Louis XIV

Unmistakably Royal, Undeniably French

By Lisa Marie Metzler

The reign of King Louis XIV (1643-1715) brought splendor and opulence to the world of interior design. During this golden age, French taste became the standard of excellence and was the envy of Europe.

King Louis XIV commissioned his own furniture, namely enormous pieces with lavishly ornate design. His royal style is typified with his love for large-scale beds. He reportedly found his so comforting, he often held court in his bedroom. Other Louis XIV designs include plush chairs and sofas set against a backdrop of palatial columns and pilasters.

The furniture, rectangular in design, featured compass-created curves and upholstered silk embellished with hand-woven fringes and silver or gold nail heads. Undeniably formal, these pieces were surprisingly comfortable and displayed a striking color contrast to the often pale background colors of the room.

The massive beds fashioned in Louis XIV style were often found sheltered in an alcove adorned with tapestries. Richly carved ornamentation is the norm for Louis XIV furniture, including secretaries and marble-covered tables topped with busts, pottery and terra-cotta urns to accessorize the room.

The Louis XIV bedroom wouldn't be complete without at least one marble-crafted mantle with detailed woodwork. Large plate mirrors placed above the mantle and other locations throughout a Louis XIV styled suite reflect chandeliers and paintings of mythological scenes or historical portraits enclosed in circular frames on oak finished walls.

In the time of King Louis XIV, bedroom furniture frequently topped oak parquet or black and white marble tile floors. Thick, plush carpets dotted the floor, reflecting patterns and colors complementing the architecture. The use of gods, goddesses, cupids, fruit cornucopias, as well as the king's monogram and his symbol (a sun with spreading rays), were placed in a cartouche above door entries or in the center of a wall panel.

Louis XIV style is a timeless design perfect for those who want to lounge in a French-inspired bedroom.

Kilim (pronounced kE-ilEm) is a word of Turkish origin. The kilim rug is a pileless textile used as floor covering or displayed on a wall. The first kilims were communication centerpieces for telling stories and legends. The essence of a kilim is said to be love, peace and understanding; kilims are rich in symbolism with their use of motifs, designs and colors. The rug is created by using a flat weaving technique, a practice believed to have originated in Central Asia. The interweaving of various colored wefts and warps and finished edges make a kilim rug a unique addition to home decor. Wool is the primary material used to make kilims, though sometimes cotton and animal hair such as goat or camel are used with the wool. Often an artist will embellish a kilim with beads or gold and silver thread. Artists find the wool easy to handle when spun or woven and able to readily absorb dyes. For the owner, the subtleness and durability of this rug make it worthy of a family heirloom.

Caring for your kilim requires special guidelines. When placing a kilim on wood flooring, use a padded backing. Keep the rug out of direct sunlight and when placing the rug under furniture, use coasters to distribute furniture weight more evenly. Choose a low traffic area to place your rug to avoid extra wear and tear. Vacuuming a kilim should be done using a low suction setting. Vacuum both sides, but not the fringe. Washing a kilim is best handled by a professional specializing in this type of rug. Never send your kilim to a dry cleaner or general cleaning company as they often use chemicals that will damage the rug. Professional cleaning should be done every three to five years. With special care, a kilim is sure to be a family treasure passed on from generation to generation.

Want to see more?

• French Linens: Luxurious Indulgence for Your Home
• French Antiques: Bringing Old-World Style Home
• French Country Fabrics: Using Fabrics to Create a French Feel
• Talk about it!