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.
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Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villaIgnore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
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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.
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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.
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