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

 

Exterior Paint Shades - Part 2

Whether it's pale hues of chalky French Grey, chic glossy charcoal against crisp pure white, or restful soft shades of dusted blue green, exterior paint shades can make a world of difference. The right paint shades add a warm welcome to any home be it of mellow stone, whitewashed render or smart red brick . Here are a few of my favourite looks to welcome guests to your front door. 

Above image:Gorgeous Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos

Above images: 1.Stainless steel stable light by Jim Lawrence 2.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of wooden shutters 3.Hand forged Shepard's Crook door handle with bevelled keyhole plate by Jim Lawrence 4.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of wooden garage doors 5.Scroll iron gate detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst

Above image: detail of painted French doors by architect Yiangou

Above images: 1.Shutter detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst  2.Detail of painted wall by Belgian photographer Caroline Monbailliu 3.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of arched wooden garage doors 4.Hand forged steel Shepard Crook door handle by Jim Lawrence 5.Front door painted in French Grey by Farrow and Ball belonging to Lucy Stokes (gorgeous stainless steel heart door knocker!) 6.'All White' 2005 paint from Farrow and Ball 7.'Lamp Room Gray' 88 paint from Farrow and Ball  8. "Manor House Grey' 265 paint from Farrow and Ball 9.'French Grey Dark' 163 paint from The Little Greene Paint and Paper

Above image: fabulous white painted New England house and grey painted trellis featured on Hus o Hem  

Above image: Prettiest pale grey front door with chalk white trim    by Henhurst Interiors 

Above image:French Grey wooden shutter detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst 

Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots

Above image: the heavenly home and veranda of Room Seventeen stunning grey shutters against crisp white woodwork

Above image:the heavenly home and veranda of Room Seventeen stunning grey shutters against crisp white woodwork picking up the tones of the rattan (wicker) chairs

Above images: 1.the deep grey (gray) front door of blogger 'I found my home' 2.the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door 3.Gloss grey contemporary planters with Buxus (Boxwood) ball topiary by Anouska Hempel Design 4.Smart dark grey Regency front door with white trim by London Door 5.'Off-Black' 57 Farrow and Ball 6.'Railings'31 Farrow and Ball 7.Down Pipe' 26 Farrow and Ball 8.'Plummett' 272 Farrow and Ball

Above image:the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door and stainless steel door knocker

Above image:graphite grey door by Architects RDK

Above image:contemporary dark grey front door by architects Vlassak Verhulst

Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots

Above image:pretty pale grey green door and basket of French Lavender by Belgian photographer Caroline Monbailliu

Above images: 1.Farrow and Ball front door given a modern twist with shiny stainless steel door furniture - door in Light Blue 22 2.Letter Box in pretty 'Clay' from Garden Trading 3.stainless steel letterbox at the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door and soft pale blue grey trim 4.Soft pale grey green woodwork on a stunning contemporary house by Frank Gruwez 5.Polished stainless steel door knocker from Willow and Stone 6.'Pearl Colour (original)'100 Little Greene Paint Company 7.'Light Blue' 22 Farrow and Ball 8.'Card Room Green' 79 Farrow and Ball 9.'Oval Room Blue' 85 Farrow and Ball

Above image:Contemporary country cottage by Belgian architects Villabouw Sels

Above image:pretty Blue grey green front door in a Cotswold village photographed by blogger 'I found my home'

Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots

Above image:Front door in Card Room Green 79 by Farrow and Ball

To achieve the perfect finish on your exterior woodwork I can highly recommend watching the 'how to' videos on the English decorating tools manufacturer Hamilton. I can also highly recommend the Hamilton 'Perfection' range of brushes - 

Above image: Hamilton Perfection 

boxed set -100% natural bristle 

for use with oil based paints

Right image: Hamilton Perfection range 

of sash brushes -  wonderful for 

painting fine detailing

Left Image: Hamilton Perfection synthetic brush for use with water based paints

You may also like:
Exterior Paint Shades part I

For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their 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.

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

 

Preview - Exterior Paint Shades part 2

Coming next week: 

Exterior paint shades, divine inspiration for chalky shades of Taupe, French Grey, Provence Blue and Zinc featuring The Little Greene Paint Company and Farrow and Ball.  In the meantime here is a preview!

 Above images: 1.Contemporary country door - Vlassak Verhulst - exclusive villas and architecture 2.Fabulous French grey exterior woodwork - Archeos - Belgian architects 3.Colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry (paint details in next weeks post) 4.Palest country cottage with porch - Yiangou - English architects 5.Painted wooden shutter detail - Vlassak Verhulst - exclusive villas and architecture

Full details of paints and more suggested shades next week! In the meantime please click on the image below to view Exterior Paint Shades part I:

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.

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