Design styles taking inspiration from the stately homes of the French that rose to prominence in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries have never been more popular as a theme for cash-strapped interior design enthusiasts. Affordable and stylish, this is the perfect look for any bohemian’s bedroom or home as a whole.
The French style usually involves a lot of carved wood and upholstery; think bed headboards, chaise longues, sofas and armoires in pale pastel colours like blue, brown and cream. The style was largely adopted by the English aristocracy and can be seen in the majority of National Trust houses open to the public in case you need any inspiration. Fortunately, although many top furniture designers are influenced by the style and offer brand new pieces at astronomical prices, you don’t have to break the bank to get the same kind of look.
The area in which you’re most likely to have to spend money is when you’re choosing between the various ranges of French beds available. These aren’t the kinds of thing that you can find in a second-hand shop somewhere, so you may need to buy them brand new, which can severely deplete your budget. However, other pieces are more easily found at cheaper prices. This style is all about the look of the furniture rather than its overall quality, so shabby chic furniture can easily be created by rubbing a cheaper piece over with a bit of sandpaper and changing small details like knobs and handles to give it a bit of a bohemian edge. It’s all about experimentation and seeing what works, so start hunting around and see what you can pick up and modify to create a stylish addition to your home.
The French style usually involves a lot of carved wood and upholstery; think bed headboards, chaise longues, sofas and armoires in pale pastel colours like blue, brown and cream. The style was largely adopted by the English aristocracy and can be seen in the majority of National Trust houses open to the public in case you need any inspiration. Fortunately, although many top furniture designers are influenced by the style and offer brand new pieces at astronomical prices, you don’t have to break the bank to get the same kind of look.
The area in which you’re most likely to have to spend money is when you’re choosing between the various ranges of French beds available. These aren’t the kinds of thing that you can find in a second-hand shop somewhere, so you may need to buy them brand new, which can severely deplete your budget. However, other pieces are more easily found at cheaper prices. This style is all about the look of the furniture rather than its overall quality, so shabby chic furniture can easily be created by rubbing a cheaper piece over with a bit of sandpaper and changing small details like knobs and handles to give it a bit of a bohemian edge. It’s all about experimentation and seeing what works, so start hunting around and see what you can pick up and modify to create a stylish addition to your home.
