The Wry Home
  • Home
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Categories
    • Home
    • Design
    • In and Around Town
    • Beach
    • Travel
    • Furniture
    • Holiday
    • Entertaining
    • Artwork
    • Gifts
  • Contact

The Wry Home

REASONABLE REDESIGN

  • Home
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Categories
    • Home
    • Design
    • In and Around Town
    • Beach
    • Travel
    • Furniture
    • Holiday
    • Entertaining
    • Artwork
    • Gifts
  • Contact

French Country is Out?

November 6, 2014

I went to a great presentation last month by Michael Boodro, the Editor-in-Chief of ELLE DECOR magazine.  He presented 25 years of interior design from the pages of Elle Decor, discussed design trends and his new book The Height of Style.  He focused on why some interiors are able to hold their appeal and others….Basically, what is in and what is OUT!

Michael Boodro

Michael Boodro

The presentation was held at the beautiful David Sutherland showroom at the D&D in New York.  Michael was a fabulous speaker and started the presentation with design styles that are out.

P1050460 P1050464 P1050462
I was ready!  Pen and paper poised… 1) Bare, stark walls.  2) Shabby Chic, wrinkly slipcovers.  3) Ashtrays.  4) Tall, towering plants.  5) Mission furniture was out, but is coming back.  6) French Country/Pierre Deux.  Wait, WHAT?  French Country is out?

Pierre Deux Wallpaper

Pierre Deux Wallpaper

I went full French County in my dining room 10 years ago!  I found a Pierre Deux wallpaper in 1998 that I fell in love with and carried a tiny scrap of it around in my wallet until I could finally use it.

P1050558
When we moved, I took full advantage and decorated my dining room in French County with a vengeance.  I found French County chairs at a consignment store (5 of one style and 5 of another),  cleaned and reupholstered them.

P1050572 P1050555
I used three fabrics: two Pierre Deux florals, one in blue and one in white, and a blue Pierre Frey for seat cushions.

Pierre Deux fabric

Pierre Deux

Pierre Frey fabric

Pierre Frey

Front and back of chairs

Front and back of chairs

I found old candle wall sconces and had them wired for lights.

P1050556
Quirky porthole prints from 1826 are on one wall and an eagle from my grandmother is on the other.

P1050575 P1050549
My chandelier is an old French fixture that I found at Metrolina Flea Market in Charlotte.  I had it repaired and rewired.  I painted the ceiling Benjamin Moore Almond Bisque to match the flowers in the wallpaper.

P1050545 P1050560
Even though we don’t use the dining room enough, when the table is set and the candles are lit, I love it.

Painting in the dining room

A painting in the dining room

Michael ended the presentation by telling us about the biggest changes in interior design: kitchen’s and bathrooms taking over the house.  He showed us some amazing slides of kitchens and bathrooms 25 years ago and today.  Some of the new bathrooms are bigger than my little French Country dining room!

French poster in my dining room

French poster in my dining room

The Height of Style is a gorgeous book with photos of over 220 rooms by top decorators.  I am keeping my French Country dining room for now, and maybe if I hang onto it long enough, it will come back in!

P1030511
the wry home

French Country is Out? was last modified: April 25th, 2017 by Elizabeth Dowling
D&DDining RoomElle DecorFrench CountryInterior DesignMichael BoodroPierre DeuxThe Height of Style
11 comments
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
previous post
Halloween
next post
Ina and I make a Pumpkin Pie

You may also like

Finally Finished

June 11, 2019

Holiday Trinkets

December 15, 2021

New York Gift Show

February 4, 2016

Design Inspiration

January 19, 2017

new year and resolutions

January 10, 2019

Digging Delray

February 23, 2017
Liz Dowling
I have loved design ever since I painted my bedroom walls high-gloss lime green in the fourth grade. A lifelong hobby, mixing low cost items with a few pricier pieces thrown in, has become The Wry Home. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t!
Rhino

Subscribe to the blog

Thanks for subscribing! Check your inbox (or spam folder) for our confirmation email.

Be Social With Us

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • FUN IN NORTHWEST
    CONNECTICUT!
    June 15, 2022
  • THE NEW SURF
    BLOCK ISLAND
    June 1, 2022
  • Brimfield Antiques Show
    May 11, 2022
  • Spring in New York City
    April 6, 2022
  • Palm Beach 2022
    Kips Bay Show House
    March 23, 2022
  • 50’s, 60’s & 70’s Mid-Century
    Modern Homes
    March 9, 2022

Best of Houzz Service 2017 Best of Houzz Service 2016 Recommended on Houzz

 

Amara Interior Blog Awards Nominated Blog 2019     nominated

nominated     Amara Interior Blog Awards Nominated Blog 2016

Smarty Style Bathrooms badge

Read The Wry Home Newsletter

Popular Posts

  • FUN IN NORTHWEST
    CONNECTICUT!
  • THE NEW SURF
    BLOCK ISLAND
  • My Homemade
    Marble Tables
  • SUMMER PHOTO DUMP!

Archives

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

© 2017 The Wry Home


Back To Top