French Knockoffs

3.30.2014

Not everyone can afford or get their hands on authentic French antiques or accessories, but you can get the look with reproductions or by transforming a piece of furniture with paint like I have done a few times. This is how I get the look and I call them French knockoffs.


I painted this hutch in many layers with blues and grays and a bit of antique gold thrown in. It went from very traditional brown to looking like a vintage French antique.

I also painted and recovered the chairs. Checks and toile always say French country.

I swapped out two chairs for this beautiful tufted bench with curvy legs. 

I painted this sideboard years ago and it has been repainted a couple of times. The more layers and aging the better and a French blue can't hurt.

Also you don't have to have a real French chandelier. This one that I purchased several years ago was under $300. I say knockoffs are a good thing.

So get out those paintbrushes and staple guns and transform ordinary pieces into some French knockoffs.

You can check out what the dining room looks like now in 2018 here after I was finally able to afford some authentic French antiques. The hutch above was painted again and moved to a guest bedroom and you can see that here.


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41 comments:

  1. Confessions of a Plate Addict3/30/14, 6:47 AM

    I love your dining room, Kim! Your hutch looks amazing and the ironstone is the perfect complement. You are indeed a master of the paint brush! Happy Sunday!...hugs...Debbie

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  2. Sonny G3/30/14, 7:20 AM

    Beautiful and Stunning..

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  3. La Petite Gallery3/30/14, 7:54 AM

    Kim,
    You did a bang up job in that refinishing.
    Did you take a course? Very pro looking.
    yvonne

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  4. Unknown3/30/14, 8:02 AM

    I love that layered blue! Come paint our new cabinets in the room over the garage for me please. LOL And that yellow check is the perfect combo with that blue.
    Happy Sunday to you, Kim!

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  5. Unknown3/30/14, 8:03 AM

    I love your dining room and that painted hutch is beautiful!! Excited to look at everyone's version of Country French!

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  6. Shirley@Housepitality Designs3/30/14, 8:10 AM

    Your dining room is "iconic"...I wish I could paint layers like you do...the hutch is so wonderful and the bench is perfect....Now I am in line first before Kelly!!!....Going to love this series!

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  7. Shelia3/30/14, 8:25 AM

    Morning Kimmie! I love your dining room and it's so beautiful! I remember when you transformed your china cabinet.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  8. Junkchiccottage3/30/14, 8:42 AM

    Hi Kim,
    Oh I just love your dining room. That chandelier is killer and your paint technique on the furniture is gorgeous. Love that bench too. The room is just beautiful.
    Kris

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  9. Amber ~ The French Pressed Home3/30/14, 9:58 AM

    I love so many things in your dining room, Kim! Wishing you a wonderful and peaceful Sunday.

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  10. Kelly3/30/14, 9:59 AM

    Love how you transformed those pieces with paint. I also think the colors you used in that room (blue and yellow) are very country French.

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  11. Patty @ That's So Pretty3/30/14, 10:29 AM

    Love this new series added to your posts! Love, Love, Love the blue in the HUTCH! and the swap out bench!! :)

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  12. lynn cockrell3/30/14, 11:15 AM

    Your dining room is so beautiful! Country French and Eclectic are my favorite styles in decorating and your pictures always inspire!

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  13. Mary Ann Pickett3/30/14, 11:49 AM

    I love the patina of your hutch and how you painted the inside.

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  14. Sarah3/30/14, 12:28 PM

    Kim, I've told you many times that I admire not only your talent for transforming pieces of furniture, but for your amazingly high energy that gets it all done. Your dining room is absolutely lovely. I'd find myself sitting in this beautiful space most of the day if I lived in your home.
    The collection of white ironstone is a perfect compliment to the transformed hutch. I lucked out yesterday when I stopped by a favorite consignment shop. Picked up a nice ironstone platter for $10. Last time I visited the same shop I left with a hefty ironstone pitcher for $30. I don't have all that many pieces, so don't have them grouped as you do. Love the look, so perhaps someday I will. '-)

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  15. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage3/30/14, 3:14 PM

    Always love your cupboard!! So pretty and definitely french country!! Glad to be touring with you today!!

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  16. Unknown3/30/14, 4:17 PM

    What a wonderful series of bloggers, topic and pictures. Thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon reading all the stories and tips on how to add the French look to my home.

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  17. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse3/30/14, 5:01 PM

    I like that blue sideboard. It was very interesting to read what makes a room look "French", as I have actually a hard time defining it! It might be weird, but I think the closer you are to something the least you see it, maybe?

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  18. Debbiedoos3/30/14, 5:07 PM

    I love how you transformed your dining room. Certainly has changed from way back our RMS days. If they can see it now LOL!

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  19. NanaDiana3/30/14, 5:36 PM

    Oh, yeah- Your dining room just exudes French Country charm. I love it...from the hutch to the bench it is perfect! xo Diana

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  20. LAC3/30/14, 7:14 PM

    A couple of paint questions....what are the colors of your walls and ceiling in dining room? Also what kind of paint did you use on the furniture...really looks good!! Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style3/30/14, 7:46 PM

      LAC, there is a highlighted link in the text for the hutch, chairs and buffet that go back to the original posts with that info. The walls are Swiss Coffee by Behr paint and the ceiling is Yorktown Harbor by Benjamin Moore.

      thanks

      Delete
  21. Carol@6WilsonBlog.com3/30/14, 8:44 PM

    Sigh. As always.

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  22. Pam3/30/14, 9:05 PM

    Beautiful Kim! My style has been mostly French Country. So my question is which is it, French Country or Country French? I have books with both titles, same as magazines!

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  23. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting3/30/14, 10:05 PM

    Kim your hutch is my favorite piece of furniture that you transformed...LOVE how it turned out!

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  24. Yvonne @ StoneGable3/31/14, 12:21 AM

    Just perfection, Kim! I love everything about your dining room!

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  25. sharon santoni at my french country home3/31/14, 5:37 AM

    Hi Kim, what a beautiful dining room; I just love the way the blue interior to your sideboard just makes your china pop! So pretty.
    best
    Sharon

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  26. Anita at Cedar Hill 3/31/14, 10:04 AM

    Oh it's gorgeous!! Thanks for joining me on this super fun event!! I just love your dining room, and could look at it all day!!

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  27. Kathy3/31/14, 6:08 PM

    I've always adored your dining room furniture, Kim. You've done an amazing job painting and the fabrics are perfect! I'm looking forward to this series - this will be marvelous!
    Blessings,
    Kathy

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  28. Jeanette4/1/14, 12:03 PM

    I love your furniture! You are a great painter Miss Kim! I have been refinishing a few pieces to sell but I can't seem to generate any real interest. Maybe it's better to have it as a hobby. You did a lovely job with the layers of paint!

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  29. Cynthia4/1/14, 2:02 PM

    Hi Kim, I just got to reading this post and I love your dining room. It is so beautiful and I am a huge Toile lover. Have been for a long time. Very helpful.

    Cynthia

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  30. Unknown4/1/14, 4:03 PM

    Kim, can you share the source for your dining room chandelier? It is just what I am looking for to add to my home!
    Warm regards,
    Ruth

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    Replies
    1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style4/1/14, 11:07 PM

      Ruth since you are a no reply comment blogger just google Quorum lighting and chandeliers and you will find a few different ones like mine.

      Delete
    2. Unknown4/2/14, 2:50 PM

      Sorry about that, Kim! I'll check my settings... thanks so much for the chandelier info and for your delightful and inspiring blog!

      Delete
  31. Anne4/1/14, 6:36 PM

    Absolutely beautiful French style <3
    xx
    Anne

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  32. Kim @ French Country Antiques4/14/14, 4:36 PM

    Love that you guys started a French Country idea group. Great idea! I agree that checks and toile say FC and of course you do wonders with paint to add that faded French feel to furniture.

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  33. Grandma Judy4/16/15, 12:21 PM

    Kim, I love your French dining room. I adore the gold Wheat sconces and am wondering if they are available on the market to purchase? Thanks much.

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    Replies
    1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style4/16/15, 12:23 PM

      Judy, those are vintage Ethan Allen and I found them in an antique shop. Thanks

      Delete
  34. Linda J3/3/18, 11:31 AM

    I am loving the fabric on the pillows in your dining room. Would you tell me the maker/source? The print ones, not the check. Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style3/3/18, 3:44 PM

      That is a toile that you can probably find at Hibby Lobby.

      Delete
  35. Norma3/4/18, 8:26 PM

    Gorgeous and so beautiful I love this space

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