Are there rooms in your house that feel a bit claustrophobic? You can open up the space almost immediately with a decor of  “faux” (“fake” in French) or “trompe l’oeil” (deceiving the eye) windows painted on your walls, bringing the … Continue reading →

These upright secretaries produced through the 18th to the 20th century very commonly found in houses. They were typically displaying beautiful mahogany or walnut crotch or flamed veneer patterns, while concealing lemon wood or rosewood or other precious wood on … Continue reading →

Stool painted in faux bois, ornate with a faux painted  cushion One of my clients had a black stool called in French an X shaped stool (by reason of its crossed legs)  bringing sturdiness and style to the piece. It … Continue reading →

There is nothing more rewarding than revamping a piece of furniture covered by a drab, outdated, and damaged painted décor, especially when you can already envision its new appearance. It is also pleasing to give a solid piece of furniture … Continue reading →

A frieze is a linear repeated decorative pattern, with a geometrical or natural design.     Friezes serve several purposes in the decorative art: completing ornate rooms with sophisticated patterns, or bringing in a specific theme as a focus point to … Continue reading →

  Children live between reality and wonderland where they personify what they believe they are or could be. A fantasy ambiance with murals or characters is more conducive to their games, and having a world of their own also gives … Continue reading →

    Houses often have rooms deprived of natural light, and area lamps will be a poor substitute to this necessity; fabric or wallpaper can enliven walls, give them warmth, and yet still no light.  To make walls glow and give … Continue reading →

Who does not like looking up at the sky to observe clouds, the intensity of its blue, and its passing birds?  One relaxes thinking of how nice it would be to glide in the atmosphere and follow their track.  This is … Continue reading →

A client of mine inherited family furniture and decided to keep them for sentimental and practical reasons. They certainly were functional and of high quality, but their color was the snag: they were painted in a flamboyant 50’s yellow ornate … Continue reading →

In many older houses, rooms are small and sometimes partitioned by walls pierced with archways. As I have previously written here on this subject, today we prefer large open spaces that allow us to live, entertain, and work at the same … Continue reading →