How to Recognise Rococo Furniture

“Juliettes Interiors are one of the top rococo furniture and french furniture supplier based in the UK”

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The much admired style of furniture known as Rococo is a variant of art and interior decoration which developed in the 18th century in France. A not very well known is that Rococo rooms were built up as art salons and had a tasteful compilation of splendid pieces of furniture, sculptures, looking-glasses, wall hangings, and house paintings. This art form displays the definitive influence of Neoclassicism.

The name, Rococo comes from a combination of the French word rocaille, which signifies shells or in Italian barocco or Baroque style. The former refers to the absorption with ornamental conceptions and arches in Rococo expressive style. Critics initially used the term as a disparaging comment against what they determined as the frippery of the Rococo pattern of art. But when the term was taken in into the English linguistic process, it upheld the connotations of classicism both in vogue and traditional. Art historians have varied opinions about the meaning of the trend in the development of art but it has now been acknowledged as an influential feature of the span of European art.

This Rococo fashion which originated in France was to begin with related to articles of furniture and then bit by bit spread to the design of buildings and other art forms throughout the varied regions of Europe. In 18th century England the name Rococo was used as an description for French appreciation and modes . Eventually when Thomas Chippendale strated to make furniture, he finished and refined the mode to metamorphose the fundamentals of English furniture making. Some also yoke this process to the growing interest in Gothic art and architecture.

In the period of time this development occurred was in the late Victorian Period, which is the late nineteenth century and is also classed to as the neo-Rococo movement or the Rococo resurgence. The trend became immensely common in the furniture industry and was one of the longest lasting movements in the Victorian era. After the 1840′s each furniture manufacturer in Victorian England was using or receiving inspiration from Rococo style.

Rococo furniture is inherently very comfy being both cozy and attractive by sight. The designs which include a great deal of wooden sculpted forms and demarcations are not too intense or over done. Singular characteristics are twisted wooden legs, large-scale supports with built-in carvings from nature, like foliage, grapes, birds etc. The basis for the designs is a sense of social class and nobility. But ease and adaptability were strategic considerations too. The furniture was built to be movable and was often employed even in open-air gatherings. Many particular articles of furniture include the fauteuil chair and the voyeuse chair.

Features like detachable chair arms and removable upholstery cushions were used which had never been encountered earlier. Also, from the beginning, the furniture was not connected to the walls and this granted a variety of buoyant fresh sense to the interior of a living-room. By and large, solid mahogany wood was employed as a visible building material largely because of its strength and long-term nature. Another key feature that became a part of the interior decor for the time was a mirror above the chimneypiece. This also offered an magical illusion of size and made the living rooms seem grander and airier.

In conclusion, if you want furniture which fuses all the qualities of classical design with well-being then choose Rococo.

Juliettes Interiors are one of the top rococo furniture and french furniture supplier based in the UK.

Tags: interior design, rococo, rococo furniture

Hollywood Regency

‘…Just back from a trip to America, and I am now in no doubt that the backlash against minimalism is well and truly underway. What people crave in these uncertain times is warmth and comfort amid their cool interiors. Across the Atlantic, there’s a lot of interest in what the Americans call ‘Hollywood Regency’ …or you could call it ‘modern glamour.’ Hollywood Regency style harks back to the glitzy era of the 1930s, when it was popularised by interior designers such as Dorothy Draper ( 1889-1969), and much loved by film stars living and working on the west coast. Joan Crawford was a fan. Think of luxurious silks and velvets…beautifully designed, low, buttoned chairs, thick, sculpted carpets, criss-cross, chrome -legged coffee tables, sparkling chandeliers, and lots of lacquered furniture, and you’ve got the idea. This black velvet and crystal headboard says it all priced at £399 ! Juliette.

Tags: interior design, regency

So What Is Shabby Chic?

Whether you are in the market for new look for your home, or you have simply been in a place where you are trying to figure out what the shabby chic look is all about, you are going to find that there are dozens of possibilities open to you.  At the most basic level, you will find that using shabby chic in your decorating refers to using furniture and ornamentation in your home that have a fine patina of wear.  You’ll find that you don’t have to go antiquing to get the look that you want; all you need to do is to be a savvy shopper with a good eye for what is going to mesh well with your home.

There are many reasons why you might be interested in the appeal of shabby chic.  Many people are tired of the bright and brand new appearance of a lot of the furnishings that come out today.  Do you feel as though the modern styles are all here today, gone tomorrow  People who enjoy the look of shabby chic are often after something a little more lasting and a little more timeless, and while there is something to be said for pristine antiques, you will find that shabby chic can deliver a gorgeous antiquated look for a fraction of the price!

There are many ways that the furnishings that you buy can reflect the shabby chic appeal.  You will find that when you purchase pieces that are great for this decorating style that you are looking at pieces which are brand new, but have been distressed or otherwise worn to give a patina of age. This you are getting an object with a long use life ahead of it, but with a perfectly weathered look.  One common technique that is used by things pertaining to shabby chic is the use of glazes or paints that are layered on and then worn off to reveal the layers underneath. You may find that there glazes are deliberately cracked in order to create a damaged look.

You will also find that the shabby chic look is perfect for the cloth accessories of your home as well.  Shabby chic as a great love affair with natural fabrics that take wear well but that will still last for ages.  For instance, you will find that cotton and linen with simple weaves are often used to create a lovely softness around a room. These fabrics can be worn and even stained in a variety of different ways, and with the right touches, you’ll find that you can create a lovely setting of gentle wear and tear.  Even silk and satins can be given a beautifully worn and weathered look, and you can use any of these materials for wall hangings, curtains, cushions or table runners.

When you are looking for something brand new when it comes to decorating your home, why not take a few steps backward in time.  Shabby chic can give you the perfect look that you need when you are after something classic!

Tags: interior design, shabby chic