The French have always been leaders of fashion and style trends – dining room furniture is no exception. A chic and stylish celebration of the old and new which never goes out of fashion and is widely used right across the world. Dining chairs and tables inspired by French designs offer the beauty and elegance of traditional French furniture in both modern and traditional forms, adding a sophisticated edge to your dining room.
Dining chairs are an essential piece of furniture, no dining room is complete without its chairs after all. When coupled with the table, the dining set becomes the focal point of any dining room, providing a commanding presence. It is also highly functional, serving as a bonding place for families and friends alike and because of its importance, it never goes out of fashion. French style dining chairs look fantastic regardless of the size of your dining room. For smaller spaces, opt for round tables with a maximum of four chairs, larger spaces will be able to comfortably house rectangular or oval tables with six to eight dining chairs. There are numerous French style dining chairs available on the market, however for optimum comfort it is advisable to choose contemporary pieces rather than vintage or antique as comfort is usually a key feature in the design of newer chairs.
Modern French style dining chairs can also be successfully married with other décor styles in the dining room, both contemporary and antique creating a fusion of eras in one luxurious, but welcoming and comfortable space.
Achieving That Chic Feel
Your French style dining chairs can be complimented by a wide variety of accessories and other interior furnishings:
A Simple Palette
Keep walls painted in a light tone, preferably white as this will maximise the amount of light. Stay away from bright and bold colours opting for a simpler colour scheme with muted softer tones. Subtle hints of brighter colour can be introduced through accessories, upholstered dining chairs, or works of art.
Juxtapositions
Mixing both modern and classical furniture, accessories and works of art are one of the most interesting features of the French style home. This also applies to textures – rough next to smooth, cool next to warm.
Accessories
A touch of lavishness will be found in most interiors, think oversized gilded mirrors, or vintage/antique chandeliers to give your ceiling a traditional look. Decorative moulded or coved ceilings also make a beautiful feature in the French style dining room, intricate wooden carvings and a polished hardwood table can be introduced for that Parisian feel. A beautiful wooden floor can be admired uncovered, but adding a rug or two can bring added warmth and comfort, taking the chill off a bare wooden floor and providing depth in contrast to the stark lighter walls. Dramatic drapery adds a romantic element – traditionally silk drapes have been used, these cascade onto the floor and billow in the open breeze from the window.
Art
The French have played a key role in the history of art over the centuries which has continued into modern day – this is very much reflected in the home, where works of art are proudly displayed in the living and dining room. If a French style isn’t for you, discover how to choose dining chairs for your home.
