Friday, July 27, 2012

How to decorate in the marie antoinette style

decorate in the marie antoinette style


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The Marie Antoinette style is not for minimalists or for those with simple tastes. A love of luxurious designs and fabrics is a must and requires surrounding yourself with a mix of ornate and antique pieces. Known for her panache and avant garde style, Marie Antoinette was an extravagant spender, but it doesn't mean you need to be to decorate in a style that reflects hers.

Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Patterned decor
  • French-style chandelier
  • Antique (or reproduction) Louis XVI style furniture
  • Extra-large drapes
  • Pastel-colored decor
  • Harp
  • French porcelain tea set

Instructions

    • 1

      Decorate with elaborate patterns. For those who want an attention-grabbing view upon entering the room, use wallpaper that has a large opulent design. Another option is to use area rugs that have a Damask pattern. Off-white couches with a bold flowered pattern would also fit well with the style.

    • 2

      Hang a French-style chandelier. Look in thrift stores and antique shops and on online auction sites for a gold antique French-style chandelier. Considering it's an antique and may be composed of hard-to-replace parts, ask for a guarantee that it works and find out what type of bulbs it takes. Some cost quite a bit of money, but there are some that are relatively inexpensive.

    • 3

      Use antique furniture in a Louis XVI style. This particular style consists of, among other things, ornate pieces that have straight lines as opposed to formerly popular curved designs. Many pieces have carved details, and gilding and tables were often topped with marble. For authentic pieces, contact a reputable furniture dealer that specializes in antique French-style furniture, especially that in a Louis XVI style. To save money, purchase reproduction furniture, which resembles authentic pieces and costs significantly less.

    • 4

      Display dramatic textiles. One option is to use extra-large, flowing drapes in light colors. This style works best on very large vertical or horizontal windows. To choose an appropriate size and color, measure the length and width of each window and choose a shade that complements the other colors in the rest of the room.

    • 5

      Use a pastel palette for the design. Pale shades of pink, green and blue add a romantic touch. Those colors can be combined with any light shade of brown, such as taupe or tan, and decorated with touches of gilding.

    • 6

      Display Marie Antoinette inspired decorations. One option is to put out a harp, which was Marie Antoinette's favorite instrument- another is to display a French porcelain tea set. An original harp and tea set from 18th-century France will likely cost quite a bit of money, so consider purchasing budget-friendly reproductions.


Source: www.ehow.comTags: French-style chandelier, Louis style, Marie Antoinette, antique French-style, antoinette style