Decorating an Antique French Console Table in Your Contemporary Home

One of the first things that comes to mind when considering French antiques is the lavishness of design seen in palaces like Versailles, built specifically for the royal family. The extremely gold-gilt, Rococo-like work of art was not the sole source of all historic and significant French design, though.

History of French Console Tables

One may learn a lot from looking into the past of an antique console table. This furniture item is thought to have been inspired by the styles popular in France and Italy. Large console tables were a must-have in palaces and other aristocratic homes from the end of the 17th century until well into the 18th century. They had dramatic patterns with deftly gilded surfaces and finely carved accents.

Originally, console tables were mounted to walls with S brackets called consoles to give the impression that they were freestanding, and had a half-moon-shaped top on two legs. Even to this day, you may find a few examples of similar designs. However, contemporary console tables typically don't need brackets and may stand on their own.

Console tables have evolved from their initial aesthetic use. There was very little practicality to their construction. They started off just as ornamental pieces, but with time they evolved into more functional items.

How to Dress Up a Living Room with an Antique Console Table

An antique console table is a great choice if you want to add more surface area to your living room or if you just feel that your current setup is too bare and empty. It may serve as a bar, or you can use it as an opportunity to showcase some of your most prized possessions.

If you're a homeowner who's looking to make the most of your limited square footage, a vintage French console table is a wonderful investment.

An accent item such as a console table may not be very large, but it may have a significant visual influence on the space it's part of. Leaving it unadorned draws unwanted attention to this particular table.

Instead, use this extra space to decorate and set up a vignette that fits your personal tastes. Learn from the following handy tips on how to decorate your antique console table and show off your refined taste in French home décor.

Create a Well-coordinated Approach.

Getting a well-coordinated look for your console table starts with choosing pieces that go well together. If the decorations you choose are random and don't go together well, your console table could look messy and full. You may avoid this by using a consistent color palette or theme.

Pick a Focal Piece

Making use of a focal piece is essential when designing a console table. Your design scheme's focal piece is the main, most important part to which all the other parts relate and to which the eye is drawn.

This can be a giant photograph, a sculpture, or even a single light, but knowing what it is can help you decorate around it more effectively. If you don't, you run the danger of having either too many or no focal pieces at all.

Simplify the Design

A busy or ornately decorated antique French console table could not work with the rest of the decor in your room. Keeping it simple with a few decorations might help keep your room from being too mismatched.

A minimalist design scheme is an option if you're going for a modern look. One method is to select large enough ornaments for the space so that they appear well-organized and planned.

Adopt a Cutting-Edge Style

We here at Eloquence and most interior decorators will tell you that a French console table should have accessories that are symmetrical. Depending on the style of your house, though, a more modern approach might be better.

Some well-planned asymmetry, for instance, might look excellent in a space with a more eccentric, colorful, and rustic vibe. You can't find a more up-to-date alternative than this.

Nonetheless, you should check for visual harmony to make sure everything appears right. Try experimenting with grouping a sculpture, some flowers, and a signature lamp to get a layout that is still well-balanced but has a more contemporary and lively vibe.

Show Off Some Art

Exhibiting prized artwork may be made easier with the help of a console table. Artworks may include everything from prints to sculptures to ceramics. Instead of hanging a flat piece of painting, you might use a freestanding frame to display the piece.

French console tables can help you create a country look that is either casual and rustic or more refined and elegant. Antique console tables may be found at Eloquence.com in a variety of designs, from those with curving, cabriole-leg consoles to those in the Louis XVI style with rustic finishes.