There are some stunning pieces of French Shabby Chic Furniture around at the moment and the stores have many different pieces on offer – both online and on your local high street..

Long gone are the days of MDF coffee tables and mass-produced wardrobes and now we are embracing the style of romantic-inspired chaise, luxurious dressers and old-fashioned sleigh beds.  Traditional French shabby chic furniture is made from beautiful craftsmanship, using several types of wood and many different fabrics.  It can be difficult to choose a statement piece of French furniture when there are so many choices available.  You could choose a large coffee table full of rustic charm or an oversized chest of drawers to dominate your bedroom.  Whatever piece you choose, a piece of French shabby chic furniture will transform your home and transport you to the Paris of yesteryear – even if you live in Folkestone rather than France!

You can always choose a replica piece of furniture with a much lower price tag if price is an issue.  Replica French shabby chic furniture is now available at many online stores so your next home purchase could be just a website away.

Key features to look out for in finding your latest piece.

Any items featuring gold-leaf detailing is a bonus if you can find it.  Usually something using this style of detailing and type of material will be slightly higher in price but it does give a great finish.

Aged or distressed finishes are a must-have.  This will give the piece of reproduction French furniture its character and ensure it looks homely and loved.

Any hand-finished detailing of beads and fabrics and embellishments is worth having.  It means that the piece has had time and effort put into it and will almost certainly be a one-off as no two pieces will turn out exactly the same when it is hand finished.

Metallic handles or miss-matched handles can make a piece stand out.  There are many different handles available so you need to make sure that the overall look that it creates flows, rather than just picking some random handles and sticking them on!

Any painted items should be in either: antique white, burnished gold, matt black or a mahogany finish.  Don’t worry about looking for anything which is too perfect.  Also remember that laminate and light woods are a no-no.

If you can find any silk fabrics, these are very luxurious – a real find if you come across a piece which has some in its detailing.  More commonly used as a detailing tool on things such as dressers and stools, an accent of silk can really set off a piece and make it stand out in your room.

Hand-carvings and intricate detailing should be obvious on a piece of reproduction French furniture.  This is especially true of the detail added to dining tables and oversized mirrors.

Boutique hotels are currently boasting amazing examples of Reproduction French Furniture up and down the country at the moment.  There are some great styles available, many of which are designed in mahogany and painted in  gold, white or black with intricate detailing.  Some particular standout pieces include huge sleigh beds, ornate dressers, wardrobes and occasional tables.

The genre of boutique hotels are known for their style and charm and this is reflected in the people who are paying to stay there.  The design of these hotels attract customers who are looking for somewhere a bit special and the furniture certainly forms a part of the look of these unique hotels.  Boutique hotels are renowned for their individuality and are a far cry from the typical larger hotel chains which cater for the mass population.  Reproduction French Furniture chosen for a specific theme in a hotel adds to its authenticity and gives the paying guest something a little bit different.

Of course, there will always be a market for those super-chains, especially for the businessperson and their need for a bed for the night.  If, however, you are looking for something a bit special then it’s fantastic to curl up on a rustic French chaise in one of the many boutique hotels that are on offer.

Many types of reproduction antique furniture exist in today’s market and Reproduction French Furniture is just one of the many options available to adorn your home at a very affordable price.  French furniture is incredibly steeped in the country’s history and has a sense of style running through each piece, with every ornate detail, and every carved cornice.

Reproduction French furniture can take inspiration from many eras of French history.  Ornate Gothic pieces arrived in the Medieval years with larger-than-life seating and tables moulded from French Oak.  This period also brought with it chunky carving which you can often see in reproduction pieces – usually in the form of religious scenes and symbols.  The Renaissance period brought with it a heavy Roman influence and much of the furniture actually resembled replica buildings in their ornate design.

Many eras and styles followed, each taking influence from political issues and reflecting it back into the homes of the French people.  The history of French furniture design is rich and an intriguing topic of research.  Each piece seems to have a story to tell and it can be as much fun finding out about the history of your piece as it is with owning it in your own home.

The perfect scene for a candlelit meal for two is a beautifully set table, and taking pride of place in the centre is a stunning baroque candelabra, dripping with glinting crystals which reflect the worn paint of the mirror hanging on the dining room wall.  Just outside the door in the hallway stands an ornate grandfather clock which gently chimes, matching perfectly the clink of the glasses as a toast is made…  You haven’t just stepped out of a Daphne Du Maurier novel, you’ve just been shopping for the fabulous Reproduction French Furniture which now resides in your home!

We all deserve a little bit of luxury in our lives and buying a real piece of French furniture is not an option for everybody due to the price tag which comes along with it.  If you haven’t had a Lotto win lately, it might be worth popping down to your trusted furniture store instead and seeing what they have available in the style of reproduction furniture.  Many eras are covered, depending on what style you wish to achieve in your own home.  Art Deco, Georgian, Edwardian…there’s a style to suit everyone and the particular genre of French Reproduction Furniture takes grandeur to a whole new level.  Your reproduction piece will look like it has cost a fortune – the only person who has to know that it didn’t is you!