Fabulous French Arm Chairs

French upholstered arm chairs have been “en vogue” since the time of Louis XV. Prior to that time, arm chairs were primarily made from wood and designed with erect backs. But the Renaissance period redefined all art forms, including furniture design, leading to more comfortable lounge chairs with cushioned seats, semi-reclining backs and swooping arms. Plus, arm chairs became true works of art with intricate carvings and emblems, cabriole legs and stylish fabrics. Suddenly, every parlor from Paris to St. Petersburg was filled with artistic arm chairs where friends would converse in comfort.

Photo Credit: Mobilier de Salon

French arm chairs have never gone out of style, but recent years have seen a resurgence in their popularity, with classic designs being coupled with contemporary fabrics and painted or distressed finishes. Today’s French arm chairs still often boast intricate carvings and cabriole legs, but comfort trumps artistry when it comes to fabrics. Soft linen or jute fabrics are used to encase downy-soft pillow top seats. And decorative French pillows are often used to further enhance comfort and add a bit of whimsy to the look.

Photo Credit: sazsabellagio.blogspot.com.au

More recently, French style arm chairs with scripted fabric have become a “must have” for lovers of French furniture. French scripted chairs with white fabric and black or brown French words are particularly popular, as are burlap upholstered arm chairs with grain sack words.

Photo Credits: MySweetSavannah.blogspot & Etsy

 

Photo Credits: Photo Credits: franciskasvakreverden.blogspot.com

French arm chairs with cane backs have been in style since Louis XVIII when lighter furniture was embraced in Paris, perhaps as an expression of their intent to leave the heavy revolutionary years behind. Cane back arm chairs are still extremely popular as they work well in both elegant and more casual decor settings. To give these chairs an even fresher look, they are often painted in colorful hues and distressed for a vintage look and feel.

Photo Credit: Maisondecor8.blogspot.com

French arm chairs have also caught the imagination of shabby chic lovers who might refinish an old French chair found at an estate sale and add a comfy pillow top seat and pillows with feminine features such as ruffles and floral embellishments.

Photo Credit: VintageSoul1020.typepad.com

French arm chairs are also being transformed into more cosmopolitan pieces, with tufted linen fabric covering the once intricately carved areas of this style of chair. Wildly popular and infinitely versatile, tufted arm chairs work well in vintage and modern decor settings alike.

Photo Credit: blog.templeandwebster.com.au

If you’re looking to add a French arm chair to your decor, you can find get some inspiration here: Belle Maison French Arm Chairs

Finding the Right Entry Table for your Home

What feeling do you want to create when people enter your home? One of the first things people see is the entryway décor, often dominated by an entry table, those “ambassador” pieces that represent your home, make a statement to all who enter and often serve a functional purpose as well.

Console tables and small chests tend to be the most popular choices for an entry table. Round entry tables are also a good choice for open foyers. Generally speaking, console tables are seen as open and lighthearted, chests as warm and cozy and round tables as more formal, but there certainly is a lot of crossover. For example, a colorful or eclectic chest in the entry way can certainly create a fun loving vibe.

Console tables are by far the most popular type of entry table. These pieces are generally decorative and include at least one drawer to toss the keys, phones and sun glasses into upon arriving in the home. These cottage style console tables create a light and cheerful feeling and seem to say “come on in for a cup of tea and good cheer.”

Found on Flickr.com

Found on madeinaday.com

Earthy console tables are in high demand these days as people have become more environmentally conscious. The rustic console tables below create a sense of warmth and strength while also conveying a love for nature. Console tables hand crafted from reclaimed solid woods with weathered effects are particularly popular. These rustic tables looks great when adorned with plants and pottery, and placing a basket beneath provides extra storage space for shoes, blankets, pillows and more.

Found on honeywerehome.blogspot.com

Found on hookedonhouses.net

Found on cococozy.com

 Ornate French entry tables are the perfect choice for well appointed homes. These curvy aged pieces convey warmth and elegance. These console tables create a dreamy feel that lets guests know that your home is not only your castle, but also your oasis. Found on thedecorologist.com (Veranda Magazine image)

Found on chicposh.blogspot.com

For the more traditional home, a painted chest is a great entry way choice. A painted chest gives a feeling of warmth and whimsy, as if to say “we love family and traditions, but we know how to have fun!” And with so many painted chests to choose from, it’s fun and easy to choose one that reflects your family’s personality. One of the things I love about using a chest in the entry way is that you get a lot of storage space. You can store keys and odds and ends in the top drawer and fill the other drawers with items often needed when you leave the home, like sweaters, caps, gloves, storage bags and more.

Found on vintagehomeca.tumblr.com

Found on tumblr.com

Found on theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

Round entry tables are the perfect choice for homes with large, open foyers. Placing a round pedestal table just under a pendant light creates a sophisticated look, especially with a bouquet of flowers on the table along with books and family photos.

Found on MyDesignChic.com

Found on stylemepretty.com

To see more entry table ideas, check out this Pinterest board: Stylish and Unique Entry Tables and Chests

You can also check out some of Belle Escape’s most popular entry tables here: Entry Tables and Chests

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French Country Furniture Flair

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Sunny Colors of Provence Decor

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