From the chic, Parisian aesthetic to the ever-popular French Country look, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of French style. Whether your home is in the inner-city or by the seaside, the French aesthetic is a versatile and popular one going by the number of French inspired Australian stores. Here are our top six.
Bastille and Sons: The creation of Toulouse born Valerie Moreno, Bastille and Sons is a purveyor of unique French artisan homewares. It was after fifteen years in Paris and a move to Sydney that Valerie sought to bring a dose of Parisian cool to our shores. The chic range includes a host of French brands and covers furniture, lighting and textiles. The brand’s gorgeous Croisette chair (pictured below) really put the brand on the map.
Little French: If you’re in the market for a gorgeous, vintage child’s bed then this is the place to go. Located in Sydney’s Marrickville, Little French stocks a gorgeous collection of unique, beautifully handcrafted children’s beds as well as beautiful vintage French posters to complement. All the beds have been refurbished by hand (if needed) and no two beds are the same which is what makes them so desirable. The brand describes the beds as ‘perfectly imperfectly’ which we absolutely love.
French Consul: A one-stop shop for French linen textiles, French Consul sells cushion covers, tote bags and table runners all made from 100 per cent certified French flax (and Irish woven) linen. The brand’s original line-up of wares was inspired by the classic French farmer’s ‘grain sack’ stripe, and the small production runs are sewn by Irish and Australian artisans.
Recently, the collection has expanded to include a range of textured, soft-washed linen that is grown and spun in France and woven and sewn in Ireland where linen has been made on the loom since the 17th Century. The collection’s insignia 17ème siècle “17th Century” is sewn on every product like a mending patch, representing the official date and formal start of the Irish linen trade led by French linen master, Louis Crommelin, in the late 1600’s.
Found in France: The perfect place to find an original French antique, piece of French vintage furniture or Gallic homewares, Found in France receives containers direct from France on a regular basis. From Louis chairs to armoires, light fittings, mirrors, artworks and more, the company ship its wares across Australia with cost-effective carriers.
French Knot: Offering French inspired homewares that complement the contemporary Australian home, French Knot pieces are classic and very affordable. There’s furniture, bathroom ware, artwork, decor, kitchen utensils and more. They also specialise in customised French memo ribbon boards, which are perfect for displaying everything from photos to invitations and holiday keepsakes.
French Cargo: A French and European lifestyle store as well as an interior design service, French Cargo has a fabulous mix of authentic French and European homewares, fashion, jewellery, candles, soaps, vintage and antiques sourced from local and overseas artisans as well as French flea markets. The store owner Kathie is particularly passionate about French and European linen and the store sells lots of fabulous styling objects too.
