Best of July 2013: High Style for High Summer

We've explored high style for high summer in many of our July blog posts. Topics included the glitzy design of a French palace, traditional royal nursery decor, and a star-studded antique armoire in our gallery. But high style comes in many guises, so let's revisit some of our favorite July posts.

I was thrilled to write the story behind this month's Star Buy Louis XIV Armoire. Dating to 1710, the wonderful antique Louis XIV armoire currently on consignment in our gallery was owned by the late movie critic, Gene Siskel. He bought it at the Biennale de Paris art festival. The walnut armoire or closet is beautifully decorated with a star design in relief on each of the two doors. As the armoire was crafted in France 300 years ago during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV, I started thinking about Louis XIV's great legacy: The Palace of Versailles. The palace is on on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and visitors from all over the world still flock to see it. Greg and I went too! The interiors are jaw-dropping, as you see in my post on Palace of Versailles historic interiors.

The French don't have a monopoly on high style, although Mechelen style antique furniture was influenced by the French Hunting style. Mechelen furniture hails from the Belgian city of Mechelen and it is heavily-carved with exotic details like lions' heads. I explained the history and how to recognize these lovely antiques in my post What is Mechelen Style Antique Furniture? I also looked at traditional and comforting farmhouse decor, which appeals to city-dwellers as much as it does to those who live in the country. The farmhouse look often relies on a few simple details, as described in my tips on how to create farmhouse style.

The world's media was all abuzz over the arrival of Princess Kate and Prince William's first baby. Every baby is a prince or princess, even if it's not heir to a throne and I gave ideas on designing a traditional style nursery. I was inspired by interior designers' pictures of how the new royal nursery might look.

Upcycled chandeliers were the topic of one of our client spotlights this month. We helped the new Tupelo Honey Cafe that recently opened Greenville, SC, by providing an upcycled chandelier to add to the restaurant's smart contemporary decor. The chandelier really is high style in more ways than one – you have to look up to see it! The upcycled chandeliers in our gallery illustrate the upcycling trend perfectly. Upcycling is a creative way of taking vintage items to refashion them into something completely different. For example, the spoondelier in this picture was custom-made by an artist using 360 vintage silverplate spoons.

On a similar note, we enjoyed hearing about this antique chair upholstery makeover by our client Susan. She gave new life to a set of twelve oak Renaissance style chairs she purchased from us. Our descriptions of the antique chairs at EuroLuxHome.com always mention if the upholstery needs replacing, and those chairs offer great value for money. They also offer the opportunity to add your own high style stamp by choosing your own upholstery fabric and colors.

I hope as we head into the high summer month of August, you're enjoying high style in your own home, however that looks to you!