French style is defined by an intriguing mix of the old and the new . Antique mirrors and modern furniture, for example. Toile de Jouy is one of the most recognisable fabrics, and nearly synonymous with classical French design. These pastoral patterns are typically in rose, blue and grey. Whatever the style of home or apartment, white interiors are a popular French choice. China, silver crystal and linen are passed down through the generations. Mismatched patterns are charming, and a consistent colourway brings unity. Collages for French Style Stuff article Whether it's a Paris apartment or a 100-year-old farmhouse in Provence, the French seem to take family heirlooms, modern elements and what could (at a push) be flea-market finds and turn them into a effortlessly chic interiors. In a comparatively young country like New Zealand, achieving an atmosphere of time-worn elegance can be a challenge. But take heart - a good trawl around the secondhand shops and copious amounts of white paint will go a long way to achieving a French flavour.

Here's five ideas to get you started:A SENSE OF HISTORY: A stroll through the streets of any French city or village will transport you back in time, and the locals love to bring this sense of history inside. It's quintessentially French to design a truly chic interior by creating a balance between Old World elegance and contemporary design. One of the easiest ways to add a sense of history is with a very large, ornately framed mirror (and if the glass is spotted and silvered, even better) above the mantel or leaning against a wall. A weathered wrought-iron table (indoors) is another idea.READ MORE: *Paris loft renovation maximises a small space *Beauty secrets of French women *Paris property sells for record-breaking amount Toile de Jouy fabric depicts romantic, pastoral scenes - usually in blue, grey or rose - on a white background. WHITE WALLS, TOILE DE JOUY:"Elegance is refusal" said Coco Chanel - and really, she's as French as it gets. So instead of wasting time deciding on just the right shade of griege, or taupe, or sand or quarter-tea... just paint it white.

If you're fortunate enough to have a home with any architectural detailing - mouldings, plasterwork - even better. And when the walls are white, the toile de Jouy looks even better. argos curtain pole chromeYou may not want to mention that the iconic pastoral print fabric was actually first produced in Ireland, in the 1750s. kezia curtainsIt quickly caught on in France, where it came to be known as toile de Jouy. hookless fabric shower curtain with clear windowToile is French for "cloth," and Jouy was the town near Versailles known for manufacturing the fabrics. blackout curtains fabricland

SET A PROPER TABLE (THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS 'THE GOOD CHINA'): Paper napkins and plastic plates are decidedly un-French. As the family china is passed down through the family, mismatched patterns and partial sets are part of the charm.ready made curtains mullingar Get out your Nana's stuff, and start using it. kijiji guelph curtainsThe French pass china, flatware, crystal and linens down through generations. made measure curtains leylandThe emphasis is on quality and beauty, rather than what's cheap and trendy. And there's no reason you should treat yourself differently than your guests. You both deserve the best. Speaking of glassware, you'll never see a stemless wineglass on a French table.

"Your glasses don't have to match, but they should be clear and have stems." says chef and author Mimi Thorisson. The stem serves an important purpose: it keeps the wine at the intended serving temperature - and the French are not about to tamper with the quality of their wine.If the china is passed down through generations, and used at every meal, there's going to be some breakage along the way. It's unlikely there's a fully intact china set in any proper French home. But that's part of the charm. "The table should reflect what you have, and not be overly coordinated. Au contraire, the china is probably a mottled collection," say the authors of 'How to be Parisian Wherever You Are'. For a similar mix-and-match effect here, head to consignment shops and garage sales and hunt out partial sets of china that complement what you've already got. A bare expanse of wood, glass or stone shows a serious lack of savoir-faire. Instead, arrange some beautiful books, fresh flowers, a few objets d'art and photos, as if you were going to paint a still life.

"Make your coffee table a fun, and a little mysterious, self-portrait," says French-born interior designer Robert Couturier. "If I come to your house and look at your table arrangement, it should tell me something about you, and also make me want to ask you a question. And then we have a conversation." Enter your email to be the first to hear about new products and promotions, including our famous Martha’s fabric sale. Studio Velvet Deep Purple Diamante Petrol (50cm x 50cm) The Annie Sloan store and stockist databases are localised to the regions we supply. Please confirm that the following region is correct for you. Latin America & Caribbean Made to Measure Curtains and Blinds – Floral and Bird Design Wallpapers – Toile de Jouy Wallpapers – Large Design Wallpapers – Small Design Wallpapers – Wide Width Wallpaper – Trellis Design Wallpapers – Friezes and Borders – Wallpaper Paste and Lining Paper