Inspiration Part IV: FRANCE
What's wonderful about French art and design is that is so easy to integrate into one's own home- whether it be through furniture, decor, food or the garden. There are endless sources for vintage and new French pieces. My introduction to livable French design was through the books of Charles Faudree, a fabulous interior designer known all over the world who was based in Tulsa, OK.
Faudree was a master at incorporating high and low pieces, comfortable and formal, clutter without being messy; all assembled with beautiful French precision and symmetry that created a look that was personal and livable and not at all staged or contrived.
His books are available on Amazon and each one has it's own flavor, and each one as gorgeous as the others:
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| This was his first book and my all time favorite! (Amazon Stock Photo) |
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| Another Favorite, "Details" I believe this may have been his fourth or fifth book (Amazon Stock Photo) |
It was such a fun process designing the frames and working with a great carpenter and then seeing my vision of an updated 18th century inspired trumeau come to life! Of course nothing can touch the old ones- not only are they crazy expensive, but replicating the ornate carvings, the patinas and the large scale of those is not something that is easily accomplished : )
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My "Chateau Trumeau" by candlelight My Pagoda Trumeau with a grouping of small mirrors |
http://www.timothy-corrigan.com/antiques/knowledge_center.html
I have been to France only once but can't wait to go back and take in more of its beauty. The architecture is some of the prettiest in Europe- It ranges from elegant and imposing to humble and quaint. All of it is lovely.
Here are a few snaps form my 2007 trip to Paris and the Loire Valley. You can see the range of architectural styles:
Timothy Corrigan is an incredible American designer who is celebrated across the globe for his classical yet comfortable French designs. His book: "An Invitation to Chateau du Grand-Lucé" follows his purchase and restoration of a lovely French chateau in the heart of the Loire Valley. His taste is so exquisite and his interiors are comfortable, elegant and not at all stiff or museum like.
I have been to France only once but can't wait to go back and take in more of its beauty. The architecture is some of the prettiest in Europe- It ranges from elegant and imposing to humble and quaint. All of it is lovely.
Here are a few snaps form my 2007 trip to Paris and the Loire Valley. You can see the range of architectural styles:
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| Ultimate Paris Gothic beauty: Notre Dame Cathedral Look at those spires and flying buttresses- so gorgeous! |
From the Inside...so incredible
Austere but beautiful- near the Latin Quarter in Paris
In the heart of Chateau Country! Slate roof and stone walls-
Chateau Chenonceau, Loire Valley
Notice the planters- Reproductions of these are being sold all over. Just look up Versailles planter and you will find a wide range of prices and styles.
Nothing says French Country kitchen more than copper pots with a beautiful patina. Above is the kitchen of the beautiful Chateau Chenonceau. The copper here is so gorgeous and shows the love and wear of centuries of use.
If you have copper in your kitchen USE IT! Let it get dark - let it show wear. Otherwise give it to someone who loves to cook. Copper should always be used and loved, that's what it was made for. It always makes me sad to see a gleaming new kitchen with gleaming copper that is on display and just for show and has never come in contact with a stovetop.
The look of copper is such a classic look that can easily be attained on a budget. Anymore, when the stars are aligned, one can even find copper pieces at TJ Maxx or Tuesday Morning. A few pieces of copper, a dark wood vintage table, a terracotta pot of lavender or rosemary, maybe even a set of antlers- Voila! You have a French kitchen!
My favorite copper pot in the world. My own kitchen is a little small so I've taken to hanging my pots on the walls to have my cookware easily accessible and ready to use any moment. I try to polish my copper at least twice year. It gets pretty dark between polishings, but copper is so beautiful, I think it looks great at any patina level.
When thinking of French Inspired art- think muted colors and gilt frames with beautiful carving.
Tapestries, which can be found almost anywhere now, are a sure way to achieve a French look- just beware of bright colors as they scream "New Reproduction Tapestry."
Look for soft greens and beiges, even better is to find a true vintage or antique piece from an antique shop: Here are a few examples in my search for Verdure Tapestry from Ebay:
(Verdure refers to verdant/green subject matter found in classic French and Belgian tapestries)
Beautiful antique but with a price to match of $8,000!!
Really Pretty Reproduction with soft colors at a fraction of the cost-$200
Great Vintage French look at $80
Over the years I have had my best luck at Antique malls and have found lovely faded tapestry pieces for as little as $15!
One of my all time favorite chairs from my mother who adored tapestries as much as I do.
A pretty needlepoint piece can look beautiful along side tapestry.
Always love mixing colors and patterns!
In my painting below from my French show in 2013 I wanted to integrate a tapestry in the composition. I truly adore tapestries, whether they are pillows. hanging on the wall or on the back of a sofa- they are just magical.
This was from my French show at Gallery XII in 2013.
One of my very first Trumeau mirrors- I love mixing the classical lines of the mirror
with the rustic qualities of the antlers
Another view of works from the show
To write about all the inspirations from France I could go on and on forever but this was just a little touch on some of my favorite elements of French design and easy ways to integrate them into your own house, along with some of my favorite books.
I will finish off with two last tidbits. The first is a link to the books from an author whose books I feel are the absolute pinnacle in encompassing gorgeous French interiors-
Christine de Nicolay-Mazery.
The second is my very basic and simple recipe for French roasted chicken. Serve this with roasted potatoes sprinkled with tarragon and some dijon musatrd on the side for dipping and a lovely Languedoc wine and you have brought a little bit of France into your heart and soul.
Thank you for following along!
Next time.....Chinoiserie!!!
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The author I mentioned above is named
Christine de Nicolay-Mazery
Amazon Stock Photo
Here is the link to her author's page on Amazon:
Her books on French Interiors are truly feasts for the eyes, and supply an unending wealth of inspiration and opulence.
Now for Kitchen happiness:
For this little chicken I added orange slices for a little extra spark
Lovely French Inspired Roasted Chicken
3 lb. whole chicken- washed and patted dry
I small red onion (peeled and quartered)
3 T. butter (softened)
1 T. + 2 teas. salt
2 teas. garlic powder
½ teas. ground thyme
½ teas. ground sage
Preheat oven to 450 degrees (425 if your oven run warm)
After you have thoroughly washed and dried your chicken you
will want to season the cavity. Sprinkle 1 T. of salt (it seems like a lot but
it helps season from the inside out) and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in the
cavity. Next place your onion inside. Tie the drumsticks together with
Butcher’s twine so they stay close and secure to the chicken.
Next mix the remaining garlic powder, thyme, sage and 1/2
teas. salt to the butter. Using your hands, rub the entire chicken with the
herbed butter mixture (don’t forget the underside!) Next sprinkle the remaining
salt over the entire chicken, (this will flavor the skin and make it crisp).
Place the chicken in a small roasting pan that has been
sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and place in the oven uncovered.
Cook the chicken for approximately 1 hour and ten minutes
(until the thickest part of the meat reaches 180 degrees.) If your oven runs
hot, check it after an hour.
After the chicken is done, place it on a cutting board,
cover with foil and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before carving. This
is key to a moist chicken.
Enjoy!!
