Tuesday 1 December 2015

Make French Provincial Furniture Look Modern

Color is the key to updating this chair.


French provincial style refers to the less ornate, country version of the French "Louis" styles of furniture. These styles are characterized by elegant ornament and graceful lines, such as curved chair legs. The classic shapes and practical comfort of these pieces are much admired, but their traditional look has made updating them for contemporary homes a challenge. To give this furniture a more modern look, think about changing the color of both wood frames and upholstery. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Paint the wood a solid color. French provincial furniture often comes in natural wood tones or in white with gilt accents. To give it a more modern look, try all white or all black. To be really daring, use glossy Chinese red or another bright color. The solid color emphasizes the shape of the chair, and fresh, surprising colors make the traditional shape look new.


2. Use untraditional wood finishes if you love wood and want to see the natural grain. Go very light, for example, or use a finish with white or gray paint mixed in to give a chalky, dull finish rather than a traditional shiny one.


3. Choose surprising materials for upholstery. No pretty floral patterns -- use your imagination instead. Try shiny patent leather in any color, brown-and-white cowhide, pastel pink or aqua leather, or fabrics with zebra stripes or leopard spots. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Tags: French provincial, modern look, more modern, more modern look, solid color