Country Chateau Inspiration
Country chateaus are staple features of a rural luxury trip to Europe, and can now be emulated in any home. Country chateaus exude sophisticated, subtle opulence which is exemplified by their tasteful gold and soft decor, dark wood and cushy furniture. Chateaus are typically designed in the monumental style of 16th Century French and European mansions and castles, boldly stating refinement and lavishness without becoming gauche. Typically housing the elite lords and gentility, chateaus are renowned for being stately country estates that ooze quiet magnificence.
As typical chateaus are large in scale, a blank canvas is almost a pre-requisite to any renovation of a standard house into a country chateau. Chateaus are celebrated for their large airy rooms containing choice pieces of furniture that softly scream majesty. High ceilinged rooms with vast amounts of natural lighting help produce the stately aura of a country chateau during the daytime, whilst a few well-placed lamps help create a cosy ambience at night-time.
Bedroom
The dark furniture and light flooring of this bedroom classically encompasses the country chateau design. The dark wood of the furniture is enhanced by the soft gold and yellows of the walls and carpet. The timeless four-poster bed adds a classic grandness to the room and highlights the rural and comfortable ambience.
Four-Poster Bed – £2,195
This Keraton carved four poster bed brings warm wooden tones to the bedroom, whilst the distinctive carvings add a distinctly rustic charm. The top bars are removable, providing the option of having a canopy draped around the bed. A warm, heavy canopy draped over this frame will give the room more comfort and grandeur.
http://www.lombok.co.uk/cid/CYKT3ERB2LKMU58GHCS2WDPZO1I00FSE/Keraton-Carved-Four-Poster-Bed-PKERATONCARVBED/
Chest of Drawers – £449
The dark, earthy tones of this antiqued distressed chest of drawers match the mahogany wood of the four poster bed. The chest of drawers carries a distressed charm through its manipulated wood, which provides the aura of an heirloom or relic from the 17th Century. When spaced away from the bed, the chest of drawers helps to carry the old-world charm of the four poster bed around the otherwise uncluttered room.
http://www.la-maison-chic.co.uk/Item/Antiqued-Black-Distressed-Chest-Of-Drawers
Side Chair –£259.99
This Francesca side chair helps to soften the room and counterbalances the otherwise gloomy dark tones of the bed and chest of drawers. The mahogany frame of the chair matches the other furniture, whilst the cream upholstery complements the light flooring and walls. This hand-made product invites people to relax in luxury in their country chateau.
http://www.wayfair.co.uk/Classic-Quarters-Francesca-Side-Chair-15360-ZOF1156.html
Living Room
Rich, earthy tone, exposed stone brickwork, wooden flooring and pale golden walls help recreate the country chateau in this living room. The brown leather furniture invites people to relax after a day spent outdoors in the country, whilst the tasteful scatter cushions create the impression of ordered disarray. The cosy lighting in the form of the overhead light, lamps and roaring fireplace create an ambience that can only be achieved by the mood lighting here.
Sofa – £2,995
A rustic leather sofa is a pre-requisite for any country chateau, and the timeless beauty of this three-seater Andrew Martin Rebel sofa helps bring the living room some tasteful elegance. The dark fudge tones of the distressed leather, nail-head trim and shapely armrests of this chunky sofa create an authentically aristocratic ambience in any country chateau’s living room.
http://www.andrewmartin.co.uk/rebel-sofa-leather.php
Armchair – £899.99
This classic armchair features a luxury seat, attractive button detailing, elegant scroll arms and carved oak legs. The golden tones of this velvet armchair counterbalance the dark shades of the sofa whilst the oak legs continue the theme of dark wooden furnishings throughout the house, altogether providing the illusion of heirlooms and relics from an earlier century.
http://www.wayfair.co.uk/Gallery-Lamont-Armchair-HQQ1601.html
Lamp – £133.99
Several of these Tiffany lamps dotted around the living room help create a warm glow in any country chateau, which is perfect for those long winter nights in the country. The muted radiance of these lamps create a relaxed ambience, and when placed next to the sofa and chair are perfect for creating the right light to curl up with a book.
http://www.wayfair.co.uk/Loxton-Lighting-Beige-Table-Lamp-MT22TL8-LOX1900.html
Kitchen
The heart of any country home has to be the kitchen, and this rustic kitchen exemplifies the spirit of any country chateau. The marble work surfaces and stone flooring help lift the tones of the mahogany cupboards and chairs, whilst tasteful over head lighting creates brightness in the room without any bulky light fixtures dwarfing the open beauty of this kitchen.
Ceiling Lantern – £275
Classic meets contemporary with this four light ceiling lantern. Made from unadorned iron and clear glass, these ceiling lights will create a cosy ambience in the kitchen of any country chateau. Hanging up to one metre from the ceiling and spaced apart, these lights will create spotlighting in the kitchen, and are suitable for the high ceilings of typical chateaus.
http://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/4-light-ceiling-lantern
Kitchen Island – £360.53
This black finish wooden kitchen island features a granite top and casters, helping to create the dark wood and light surfaces that are renowned features of country chateau interior design. The island has space for wine glasses and bottles, making it a useful storage facility, whilst stools brought up to the island instantly give the island a breakfast bar function.
http://www.bonanzamarket.co.uk/listings/Chefs-Helper-Black-finish-wood-kitchen-island-cart-with-granite-top-and-casters/132410659?gpid=68416460461&gpkwd=&goog_pla=1&gclid=CjwKEAiA_4emBRCxi8_f2cWWjFcSJAB-v1qyY0JfdiMASjuZNXLQxtSH5Y-ZAFfo46yvkKM12pyYSxoCgjrw_wcB
Floor Tiles –£89.91 per Square Metre
These Westhampton Marble tiles are made from hard, crystalline rock and are hardwearing and dense. Their light dappled design gives warmth to any kitchen, which instantly brightens wooden tones and adds depth to any kitchen. These are perfect for a country chateau as their aged, ‘worn in’ appearance gives an antiquated and archaic impression.
http://www.firedearth.com/tiles/range/westhampton/westhampton-marble-tumbled-edge-and-surface
Range Cooker – £1,708
Include modern amenities in a traditionally-designed chateau kitchen with a classic range cooker. This dual fuel slate oven features chrome trimming and an 81 litre oven capacity. The range cooker provides a modern twist to the open ranges that would have been favoured in the 17th Century, helping to bring the kitchens of country chateaus into the 21st Century.
http://www.rc-uk.co.uk/Rangemaster-105960-Professional-Plus-Deluxe-100-Dual-Fuel-Slate?gclid=CjwKEAiA_4emBRCxi8_f2cWWjFcSJAB-v1qysyAKMdph-RdXM0gvSTrXfxhLlTDYexjLKjn6YDlYxBoCkT3w_wcB
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