The timeless beauty & romance of French-style furniture & accessories

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique armoires, Antique chandeliers, Antique French furniture, French styles interior design, French-style furniture & accessories, Mixing modern and antique furniture|

Mention the term ‘French-style furniture and accessories’ to any interior designer and you are likely to see their demeanour transform into something trance-like as their eyes glaze over. It’s almost a ‘spiritual’ reaction. The reason is simple: the indescribable charm of a French-style decor aesthetic has captivated the design world for centuries. It is synonymous with a relaxed sophistication and comfortable elegance that designers and homeowners cannot help falling in love with.

But there is another reason why the refined romance of French-style furniture and accessories is so desirable: an innate ability to seamlessly blend classical charm with modern aesthetics.

The enduring popularity and versatility of French-style interiors allow any homeowner to effortlessly incorporate a subtle chic aesthetic. Committing to this aesthetic will seamlessly enhance contemporary spaces.

The allure of elegance and grace

A French-style decor narrative is famous for soft colour palettes, luxurious fabrics, ornate detailing and artisanal craftsmanship. These elements combine to create an atmosphere of gentle opulence that has stood the test of time.

French design is a celebration of artistic flourishes and attention to detail. From intricate mouldings and decorative wall panels to elaborate furniture and chandeliers, each element contributes to a sense of understated grandeur.

The lasting appeal of French-style reproduction furniture and accessories transcends trends and draws inspiration from the rich history and cultural heritage of France. Rooted in the opulent designs of the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods, a nod to French-style accent pieces perfectly fuses decorative elegance with graceful curves, creating a soft and layered aesthetic that balances minimalistic contemporary interiors.

The celebration of quality craftsmanship

French-style furniture and accessories are, without a doubt, the epitome of impeccable craftsmanship. Traditional techniques – such as hand-carving and gilding – are often employed to create pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also built to last. Investing in high-quality French-inspired furniture ensures that your home is adorned with pieces that celebrate style and durability.

Whether your taste leans towards the classic or the contemporary, French-style interiors – Farmhouse, Provencal or Chateau – can be adapted to suit various preferences, making it a timeless choice for any home.

The mixing of French-style pieces into modern homes

One of the key reasons for the continued popularity of French-style items is their versatility. Whether you prefer the ornate Rococo detailing of Louis XV or the neoclassical simplicity of Louis XVI, there’s a French-inspired piece of furniture or accessory to suit every taste.

The adaptability of these designs makes them a perfect choice for modern interiors, beautifully complementing a variety of decorating styles.

Mix and match: Embrace a harmonious blend of old and new by mixing French-style pieces with contemporary elements. Juxtapose a sleek, modern sofa with an ornate French chandelier or introduce a Louis XVI-style chair to your minimalist dining room to create a visually intriguing space.
Neutral colour palette: The colour palette of French-style furniture makes it easy to integrate into a modern interior. Opt for bleached furniture or pieces in muted tones such as ivory, grey, or beige, and soft pastels – pale blues, muted greens and blush pinks – to create a classic and calming French aesthetic. Then use bold, modern accessories to add pops of colour and personality. These colours create a calming atmosphere while maintaining the classic French aesthetic.

Accent pieces and accessories: If you’re not ready to commit to larger furniture pieces, consider incorporating French-style accessories and accent pieces. Looking to add a touch of French flair? French antique mirrors with ornate frames, Aubusson rugs, and intricately designed candleholders will instantly meet the brief.
A French-style focal point: Make a statement by designating a specific area or corner in your home as a French-inspired focal point. A grand armoire or bombe chest is a bold design move. Looking for pieces that draw the eye? Oversized antique mirrors, chaise lounges, or conversation settees all anchor a space and become captivating centrepieces.

Luxurious fabrics: Opt for sumptuous fabrics such as velvet, silk, and brocade for upholstery and curtains. Rich textures and patterns contribute to the distinct feel of French design.

Artfully blending classic French-style antique furniture and accessories with contemporary pieces becomes a beautiful and harmonious mix of old and new, showcasing an intelligent pairing of cultural heritage and modern influences. This is just the bespoke twist that interior designers love and that homeowners find so inviting.

A French-style experience at The Crown Collection

Successfully curating the layered simplicity of a French-style aesthetic in the same space as modern trends is where The Crown Collection – an emporium of handpicked antique, French and contemporary furniture and accessories – steps into the mix.

As you gaze upon our impressive and exclusive offering of French-style chandeliers, mirrors, chairs, armoires, bombe chests, console tables, candelabra, chaise lounges etc. – which can be bleached, gilded, stained or painted – you, too, are likely to succumb to a trance-like state of wonder.

Whether you’re a connoisseur of all things French, or simply want to enrich your design by infusing your home with some French antique pieces, then we suggest you start by shopping all our French-inspired furniture and accessories. Shop online or in-store at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

Stephen Falcke’s modern approach to decorating with antiques

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Mixing modern and antique furniture, Stephen Falcke home & antiques, Stephen Falcke Interior Designer, The Crwon Collection Antique store|

Stephen Falcke – interior designer extraordinaire – is often referred to as a ‘design luminary;’ an appropriate description of this iconic South African decorator who has left his mark on homes, hotels and apartments around the world. An award-winning designer and patron of Decorex Joburg, Stephen is also the author of ‘A World of Design’ which chronicles 25 years of his career and showcases a curated collection of 40 spaces that he has magically transformed.

His unique insights on trends, interiors and the use of antiques are worth noting. And from a Bohemian palette to a minimalist Afro-chic aesthetic, there is one constant that stands out in the way Stephen Falcke approaches all his clients’ briefs: Never underestimate the value of just one piece of quality furniture in a room.

But it is his own Cape Georgian home – aptly named ‘Dream House’ – that has charmed and inspired us and where his approach to antiques and design gives one pause and makes one smile. His personal philosophy is succinctly articulated in just 6 words: “The ultimate in luxury is comfort.”

Stephen also believes that a room should never overpower the personality or character of those living in them, which is clearly the secret to a beautifully presented home.

Let’s break down a few design moments in his home that encapsulate the relationship between architecture, furniture design, fabrics and space, and are guiding principles for any home decorator.

#1 Mix old and new

Stephen Falcke is the expert when it comes to incorporating antiques in modern spaces, creating an ‘electric combination’ and the perfect balance of things that just work together. He will be quick to mention his love for symmetry and proportion, but it is his attention to detail in selecting artworks, antique pieces and quality contemporary furniture that make his home a space to linger.

Wherever the eye lands is a story, a quirky moment, a bold statement or a call to breathe.

A wander through his home will quickly show you that although he follows some rules, he breaks others and sometimes he just makes his own. An antique daybed in the bathroom? Makes absolute sense when each room in your home is a space to be lived in and enjoyed to the max. (And who doesn’t dream of a fireplace in their bathroom?).

#2 Contrast shiny with matte

As one moves from space to space in Stephen’s home, you will quickly be struck by his love for carefully chosen objets d’art and an arrangement of artworks. He loves to showcase shiny antiques on matte surfaces and as these reflective pieces play with the light, something very special happens.

Contrasting matte surfaces with items that have a high gloss finish (antique silverware, brass objects, glassware, silver trays, lanterns or chandeliers) immediately adds a modern feel to any space.

#3 Juxtapose big with small

Proportion and scale are foundational interior decorating principles, but Stephen plays with this by often juxtaposing something really large with something small. This balancing of opposites in a room creates dynamic tension and striking interest.

By combining different sizes and proportions of objects to make a beautiful exhibit, your home starts to reflect your own style.

Stephen also has a particular love for antique lanterns which although large, cleverly offer ‘negative’ space and immediately become a functional focal point.

#4 Balance pattern, texture & detail

When it comes to layering pattern and detail, Stephen Falcke is a master decor artist. His practised eye, years of experience and natural talent are a gift to the world of interior design. His ‘Dream House,’ which employs a monochromatic scheme, boasts this ‘effortless’ interplay of pattern, detail and texture to create a rich and layered narrative that is luxurious, sophisticated, comfortable and sumptuous.

Mixing patterns and details takes some skill, but each space in your home is a backdrop to your personality. From minimalist to maximalist, interior design always has a personal subtext.

And so if you love it – embrace, celebrate it and decorate with it.

If you are still not sure where to start, indulge your senses and immerse yourself in Stephen Falcke’s book (available from our store for R1800). You will come away enchanted, inspired and ready to purchase an antique coffee table or console table on which to display the book.

You can even go a step further and buy one of the exact French chandeliers that Stephen has in his home, right here at The Crown Collection.

If there is one thing you will walk away with from Stephen Falcke’s home, it is the intense desire to shop that one antique item to magically transform your space. With over 5000 items and new stock arriving weekly, you are most likely to find it at The Crown Collection.

Browse all our handpicked antique collections or pop in at our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

Something Old, Something New – Mixing Contemporary & Antique Furniture

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique furniture, Contemporary furniture, Mixing modern and antique furniture, Modern furniture, VIntage furniture|

If you are looking for an exciting yet balanced approach to interior design, then mixing contemporary and antique furniture is a timeless solution that will add visual interest and contrast to any home. Marrying different styles in a design scheme allows you to showcase your individuality and for each space to express its own personality without being constrained to one particular era or trend.

“Modern spaces can especially benefit from incorporating antique and vintage pieces. They add real warmth and character, and the look can be as eclectic as you like.” – Jacqui Moskovitz

Mix & match does not equal ‘mishmash’

Eclectic, however, is still a decor look that follows certain design principles and so just mixing any antique pieces with any contemporary items is not going to work. Juxtaposing too many different period pieces will create confusion rather than cohesion. But embracing a considered design plan with regard to layout, proportions and materials (and incorporating old and new) will always result in a well-put-together look that makes sense.

Decide upfront what the overall look is that you are hoping to achieve. Is it a contemporary look with some antique touches, or an antique look with some modern touches? When mixing modern with vintage or antique, follow the 80/20 design rule – i.e. keep 80% contemporary and let the remaining 20% be vintage or antique accents. This will help you buy wisely and create a successful space.

Mix & match involves repetition

The simplest way of creating a coherent look when pairing contemporary and antique furniture is using repetition. Bring your look together with a common colour scheme, a repeated pattern or similar materials. There must be a mutual attribute that connects the modern and the antique to achieve intrigue and layered sophistication that will make you want to linger in a space and just enjoy the richness of the design story.

Mix & match adds depth and story

The minute you add a vintage accessory or an antique piece of furniture to a contemporary space you add originality, contrast, history and timelessness. This is the easiest way of avoiding a cookie-cutter or generic ‘showroom’ look. Bear in mind that this will take time as well-designed spaces evolve over time.

Consider the following inspirational ideas:

A modern, minimalist kitchen will immediately gain character by adding an antique dresser. A kitchen island will become a focal point with hanging antique pendants – creating story, harmony and interest without being distracting.
Transform a basic guest bathroom by hanging an ornate gilded antique mirror or a crystal chandelier for a touch of glamour. (Lighting fixtures are one of the easiest ways of combining the old with the new).
Adding contemporary ghost chairs to an antique dining table or partnering upholstered antique chairs with a modern wooden table will create balance and charm without being too heavy and imposing.
Upholster occasional antique chairs with modern fabrics.
Add a modern chair or lamp to an antique desk.

Mix & match at The Crown Collection

The Crown Collection is SA’s largest collection of antique, vintage, French, and contemporary furniture and accessories, allowing you to choose something old and something new that will add form and function to your home. Whether it is a contemporary piece of furniture or an antique piece of furniture, it needs to resonate with your style and personality.

With over 5000 pieces of handpicked contemporary and antique furniture, our showroom is just the place to find pieces that you will fall in love with.

If you are new to the world of antiquing, read our most recent blog highlighting 3 reasons you should be buying antique furniture.

Search over 5000 products...

Mix & match does not equal ‘mishmash’

Mix & match involves repetition

Mix & match adds depth and story

Mix & match at The Crown Collection

Find your perfect mix and match pieces by shopping online or visiting our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.