French Country decor is inspired by the unpretentious yet elegant rural living of generations past in the French countryside. It’s characterized by rustic furniture and decor that looks organic and natural.
A few elements that incorporate into French Country decor include toile fabrics, antique accessories, exposed beams and rough stone, blue and yellow color schemes, and natural, worn wood.
Toile fabric arguably the main element in French Country decor and is often seen in upholstery, in window treatments, even in painted walls. These fabrics bring in a quintessential French, romantic feel to any room.
Antique accessories such as armoires, chairs, and beds also can be used for bringing and aged yet timeless farmhouse look. Exposed beams and rough stone walls give a rustic and tranquil ambience to the room, contrasting with a bright and airy environment.
French Country decor has distinct colors, which are typically blue and yellow. Adding these colors in items throughout the room such as furniture, curtains, and pillows can make the room looks both traditional and modern.
In the same vein, natural and worn woods can be utilized in furniture. This will bring a grounded and nostalgic feel to the home.
What is French country style architecture?
French Country style architecture is a popular home design style originating in rural France. Characterized by its romantic, traditional and rustic features, this style of architecture is beloved for its elegance and charm.
French Country style homes typically feature steep, hipped roofs, usually made of stone or clay tiles, with wide roof overhangs to provide shade from the hot French summers. The walls are typically made of brick, stone, or stucco and often feature sharp contrasts between light and dark colors and textures.
French Country homes may also include half-timbering, which is a distinct feature of the region. Windows often include tall, narrow casements with etched glass, or mullioned windows topped with arched or eyebrow panels.
Other unique features include Juliet balconies, capstone accents, symmetrical designs, metal shutters, courtyards and simple decorative touches like cresting and medallions. Overall, French Country style homes offer an inviting and enticing oasis of beauty and serenity to its owners.
How do you decorate a French farmhouse style?
Decorating a French farmhouse style is all about combining comfortable luxury with vintage charm. To achieve a French farmhouse style look, begin with a neutral color palette that evokes the bucolic countryside, drawing inspiration from the natural world, such as the blue of a sky or wheat of a hayfield.
Then, incorporate furniture, fabrics, and accents in neutral, muted colors, such as light shades of blue, grey and beige, as well as vintage-inspired colors, such as white-washed woods and distressed blues, greens, and reds.
To bring in a feeling of rustic warmth, incorporate vintage pieces, such as wooden beams, distressed armchairs, or antique chests. Woven fabrics, such as wicker or rattan, can be used as accent pieces and create visual interest while still retaining the feel of a French farmhouse.
To add a cozy, welcoming feel, incorporate touches of warm tones, such as dark browns and reds, through distressed finishes on furniture and accessories, like vintage clocks and lamps. Finally, pull the look together with touches of French country-style decor, such as roosters, potted plants, small French ceramics, and quilts.
By combining comfy luxury and vintage charm, a French farmhouse style can be achieved in your home.
What are Parisian colors?
Parisian colors are often associated with classic French style – shades of sage, onyx, and ivory along with soft shades of blush and muted blues. These colors often feature delicate details such as subtle flocking, light linen, and vintage lace.
Create a classic Parisian atmosphere in any room by mixing a light ivory paint with a warm shade of moss green and brass accents. Complete the look with accents of soft, faded pinks and pale blues. Choose feminine accessories such as light wood furniture, antique French mirrors, and intricate tapestry to pull it all together.
When you’re done you’ll have created a classic Parisian atmosphere!.
How do you paint furniture to look French country?
Painting furniture in the French country style can be done by creating different layers of color and details. Start by selecting a piece of furniture to transform. Next, choose a soft, light-colored base paint, such as a pastel green, robin’s egg blue, beige or white.
After prepping the piece of furniture, paint it with several coats of the base color. Allow the paint to dry completely between coats. Once you have an even base coat, begin creating layers of color and detail.
To create a country look, add a glaze of burnt umber or dark brown paint diluted with water over the entire piece. Wipe off some of the glaze in places with a damp cloth to make the piece look aged and worn.
Use a cream-colored paint to go over carvings to make them stand out, and paint the legs and or feet of the furniture a darker color to create contrast and interest. On top of the main colors, use character colors to add more depth and dimension.
Details such as floral designs or stencils of geometric shapes can help bring the piece to life. Once finished, seal the piece with a furniture wax or latex to protect from wear and tear.
What is the difference between French country and farmhouse decor?
French country and farmhouse decor may look similar due to their vintage charm and neutral colors, but they have some distinct differences. French country decor is elegant, refined and ornate, favoring ornate Louis XVI and XV chairs, crystal chandeliers, and gold and silver accents.
Soft yellows, blues, creams and reds often reign in this style. Farmhouse decor is much more rustic, borrowed from the countryside and utilizing chunky wood furniture, crisp white bedding, and more distressed finishes.
While French country decor typically embraces a more formal, romantic style, farmhouse decor often creates a lived-in, relaxed, welcoming feel.
What is French provincial decorating style?
French Provincial decorating style is a type of interior design inspired by the opulent, ornate style of 18th-century French palaces and châteaux. This style is characterized by elegant furnishings, light colors, and delicate detail.
Typical elements of French Provincial interiors include carved wooden furniture, patterned textiles, painted cabinetry, and detailed plasterwork. Antique items such as distressed mirrors or elaborately-adorned chandeliers are often used to build a luxurious atmosphere.
French Provincial decorating style also emphasizes the importance of creating a comfortable and inviting space by adding comfortable fabrics such as upholstery, rugs, and drapery. Many rooms also feature old-world wall treatments and often contain large-scale artwork and sculptural elements.
While French Provincial style is luxurious and elegant, it is also practical, as some core elements, such as natural-hued floors and mirrored wall treatments, require little upkeep and add to the room’s atmosphere.
French Provincial decorating style is an ideal choice for those who appreciate classic elegance and timeless beauty.
Can you mix farmhouse and French country?
Yes, it is possible to combine elements of farmhouse and French country styles in order to create a unique look in your home. The two styles have quite a few similarities, such as wood furniture, natural fabrics, and neutral color palettes, which makes it relatively easy to bring them together.
Whether you’re looking for an eclectic mix of styles or a more classic look, it’s possible to create a beautiful space with a combination of farmhouse and French country design.
For an eclectic touch, try creating a room with a hearty layer of farmhouse accents mixed with a few pieces of French country furniture and decor. Balance out heavier rustic pieces with some finer traditional pieces to create a sense of contrast.
Introduce elements like upholstered furniture and classic architectural details to evoke a traditional French country feel. Accessorize with natural elements such as dried flowers and fresh herbs, or even farm-related pieces like a large wooden wheelbarrow in the corner of the room.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more classic look, bring in some French-inspired pieces such as chandeliers, mirrors, and large armchairs. Incorporate farmhouse touches as well, like a wooden trunk for storage or inspired rugs on the floor.
Finish the look with natural floral arrangements, plenty of woven fabrics, and a few distressed pieces for a hint of rustic charm.
No matter which style you prefer, it’s easy to add a touch of French country charm to a classic farmhouse look. With a few well-thought-out pieces, you can easily create a space with a unique character that’s all your own.
Is farmhouse the same as French country?
No, farmhouse and French country are not the same. Farmhouse style is a more rustic, functional approach with a lot of natural materials like wood, linen, and stone. It often incorporates worn-out furniture, simple fabrics and modest color schemes.
French Country is often more formal and ornate with more intricate accents and more color and pattern. It also has more French influence, with decorative accents like drapery and garlands, heavily carved furniture, and ornamental details.
Both farmhouse and French Country are cottage-style decor, but they have distinct differences.