
Let Them Eat Cake! Inside The Marie Antoinette Inspired Rococo Revival Trend
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6 days ago
Rococo revival is the perfect way to introduce some royal elegance into your home
From its ostentatious decor to its heavenly painted ceilings, dream homes don’t get much 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.
And 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: the era of rococo revival is firmly upon us. Here’s what you need to know, plus how to get the look in your own home.
Frills, Bows & Ruffles: The Rococo Revival Trend, Explained
With the launch of the V&A’s Marie Antoinette Style exhibit, everyone from wedding dress designers to homeware brands are being re-inspired by 18th-century France. With sky high wigs and ridiculously frilly gowns in mind, the rococo 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.’ 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 & Pink
Rococo celebrates delicate floral motifs and whimsically romantic interiors. To try the aesthetic for yourself, Shelley 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.
Meanwhile Barker and Stonehouse‘s head of product and displays Magdalena Gierasinksa thinks floral and botantical upholstery ‘perfectly capture the movement’s romantic and ornate spirit’. She recommends using fabrics adorned with these intricate 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 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 rococo, 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 rococo isn’t is minimalist. It’s all about adding details, sprucing up and upping the ante as far as your budget will allow. Never 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.
‘Minimalism has had its moment, but this year, people are looking for more ways to inject joy and personality into their homes,’ muses Anna Jones, Furn’s interiors expert. Frilly fabrics might be viewed as old fashioned or outdated, but they can, in fact, have the opposite effect. ‘Bedding and cushions that feature ruffled trims and textures help create plush and vibrant layers that bring surfaces to life,’ Anna explains. ‘This adds dimension and visual interest in a way that’s flirty and youthful.’
French Bedroom founder and designer Georgia Metcalfe explains that ruffles introduce ‘a sense of drama, romance, movement and a touch of whimsy into the home’. Dating back to the 16th century, ruffles 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, ruffles eventually made their mark on upholstery later in the era.
Although they work in all corners of the home, Georgia recommends making the most of ruffles in the bedroom. ‘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,’ Georgia explains. ‘Headboards have been used as a canvas to reflect the zeitgeist of their times and the tastes and priorities of Kings and Queens.
‘The 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,‘ she adds. 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.
Feeling fantastic about the frills? Here’s our pick of the best ruffled homeware to shop right now.
The Rococo Revival Edit
Featured image courtesy of DFS. dfs.co.uk