Decorating in the French Style – Documentary DVD
From the rustic charms of a French provincial farmhouse, to the splendour of formal French interiors, Decorating in the French Style takes an in-depth look at how to create a home rich in French ambience. Examining the formal, semi-formal, classic-provincial and eclectic variations, this hour-long documentary aims to take the mystery out of this particular style, providing viewers with the tools and information they need to recreate it in their homes. Part of a larger series being released exclusively through masterartisan.com, this DVD is the work of passionate designer and craftsman, Jean-Christophe Burckhardt.
A leading expert who has been bringing French design to our homes and institutions for over two decades, Burckhardt has some solid advice for homeowners looking to decorate with a French flare.
“A lot of people, when they want to do something in the French style, tend to go neater and cleaner and it ends up looking a little dead. They are afraid in a sense to use something that is livelier,” he said.
Throughout the documentary Burckhardt illustrates how to create this lively feel, covering some of the basic elements of the style including painted finishes, fabrics and warm colour schemes. This information is coupled with design tips and practical examples, the designer taking the viewer through a number of properties he either worked on, or found through his dedicated interest.
One such property is an inviting farmhouse in Northern New South Wales, which Burckhardt asserts is an excellent example of the French provincial style.  Here, surfaces rarely flat, and the walls are broken into angles and alcoves. The farmhouse gives the impression of being constructed gradually over a number of years, a haphazard quality that lends to its authenticity. It seems that everything on the property has a natural, hand-built feel, an aspect that Burckhardt explains is extremely important to the French style.
“Human interaction is what really makes this style of home feel welcoming – marks to show that it has been interacted with,” he said.
Aside from showcasing homes modelled around this style, the documentary also gives viewers the chance to watch real craftsmen at work, taking a closer look at gilding and wood carving – two crafts integral to French design. Burckhardt’s clear passion for craftsmanship comes through in this section of the DVD, as he talks of the careful and delicate work that goes into crafting hand-made furniture.
“Few activities today give us the feeling of pride and achievement that a skill so honed can,” he says during the documentary.
“This is not just about shaping timber, any machine can do that, it is about allowing the material to speak to us. The true spirit of craftsmanship carries with it a magic that has the power to fascinate and uplift us beyond the everyday.”
 While this documentary is full of detailed information, it is not just for the experienced enthusiast. Burckhardt takes care to cover the basics, explaining how the style originated and evolved over time. This includes looking at its eclectic mix of multicultural influences; from the curves and carved motifs that were initially inspired by Chinese design, through to the Indian influence and prevalence of Islamic stimuli.
“In trying to understand what makes the French provincial look, it helps to talk about its history and multicultural influences,” he explained.
.jpg) “The south of France, like most Mediterranean countries, has a strong Islamic influence. Spain was one of the major Islamic centres in the world up to the early middle ages, so the Moorish influence in architecture, colours and even food is very strong.”
Working through the tools needed to create a friendly and intimate French feel, Decorating in the French Style is a must-have for the interested homeowner. Burckhardt’s informative examination of the history, and multicultural nature of the style, shows the viewer that anyone can integrate a touch of French ambience with the Australian environment and way of life – regardless of their level of experience.
If you would like to order the DVD ($19.95) you can do so online at www.christopheliving.com
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