration

Xx
Doré

Greet Lefèvre said...

Dear Glenda,
First of all I wanted to thank you for you sweet comment on my blog anniversary post!!! Thank you!!! I appreciate your words!
You have put all this so nice together here in this 'Frenchy' post!! It is absolutely my style too!
Thank you for always referring to the sources, this is gorgeous. I always find new shops or interior design websites, visiting you here!
Hugs,
Greet

DaiseyJayne.com said...

I just love this post, such beautiful images!

Highpoint Circle said...

Wow, this post is just a balm to my decorating soul. I just love the feeling of my blood pressure dropping as I looked thru this restful images in restful color stories. I have a neutral home, but I think I need some gray to take it down one more level. This is my favorite post on your blog ever! Thank you.

Unknown said...

Hi Glenda,

This is one of the most beautiful posts I've seen in the 2 years I've been reading blogs! It sums-up all the things I love in a home. Thanks for sharing!

Regards from New York
Emily @ TownAndCountryShuffle

The Paper Mulberry - Glenda Steel said...

Thank you so much for such lovely compliments! Warmest of wishes - Glenda

Susan T said...

Glenda this is Paper Mulberry at it's best - a real reflection of your superlative style.

I recently bought the i gigi book - it is fabulous. I love their styling.

The faded neutrals sing to me - so calming and easy on the eye.

Your blog remains one in a million and you are so generous with your information and sources. A 'go and have a look this is lovely' it is so infectious.

All good wishes to you lovely lady.x

Inspiration Vintage & Lifestyle said...

Oh Glenda,
Absolutely stunning inspiration!!
I just adore i gigi!! I just got their book, A Life Less Ordinary and I am truly in love!! I haven't been this inspired in years!!
My palette is changing and moving towards the style you've shown above,beautiful earth tones with lots of texture.
Hope you have a lovely day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Seawashed said...

I love everything in this post. The ikeea slip covered grey chairs really catch my eye. I want one. We bought the white only to return them because they got dirty within a week! Bit we love our white slipcovered ektorp sofas. ..dirt and all! The worn grey wood,driftwood color, are my favorite. Like the coffee table in this post. It's all beautiful.

The Paper Mulberry - Glenda Steel said...

I really don't know how to thank you for such generous comments! I'm thrilled that you like this style as much as I do, I have so many more items/pictures/shopping to share in forthcoming posts - there were just too many to fit into this one!! Thank you all so, so much! Warmest wishes - Glenda

The Paper Mulberry - Glenda Steel said...

I must admit Kerrie, that our Ikea Henriksdal white slip covers are always in the wash but they are so easy and look great un-ironed that I don't mind the extra laundry!!! We love our white Ektorp too (isn't Ikea brilliant!) and yes with a cat with muddy paws and daily living, those covers are always in the wash too, but I have an extra set so it makes life a lot easier! A grey set would be lovely as an alternative though!

Athomebymy said...

Dag Glenda ,
Je hebt er weer een prachtige reportage van gemaakt ... helemaal ook wat ik mooi vind ..

Liefs Petra

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful!

helen tilston said...

Hello Glenda

Beautiful and tranquil and I love all you featured. Your posts always inspire.

Helen x

Rhonda said...

Pure heaven, each image is a dreamy. I am very happy I found your blog.

Monica said...

Loved it all and will be viewing over and over to make sure I did not miss anything. I love the Bliss and Bloom online store with the stone candle holder. All the lamps and seating so wonderful. I will be visiting the other online sites too. Have a great Friday.

Chloé said...

ça faisait longtemps que nous n'avions pas eu un si bel article de votre part. totalement inspirant, merci beaucoup!

Low Tide High Style said...

Such a beautiful post...but then I've come to always expect beautiful posts here, and you never disappoint! Now I'm off to visit the many links you provided...everyone, but my credit card, thanks you for always including the links! :)

Kat

agnès said...

Magnifique photos!

Unknown said...

Youre blog is so beautiful, I like youre style.

Have a nice weekend,
Inge, my choice

debra @ 5th and state said...

oh this was a lovely little escape into design nirvana
thank you!
debra

therelishedroost said...

All gorgeous and so relaxing , there is something so soothing about a pale gray and linen!

Ivy Clad said...

I always love your collections. French style has appealed to me since I was a teenager. Who could resist how beautiful it is?

Keri

p.s. I hope you're doing well.

Par un beau matin said...

Vraiment très joli !
C'est toujours avec un réel plaisir que je découvre vos messages.
Bon début de semaine & continuez de me faire REVER *

NeWorlDay21 said...

These pictures are beautiful. I've posted you on my facebook page. Do you post on facebook. I'm in the process of converting my house to this style and I need all the help I can get and your site us perfect!

Appley said...

Hi there

What a lovely article.

I love french antiques thanks for sharing all of these images with us!

From Appley Hoare
Purveyor of French Antiques and French Antique Furniture

Kristin Ketilsdottir said...

This style is absolutely wonderful to my taste. I found this site through Pinterest and I gasped when I saw this glorious sight! I am very happy I found your blog Glenda!

clive osborne said...

Lots of great inspiration, Love the photos.