There’s a certain magic I look for in a French antique—an intangible charm woven into every curve, patina, and imperfection. To hold one is to hold history. I believe your home should tell a story—and the right antique can become its soul. But how do you tell the difference between true craftsmanship and clever imitation?

Let me share some things to look for when you're shopping for French antiquities

1. Patina Over Perfection

I don’t seek flawless surfaces—I look for depth, wear, and warmth. A softened edge here, a whisper of time in the wood grain there. Genuine antiques don’t just age—they age beautifully. No machine can replicate the feel of a piece shaped by generations of life and love.

2. Joinery That Whispers Craftsmanship

I always turn a piece over or look behind a drawer. Dovetail joints, hand-planed backs, tool marks—these are the quiet signatures of a maker’s hand. They tell me the piece was created with intention, not mass-produced for speed.

3. Hardware That Holds History

To me, the knobs and hinges are the jewelry of furniture. I look for cast brass, aged iron, or bronze with details that can’t be duplicated with paint. If I see oxidation and wear that tells a story, I know it’s something special.

4. Style With Provenance

Each region of France has its own design language—Provençal curves, Parisian ormolu, the understated elegance of Louis Philippe. These styles are grounded in history, and timeless in any setting.

5. A Story You Can Feel

Not every piece comes with a provenance, but the best ones don’t need it. I can feel when something has lived. It carries a weight that can’t be measured—only felt. And when that feeling is there, I know I’ve found something truly rare.

At French Bleue, I hand-select every piece not just for its beauty, but for its soul. Because to me, luxury is quiet, timeless, and deeply personal.