Happy November & A French Table

The following is a post I did earlier this month and wanted to join Rene over at Cottage and Vine for her monthly Room by Room series which is featuring dining rooms today. Hop on over and take a look.

WOW! I’m so excited that it’s already November and time to get ready for the holidays. It’s a beautiful crisp sunny day here and, as I’m looking outside at the gorgeous deep colors of the fall trees, my mind is on hearth and home with family.  I’m reminded of the deep rich faded colors of the French antiques that I so adore. 

So much of the French Country lifestyle revolves around the table and I love French trestle tables.  Most Provencal trestle tables were utilitarian in nature with their thick plateau tabletop and graceful trestle legs with a beveled center stretcher.  The ever popular farm table has four legs and commonly a planked breadboard top usually with drawers at either end for cutlery.  Both types of these tables were typically made of hardwoods such as walnut and oak to withstand many family celebrations. 

BEFORE

I followed my heart a while back and got rid of my very formal, traditional English style dining room and opted for a relaxed French Country look.  Out with the dark mahogany ball and clawfoot inlaid dining table with Chippendale chairs, and in with a casual yet sophisticated French Country trestle table and simple linen covered mutton bone chairs (mutton bone meaning “lamb’s leg").

INSPIRATION

Here is a photo of my inspiration room.  This came from a post back in 2007 from my friend’s blog, European Antique Market.  I love the clean lines and almost contemporary feeling that this room exudes. 

AFTER

And, here is my dining room now.  J’adore this room so much better.  And, we actually use it more as it’s much more inviting.  I think the contemporary pear painting adds a nice contrast to the room.  The floors are cherry and I’m contemplating a neutral sisal rug for underneath the table and chairs.  I also replaced the large china hutch with a walnut buffet from Pierre Deux and added an authentic Louis Philippe silver-leaf mirror.  It opens the room up so much more. 

Yes, I still have the white pumpkins left over from Halloween.  I’m currently planning my holiday tablescape using 3 horizontal runners that are being made from antique French grain sack material.

I love to study the detail with all it’s timeworn patina on these French lovelies!

Love, love, love, the thick walnut top.  What stories I bet this old table could tell!  You can vaguely see my French sunburst mirror in the background.  I’m crazy about these, too.

Below are other examples of great inspiration:

Country French Kitchens by Carolina Fernandez (John & Cassidy Olson, photographers)

A good example of a trestle table and mutton bone chairs with traditional Provencal upholstery fabric.

La Vie En Rose: Living in France by Suzanne Lowry

Mutton bone chairs with simple slipcovers.  That chandelier is great!

House Beautiful

Rustic meets elegance in this dining room.  I like the use of the colorful rug in this space.

I have been asked again to be on the Parade of Homes this December.  My home, La Belle Epoque, was on the tour in 2007.  I will soon be decking the halls for a glorious French Country Christmas.

I'm linking up to Cottage and Vine's monthly Room by Room Series.

Au Revoir,

Kim