Meanderings of Our Authentic Life

The history of European interior design will forever include two hand made wall tile collections about which I am passionate: Delft Tiles and the tiles made famous by Claude Monet's kitchen.  In my blog, I discuss the history of Delft and Monet's tile - showcasing their similarities and differences.  Both are authentically historic and add elegance from kitchen backsplashes and fireplace surrounds to primary baths.  At Historic Decorative Materials, we source antique materials - from French limestone and oak flooring to Belgian bluestone and reclaimed terra cotta tiles. I felt it was essential to offer as well, a Delft and Monet tile collection not only for their sheer beauty, but historic accuracy when paired with antique materials.  As an artist, I jumped at the chance to hand paint our own Monet and Delft Tile Collections for our company.  In this blog, I highlight these collections, how we make them and pair them with our antique materials, elevating interiors into a timeless, historic, European elegance.

Antique French limestone flooring, salvaged from old French structures, will have a patina and beauty that allow the interior designer, architect and homeowner to achieve a variety of interiors.  From French country and Provence style to elegant manor homes, the beauty of historic French limestone floors is a timeless building material, that will add value and authenticity to a décor.

Why is there a showroom in Western Massachusetts that is a small empire of stock for French and Belgian antique French oak and French limestone flooring?  Read our origin story and learn how the quiet countryside of Western MA become a mecca for authentic, antique, European building materials.

In the world of interior design, few materials embody timeless elegance like French reclaimed terracotta tile. These tiles, with their vintage charm and rustic appeal, have been a preferred choice for centuries. François, growing up in Provence, lived amongst these floors, and we've been salvaging the highest quality reclaimed French terra cotta tiles for 25 years now.

The world renowned Anduze French pottery from Provence was created in the 17th century, when a Provençal Anduze potter was inspired by the Italian Medici vase. Upon returning from Florence, this potter recreated those Medici vases in a singular style: distinctive bulbous shape, colorful glazed finishes and decorations of heraldic shields, garlands of flowers, and horizontal stripes - hence, the remarkable Anduze French vase we see today for home decor and gardens - or aptly known as La Poterie d'Anduze.

Antique Belgian Bluestone is a formidable stone of choice for architects and designers building out their finest projects.  As a durable and historic floor, the satin patina of either the dark black blues or soft matte grey surfaces create the most magnificent ambiance to a room.

Understanding the difference between antique and antiqued French oak floors and French limestone floors can be challenging.  This is a blog to help clarify the differing antique materials and the artistry behind achieving reclaimed looking French oak and limestone flooring.

The Great House and Country House Antiqued French Oak Flooring Collections are master-crafted pre-finished French oak floors where the patina and colors live within the surface of each plank.  Upon completion of an installation, these antiqued French oak floors will seem to reside within the 18th century - elevating a variety of interiors - from historic brownstones and carriage houses to French farmhouses and elegant country manors.

The Olde Oak Antiqued French Oak Flooring Collection are for those who cherish historic elegance, superb wood craftsmanship and incredible authenticity.  Our latest French oak wood flooring collection at Historic Decorative Materials not only resembles, but perhaps surpasses reclaimed French oak floors.

Zellige Tile is a remarkable hand made terra cotta tile.  Our authentic Zellige Tile follows centuries old techniques passed down from generation to generation using the famous Moroccan Miocene gray clay. Importing directly from Fes, Morocco, Zellige tile requires relationships made of trust and time. François understands these nuances and has established the bond necessary to bring to stock at Historic Decorative Materials our own collection of hand cut authentic Moroccan Zellige Tile. 

We all agree we aspire to a home that is a sanctuary of peace and beauty. Often times we feel zen in a minimalist space.  This design philosophy uses light and space with minimal details and a limited color palette.  However, these interiors may leave one also feeling cold.  Combining minimalism with classical interiors is what I personally love.  I feel best in an uncluttered space that is airy and light, yet I yearn for also simple beauty, texture, color and history.  Following this eclectic pairing will help one design a space that is not overly designed - but more thoughtfully designed.

The Kings of France Aged French Oak Flooring is like no other pre-finished wood floor on the market today.  Historically aged with exemplary techniques, one could easily compare these wide-plank oak floors to reclaimed 18th century French oak planks.  Available in over 14 colors, these solid or engineered wood floors, in wide-plank, chevron, herringbone or parquet de Versailles, are the essential backdrop to custom homes and historic renovations.