Ecole du Bon Gout: January 2014

Chers Amis de l'Ecole du Bon Goût! Bonjour d'Uzès!! The Louis XVI period is whole heartedly praised by many and is maligned by others!! Certainly the architecture, furniture and decorative arts were brilliant, fresh, new, intellectual and documented takes on their classical Roman antecedents! And yes, the life styles of many of that period were "libertine"!!! President Jefferson, the most "bon goût" Renaissance man to ever occupy the "Maison Blanche", came home from his tenure in Paris as ambassador (1784 to 1789) with a large shipment of "brand new" Louis XVI furniture and decorative arts. We know his taste was not only cutting edge but also flawless!

Here in Provence, the Louis XVI style had particularly fresh and easy going interpretations as it did in colonial Louisiane. We would call these interpretations "provincial" Louis XVI today. An interest in personal comfort and easier to live in interiors had become a relatively new concern at this period. This may be seen evidenced in the use of more comfortable "bergère" or closed arm chairs with loose cushion seats, painted furniture in general, as well as smaller more cozy rooms for personal use, as apposed to rooms of grand size built to impress and to receive the masses!

Following are photographs of some Louis XVI interiors as well as a selection of Louis XVI furnishings available at Au Vieux Paris Antiques, in case you would like to create a Louis XVI enclave of taste and comfort of your very own!! Come by the shop in Breaux Bridge in person, or call us at 337 332 2852 or visit the website at www.auvieuxparisantiques.com

Merci Cordialement, Robert E Smith