The Provence Sleigh Bed

A French-style bed available in all sizes up to super king size and above in a range of different waxed finishes

Forget about the dull greys of Britain, the Provence sleigh bed brings warmth and sunshine to your room. Like the other beds in our French country collection, its beautifully waxed, subtly distressed and 'aged' finish conjures up images of rustic French homes decorated in natural hues and furnished with fabrics in sunny yellows, gorgeous reds, cobalt blues and soft ocean tones.

The Provence bed looks equally at home in a modern setting as it does in a traditional cottage or farmhouse, even a chateau. Of course the sleigh bed look is synonymous with the boutique hotel look which is one of the most popular décor styles around at the moment.

As with the most expensive boutique hotels, our own designers and craftsmen have paid meticulous attention to detail in the styling of this stunning sleigh bed. Sometimes known as Lit Bateau, Bateau Lit or Boat Beds, the Provence bed is quality through and through - from the scrolled bed ends carved from a single piece of wood to the low-slung bed base that is guaranteed to be squeak-free.

The French country style

Bedrooms are about escapism and with the French country design you can whisk yourself away to your own dream-like retreat in Provence. French country furniture is substantial, often with flamboyant carving and waxed in a dark mahogany finish. It looks fantastic in a simply-styled bedroom with natural-coloured walls and stripped, stained floorboards with fluffy or woven mats.

Typical accessories are earthenware pots, tiles, distressed iron lamps (like Moroccan-style lanterns) and wirework furniture.

Libby's Tips: Although the Provencal look conjures up images of bright colours, the key is to use natural tones wherever possible - colours that resemble hot spices like turmerics, chillis or the grass green of garden herbs.

Blue is also central to the French country look, especially near the Mediterranean. Think natural royal blues, and of course the cobalt blue that you see across the South of France.

Also key to keeping cool is the use of ceramics, mainly natural tiles on the floor. In our British climate, stripped floorboards work just as well covered with natural rugs. Other bedroom furniture should be aged, almost like heirlooms - waxed, varnished or hand-painted.