| Louis Morèl
is dedicated to the furnishing and decorating of those parts in the home
where living and working come together and where the right style contributes
to inspired study, conversation and even the fruitful pursuing of business
affairs.
These living and working areas include the study, the
drawing room and the small office at home. Essential ingredients for creating
the right atmosphere are library tables and chairs, book cases, desks,
good lighting and a range of appropriate accessories and decorations. The
central theme and tune are provided for by the 19th century Empire style.
This style, having its roots in the Napoleonic era, is
somewhat formal, even severe, but at the same time aesthetically refined
to such a degree that it strikes the perfect balance in what is needed
for a hybrid environment that serves both private and businesslike purposes.
Empire style has been heavily influenced by the many new
impressions gathered during Napoleon's campaign to Egypt in 1798, in which
large numbers of French scholars and artisans participated. This close
encounter between science, arts, ancient Egyptian artefacts and decorative
motives evolved into a refreshing style which supported the then visionary
concept of a united Europe.
Napoleon and his idea of transforming Europe into a political
empire may remain controversial, but the beauty and serenity of the neo-classicist
style, with all its influences from Ancient Greece and Rome, that bears
so much his stamp, is beyond any doubt. Many of us are still captivated
and fascinated by the esthetical Empire, in which all the relevant style
elements of the former great era's of European culture come together in
a balanced apotheosis, reflecting the optimism and faith in the enlightened
ideals and scientific progress so vividly existent at the early 19th century.
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Applying
empire style in a hybrid living and working environment certainly does
not imply that Empire is exclusively reserved to the notaries, solicitors
and bankers among us. When emphasizing the softer sides of Empire, this
style also does the pure home environment more than justice. The current
tendency in sober interior decorating seems to have come to a hold. In
the constant flux between abundant decoration versus strict minimalism,
many are drawn back again to a classical, yet reserved type of ornamentation.
And what better style to suit these tastes than Empire.
In spite of its age, Empire has over the years remained
one of the most desirable of styles. This general appreciation has sent
prices at auctions for Empire furniture and decorative objects to stratospherical
heights. Surely, the original pieces have proved to be good investments,
but the current price level also prohibits the use of empire furniture
in a day to day living and working environment.
Louis Morèl offers the solution for this problem
with the creation of his own New Empire Collection, including the finest
copies of chairs, tables and accessories he discovers in museums or at
auctions, each piece made fully handcrafted by selected artisans. By applying
strict selection rules, only the best specimens of empire furniture, without
the stylistic exuberances or extravagances, which have become characteristic
for the second, more degenerated empire period, are being considered for
inclusion in the New Empire Collection. Louis Morèl is constantly
working on his New Empire Collection and always welcomes his clients' special
wishes and inspiration.
Because of his attention for clients' preferences, the
flexibility in furniture design and small series manufacturing, the availability
of a broad range of wonderful fabrics, lamps and decorative accessories
such as prints and maps, Louis Morèl can make even the most demanding
dreams of clients come true.
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