Style Secret: Gentle WeatheringIn a style that's intended to reflect longevity and tradition, spanking-new furnishings and accents stick out. Instead, French country calls for a little rust and dust. Painted pieces should feel distressed, as if they've withstood years of wear and use. Bypass shiny metals in favor of wrought iron, burnished bronze or pewter, preferably with a few dings and scuffs. You can even get away with a slightly frayed coverlet or a threadbare spot on a pillow.New-world chic: This inviting seating vignette feels as though there's a story behind every piece in it — it's like the most stylish collection of hand-me-downs possible. Even the new items whisper of age. The faded colors of the fabrics feel perfectly in step with the patina of the woods.
