Last month we featured an article on Chabichou, a fine cheese and gourmet food shop that opened up down the street from us. We’ve since become addicted to french cuisine and like so many, we can’t seem to kick the habit. Even the weekly newspapers have spotted the rise in demand for all things decadent (food wise) and Toronto isn’t making it easy! Just the other day while walking down Queen Street West I found there was a new Crêpe cafe opening on the corner of Queen and Shaw.

So we thought it would be fun to show you how to create a Modern French interior, with influence from early French modernists (post Bauhaus, we’ll leave tube steel for another day).

(above picture) Bryan Adams’ home from the April issue of Elle Decor featuring a cocktail table, upholstery, floor lamp, and rug by Christian Liagré.

Palette:

Textiles: navy, grey/charcoal, black (Lanvin FW collection)

Accent Colours: (Charlotte Perriand Sconce collection – 1962)

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Don’t be afraid to introduce classic french characteristics like these great chevron floors and the crown moldings in the picture above. Sofa and table lamp by Christian Liagré.

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Daybed and “Pedestal” by Christian Liagré. Getting this look:

On the high end:

Jean Prouvé Potence Lamp $1560.00 (DWR)	Jean Prouvé Standard Chair $920.00 (Gabriel Ross)

On the low end:

Swing Arm Lamp $425 (Stylegarage)	Pawn Stool $399 (Stylegarage)

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Here’s an example of combining organic and industrial elements together–here we see a rustic French Oak table, paired with steel side chairs. You can find similar reclaimed mirrors at Hardware Interiors (Queen Street East).

Getting the look in Toronto:

Top Left: Semptim Pendant Lamp $29.99 (IKEA)
Top Right: Marais A chair, designed in 1934 $250 (DWR)
Bottom: Allee Maintenon Oak table by Christophe Delcourt (Avenue Road)

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Vintage Swivel chair from
Queen West Antique Market (416.588.2212)

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French Inspired Sideboards

Jean Prouvé’s Oak & Aluminum Sideboard ($30,000 – $50,000)

Hot rolled steel & walnut sideboard available at Commute Home (made to order)

Vintage black sideboard & Aluminum chair (Queen West Antique Market)

IKEA PS Cabinet $129.00 (IKEA)

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Don’t be Afraid to Use Colour!

Colour is something found in many works from early french modernists, and when I think of colour I think of the pop aesthetic of Pierre Paulin. He moved away from the hard lines and function over form mentality of his predecessors to experiment with soft shapes and comfort.

Top left hand corner: Le Creuset Cookware (The Good Egg)
Bottom left: Rev Sofa by Christophe Delcourt (Avenue Road)
Top Right Hand Corner:  Mushroom by Pierre Paulin (Atomic Design)
Bottom Right: Jielde task lights (Ministry of the Interior)

A Table by Jean Prouvé combining green metal legs, and a wooden top.

Above and below are a few more examples of painted industrial metal from the Queen West Antique market.

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