Let Them Eat Cake! Inside The Marie Antoinette Inspired Rococo Trend
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2 days ago
Rococo revival is the perfect way to introduce some royal elegance into your home
Who wouldn’t fancy living in a rococo château worthy of Versailles? Here’s how the rococo revival trend can add elegance to your home.
How To Design A Rococo Inspired Interior Fit For Versailles
From its ostentatious decor to its heavenly painted ceilings, dream homes really don’t get dreamier than Versailles Palace — the former home of the French monarchy which sits just on the edge of Paris. The epitome of rococo extravagance and elegance, it makes one question why the rich and powerful of today would ever favour white-washed walls over the cherub-strewn frescoes and gold filigree of aristocrats past.
If you find yourself wandering through eighteenth century stately homes in a mix of awe and despair for the modern world then you’re in luck: Pinterest Predicts has named ‘rococo revival’ a key trend for 2025.
Inspired by 18th-century France (think Marie Antoinette, sky high wigs, and ridiculously frilly gowns), the style is characterised by elegant curves, intricate patterns, soft pastel colours and a playful sense of drama. ‘This look reimagines the charming aesthetic of rococo style for today’s home,’ explains accessories buyer at Furniture Village, Shelley Cochrane. ‘Think sofas with scrolled arms, decorative wooden furniture, large statement headboards, gilded lighting, and floral patterns.’
With the V&A’s new Marie Antoinette Style exhibition launching in September, it’s time to be re-inspired. Mirrored hallways and gold coated everything aside, here’s how you can bring a touch of rococo into your home without losing your head along the way.
Pastel, Pretty And Pink
The style celebrates delicate floral motifs and whimsically romantic interiors. To try the aesthetic for yourself, Shelley Cochrane recommends layering soft blush pinks and gentle lilacs with floral patterns. ‘These colours and motifs complement curved lines and detailed ornamentation, creating a harmonious and richly textured interior that honours the style’s romantic origins,’ she explains. Seek out flowery designs and rosebud pastels for an unapologetically feminine look.
The head of product & displays at Barker and Stonehouse, Magdalena Gierasinksa, adds that floral or botantical upholstery ‘perfectly capture the movement’s romantic and ornate spirit’. She recommends using fabrics adorned with intricate floral and botanical patterns to bring nature’s beauty inside your home.
Damask Wallpaper
Silky and soft, refined and elegant: damask wallpaper is a staple of any good rococo home. Saffron Hare, managing director at interiors company James Hare, explains how the brand’s new Rococo Collection seeks to ‘harmonise classic elegance with contemporary innovation’. Out with the off-white walls and in with extravagance. These luxurious damask wallpapers evoke the intricacy and detail of the rococo style, offsetting the soft sheen with a more subtle matt background to create an interplay of light and texture. By offering a mixture of flowing silks and detailed digital prints, these designs expertly pair the old and the new so you can have your cake and eat it too.
Frills Galore
The one thing the rococo aesthetic is not is minimalist. It’s about adding details, sprucing up and going as extra as your budget will allow. Don’t stop at a mere plain white pillow case — frills and ruffles are a must if you want to sleep in a bed fit for a queen.
French Bedroom founder and designer Georgia Metcalfe explains that ruffles have emerged as a key trend of the rococo revival, and introduce ‘a sense of drama, romance, movement and a touch of whimsy into the home’. Dating back to the 16th century, ruffles truly flourished in the rococo period, when fashion embraced feminine, opulence and intricate detailing. While they were initially reserved for frilled bodices and lace-trimmed sleeves, fashion soon came to influence interiors as ruffles emerged on upholstery later in the era.
Metcalfe explains that the current comeback of ruffles is driven by a desire for both nostalgia and modern romanticism: ‘As the popularity of stark minimalism continues to fade, the thrill of a frill aligns with the return of maximalist aesthetics and cosy, romantic interiors that reflect one’s character and personal style.’
While they work in all corners of the home, she recommends that they work best in the bedroom where they add a touch of softness and warmth to the space. ‘Ruffled bedding, curtains, upholstery and valances feel inviting and those who seek beauty in delicate, layered details will love the romance and charm of a ruffle,’ she explains. Scared of going overboard? Mix and match with more modern touches to prevent your space from looking too precious and contrived.
Gilded Statement Furniture
Golden scrolls, detailed carvings, and swooping curves – it’s time to elevate your bedframes and sofas to rococo standards. ‘Nobody does headboards quite like the French,’ explains Georgia Metcalfe. ‘Headboards have been used as a canvas to reflect the zeitgeist of their times and the tastes and priorities of Kings and Queens. Louis XV style is the best example of opulent and lavish furnishings, reflecting a Golden Age of French history in its ornate carvings and gilded finishes.’ Celebrating the curves of nature, the gentle edges of rococo furniture can bring a softening touch to the room and create a greater sense of space and comfort.
