The Beauty Is In the Details

All photographs by Jenifer Jordan
Web presentation produced by Lucy Fitzgerald

A long-standing favorite of Traditional Home readers, designer Charles Faudree masters the art of home decorating by layering components which evoke memories of faraway places and bygone eras. By pairing unexpected patterns and textures, he composes comfortable, elegant rooms with personality to spare. Faudree accessorizes with mementos that have personal meaning, saying it is the details that “give a room its soul.”

Known for bearing the standard for French style, here he also explores English, Asian, and Swedish influences, introducing contemporary pieces into the beguiling mix. He shares with us his inspirations in his book with Francesanne Tucker, Details (photography by Jenifer Jordan). The book is published by Gibbs-Smith. Click here.

Warm golden hues make a roaring fireplace all the more inviting. A pair of silver peacocks flank an urn on a flank a beautifully carved mantel. Two gilded French urns complement the hues in this inviting tasseled ottoman.

A symmetrical wallscape gives flight to the theme of this room, with antique prints of birds’ nests framed in natural woods. An empty birdcage exudes optimism, while the subtle earth tones of the daybed make you feel like you are in your own little nest. A subdued cheetah pattern helps maintain a wild side: Every room, Faudree says, needs a little animal print.

Arranging personal items on a tabletop is the perfect way to display your favorite memories while adding color and playfulness to an otherwise unremarkable surface. Faudree organizes tablescapes with his most beloved mementos, saying, “It presents an opportunity to include memories of friends and adventures to be enjoyed on a daily basis.”

Charles Faudree’s affection for dogs is celebrated in this large oil painting overlooking a beautiful Mettlach urn. Two custom salt glaze pottery lamps accentuate the urn’s design.

Rich blooms of color make for a lively library. Lush greenery brings to life a vibrant oil painting above an antique limestone Regency fireplace. The antique metal tureen on the mantel gives this room the feel of a garden greenhouse, while the candelabras on either side offer natural lighting, even on a gloomy day.

This floral toile feels right at home on a classic bergère. “You can buy fabulous antiques, but without the magic of the right fabrics to complement them, you’ve compromised their impact,” Faudree advises. A rustic but shapely end table adds utility to this modest space.

The medallion print of the pillow creates a relationship with the motif of the Queen Anne wing chair on which it rests. By integrating colors from the chair’s fabric, Faudree created an unexpected trim for the pillow to enhance the harmony.

The perfect hue of a fabric can bring out details that might otherwise be overlooked. Lovely soft blue upholstery accentuates the old azure finish of this chair, drawing the eye to its charming acanthus-leaf carving.

This open shelf display of plain white china has a gorgeous impact on this kitchen wall. The large size of the shelving is balanced out by the simplicity of its contents, making a wallscape that is not only eye-catching but also functional.

The warmth of the two candlestick lamps is enough to soften even the austere visage in the painting. The beautiful gilded frame adds richness to Lincoln’s portrait. A tasseled key hanging from an antique chest accents the verticality of this arrangement.