Furniture historians trace the banquette, derived from the Germanic word for bench, all the way back to France in the 1600s. Royalty used banquettes as window seating in formal rooms, with cushions covered in lush upholstery and carpeting. Rumor has it that many castles and palaces had concealed entries to secret passages located underneath banquettes.
Fast forward to America in the 20th century, when interior designers Billy Baldwin and Elsie de Wolfe reflected on the finery of French design and began to incorporate banquettes into the homes of their wealthy clients. Again, not as a kitchen convenience, but as adornment in sitting rooms, libraries, and ballrooms.
Kitchen banquettes appeared in American homes in the early 20th century to accommodate the needs of a busy family. Many houses built during this time still had relatively functional kitchens, so a banquette, with it’s space-saving design of a bench and a tabletop, made more sense than a full table and chairs set.
Here are my beautiful banquets designs… Which one is your favorite?
Entry round settee by Windsor Smith Home Collection
Comfortable beach setting with this beautiful banquette. Ready for a relaxing lunch!
Elegant tufted velvet banquette.
Classic look for this pretty kitchen banquette- Elle Decor
L’Auberge del Mar hotel using his Brentwood settee, banquette from his own collection – Barclay Butera design
DRAMATIC dining room with black painted walls and large crystal chandelier! Love the upholstered turquoise tufted chairs and glossy white round lacquer dining room table! Black dining room. Black paint wall color! Black turquoise blue white ivory cream dining room colors.
Peaceful setting showcasing a curved white leather banquette by Kelly Hoppen
Lunch in Tete a Tete by the window with these banquettes with storage.
For more information about Interior Design and Feng Shui email Marie Burgos at marie@manobluedesign.com and visit our site on www.manobluedesign.com
Which one of these banquettes is your favorite and why?
Please let me know about it by leaving a comment!
Tags: banquette, banquettes, bench, Billy Baldwin, decor, decorating, dining room, dining table, entrance, furniture, Interior Design, kitchen, kitchen banquette, Manoblue Design, manobluedesign, marie Burgos, marie burgos design, round settee, settee, sitting room
French native Marie Burgos founded her interior design firm in 2007 with an emphasis on residential spaces which rapidly expanded to commercial design. Marie’s ultimate talent is understanding her clients needs and creating home, office and commercial interiors that are balanced, sophisticated, and highly functional.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Amazing design! Love the circular living room..