The Paris Interior

The unparalleled sophistication and elegance of the Paris interior results from more than three centuries of sustained patronage of the decorative arts. Concerned with more than simply the grouping of furniture, the quintessentially French approach to design encompasses classic styles and historical fabrics, antiques and intimate objets trouvés, all combined with an exquisite, almost obsessive, attention to detail. Through large, wonderfully glowing color photos, focus on each of these decorative elements in turn. Nothing escapes scrutiny, as you're guided through such intriguing intricacies as the difference between chair legs of different periods and their continuing influence today. From the baroque grandeur of Louis XIV's court at Versailles to chinoiserie to modern-day fashions, trace the historical background, superb craftsmanship, and defining characteristics of Parisian design.