Knowledge Builders

what does a french provincial house look like

by Jason Mueller Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Full Answer

What is the interior of a French Provincial home?

What are some of the features of French Provincial architecture?

How many stories are there in French Provincial style?

What is the front entryway of a house?

What are the French provinces?

When did French Provincial style become popular?

What is a steeply pitched roof?

See 2 more

image

What is French Provincial house style?

French provincial architecture also known as French Eclectic architecture include Manor houses or chateaux homes which were built by French aristocrats beginning in the 1600s. The homes are characterized by arched doorways and symmetrically placed elements. They are usually two stories tall with steep hipped roofs.

What makes a house French provincial?

A French-style home, also called a French provincial home, is a stone, brick, or stucco house with a steep rooftop and large windows. Often featuring courtyard gardens, iron gates, and gravel pathways, French-style homes are known for their rustic appeal.

What is French provincial look?

Also known as Shabby Chic. As the name suggests, provincial French style includes country farmhouse style as well as coastal influences. It's known and adored for its elegant, and timeless appeal, which you can see in our furniture packages.

How do I know if my French furniture is provincial?

Features typically associated with French Provincial furniture include cabriole legs, and simple scalloped carving. Dining chairs often have a wheat pattern carving reflecting the country surroundings of the maker. The ladder back chair with a woven rush seat is the typical French Provincial dining chair.

What decor style is French provincial?

French Provincial is a style that blends the French countryside with Parisian elegance. From polished rustic looks to the ornate feel of antiques and knick-knacks, French Provincial homes can include exposed timber and chandeliers all in the same space.

What are French provincial colors?

French provincial style is representative of Provence region atmosphere : the sun, the countryside landscapes and the special scents. To get a Provincial home decor, you'll have to mix typical colors, prints and pieces of this beautiful part of France. Ocher, olive-green and lavender blue are the 3 colors to use.

Is French provincial out of style?

French Provincial design is especially popular today because it's a softer, more elegant take on minimal or rustic farmhouse decor. Plus, you won't be rushing to replace it in a few years because it's a classic we don't see going out of style anytime soon.

What is the difference between Hamptons style and French provincial?

Rather than ornate and rustic touches, the Hamptons style has more emphasis on clean lines, simple design and crisp colours. As we've seen with the French provincial style, stone benchtops add a touch of elegance, and natural materials, particularly wooden floorboards, are widely used.

What goes with French Provincial?

French provincial interiors look best with pastel colors such as peach, lavender, old rose, lilac, or periwinkle. Feel free to paint your old furniture to match them to the rest of your decor.

What is the difference between French Country and French provincial?

According to this article, “French Country” is a catch-all term, but it can split into even more specific categories, with French Provincial being the more elegant style and Country french being more rustic.

What era is French provincial furniture?

French Provincial, sometimes used interchangeably with French Country, refers to a decorating and furnishing style that originated in the provinces of France throughout the 1700s and 1800s.

How do you make French provincial furniture look modern?

A simple way to update a piece of French Provincial furniture is to give it a fresh coat of paint in a modern shade, such as coral or emerald green. Take it one step further and paint stripes, using masking tape as a guide, or paint a floral pattern using a projection as a stencil.

What is the difference between French Country and French provincial?

According to this article, “French Country” is a catch-all term, but it can split into even more specific categories, with French Provincial being the more elegant style and Country french being more rustic.

What is the difference between Hamptons style and French provincial?

Rather than ornate and rustic touches, the Hamptons style has more emphasis on clean lines, simple design and crisp colours. As we've seen with the French provincial style, stone benchtops add a touch of elegance, and natural materials, particularly wooden floorboards, are widely used.

What is a provincial house?

French provincial homes are houses featuring a design style introduced in the 1600s, when French nobles built idyllic manors during the reign of Louis XIV. Homes featuring French provincial design are balanced and symmetrical with steep roofs and lacking the towers commonly found on French Normandy homes.

Is French provincial out of style?

French Provincial design is especially popular today because it's a softer, more elegant take on minimal or rustic farmhouse decor. Plus, you won't be rushing to replace it in a few years because it's a classic we don't see going out of style anytime soon.

What is French provincial style?

What exactly is French provincial style and how can it be incorporated into a modern home? In the 17th and 18th centuries, local furniture makers in the South of France began to imitate the ornate furniture being produced in Paris, essentially creating their own pared-back "French-country" pieces from the more affordable materials they had available to them. The look became widespread after World War I when soldiers returned home, inspired by the look of country homes they had seen in the South of France.

What is a French provincial quilt cover made of?

Opt for neutral shades with striped detailing for a laid-back yet totally elegant look. This quilt cover set is made from 100% French flax linen and has been stonewashed for ultimate softness.

What is parquetry in French style?

Parquetry is a quintessential feature of a French provincial style home. The most common way to lay parquetry is in a herringbone pattern. The home of interior designer Melissa Penfold features a more elaborate flooring pattern, in French oak. 4.

What is simplicity dining area?

Simplicity is drawn from the rustic wooden dining table and padded chairs, and sophistication from the use of timber flooring and refined colour palette.

What are the colors of French country interiors?

Popular colours for a French country interior are whites, neutrals, greys, creams, blushes and light blues.

What style of console is used in Newcastle?

A French style wrought iron console makes a welcoming entrance in this art-deco style home in Newcastle.

What is the white wardrobe in a country home called?

Armoire. The white wardrobe towards the back of this living room in a provincial style country home is known as an "armoire.". While historically created for storing arms, it is now more commonly used as a wardrobe, or like the owner of this home, as a place to keep precious china.

What are the key pieces of French Provincial style furniture?

Key pieces for a French Provincial style are bedheads made of rattan or those upholstered in natural linen, antique armoires and dressers, scrubbed farmhouse style tables with ladder back chairs, quirky hand painted side tables, consoles and soft, comfortable linen upholstered sofas or pre-shrunk cotton slip covers.

What paint finishes are best for furniture?

Natural paint finishes are important to achieve the right look for this style. Chalk paint is excellent to use for furniture with matt finishes for the walls. Limewash that subtly blooms or soft distemper finishes work well too.

What are the colors of 2019?

Colours for 2019 are warmer than they have been for a while with soft pinks, corals and natural terracotta tones gaining ground on the classic and much loved blues, greys and whites that we have seen in recent times. French Provincial Style combines these earthy tones with natural grey whites and neutral stone colours.

What is the difference between blue and white furniture?

Image: Saville Furniture. Whites are slightly dirtier and softer than the crisp whites that are gaining in popularity at the moment. Blue whites are rarely used in a French Provincial style and if a cooler look is desired then this is achieved with a touch of grey.

Can you replicate a country home in France without it?

Don't even consider styling a home to replicate a country home in France without it. You can of course use other fabrics. Natural cotton, an odd velvet chair found in a local flea market or an aged leather armchair all suit this look but it is natural linen that defines it.

What are the characteristics of a French country house?

French-inspired homes share many notable characteristics with Mediterranean-style houses. Elaborate stonework, stucco siding, and intricately carved doors are common across the two aesthetics. An ornate iron balcony draws extra attention to the front entrance of this French country home.

What is a French country house?

French country houses are often clearly identifiable by the style of the roof. One of the most common is the hip roof design. Typically a prominent part of the exterior's design, this style features four sloping sides that meet in a ridge along the top.

What color is a French country chateau?

Categorized as a muted terra-cotta or burnt peach, this home's exterior color changes with the sun and the rain, much as a Provencal sunset would. The color was chosen to give the petite French country chateau a gentle patina to disguise its newness. Traditional French architectural hallmarks, such as a stucco exterior, tall arched windows, and a Juliet balcony, further the historic illusion.

What is stone used for in French country?

Stone is cleverly used as an accent to add distinction to this French country-style home's interesting architectural features. A large chimney, turret, front patio, and foundation all pop thanks to a medley of warm stonework. Romantic arched windows, French doors, and shutters carry out the home's French-inspired theme, lending this home a patina well beyond its true years.

What is the goal of the French country style home?

The goal of capturing maximum light guided the design of this French country-style home inside and out . On the front of the house, tall, shuttered windows with 20 and 24 panes recall French doors. A majestic pecan tree and leafy pergola filter the light and soften high-summer harshness.

What was the exterior of the Santini house made of?

Credit: Claudio Santini. The exterior of this French country home was fashioned from plaster mixed with pale sienna pigment, while the roof tiles were made by hand and shaped over the craftsman's thigh. The tiles were placed in the same angular way they are in France.

What is the style of the French manor house?

Although built in the 21st century, this home looks as authentic as the 18th-century European manor house it was modeled after. Built in the courtyard vernacular, the home, like many others in the French countryside, contains a large square gravel forecourt. Its warm, honey-hued limestone ranges from white to caramel in color; a mixture of smooth and rough-cut pieces were used to create a traditional look. Rustic details, such as a simple portico and wrought-iron flourishes, add old-world panache.

When was French provincial furniture invented?

French provincial furniture was created in the 18th century for wealthy families living in the French provinces as more affordable adaptations of the luxurious Rococo-style pieces made for the monarchy.

What is provincial style?

Provincial style is recognized as a slightly more formal, refined look. Some of its elements, such as its rich colors, bold patterns, and gold accents, can be incorporated into the French country style.

What to put in a French country bedroom?

Add in a small crystal chandelier somewhere in the room, layers of soft and lacy white bedding with a toile comforter and curtains, and a headboard made of distressed wood or an old iron gate, and you have the makings of a beautiful bedroom. Use an old metal garden bench at the end of the bed as a sitting area. A bedroom is the perfect place for painted and distressed dressers and armoires.

What is a toile pattern?

The toile pattern is characterized by its designs of landscapes and figures of one color printed on a white or cream background. The beauty of toile is that it can be paired with many other patterned fabrics, such as stripes, plaids, checks, ginghams, sunflowers, and small florals. Other patterns used on French country fabrics include roosters, ...

What to put on a French country dining room table?

A rustic chandelier of distressed wood or metal with candelabra bulbs is a must in a traditional French country dining room. A lighter-toned wooden dining table surrounded by whitewashed, vintage, or mismatched chairs brings in a casual and welcoming look. For a casual feel, hang gingham curtains to the floor with a little puddling. Lightweight silk draperies puddled on the floor add a bit more formality.

Why is provincial style so popular?

It's a popular style worldwide because of its comfortable and casual elegance that's never ostentatious. Three distinct characteristics make up the style: You may also hear this type of decor called provincial style. Provincial style is recognized as a slightly more formal, refined look.

What is a French country kitchen?

A kitchen in this style is both comfortable and sophisticated. Cabinetry may look like regular furniture with molding and carvings. Casual kitchens of this style feature shabby chic and vintage touches, including pretty old jars and bottles that hold pantry items, quaint signage for wall decor, wrought iron pot racks, and plenty of copper pots. Modern French country kitchens are known for their signature, decorative range hoods.

What is the interior of a French Provincial home?

Despite the straight, symmetrical lines you'll find on the exterior of a French Provincial home, French Provincial interiors are typically softer, with curved lines and lots of texture from materials like linen, wood, wrought iron, and stone.

What are some of the features of French Provincial architecture?

Although some elements of French Provincial architecture have changed over the last several centuries, today's French Provincial homes have retained many of the traditional designs and features, like brick or stone facades, steeply pitched, sloping roofs, and high, arched windows.

How many stories are there in French Provincial style?

At Least Two Stories. French Provincial style is grand, so it's no surprise that these homes typically have at least two stories. Oftentimes, the upper stories will have tall, arched windows. Many homes have windows that extend beyond the eave of the roof line to give the structure an even taller, more grand appearance.

What is the front entryway of a house?

You'll typically see the front entryway is centered exactly on the front of the house, and the same number of tall, rectangular windows on each side of the structure. These windows are usually flanked by simple, painted shutters. The only break from symmetry on some houses were the aforementioned rounded towers.

What are the French provinces?

Some famous French provinces include Normandy, Brittany, and Provence, as a province usually designated a regional city and its surrounding lands. Although "provincial" can often mean "unsophisticated," these sprawling, country homes were anything but. Although some elements of French Provincial architecture have changed over ...

When did French Provincial style become popular?

Although French Provincial style hasn't become has widely popular as architectural styles inspired by Britain and the United Kingdom, it experienced major surges in popularity during the 1920s and 1960s. It's important to note that French Provincial homes in the United States are considered revivals of the original homes from ...

What is a steeply pitched roof?

Steeply Pitched Roof. Nearly all French Provincial homes have a steeply pitched, hipped roof—meaning all four sides of the roof slope downward s to the ground—and dormers, which are small extensions that stretch beyond the roof's edges. Adding to the home's simple beauty, many roofs were made from slate or copper.

image

The History of French Provincial Architecture

Image
Hailing from the French countryside, French Provincial architecture is a term used to describe the massive manor houses and chateaux homes built by French aristocrats beginning in the 1600s. Many French Provincial homes were built during the reign of King Louis XIV and were actually inspired by the grand stylings and fu…
See more on thespruce.com

Must-Have Elements of French Provincial Architecture

  • Unlike many building and decorating trends, French Provincial architecture has retained most its key elements over the last several centuries. Some distinguishing characteristics of French Provincial architecture include:
See more on thespruce.com

Where to Find French Provincial Homes and Buildings

  • The French countryside is, undoubtedly, the best place to see and get inspired by beautiful, French Provincial homes. Many of the original homes—dating back to the 1600 and 1700s—are still standing today. French Provincial style can be found across the United States, especially in communities that experienced building booms during the 1920s and 1960s.
See more on thespruce.com

1.10 features of French provincial style - Homes To Love

Url:https://www.homestolove.com.au/french-provincial-style-10-key-elements-6741

2 hours ago  · A Brief History of French Provincial Homes in the United States. The average person on the street has an idea of what an English cottage looks like. If you asked a random …

2.My Guide to French Provincial Style - Making your Home …

Url:https://www.makingyourhomebeautiful.com/my-guide-to-french-provincial-style/

26 hours ago  · Key pieces for a French Provincial style are bedheads made of rattan or those upholstered in natural linen, antique armoires and dressers, scrubbed farmhouse style tables …

3.History of French Provincial Architecture - Study.com

Url:https://study.com/learn/lesson/french-provincial-architecture-history-styles.html

19 hours ago The interior of a French Provincial house typically features decorative plasterwork, parquet floors, and carved wood details. What does provincial furniture look like? Provincial furniture is a style …

4.20 French Country-Style Homes with European Elegance

Url:https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/country-french-style/

31 hours ago  · What does a French Provincial house look like? A French Provincial house is usually large and stately. It is typically characterized by steeply pitched and often hipped roofs, …

5.What Is French Country Style? - The Spruce

Url:https://www.thespruce.com/basics-of-french-country-decorating-452503

8 hours ago  · Tria Giovan. Modern French country homes apply the traditional elements of European architecture in fresh ways. This elegant multi-level house, for example, features the …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9