In the seventeenth century, Louis XIV and his visionary finance minister, Jean-Baptist Colbert, established a strictly controlled guild system that regulated the work of artisans, raising the specialties at which they excelled to even higher standards.
More than three centuries later, the Sun King perfectionism remains his extraordinary gift to France, though his penchant for extravagance may be better known.
While the latter legacy may always endure, King Louis XIV deserves credit for influencing most everything the French do. From their insistence on finely crafted furniture and regal textiles to turning out rooms with dignity and panache, the French attention to detail, which borders on obsession, is a testimony to the late king’s fastidiousness and in keeping with his visions.
In truth, the French leave no creative idea unimplemented in hopes of making their living quarters special. Whether selecting quality leather for a chair or replacing door hardware, the attention to minutiae is striking.
Finely etched knobs, surface bolts, and crémone bolts that could almost pass for artwork bestow added nobility on groaning doors and tall, narrow windows. Crisp crown moldings, seamlessly woven, step out onto ceilings, making spaces appear even taller than they actually are. Polished brass grilles with scrolled motifs adorn heating vents, elevating the ordinary. Bullion is deep rather than shallow, giving upholstery a more sophisticated look. The trims embellishing vintage textiles fabricated into throw pillows are full, not skimpy, illustrating that doubling is key to winning acclaim.
Whereas small paintings would disappear on generous walls, grouped with mirrors and wall sconces, they make a strong statement. Meanwhile, heroic-sized family portraits add splendor and historic character.
Disregarding the American practice of leaving eight to eighteen inches of exposed wood around the perimeter of a room, ample-sized area rugs cross boundary lines, making smaller carpets appear skimpy—and rooms look larger than they are. Even in close quarters, the French think big, opting for a few furnishings—always exaggerated in size—rather than modestly scaled.
Further suggesting the sophistication of a bygone era, several rock-crystal chandeliers may drift overhead in the same room, while shaded sconces wash walls with light, picture lights cast a soft glow, and table and floor lamps direct glare. Together they maneuver light into producing drama and warmth not attainable with overhead light sources. To be sure, the French shy away from track lighting, which can jarringly cast unforgiving shadows on the face.
Truth is, it is not as if any list can claim to be exhaustive. But attention to detail is a testament to France’s artistic past. Also, it glorifies the memory of the Sun King, whose influence is still felt these hundreds of years later.
The epic scale of this master bedroom requires oversized furnishings, starting with the limestone fireplace, or cheminee, as the French call it.
Sharing the French love for simplicity and beauty, the homeowner opts for a Roman shade beneath master bedroom curtains.
A detail of the leading edge.