IS THERE SUCH A THING AS FRENCH STYLE TODAY?

• In a recent issue of MAISON FRANÇAISE renowned French interior designers were asked if an identifiable French style exists in interior design today.

• Many answers addressed the globalization (mondialisation) of interior design and furniture styles. The advent of inexpensive air travel and international media outlets of the last 25 or 30 years has given the middle class exposure to a range of differing cultures with unique design ethos, once reserved for wealthy jet setters.

• The most interesting opinion, however, was expressed by decorator Michel Sauboua: "Je définirais le style français actuel comme la synthèse de toute l'histoire du mobilier. En France, nous recherchons une harmonie entre le passé, le présent and le futur," (I would define the French style now as a synthesis of all past furniture styles. In France we seek a harmony between the past, the present and the future.)

• This expression perfectly captures our design ethic - we are not interested in recreating 18th century Paris (as if we could!) - nor are we so modern that we can not appreciate the inimitable beauty of a hand-carved antique. A mixture is always more exciting than slavish adherence to a particular period or style.

Jane Pierce Losson
Interior Design Consulting