Palais et Château

Sales of natural wooden products at French Bedroom have risen by 34%, confirming what tastemakers already know: the unfinished and authentic beauty of Châteaucore is firmly back in style.

As the V&A prepares to unveil the exhibition: ‘Marie Antoinette Style’ this September, French Bedroom celebrates the enduring allure of castles and palaces through the romantic lens of Châteaucore - a revival of French aristocratic elegance that continues to inspire modern interiors. With velvet upholstery, gilded trims, and rococo silhouettes, the collection channels Versailles-level opulence in a way that feels both nostalgic and relevant.

Fittingly, Marie Antoinette remains an icon of this aesthetic, though often misunderstood. The phrase “Let them eat cake”, long misattributed to her, was never uttered by the queen herself but has endured as a symbol of perceived extravagance and detachment. In reality, her legacy is far more nuanced, echoing the same tension that Châteaucore plays with today: a love for refinement and beauty, tempered by a yearning for authenticity.

While modern design embraces clean lines and minimalism, Châteaucore offers its own form of refinement that is rich in detail, emotionally expressive, and entirely curated. Georgia Metcalfe, Founder and Creative Director at French Bedroom, says: “The key is to keep it relaxed, ensuring a good balance of antique, vintage, and new. Fresh bed linen and soft furnishings coupled with vintage accessories is how we are styling Châteaucore.”

Although these styles may seem worlds apart, both share a devotion to craftsmanship, atmosphere, and thoughtful design. In contemporary interiors, an elegant chandelier such as our La Petite Chambery 6-Arm French Chandelier, or the intricately carved Glorious Gilt Mirror, becomes more than decoration—it becomes a story, a memory, a mood. Châteaucore does not reject the modern. It softens it, adding a sense of beauty that is deeply personal and poetically lived.