Armoires: why every space should be inspired by Narnia
I had never really thought much about storage before I moved to France. Cupboards were always purely functional. Living in France has changed this, and recent trends show that I’m not alone in my love for the ‘armoire’.
The name Armoire originates from the Old French word armarie, a cabinet for storing armour and weapons. Interestingly this origin is very different to the British term ‘wardrobe’ which also uses old French word warderobe/ wardereube, in which “warder” meant “to keep, to guard” and “robe” meant “garment”.
Today though, armoires are just as popular in a French living room or kitchen. They are the decluttering solution every French house needs and provide a high-impact decorative feature. And now, alongside the beautiful antiques available at brocantes (which can be adapted), there are a wide range of units designed with specific uses in mind.
The Coffee / Breakfast Station
These kitchen units not only set the tone for the start of the day but are a great way to tidy away the elements that accompany it. Plus, they can be extended to a breakfast area, limiting the mess that children make in the rush to catch the school bus! They also work well in any chambre d’hote interior design, providing a beautiful yet contained workstation.
Storage is key when it comes to maintaining a clean and clutter-free coffee station. Consider adding an undercounter built-in refrigerator and toaster alongside a kettle, coffee maker and all the equipment to support your morning ritual in your French kitchen.
The Drinks Cabinet
Our home may be our castle but for some of us, the pub may have been a second home at one time! Drinks Cabinets combine the best of both worlds, and, whether you enjoy a tipple on a Friday night to reward yourself for a hard week or want to bring some glamour to entertaining, we think they are a must.
There are many reasons why Drinks Cabinets (often referred to as Gin Cabinets because of the enormous popularity of gin recently and the subsequent choices available including non-alcoholic options). For example, not only are they a chance to wow your guests with a ‘treasure trove’ of treats to select but, you can use the cabinet to your advantage by letting your guests pour their favourite drinks while you kick back and enjoy the night.
Drinks Cabinets also lend themselves to the same advantages as Coffee Stations; the ability to have everything in one place.They provide the perfect opportunity to keep all your drinks and drinks accessories together, freeing up worktops and cupboards for more everyday (less special) items.
You can also use the units’ drawers for bottle openers, corkscrews and more and even add a drinks fridge tucked away behind the cabinet door (or on display proudly), thus decluttering in your cutlery drawer, main fridge etc. Add to this the opportunity to individually style the space to either complement your existing decor or create a uniquely characterful, yet functional piece, and Drinks Cabinets feel like the ideal way to complete your French interior.
The Pantry Cabinet
Configured to suit any kitchen size, these tall and spacious cabinets are a highly functional way to organise food storage in a central location. It therefore comes as no surprise that they are now very popular, particularly with those looking to create a ‘French country’ look.
In fact, 48% of people interviewed recently by Kilner either have or would like to have a pantry in their home. The survey also highlighted that the reasoning listed was to reduce food wastage (24%), prevent unnecessary purchases (41%), save money on food bills (19%), improve tidiness of kitchen organisation (70%) and also reduce plastic wastage (15%). It also found that 28% of people would be more likely to purchase a property with a pantry.
Free standing pantry cupboards feature a variety of shelving and insert options and provide a streamlined look to any kitchen but more importantly they offer increased efficiencies allowing you to coordinate your food produce saving you time, money and your sanity! Nolonger can items hide away, going out of date at the back of a deep cupboard. These cabinets offer full visibility and encourage organisation making cooking far more efficient and enjoyable. Plus for those that rent out their French homes during gite season, they can be locked. This also adds an advantage when trying to keep little fingers away from pre-dinner snacks!
The Walk-in Pantry (stepping into Narnia)
Finally, I had to share some examples of spaces inspired by C. S. Lewis to create truly hidden spaces for the ultimate walk-in storage for your French interior.
For those of you with enough space, these have to be on the ultimate interior wishlist. They are widely believed to add value to your property (83% interviewed in AHB’s What Home Buyers Want report said they’d pay more for this feature when buying a home). Of course they offer additional storage, which is particularly ideal for those who grow or preserve foods, but they also create an experience when selecting ingredients. However, one potential downside is that a walk-in pantry can lead to clutter, becoming a catch-all for all the things you don’t know what to do with!
These are just a few examples illustrating how good storage is invaluable. In France, this is well recognised; an armoire is considered a piece of furniture that is passed down through the generations as an heirloom. However, whether you choose to adapt a historic piece or select a tailormade unit, it’s an essential consideration for any French kitchen design, and if you can experience a little bit of Narnia - that’s a bonus!
1909 and The Old Cooperage units have been designed to be fully adapted to meet any kitchen or furniture requirements. This article only features units available from Maison d’ Aquitaine. Visit our Feature Units page to find out more or contact us.
About the author
Emma studied furniture and design history at university in Manchester and then spent time working at Sotherby’s and Bonhams as a trainee valuer, before pursuing a career spanning over 20 years in product design and communication.
She has a wide portfolio of articles and papers behind her, having ghostwritten for publications including The Times, Business Insider, The Banker and The Financial Times.
In 2024, she and her husband, Craig, founded Maison d'Aquitaine to provide sustainably made furniture for traditional French homes. They have lived in France since 2011 with their children. In her spare time, Emma works with the Dordogne-based animal charity, Phoenix Association and loves attending pottery classes.