I’ve been working on creating a really rich, elegant space full of beautiful shapes and textures. You can see my plans for the décor in this presentation that I put together for the client before we began.

The furniture has my favorite classic French feel to it – Louis XVI side chairs for dining chairs, and a custom dining table designed by AVID. The table is two-toned, with a painted base and a stained solid hardwood top that will be both durable and hard-wearing. I love the carvings too – they add a touch of grandeur to a functional piece. As for the fabric, we’ve chosen some beautiful prints by my absolute favorite textile manufacturer Pierre Frey. I simply adore the gorgeous colors and designs they produce, and the client and I both fell in love with the deep reds and purple tones in this particular nature-inspired fabric.

The windows are to be dressed simply yet elegantly with drapery panels, and I’ve chosen some lovely custom-painted barstools with Micheal Smith fabric for extra seating. We also went for a simple arrangement of florals that will add some color but not overwhelm the area. But my favorite find has to be the antique secretary, a beautiful piece with gorgeous hardware and amazingly detailed carving. It opens up to reveal several tiny drawers and shelves, which means even though it’s such a classic piece, it’s perfect for storing all those modern accessories like iPhones and keys and the like!

Wondering if you’re brave enough to experiment with color? Let me help you out by showing you some of the pieces I’m loving right now. This canary yellow armchair has verve and vibrancy in spades, and yet retains a classic look because of its shape and style. Wouldn’t you just love to sink into one of these after a long day at work? I think the color alone would help me feel less tired!

Chair by Lilian August, available at Amitha Verma Interior Design, LLC

In fact, bright yellow is one of my favorite shades to accessorize with these days. One of our most loved treasures here at Village Antiques right now is this fabulous antique yellow French commode, which is basically a low chest of drawers. Just look at the amazing carvings and the hardware!

I also really love this adorable side table by AVID, although the finish is more gold than yellow, but the elegant curves are simply irresistible.

(Source: Pinterest)

Or how about this petite cocktail table? I think this piece is both versatile and elegant – in fact I’m very tempted to get one for myself!

And if you’re worried about how you’ll live with a really brightly colored piece and are not sure you really want to take the plunge, there’s a way around that too. Why not experiment with some brightly hued pillows, like these ones, and inject some color without effecting radical change? It’s the perfect compromise!

Intricate ceiling designs can be created in a number of ways, using beams, plaster or a coffer design. Exposed beams are great for the French country look, and I like incorporating this element into more casual spaces with high ceilings.

(Source: Designs That Inspire)

I think coffered ceilings look beautiful in larger rooms, and recently created one for a project I’m currently working on. You can see how the design creates depth and adds a layer of visual interest to the room even before it is furnished.

Amitha Verma Designs

Coffering basically refers to a set of sunken panels in the shape of squares, rectangles or octagons in the ceiling. The tradition began in the Loire Valley in France during the early Renaissance – this probably explains why I love it so much! I think even when subtly done, a coffered ceiling works beautifully with French-inspired furniture and elegant textiles.

(Source: House Beautiful)

I often like to take things one step further and introduce intricate designs and patterns into the ceiling as well. My inspiration could come from just about anywhere. Recently I spotted a gorgeous pair of earrings in InStyle magazine that sparked the idea for my next ceiling (pics of that project coming up soon!)

Essentially I just love the idea of introducing more color and style into an element of the space that often gets overlooked. Ceilings deserve to be beautiful too, don’t you think?

Amitha Verma Designs

You might be thinking, how do you know what to look for at a fair like this one, and even more importantly, how do you know what to invest in? For newcomers to the antiquing field, I always suggest starting with a small piece to get your feet wet. Start small, and then work your way up to your ‘antique comfort zone’. Antiques are a wonderful investment and the true quality pieces more often than not tend to retain their value.

With an eye out for really special pieces, I wandered around the fair. One of the first pieces that caught my attention was this lovely bench. I simply love the amazing carving, and the gorgeous green patina is just beautiful! This would be a great piece in an entry hall, at the end of a twin size bed, or in the midst of a seating arrangement.

Another great piece to start out with is a secretary. Oh, how I love secretaries! This was my first antique purchase, and I just adore this type of furniture. This is a great piece that can be used as dropzone or even as a substitute for a nightstand by a bedside.

I love that beautiful metal arcade around the top of this secretary! These are the kinds of details that I usually look for when hunting out a quality piece. (Note: Gatorade not vinage). I especially love the gilded chair that’s paired with this secretary. Oh and that stripe – so pretty, classic but a bit geometric.

I also really liked this elegant console with the matching tremeau (mirror)- just perfect for a sophisticated entry hall.

There were so many other pieces that I fell in love with at the fair… more details next time!

One of my crazes is for foo dogs, Chinese inspired figurines that symbolize guardians or protectors. They come from the original Chinese lions that traditionally stood guard outside temples, estates and grand homes or palaces. Nowadays they are much more attainable however, and should always be bought in pairs.

(Source: Circa Who)

My favorites include the Cloisonne foo dogs, which are made of beautiful decorative enamel and turquoise foo dogs. Though you might think the turquoise ones are only a passing fad – they can be seen just about everywhere right now – I really feel they are more of a design classic.

(Source: Carnaby Home)

Foo dogs are often designed with fairly frightening-looking faces, sometimes looking downright appalling, but that is really just a part of the beauty and appeal for me. They may be unconventional, but they really help to make a statement in an interior space, as in this entry hall.

(Source: Evie’s Independent Living)

But if foo dogs are too severe-looking for your taste, why not opt for alternative dog figurines with a little more homely charm? Staffordshire dogs, which originate in England, are definitely a cuter, more palatable kind of dog. These too started out as decorative pieces for upper class homes, but by the end of the nineteenth century they were amongst the most coveted of English-made porcelain figures. Today they are still a real collector’s item!

(Source: Old Sweetwater Cottage)

Another coloration that you might see around is the pretty red and white colored staffordshire pieces like the dogs in the center.

(Source: Cottone Auctions)

What do you think: would you decorate with dog-inspired figurines in your home? And which style would you prefer?

(Source: Chelsea Textiles)

Chelsea Textiles has these amazing little classic check patterns I love to use on benches, chairs, drapes, in breakfast rooms, mudrooms and bedrooms. It’s a classic favorite, and there’s no denying that a strong geometric print never goes out of style. See how it looks on this bench – just charming!

(Source: Chelsea Textiles)

I found so many unique prints, I could hardly decide which I liked the most! They are especially known for their embroidered fabrics, such as this  beautiful embroidery  – graceful floral sprays and cheerful yellow blooms…I have such a fancy for all these amazing hand embroidered textiles, and we use them to create accessory pillows in our projects.

(Source: Chelsea Editions)

(Source: Chelsea Editions)

The furniture collection is equally stunning. Many of the pieces are Swedish- and French-inspired, with gorgeous painted finishes. I find myself tempted to include them in my latest project…

(Source: Chelsea Textiles)

I especially love this little writing desk. I found a similar antique one a few years ago, and the style and the shape really attracted me. This is a great piece to put in an entry area as a drop zone, to store keys, mail, cards, stamps and so on.

The gorgeous lacquered pieces are really appealing to me too. Just one of these high-glamor items is enough to add a really modern, stylish touch to a room!

(Source: Chelsea Textiles)

(Source: Quatrefoil Design)

I find these carved ivory discs so beautiful – they add instant prestige and integrity to a room. Before I use them in any of my current clients’ homes though, I am getting ready to put some up in my own house and office! There are so many lovely ways to display them… I wonder if mounting them on a dark background, as in the bedroom below, would work better? I have to admit, the contrast of ivory and chocolate is so elegant and yet so warm – just right for a cozy bedroom!

(Source: Amy Morris Interiors)

Another display of intaglios that caught my eye – and my imagination – is this gorgeous cluster of intaglios set in ornate blue and gold frames. The placement of the intaglios, along with the shape of the frames, creates the impression of two oversized brooches on the wall – so pretty!

(Source: Cote de Texas)

I’m so inspired, I can’t wait to see how they look on my own walls! Off to do some decorating…

(Source: Tulu Textiles)

The fabrics on the bed above come from a design house called Tulu, which specializes in bold, bright prints and hues. So many of these beautiful prints are inspiring me these days. I especially like the rich shades they use. Used against a crisp white background, the colors ‘pop’ even more, creating a really spectacular effect.

(Source: Tulu Textiles)

One of the other companies I’m really loving right now is Les Indiennes, which produces a line inspired by the colors and shapes of India.

(Source: Les Indiennes)

The great thing about prints like these is that they can really infuse a room with personality, even one with a simple, rustic décor. I’ve fallen for the rich, saturated hues, the beautiful patterns, and the pretty linen-like backgrounds.

(Source: Les Indiennes)

I love the patterns too – especially the paisley prints, which are so reminiscent of traditional Indian designs. Even in the simplest of color combinations, they look so elegant!

(Source: Les Indiennes)

Amitha Verma Interior Design

The counter set the tone for the rest of the décor. I designed a palette of rich golds and pale creamy tones to complement the red, and had a custom Louis XV-inspired cabinet made especially for the room. The hardware was so much fun to select – we were like kids in a candy store! Eventually we settled on this beautiful mismatched antique brass hardware with a natural patina.

Amitha Verma Interior Design

We decided to wainscot the wall to get in a little more stonework and used this amazing border from Walker Zanger with our vulcan red onyx tones and deep gray coloring. It was so decadent, it really fit in with our overall look. On the walls we worked with Segreto Finishes to apply venetian plaster, and this ever-so-slight motif was sprinkled on top of the plaster. Finally, I picked a really subtle Rose Tarlow print for the small window covering, something that would blend in rather than detract from the dramatic red. And here’s the finished effect!

Amitha Verma Interior Design

(Source: Elle Decor)

Some of the garden stools I have come across have been so pretty, I wonder if anyone could actually bring themselves to sit on them! I often see gorgeous ceramic stools which originate from China but which work very well within French-style interiors – whether in an outdoor setting or an indoor one. Since many French styles are inspired by Asian design, the blend usually works really well. See how well these ceramic stools match in a semi-formal veranda setting?

(Source: House Beautiful)

I’m a big fan of versatile pieces, and I love how these stools look just as good inside the home too. I like how these Chinese stone stools look just right in this neutral toned entry hall. The shape and form remind me of the beautiful pottery I saw on my last antique-hunting trip to France, especially the pretty confit jars that are so popular over there.

(Source: House Beautiful)

When stools are this ornamental, it seems a shame to use them just as extra seats. They make very pretty and unusual side tables too, and with such a range of designs and artwork, they can hold their own even in formal rooms. Or how about a single carved stool next to your favorite easy chair to hold your book and a miniature vase of flowers?

(Source: House Beautiful)