When I was a young person there was a craze for “French Provincial” furniture with my parents’ generation. When I look at articles about “classic French Provincial” furniture, the pictures show ornate pieces of dark wood furniture. There are white and painted versions, but these weren’t so popular with my parents generation. The legs are curved- called cabriole - with the claw feet and there are little swoops and swirls in the wood trim. There’s the example below. Can you imagine the matching bed, side tables and chair in the bedroom? And head over to the dining room with a matching set of chairs and table like this? Don’t forget the Living Room if you are going to have a house with an integrated style.
French Provincial today - now it is known of as a blend between rustic charm and elegant simplicity, cleaner lines and natural materials and patterns. There are countless articles on French Provincial style now. I guess there were many in the 1960s as well. Today’s focus is on the rustic, farmhouse style rather than the grand chateau. Beyond the grand chateau is the Trump style - the opulent 18th century French court style in the era of King Louis XIV and the Palace of Versailles. I am relieved that didn’t get popular in my childhood.
Here’s the Betty’s Sofa at the Watering Can. This came from someone my sister knew - “Betty.” It came from her living room to adorn the Watering Can for quite a few years. In the Watering Can setting it is vibrant and alive with lots of style. At Betty’s it likely was covered with plastic to keep it protected from pets, children and all things fun. Since this photograph, it has been replaced with a similar sofa - it was so well-loved and used for photo ops that it wore out. I am sure there are many around the Niagara area to keep the tradition of a French Provincial sofa photo op set alive at the Watering Can for a long time.
