Empire Style: Authentic Decor

Synopsis

France's Empire period, guided by the grand visions of the Emperor Napoleon and the more domestic ones of Josephine, was one of the most sumptuous and creative epochs in French furniture and interior design. By 1800, Neoclassical architects Percier and Fontaine had left an indelible mark on the Imperial residences and on the homes of the country's leading families. The elegant sensibility of this period reflected a nostalgia for the treasures of ancient Rome and Egypt and resulted in the creation of harmonious interiors to match equally fine facades. Bernard Chevallier takes the reader on a detailed, room-by-room tour through the finest Empire antechambers, bedrooms, libraries, salons and beyond. This beautifully illustrated volume will be a captivating read for historians, decorators and art lovers alike.