We call this room our salon because we think it offers an atmosphere for good conversation. Some people may refer to it as a drawing room. Whatever you decide to call it, this room is a place for gathering family and friends, a welcoming place for all who enter. Regular followers of our Facebook posts know we love the French; since the French created the idea of the salon, we naturally are drawn to it. Many centuries ago, before the United States was even a thought, intellectuals in France gathered in the drawing room of an individual’s home to discuss ideas, politics, and art. That’s why we have filled it with lovely pieces that invite visitors to sit and visit, to talk – and to listen – to each other.

We also love Elsie de Wolfe; while she probably would have covered the furniture in pink, we chose a soft coral. Hospitable seating abounds in this room with a Chinese Chippendale mahogany sofa that begs you to sit a while, a pair of Louis XVI bergeres that enfold you, and a Louis XVI daybed that encourages relaxation. Add a French commode and a French end table, both with marble tops, and the space is ready for conversation. As usual, we have added a bit of contemporary flair with a hide and hair ottoman used as our coffee table. A fragment placed atop it serves as a rustic spot on which to set a refined silver tea service. On the wall, we have original oil paintings and some of our favorite pieces of blue-and-white porcelain. The needlepoint and Aubusson pillows invite you to hug them as you enjoy the discourse. Our room urges you to touch, to linger, to think. After all, when you think, you have something to talk about.

With the mention of Country French,  most people envision a stone house with wood beamed ceilings, rooms appointed with richly carved armoires and cozy sofas, and chairs upholstered in a luxurious fabric. And of course, there would be flowers emulating a Parisian public garden and lots of collectables.

Country French is all the above and much, much more. What makes its many interpretations so livable and why Country French continues to be among the most popular interior design motifs in America is that it never forgets its past, even while charging ahead to the future. Homes created in this manner always reflect the occupants’ personalities, making each house unique. This is one characteristic I strive to give all my clients. By using their own collectables intermingled with new (old) purchases, regardless their country of origin,  they are creating a reflection of themselves. I love to visit a home with family heirlooms mixed in with the décor. Those personal touches truly make a house a home.

A brilliant combination of the rustic with the refined, Country French is as appropriate for a cottage as it is for a chateau. While evolving over time to meet the needs of the middle class and their much simpler homes, the basics of Country French decorating—proportion, balance and fine craftsmanship—have never waivered. Add to this the important role of family in France, and you end up with a style that is both pleasing to the eye and comfortable to live with. Though styles change, our focus on our families and comfort does not…even in America.

Imagine sitting in one of those beautiful French chateau dining rooms. The well-designed furniture alongside a stunning view makes me relax just thinking about it! At the gallery, we have created a Country French dining room that could fit in any chateau. The combination of our beautiful Country French solid oak Lodge Cabinet with our heavy solid oak, parquet top farm table, decked with our English garden urns and Royal Albert bone china,  achieves the look of classic Country French as described above. The heavily carved breakfront brings charm and personality as well as more display space for china. The addition of sheepbone leather chairs, combined with our Louis XV tapestry fauteuils (chairs), accomplishes our look with richness and grace. A casual elegance seems to radiate an inviting feeling…one that evokes the desire to sit down for a lovely family dinner. And that is what it’s all about: creating a welcoming and inviting space for our family and friends.

In the gallery today we have arranged a beautiful table focusing on two antique English urns with garden scenes and spring flowers to serve as our centerpiece.  Notice that we have selected antiqued gold placemats, green water goblets and ruby red wines to mix with our English Royal Albert china. We always focus on the flow of our colors, as well as balance and symmetry. The centerpiece, combined with the other elements, creates the continuity of color. The greens, reds, golds, and yellows of our selection flow from one element to the next forming a unity of color which always amplifies the impact of any setting.

Our yellow flowers leap out of the vase to seize your attention, providing the “wow factor” that every table needs. What a wonderful way to say “hello” to spring by bringing a touch of the outdoors inside your home. Flowers are the finishing touch that seems to make everything else come to life!

The use of pairs on this table is one of the easiest ways to introduce more elements into an effective tablescape. Pairs can enhance any piece of furniture if properly placed in balance with the surroundings. Remember, there is no particular formula to creating a successful tablescape. The most difficult task is deciding what accessories on hand to use. Trust your eye…a tablescape that really works should add depth and interest to the furniture they embellish. You are creating a piece of art as you pull your table together with all the things you love thereby allowing people to see a glimpse of your personality and style. So make your spring table something fresh and exciting; it will certainly brighten your day!

Making the connections between form and color is one of the great joys of working with my eyes I get to experience on a daily basis. When designing and putting together rooms, these collaborations are often planned, but I like them best when  they catch me by surprise! Connections are important when creating great designs; in addition, they also point to what is already there and how things can work together.

While sitting anywhere waiting, instead of getting into a tizzy about why my time is being wasted, rather, I absorb my environment as if I were a sponge. I might see something spiral and get the inspiration to use something columnar, with a twist. Out of the corner of my eye I might catch sight of a beautiful flower in the sun and say ah-ha…”Yep, that is exactly the color I have been wanting to use.” Colors and shapes entice me daily — anytime, anywhere.

And shapes, oh my goodness! Without a plethora of them, design really would not matter and it certainly would not be very interesting. Shape is really what everything comes down to — the shape of things which you create within your design.When shape has integrity of form that is meaningful to me, it captures my attention. Discovering the connections and interconnections between shapes is very intriguing when putting any room together, and it should be the next step when decorating after you have selected a color scheme. If you are using a square chest, it is much more interesting to change the shape of what you hang over it rather than pair it with a piece of the same shape. For example, a mirror with a curve or carving would add more interest to the setting.

And as we all know, color is how I have always cataloged the world! Without it, I simply could not go on! We have light and dark, warm and cool, pale and paler. My fan deck would be a million shades of a few colors  ranging from bright, brighter to brightest! Remember, color stirs emotion, sets the mood, and captures the attention of any given audience, whether it is your  home, your attire, or really…whatever.

Today we are showing on our post color and shape; our beautiful damask deep coral background sets the stage for this unique “Chinese waterbottle.”  We have delved deep into Asian history by showing how their ancient people kept water, and how creative, in every stretch of the imagination, they were and always will be. Keeping a firm hold on this beautiful jug is our heavily carved mahogany French wall sconce. Together, these two pieces show us how intricate form and detail alongside simple rounded shape work impeccably well together.  Add a rainbow of color to this and you have extracted the essence of beauty, and voila, here is this classic wall decoration that would make anyone give it a second glance! That is what we are striving for girls…you know what I am saying!!!

Treasured, secretive as well as valued, tea used to be its own currency. The history relating to the fiscal implications of this commodity is very interesting; suffice it to say, I am glad we have it today, for many reasons. At the time tea was presented, it was believed to be therapeutic as well as delicious. The fragrant leaves were even prepared and drunk in ceremonial ways with ancient hierarchy. The English people accorded it time and space and this alone must have had the effect of producing a sense of well being. The health benefits of tea were known in the East for thousands of years.

I have become a lover of tea and also a collector of tea’s exquisite accouterments. Tea centers me and serves as a source of inspiration for my work. My bedtime ritual is to sit with my cup of hot tea to relax and unwind…then my mind can become creative; this is when I do some of my best work. Not only are you allowing yourself to relax, you can acquire extra antioxidants your body needs to help boost your immune system.

Tea has to be stored in a closed container to keep its precious leaves fresh. Tea caddies were made early in the 18th century, but it was not until the second half of the century that they were introduced as a home style accessory. Not only do I love tea, I have a natural affinity for those beautiful little caddies! It is amazing how intricate some of the inlays within the woodwork captures your attention. They have compartments inside that housed different leaves. The mere design of the boxes tells one how important these tiny little leaves were then…and still are to this day. Charles Faudree loves to incorporate tea caddies into his design. The Chippendale mirror and French Empire chest are the perfect setting for our caddies which are nestled underneath our French lamps with shield shades. They add a touch of class to any little spot that needs something different…sitting atop a stack of books, on a shelf or just…sitting alone; this setting would make Charles very happy!  Today we are featuring an array of English tea caddies, one being tortoise shell,  that would enhance any setting. Look at the fine hand craftsmanship each displays.  It is finding simplicity in simple things — simplicity takes clarity and confidence. Making your rooms work with harmony, proportion and effortless simplicity is key to decorating. Now relax and have a cup of tea!