Owner: Mr. A

Royal Grande

Batam - Indonesia

Effortless elegance is so very French. Whether they’re dressing themselves up or decorating their homes, the French have an innate ability to create an intoxicating mix of finesse and flamboyance with ease.

French interior design styles deftly combine the old with the new, stay true to established décor principles and still inject a healthy dose of the homeowner’s personality into the space.

French design is bold, sophisticated and chic. But it is also quirky and personal. No two French homes you visit will ever seem or feel alike. A confident design vision is key to pulling off such original flair.

At first glance, it might appear there are no rules when it comes to employing French interior design ideas. That isn’t quite the case. There are some dos and don’ts. For instance:

• Do use simple, natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and cheesecloth.
• Don’t go overboard with frills, ruffles, tassels, fringes, and floral fabrics.
• Do leave a wall completely bare if you can.
• Don’t surround that beautiful Louis XV chair with more of the same. Make it stand out by pairing it with something completely contrasting, like a modern or minimalist piece of furniture.
• Do be bold and unconventional. Pair baroque curves with clean, modern lines.
• Don’t shy away from introducing one spectacular element like an extravagantly colored objet d’art, a large-scale work of art on a wall or an oversize piece of furniture to up the wow factor.
• Do look upwards. Remember the ceiling and plan to make it more interesting. The French go beyond just flat, white paint on the ceiling.
• Don’t hold yourself back when decorating the bedroom. A French interior design bedroom makes for a classy retreat that’s a pleasure to retire to at the end of a stressful day.
• Do add something gilded or shiny to the décor.