Rococo, Late Baroque? Just call it beautiful!

As I'm driving to antique and brocante markets along France, I pass by many beautiful old houses. The kind that attract me most are the Maison de Maître. These were the homes of the upper class in the 18th and 19th century.  I get carried away imagining how I would decorate such a home, were I living in that era.

XIX century  Maison de Maître in the Cognac area here

Some of the  trumeaus, and other fancy mirrors, armoires  and chandeliers  come from houses like this.  The detail in each item shows craftsmanship  in every piece. The sculpting of flowers in the furniture,  plaster and wood ornaments in mirrors as well as ironwork of window guards, garden doors, and balconies are evidence of the artistry of woodworkers and blacksmiths. This era in design was known as Rococo or Late Baroque.

To borrow a bit from Wikipedia(yes, we know it's not totally reliable) Rococo, also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful. Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings. It was largely supplanted by the Neo-classicstyle. In 1835 the Dictionary of the French Academy stated that the word Rococo "usually covers the kind of ornament, style and design associated with Louis XV's reign and the beginning of that of Louis XVI". It includes therefore, all types of art produced around the middle of the 18th century in France.

We are fully aware that this style, florid and elaborate does not meet everyone's taste. "Cada cabeza es un mundo." But even if it's not your style I am sure you can appreciate the ornate craftsmanship and artistic flair in it.  We like to select  pieces like these and breathe new life into them. Some of the pieces, I leave as they are, depending on the patina and age on them, while I choose to paint some of them in a chalky gray.  I mix my own, and add my own touch. I call it "a touch of frost" You might want to see a previous posting on this. Here
Maison de Maître in right corner photo above info here

Sometimes I like to take a piece from an armoire, bed, or other furniture and turn it into something else, something new and provocative.The top of an armoire can easily become a ciel de lit or canopy, while a fronton or splash, or any decorative top from an armoire can look stunning above a door or window. I have taken the headboards of old beds and created a mirror frame or the back of a bench.

I am now on my way to a market in the west of Paris 
and wonder what treasures I will find there to send back to you folks!

Johan