French Painted Furniture

As seen in The English Home Magazine & The French Property News

From the Smart salon style of Moissonnier's French cabinet makers to the faded chalky Country finishes, our love affair with French Style continues. The wonderful lived in and personal feel that is evoked by fantastic faded colours is still alive and well.

This course will recreate those faded colours with distressed antique finishes from Provencal salon style to Parisian grandeur. Participants will learn correct surface preparation and be shown how to apply appropriate  colours to create both faded grandeur and relaxed country styles. We will examine the progression of the ‘French & Swedish look’ in today’s market and look at ways of incorporating a wider colour palette so as to encompass the true antique style of bygone era’s. A range of ageing techniques including embellishment with gold leaf and antiquing will help to produce that unique distressed and naturally aged look.

This course has a professional approach and the business side will be discussed for those who wish to pursue a business endeavour. 

Fabric choices will also be discussed; learn how to enhance your furniture with the correct fabric choices. From Kate Forman’s beautiful faded floral linens to the fabulous vibrancy of the Souleiado range of fabrics from Provence and fine silks and satins from Lelièvre Paris. We will look at examples of each and include some pretty Toile de jouy and bold velvet damasks to illustrate how fabric can transform furniture and it’s surroundings.

A Sociable day too - Enjoy croissants & a light lunch with wine – French of course!

**Students are required to bring along an item to work upon.

Tutor: Penelope Allen-Roberts – Interior Designer