The French are know for having created very distinct furnishing periods. The French Rococo is one such period that has remained popular today.

French Rococo style furnishings find theirs routes in a post-Baroque development. The style is generally believed to have started in the 18th century and is considered a rebirth of elegance from Baroque styles. Where as Baroque styles were dark and heavy, the French Rococo furnishings is know for grace, elegance and generally a use of lighter colors.

Rococo comes from a combination of rocaille, a French word, and Barocco, an Italian word. The use of rocaille is an important indicator as it means shell in the French language. As you might imagine, the use of this term is fairly descriptive of the style. Whereas the baroque period entailed sturdy, heavy designs, the French rococo tends to be much more delicate with elegant curving shapes.

French rococo furnishings tend to be designed for interior use. They are exemplified by metal work, porcelain and, of course, furniture. With furnishings, the style lends itself to complicated pieces. As its name suggest, the design is shell-like in many ways because there is almost never a flat, square area of the design. Instead, swoops, curves and irregular shapes are used.

The goal for most rococo designers was to develop a feel of flow in their pieces. While this resulted in elegant individual pieces, decorating a residence entirely in this must be done carefully to avoid a clash of flow as well as an excessively busy look.

Ironically, French rococo is not distinctively inspired by a previous French style. Instead, it tends to have an underlying Asian feel, particularly Chinese. While this is true, the French certain took the underlying idea and converted it to their particular tastes. That is to say, one does not immediately think of Chinese art when looking at French rococo furnishings.

Of all the styles coming out of France, the French Rococo furnishings is one of the most distinctive. It is, however, a look that should only be used in certain residences as it tends to be overpowering.

Stephan Teak is with FurnitureStoresforYou.com - a directory of furniture stores.

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