This weekend, we took a look at a country house in Devon which drew inspiration from the wonders of Versailles — both inside and out. And while such an approach won't be right for every home, you can add real glamour with a few well-chosen pieces.
Take the example at the top of this page. The flowing lines, the intricate details, the gentle grace: the Tarporley serving table in white oak (£5,730 from William Yeoward – www.williamyeoward.com) is the epitome of the sort of thing you think of when French interior style comes to mind. There’s no mistaking the grandeur such a piece could bring, either as a delightful touch in a larger room or a centrepiece in a smaller one.
At such a fine table, you’ll need a fine object on which to sit. This Hallstatt dining chair (£590 from OKA — www.oka.com) looks just the thing, with colours and lines that match perfectly.
Not everything French has to look like it’s been pinched from a chateau, however. This vintage four-door painted base (£2,150 from I. J. L. Brown – www.ijlbrown.com) is a more low-key affair, bringing rustic farmhouse feel.
Don’t forget lighting, either. This wooden chandelier (£325 from Cox & Cox – www.coxandcox.co.uk) is grand without venturing into the baroque.
How to add character to a new-build house, from paint and furniture to the size of your doors
Carefully chosen furniture, paint, joinery and architectural details will all help to add character to a new house, says Clive
The 'New Victoria': How London SW1 has gone from 'Devil's Acre' to the new prime hotspot
An ongoing £4 billion regeneration programme is breathing new life into the SW1 property market, from classic houses to new-builds.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
-
Materials, textures, construction, expression: A Brutalist watch on your wristLuxury watchmakers are seeking to bridge the gap between two contrasting styles, with exciting results.
-
The new chandeliers which offer decorative flourishes and a breath of fresh air in a world of pendant lightsChandeliers aren't right for every room, but where they work they can work in spectacular fashion.
-
How to put your money where your mouth is: 20 Eco-friendly products for home, garden and drivewayFrom veg boxes and green toilet paper to vehicles which will help save the planet, here's our pick of some of the best eco-friendly products on the market.
-
Why it's easy being green – start small and take it from thereIt's a big decision to go green with an entire room, but the right furniture, fittings and accessories can let you try before you go headlong.
-
How a collection of first editions can make your personal library just that little bit more specialFew things are more alluring than a spectacularly beautiful library within a fine country house. But should you be fortunate enough to own such a room, the problem of what to keep within can be tricky — though rare first editions are always a good bet.
-
Perfect pendants: Shedding light on why they've taken over from our precious table lampsPendant lights are plumbing new depths - Giles Kime finds out why.
-
An antique wallpaper so extraordinary that an entire room was built around it — including raising the ceilingThe Court of Noke in Herefordshire is the home of designer Edward Bulmer, and the antique wallpaper in this bedroom shows some of his thought processes in action.
-
The luxury of an armchair which one wishes to sink into and never escapeThe activity of sitting has been much-maligned, but now receives an elegant makeover in the form of a moss green armchair from The Queen of Serene.
-
The joys of a shower which offers a touch of luxury and theatre on a daily basisA beautiful bathtub is a splendid feature for any bathroom, but given how often you use the shower it makes sense to get something which feels special every day.
