How to Decorate a French Country Sideboard
French country sideboards are generally located near a formal or casual dining table. The top of the sideboard, or buffet, is used for serving meals while the cabinets below are used to store table linens, silver, pottery and china. Some sideboards may have drawers for storing cutlery and serving utensils. When the sideboard is not being used for a meal, its top serves as a place to display serving dishes or unique items. Three simple pieces are required to decorate a basic French Country sideboard---flowers, a unique ceramic dish, and a light source. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate and Arrange Items
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Search antique stores and estate sales to locate an eye-catching serving dish, ceramic jug or decorative ceramic piece to use as the focal point for the sideboard. Stick to the French country motif by using inexpensive milk glass, transferware or pottery with themes of fruit, vegetables, roosters, flowers or animals.
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Choose a vase to place on the sideboard and keep it filled with fresh flowers. Tall, slender galvanized buckets (sometimes called French flower buckets) are a possibility as are glass milk jugs and plain pieces of crockery.
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3
Choose a light source. Possibilities include candles in candlesticks, candelabras or pedestals, a stick lamp with a shade or a vintage lantern. Look for worn and aged items for a more rustic French country appearance.
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Arrange the items by placing the serving dish in the center of the sideboard. Place the vase on one end and arrange the candles or light source at the other.
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Adjust the arrangement once the main items are in place. A plug in stick lamp may look better close to the vase and flowers with the serving dish moved off-center.
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Tips & Warnings
Search for personal items before purchasing new.
Wrought iron and distressed wood make good choices for candlesticks and candelabras.
Silver items can bring a more formal look to the arrangement.
