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Gabrielle Savoie is the founder of décor site Savvy Home, a finalist for prestigious style and design awards. She is an expert in interior design and home décor and has been a writer and editor for various high-profile publications in the industry for almost 10 years. An antique farm table desk, vintage armchair, and stacks of books, objects, and art create a cozy place to work at at Patina Farm designed by Giannetti Home.
Finally, you’ll often notice yellow accompanied by blue, yellow’s traditional partner in French country decor. Again, muted blues and shades that reflect the sky work well here, but don’t be afraid to reach for a richer hue. In fact, a warm mid-tone blue is both iconic and stunning when paired with buttery yellows. Naturally, we can’t talk about French country colors without mentioning yellow! From fields of sunflowers to the long streams of sunlight bathing in through the windows, a warm, golden yellow is the ultimate go-to in French country design. Lilac colors in dusty tones are another French country staple–the lavender fields of Provence provide the inspiration for this lovely choice of color.
Try a Chic Clawfoot Tub
One of the tricks the Parisians have adopted to keep their bedroom bright , is to add large-scale mirrors to their walls. Indeed, mirrors reflect light and keep your room looking spacious and bright. That’s why it’s very common to find a large ornate mirror with a gilded gold finish in most of the Parisian bedrooms. It’s hard to get away from the fact that French style is all about mixing old with new. It’s not about having a room full of antique furniture or a mix of styles in the same era. The key is to mix the old with the new to create an interesting combination of textures, patterns, and colors.
You can also use mirrored surfaces to reflect more light into the room and make it brighter and larger than it is. Usually, French interiors are decorated with antique pieces of furniture. These furniture pieces give the interior design an air of sophistication. So, if you want to make your house look like a palace in Paris, this can be one of the ideas you should consider. Combine modern furniture with chic elements like chandeliers or light fixtures.
Create Contrast
Antique furnishings, weathered finishes, natural materials, and warm neutrals are a few of the characteristics you'll often find in French-country rooms. The overall effect is meant to appear welcoming and casual yet effortlessly elegant. While this look goes hand in hand with the previous tip, it is also an invention of necessity. Many French apartments are dark unless they are placed on the top floor and the lack of light does a space no favors.
Hunter Douglas Duette® Honeycomb ShadesHunter Douglas Design Studio™ Roller ShadesVintage area rugs will also elevate your space while providing the classic old-world charm. Complement a charmingly-faded table-top display with spectacular hydrangeapatterned wallpaper. Climber Photography is sharing a wonderful French Pot DIY…they are the perfect home decor accessory and so easy to create…I don’t think you can have to many of these beauties…drop by and see how they are done! Sweet little touches like these French Lavender Pots will bring your space back to the back roads of the French Countryside.
French-Country Kitchen Details
The trend of the year out of mind when it comes decorating a cottage living room with a French country aesthetic. Think white sheer curtains that puddle tot he floor, a vintage etagere, and a great sofa filled with colorful throw pillows. When it comes to choosing design materials to create your French Country interior, the more natural the better, especially when it comes to flooring. Rustic, hand-scraped hardwood is the best option for creating the French Country look. Distressed hardwood not only adds texture to your space but also adds so much character. Make a desk area with a painted table and a vintage chair, then soften a stone floor with a woven rug and decorate the walls with monochrome prints and paintings.
“The French love to mix vintage and contemporary furniture, whereas there is more homogeneity in American style,” Gennari says. French designers have no qualms about placing a modern chair beside an 18th-century dresser, or styling ultra-contemporary lighting against an ornate background. It’s all about the dynamic tension that exists between different periods and styles. Finally, here are some inspiring French-style interior design ideas that many homeowners are going gaga over.
Go for an Understated Color Palette
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It combines modern Scandinavian style with the elegance and glamor of French style. This unique blend of two aesthetics gives a home a fresh look and a sense of comfort. It features many floral patterns and soft colors that remind you of the fields in Provence. You can achieve the look if you use natural materials such as wood, stone, and leather. European apartments are notorious for their snug quarters, and if you're familiar with living in small spaces, you've likely encountered a closet that doesn't have space for your favorite clothes.
For example, use tables with rustic wood finishes or pieces that have been painted white or light gray. So, you’ll see lots of antiques and classic furniture mixed in with modern pieces. The Parisian-chic interior design is defined by a combination of traditional and modern elements. This modern French interior design idea features white walls with subtle color accents that give it a fresh look while remaining elegant and sophisticated. There is also a lot of natural light coming in from the windows, which makes it look spacious. Nordic design is becoming more popular worldwide due to its simple yet modern look.
Other patterns used on French country fabrics include roosters, damasks, and the borders that characterize bolder-colored provincial-style fabrics. Colors of this style can be found on the warm side of the color wheel with hues that have medium to low intensity. Think of soft yellows, warm pinks, baby blues, and creams for your rooms. Provincial-style fabrics are known for having more saturated colors, such as sunbaked ochre and deep brick red that bring to mind the pigments found in the region's natural clay earth. Add some lavender and you can pretend that you picked it from the field outside your window in the South of France. French cottage and country style furniture is famous for its curved legs.
Constance Gennari is the founder of The Socialite Family, a website that sells home décor and features the homes of everyday French families. No matter the project you're tackling, how much of a reader you are, these creative bookshelf decor ideas will make your home as interesting as the Read more... “The living room should be a place where we feel totally at ease – temple of the soul." - Terence Conran, English designer 'How to design aRead more...
Anita Joyce at Cedar Hill Farmhouse brought French style to an American kitchen with Louis XVI-style upholstered bar stools and a pair of French chandeliers hung over the kitchen island. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design. Oftentimes, French homes have ultra-high ceilings that single-handedly transform each room into a light, airy oasis. But, unless you're building a home from scratch or undergoing a big renovation, raising your ceilings is easier said than done. Instead, spring for low-slung furniture, which will create the illusion of tall ceilings. You don't have to spend a small fortune on French-ifying your home.
Textures and tone-on-tone patterns can bring visual interest to a room amid more neutral color tones, as in this French-country dining area. When it comes to lighting in a typical Parisian bedroom there is a great idea – a vintage sparkly chandelier that will scream French style. Chandeliers create a focal point in your bedroom and add delightful sculptural interest to your ceiling space.
