序言Ⅰ

Olivier BERNI

Interior Designer and Founder, Olivier Berni Interieurs

奥利维尔·贝尔尼

奥利维尔·贝尔尼室内设计事务所，室内设计师及创始人

France is certainly one of the countries in the world with the strongest tradition in the field of decorative arts. The French decorative style, with its centuries-long history, seduces those customers who are more interested in a certain spirit. From the height of French decorative arts - the epitome of which is the palace of Versailles - to the emergence of numerous art movements such as Art Déco, the Empire style or eclecticism, the French have often been trendsetters on the international art scene.

With its rich history and numerous trends, it is thus no easy task to try to define what makes the French decorative style. If, however, one dared to give a definition, one could perhaps talk of a style both irreverent and yet respectful of artisanal traditions. While the English decorative style is often described as eccentric, and the Italian one as traditional, the French style is often associated with harmony. France, indeed, excels in the creation of interiors where classicism and modernity meet without ever clashing with one another. Many agree that the French style is the fruit of the successful blending of elegance and trend with a view to express refinement in every detail.

Even though the French decorative style is resolutely part of a long historical tradition, it is also the fruit of individual experiences. The French style is indeed known and renowned all over the world thanks to great names in the field of decoration. Several generations of interior designers have contributed to shape its reputation. The rearguard, made up mainly of forty-something “dandies”, is now looking to free itself from its dogma. Many blend decorative genres, break away from traditional lines and ensembles and dare to use colour - in order to step away from the abiding good taste that is the hallmark of the French decorative style. It is yet again the opportunity to demonstrate that there is no such thing as a single French school of decoration, but rather a common culture nurtured by a variety and multiplicity of influences.

法国是在装饰艺术领域坚守其传统的几个国家之一。拥有几百年悠久历史的法式装饰风格以其丰富的精神内涵深深地吸引着世人。从凡尔赛宫到装饰艺术，帝国风格或是折中主义风格都是法式装饰艺术的高度缩影，法国人一直是国际建筑艺术的潮流引导者。

因其悠久的历史和众多的潮流趋势，要定义法式装饰风格的组成要素并不是一件容易的事。然而，如果有人敢于对此给出一个定义，也许我们可以暂且这样定义——一种既傲慢无礼又很尊重手工艺传统的风格。英式装饰风格通常被描述为“古怪”，意大利装饰风格常被视为“传统”，而法式装饰风格常常与“和谐”联系在一起。实际上，法国人将古典风格与现代风格相结合，且这两种风格又不会相互冲突。多数人认为，法式装饰风格是优雅与精致成功结合的产物。

法式装饰风格固然是其悠久的历史传统的一部分，但同时也是个人经验的产物。法式装饰风格能够被全世界所熟知并久负盛名要归功于装饰领域的那些知名人士。几代室内设计师的共同努力成就了法式装饰风格的盛名。该装饰风格的后卫部队，主要由40岁左右的“花花公子”组成，他们希望摆脱原有的设计信条。许多混合型的装饰样式摆脱了传统的装饰路线和总体装饰效果，大胆地运用色彩搭配，以挑战法式装饰风格标志性的、经久不变的高品位。在一定程度上，法式装饰风格堪称一种多元化且影响深远的文化风格。