DECORATING WITH ANTIQUE MAJOLICA

Whimsical, fearlessly inspired by nature, and glistening in bold jewel-like colors, antique majolica excites collectors and designers alike.

Antique majolica pieces are imbued with such breathtaking color and detail, each piece is an original work of art,  they are a statement making compliment to any room in your home.

 

 

I think those of us who adore French Country fell in love with majolica when we opened our first Charles Faudree book long ago. Interior designer Charles Faudree, long a FrenchGardenHouse favorite, was known for his delight in French Country. He was loved for creating settings that have all the elegant accoutrements of a French Country estate, lacking pretension but never charm – which is exactly my desire here at FrenchGardenHouse when I shop for antiques for your home.

He was the master of the mix, and his interiors were classic, and timeless. His use of color and patterns were magical, and many of the stunning interiors he designed showcased collections of majolica.

 

 

 

I know I’ve been endlessly inspired by his design, and his love of all things French Country for our own home here at FrenchGardenHouse.

“It’s about the mix, and not about the match.” -Charles Faudree

 

 

I have all his design books, do you?  I’ve taken a few photos from the pages of the books to show the beautiful displays of antique majolica collections in some of the alluring rooms he’s decorated over the years.  {The original photos are by photographer Jenifer Jordan, these are my photos I shot of pages in the decorating books I own.}

 

Mr. Faudree displayed majolica on walls, in cabinets, and singly on stands on side tables.  I love how this collection of antique greenware or majolica faience plates surrounds the paintings and travel so high up the wall, don’t you?

 

 

 

Here, Mr. Faudree used antique green majolica leaf plates to their full advantage, again grouping them around an antique oil painting, and then, that fabulous arrangement in the French grape picking hod!

{I have a few of these coming over on the next shipment!!}

 

 

This dining room wall has a French cabinet that displays both antique French asparagus plates and a green majolica plate.

 

 

A collection of antique French asparagus plates is happily married to a few antique majolica oyster plates for a stunning display in this gracious dining room.

 

 

More antique Oyster plates arranged on the wall above the pine dresser along with one faience plate at the very top.

 

 

And finally, this!  Oh, how I adore this dining area.  The little antique French wheelbarrow is something I am constantly on the hunt for on buying trips, we immediately sold the few I’ve sourced in France, and I hope they look as charming in their new homes as this one does on top of the table filled with hydrangeas!

 

 

The collection of green antique leaf Majolica plates and servers are beautiful, they are the consummate compliment to the antique pewter pieces and Staffordshire.

 

 

 

“A single object on a tabletop or a single work of art on the wall can be nice, but for me, mixing collections provides the most excitement.” -Charles Faudree.

 

 

Collecting antique majolica is a fascinating and rewarding hobby, majolica’s beauty and history will compel you to seek out unusual additions for your collection.

 

 

We just added our latest shipment of antique majolica to the shop HERE >

 

{And you can also type    majolica     in the search box on the site, to bring up the latest and other newer pieces of antique faience majolica we have for you!}

And you can read about the history of Majolica and what to look for HERE >

 

à bientôt

 

Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com

13 thoughts on “DECORATING WITH ANTIQUE MAJOLICA”

  1. I love Charles Faudree’s quote…which I will pass on to the hubby!….Oh the displays are wonderful….I so remember the iast image you posted…it reminded me so much of my dining room….I now have 3 pieces and will have to be on the lookout for more!….Love the way you have displayed them!…

  2. Patricia Flournoy

    What a wonderful collection of majolica…I have been collecting green plates at markets fo the last 10 years…I have found some lovely pieces and we use them on a day to day basis…Now I am know what to look for and exactly what the prices should be. As always, merci for this great article…

    Patty Flournoy, Beaune, France

  3. Patricia Flournoy

    ps…Charles Faudree was an inspiration to all of us who love things French!

  4. Lidy, I have long been a fan of Charles Faudree and we certainly lost a marvelous talent when we lost him. I do love majolica – but have tried to stay away from it, as I am completely out of room. Although, maybe I could find space for a few pieces. Your gorgeous post has certainly inspired me.

    Have a lovely week!

  5. When Charles Faudree passed my heart broke. I first saw his work back in the early 80’s in Traditional Home and I still have that magazine! I was immediately hooked and searched every magazine for any of his work. And then I found his design books. I treasure them and use them even today to guide me. It’s interesting to see that his rooms are full but never cause my eye to think it was too full as his mix was so perfect. His comment “Lacking pretension but never charm” is what I strive to reach. Thank you Lidy for bring his work to our attention.

  6. Sandra, I agree, Mr. Faudree was a fabulous talent, and always such a gentleman! Maybe switch collections- that’s my secret here at home. ? I rotate what’s on display. The leaf plate majolica comes in such divine shades of green, doesn’t it? Hard to resist!

  7. I love every book of Charles Faudree! He was the master decorator! I have been collecting Majolica for years and just found a pitcher yesterday to add to my collection.

  8. Lidy, I have several of these designs memorized. Like you, I adore the designs of Mr. Faudree and own several of his books. I adore how he used lots of color, texture, and pattern. I love majolica and have a small collection of asparagus plates. I hope to add more pieces in the future. I loved your post! Happy Tuesday!!!

  9. SharonCrigSt

    Such beauty! The colors and textures – simply stunning! My favorites are the picture with the red toile covered chair and the picture with the gorgeous majolica plates with the lamp and candles that are lit. Thank you for all this beautiful Tuesday ‘eye candy’. 😉

    1. That’s my favorite room too Sharon! Charles Faudree was a magician with his decorating.

  10. Lidy, I was a huge fan of Charles Faudree and I own every one of his books! I had the pleasure of meeting him when he spoke to the Antiquarian Society in my city. He was so gracious and kind, he talked several minutes with me. I have a few pieces of majolica and have always loved it. Thank you for sharing your beauty with us. You always inspire.??

  11. Pam, it must have been a thrill to meet Charles Faudree! I know my friend decorator Eric Ross still talks glowingly of meeting Mr. Faudree and how kind and gracious he was. I love majolica, and am anxiously awaiting a little rack Mr. FrenchGardenHouse promised to build me for my (Feb!!) birthday to display our collection.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top