F R E N C H D E S I G N
on Friday
~ Architecture ~
Curved Roof and Cupola
How do we know what IS French design? When selecting architecture, furnishings, lighting, and accessories, how do we decide what to use? No better way to discover authentic French Design than either 1] to visit France and/or 2] to view photos taken in France. Botanic Bleu provides examples straight from France through photos taken by me while traveling across all of France which gives you a reference for genuine French Design.
From the photos you will be able to study the details and to find ways to incorporate real French Design into your home. That is what helped me to spot French Country design in the most unexpected places, like Home Depot.
If you love French Country style, here is one of the latest ways I discovered to add a little French to my decor. And, you will be surprised at another affordable source of French Country design now in my living room.
French Design in France
Château de Chenonceau has beautiful curved slate roofs. Atop a curved roof of the Royal Stables at Chenonceau is a slate cupola. Nothing more authentic French Design than a 16th century French château in the heart of the Loire Valley.
French Design Translated
When I found a beautiful new glass and wood lantern this spring, I knew immediately it would add great French style to a spring living room. The white-washed wood with its intricate open design is bright and airy for Spring and will allow candlelight to flicker through.
French Design Checklist
♛ Curved roofline
The lantern has beautiful curves in its roof reminiscent of the angles of the curves on the Chenonceau stable roof. The proportions are perfectly French style.
Gris couleur (gray color) is another perfectly French style for the lantern's roof. The roof is not gray slate, but it is gray metal.
♛ Open Cupola
With its elaborate curved open pattern the lantern's cupola reflects elements of Chenonceau's cupola design. A curved solid rooftop for the cupola, an open design, and finial on top are the silhouette for the Chenonceau cupola. Do you see the resemblance?
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Is the lantern's roof a perfect reproduction of the Chenonceau roof? No. Design in a particular style, French Country in this example, does not require exact replication.
What is important is capturing the essence of the style.
The unexpected affordable source for this charming French Design lantern? Kirkland's. If you have not been in Kirkland's this Spring, you should drop in to see several things that are French Design. No affiliation with Kirkland's, just sharing a source for affordable French-inspired decor.
I discovered a collection of French-inspired designs when I went to see KariAnne Wood for the launch of her new book, THE DIY Home Planner, at the Fort Worth Kirkland's store.
Of course, KariAnne shared lots of good advice for styling a bookcase. Of course, there was lots of laughter between KariAnne and her audience. Of course, KariAnne signed her new book filled with great home planning advice... and beautiful watercolor illustrations.
I love all those watercolor illustrations!
You can buy KariAnne's book from Kirkland's all over the USA or you can order THE DIY Home Planner online.
What could be better than to find KariAnne's THE DIY Home Planner and French Design home accents all in the same place?
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For those wishing to have an authentic touch of French style, read along with Botanic Bleu to go to the source through snapshots of French architecture, houses, textiles, metal work, food, woodwork, landscapes... and discover inspiration for creating
a French-inspired garden and home.
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An upcoming post will show more Spring decor in my house,
including close-ups of how I styled the inside of the French Design lantern from Kirkland's.
