Handmade French Frames

Stepping into the Light

Every time I visit France, I feel like I’ve stepped into a dream. The Place des Vosges with its exquisite shops, the Seine adorned in gliding bâteaux mouches, the romantic cafés on every street corner beckoning me to eat my weight in buttery croissants. 

The City of Light lives up to its name in every way, from the golden glow of the Eiffel Tower to the sparkling Avenue des Champs-Élysées, to the mid-September sunsets that hover in a peony-pink haze over the city in the evening.

On this particular September morning, the sky was a blanket of stormy purple, and the rain was coming down hard. Jetlag was still heavy in my eyes, but I could feel my rhythm beginning to attune to the European days. Even with my travel-induced fatigue and the dreary weather, it would be a shame not to live up to the city’s resilience on a day such as this. The residents of the City of Light carry with them a light more brilliant than the summer sun and the sparkling night lamps—the one that lives within their hearts. 

A three hour train ride outside the city, there was a special spot in Provence I had my heart set on—a colorful market sprawl beneath large Sycamore trees. A place where the steady few would bring their wares to sell beneath tents, tarps, and colorful quilted blankets, no matter the weather. 

Resilience in the Rain

The resilience of the French has always been an inspiration to me, and no dedication shines brighter than that of these particular vendors. “Everyday,” my guide explains, “They show up because they know the people will come.” They do what they do out of joy, because it brings light to their lives and preserves their history in a way that innovates and inspires. 

So, beneath my red umbrella, with the smell of fresh petrichor light on the wind, I set forth with my guide to see what we could find in this sea of antique treasures. We passed copper vases and candelabras, marble busts and ivory-white teacups. We mazed through the sights until we finally stumbled upon hundreds of stunning French frames. Each one was unique and meticulously hand-assembled by a singular talented woman. It was love at first sight. 

My guide explained to me that this skilled vendor took on this tedious task everyday, finding antique ticket stubs, opera books, and historic documents, then realigning them into romantic picture frames worthy of a statement piece. These elegant patterns are rare, nostalgic pieces of French history, with every detail designed for a seamless finish. Such iconic framing is sure to highlight any piece of art held within with an age-enduring glow. 

It’s very hard to find perfectly preserved antiques, and so the dedication of this particular vendor especially touched my heart. Each is crafted with the same amount of love and care, yet no one design is the same, making each as unique as the regions of France. The inspiration behind our Ephemera Collection, these frames become unique art pieces of their own, adorned with authentic 19th-century papers and hand-finished with love. From the dotted winter greens reflective of the snow-covered peaks of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, to the golden floral borders reminiscent of the bell towers and citadels of the Hauts-de-France, to the heavenly summer pinks as vibrant as the beaches and seabeds of Corsica, no treasure captures the luster of the City of Light and its surrounding regions like these intricate treasures.

Our Wearable Art campaign features these frames, encasing notable items of ours such as our Scarab Earrings, French Coin Charms, and our Aristocrat Charm Bracelets in a border as bold and brilliant as our jewelry. 

The Preservation of Picturesque Frames

In terms of artistic presentation, frames are often neglected, leaving all the focus on the central artpiece and leaving little appreciation for the presentation. I believe that having something that honors the art and gives it as much consideration as it deserves is a necessity when it comes to aesthetic and display. Not only are you honoring your artwork by preserving it in the story—you’re framing it with a romantic fragment of a moment, a slice of history, honoring both art piece and frame. Like the spirit of the French, these frames demonstrate how antiques and restyled historic treasures keeps the light of its people alive, reviving old words in a modern retelling of a story retold centuries over. 

A Break in the Storm

Though our day was filled with rain, wind, and billowing quilts, I now believe that there’s no better time to visit Provence than mid-September. This adventure, on the surface quite dark and drenched, allowed me to discover the brightest light of all—that of the French people and their dedication to preserving their history in ever-changing forms. Resilience is an eternal flame that shines in this region. Like all good things in life, from comfort to love to passion, it’s something you feel more than see.

Following our adventures, the rain began to lighten up a bit, and we found ourselves wandering along the crowded cobbles in search of a midday meal. The smell of coffee wafted thick over the streets, warming the lifting downcast as our eyes and appetites grew. We discovered a romantic boulangère on a corner just as the sun began to cast down its golden rays—it was a sign. We ate our weight in buttered baguettes, compared infused salts and marmalades, and enjoyed the fleeting warmth that presented itself before the sun began its descent. Like the people of France, the sun would rise again tomorrow, smiling the same shade of gold over a new day. 

Why French Antiques?

Buying antiques and brocante in France is a national pastime, and one I am well-acquainted with. The timeless elegance, exquisite craftsmanship, and rich historical significance of this cultural blend has always appealed to me. Quality antiques, restyled or authentic, are carefully crafted, handmade, always unique, and offer a glimpse into the French history of art, design, and cultural evolution. The distinctive French country style I adore is only achieved with a savant mix of old and new. True French homes are never furnished entirely in the latest trend—they instead blend delicately over the years into a mix of family furniture, purchases from favorite stores, and a generous dose of statement furniture and antique accents.

Each time I revisit France, it allows me to explore paths never-before taken, the paths lightly trodden, and the paths taken a hundred times before. My feet tread light and with care, and I follow them with full-hearted trust. No matter where they take me, I know they will guide me to the heart of the city where the brightest light shines. And as always, I’ll take just a piece of this light home with me to share with you. 

"Pursue what catches your heart, not what catches your eyes."

—Roy T. Bennett