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what is french country decorating

by Mrs. Mariah Treutel Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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French-country style combines European elegance with rustic comforts. Using soothing hues, soft patterns, and antique accents, the popular decorating aesthetic creates an inviting look that's both polished and lived-in. Use these charming ideas to incorporate French-country decor into your home.May 26, 2022

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How to decorate in French country style?

The Basics of French Country Decor

  • Kitchens. A kitchen in this style is both comfortable and sophisticated. ...
  • Dining Rooms. A rustic chandelier of distressed wood or metal with candelabra bulbs is a must in a traditional French country dining room.
  • Living Rooms. Airy, whitewashed, and sun-kissed describe the style of French country living rooms. ...
  • Bedrooms. ...
  • Bathrooms. ...

What are the elements of French country design?

  • Color Schemes – There is a wide range of different color schemes that you can use if you are trying to create the French Country theme in your home. ...
  • Floors – Floors are a significant feature in French Country houses. ...
  • Accessories – This style is almost the reverse of a minimalist look, so accessories are a key element of the style. ...

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How to decorate a master bedroom with French country style?

How to Decorate in French Country Style

  • Decorating Begins With a French Country Color Scheme. Begin with the color scheme . ...
  • Consider the Possibilities of Major Alterations. Consider the possibilities such as adding decorative beams to the ceiling in the family room or kitchen.
  • Start Shopping for the Furniture and Interior Basics. ...

What is French country decor?

The Basics: What Is French-Country Style?

  • A balance of well-worn, down-to-earth elements and delicate, elegant accents.
  • Weathered finishes, exposed and painted wood, wrought iron, and plush upholstery.
  • Ornate furniture shapes juxtaposed with simple wall paneling.
  • Textile details like ruffles and lace, patterns including pinstripes and toile, and tufted upholstery.

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What is French country style?

French country style is defined as a mix of rustic and refined decor inspired by the homes in the French countryside. It's a popular style worldwide because of its comfortable and casual elegance that's never ostentatious. Three distinct characteristics make up the style: Softly patterned fabrics in muted colors.

What are French country colors?

What are the colors for French country? French country design has a neutral color palette including white, beige, gray and taupe. The French also like to add subtle and faded colors like light green, french blue, pale pink, or lavender. All these shades are timeless and remind of nature.

What is modern French country decor?

Modern French Country style incorporates stone and patina finishes, inviting imperfections, tons of character, and curves galore. The style as a whole plays with vintage elements while still feeling clean, intentional, and warm.

What is the difference between French country and farmhouse decor?

"French country embodies a soft, airy, feminine, and refined elegance," Richardson says. "Farmhouse embodies a cleaner look, more defined lines, and has a more casual style." Hello, subway tile and shiplap all day, every day.

What is the difference between shabby chic and French country?

Shabby chic furniture is more geometrical in shape. Square and rectangle shaped tables, beds and cupboards. Shabby chic furniture is more fashion oriented; meanwhile the French furniture has a conventional and classic appeal.

How do you paint furniture to look French country?

Apply Contrasting Layers of Paint to Add Depth French country furniture pieces are usually light and muted but with dark undertones. Achieve this look by opting for complementary colors of paint. Your base coat should be a darker, saturated color, such as brown, black, or deep blue.

Is farmhouse the same as French country?

While these two decor styles are very similar they are definitely not the same. They both encompass neutral colors, antiques, and natural materials. Farmhouse is more casual and French country is more elegant.

Can I mix French country with modern?

Stick to a simple colour palette of one or two colours and paint both the ceiling and walls in the same hue. The reason the French Country and Modern works so well comes down to conflict and contrast. Where French Country is soft and rustic, Modern is fresh and sleek. Where French Country is warm, Modern is cool.

Can you mix traditional with French country?

French country decor ideas: how to get the look Begin with a color palette of soft pastels, creams and white, across paint and stylised wallpaper; layer on fabrics, either plain linen or traditional toiles, ticking and classic florals; and curate a collection of antique and rustic furniture in pale wood and rattan.

Can you mix modern farmhouse and French country?

16. Mix It Up. Lauren Vandiver combined two of our favorite styles, French country and modern farmhouse, into her living space, proving that mixing and matching different looks can most certainly be done in a stylish manner. Once again, we love the presence of the gold ornate mirror on the wall.

What is French country cottage style?

French cottage style blends country charm with stylish sophistication to create beautiful, inviting spaces. With French country colors, patterns, and decorative accents, you'll feel as if you're surrounded by the vineyards and villages of the French countryside.

What is a French country kitchen?

A French country kitchen is just that. Textures mixed with shiny elements, muted creams and cornflower blue mixed with rich reds or yellows, natural or white-washed wood tones with marble countertops, elegant but not fussy. '

What color is French Country blue?

French Country Blue is a soft, bright, blueberry blue with a wisteria undertone. It is a perfect paint color for a feature wall. Pair it with white cabinetry or marble countertops.

What are considered country colors?

White, yellow, light blue, red and beige shades can all create a country vibe in your cooking space. You can't go wrong with white in the kitchen, especially when you're going for a country look.

What are Parisian colors?

If the floating boat sailing in the wind on the Seine is a well-known image of the Parisian flag, the meaning of the colors – blue and red – is much less so. Equally symbolic, they tell a part of Paris and its history.

What is French farmhouse decor?

This style often features soft and muted colors, natural materials like raw wood and stone, plaster walls, wooden beams and floral and botanical motifs. A French farmhouse plays upon the contrast of dramatic details like carefully crafted dining room tables or exquisite chandeliers against a rustic farmhouse setting.

What is French country style?

It comes as literally no surprise that French country design is inspired by the actual French countryside, specifically Provence. French decor in and of itself can be extremely ornate, elegant, and often over-the-top, but Provencal homes incorporate traditional elements in a way that's far more relaxed, distressed, and subdued.

What is French country furniture made of?

Lines are curved, though nothing ever feels ostentatious, as it's made out of natural materials, such as carved wood with a low sheen finish.

What is the difference between French country and farmhouse?

It's easy to confuse French country for farmhouse, as both incorporate a lot of natural materials, airy and lightness, white, wood, and antiques, but they are totally different things. "French country embodies a soft, airy, feminine, and refined elegance," Richardson says. "Farmhouse embodies a cleaner look, more defined lines, and has a more casual style." Hello, subway tile and shiplap all day, every day.

What are the materials used in French country?

As in traditional rustic design, natural materials are it for French country. You'll find exposed wood-beamed ceilings for days, natural stone or wood planked floors, and likely a stone fireplace. Materials, whether wood or stone, will often have a weathered appearance. Nothing is perfectly polished, but rather, ...

What are some of the most common French country motifs?

Traditional French country motifs also include lavender, roosters, olives, and sunflowers, though these are more typical for things like table linens and curtain panels. Most prints will be made of linen or cotton.

Is country decor more rustic?

While if you head to Paris or the castle region, you'll be inclined to find interiors with far more flourishes in the form of ornate gilding, paneling, and molding, country decor is by far more rustic —but not wholly so. The classic French elegance is merged with a rustic, country aesthetic, creating a balance between beauty and comfort. It feels lived-in and welcoming, but still impeccable. "It's also playful with its touches of botanical themes in art, fabric, wallpaper, and accessories," Richardson says. Safe to say, it has that certain je ne sais quoi.

How to decorate a French country home?

Try to avoid decorating your French-country space with sleek lines, high-gloss finishes, bold colors, or abstract shapes. Instead, look for unique pieces that, with their worn finishes and ornate detailing, look like they could have come straight out of a centuries-old Provençal home. Some such pieces include wrought-iron birdcages and other vintage-inspired decorative objects. Decorate the walls with oversized wall clocks and ornate wall mirrors. Cover side tables and coffee tables with old books and embellish the entire space with overfilled vases of lush flower bouquets.

What is French country style?

Marrying timeless elegance with humble charm, French-country style pays homage to the subtle luxury of life in the Provençal French countryside. If you've got a taste for the finer things but aren't interested in decorating your home with absolute grandeur, French-country style is the style for you. Keep reading to learn more about what French-country style is and take a look at these 10 French-country decorating ideas.

What are some textile details?

Textile details like ruffles and lace, patterns including pinstripes and toile, and tufted upholstery.

What are the colors of French country?

White and off-white neutrals are classic French-country base colors, though it's also common to see toned-down hues like pale sage, lavender, daffodil, and periwinkle. Base colors make up most of a French-country room's color palette; you'll find these colors on the walls, rugs, large furniture pieces, curtains and drapes, and even on some accent decor. White and off-white bases are excellent for amplifying a room's light and making it appear larger, though darker colors have the ability to elevate a room's glamour and drama. As always, natural greens and browns as well as bright floral colors come into play in bouquets and other floral decor.

What is the elegance of a French country living room?

2. Subtle Elegance. This French-country living room idea relies on only a few key elements to make the most of the style.

What is French country architecture?

Though traditional French-country homes are characterized by ultra-lavish features such as romantic arches, high ceilings with exposed beams, and tall windows, the beauty of French-country style is that it can be adopted in almost any home, from the most quaint to the most luxurious.

What is weathered wood furniture?

In all places except upholstery, weathered finishes are must-haves in French-country style. Painted wood furniture with imperfections from wear and tear fit in perfectly alongside pristine upholstered sofas and armchairs. Exposed wood is another excellent choice for side furniture and decor, including mirror and picture frames, wall shelves, side tables, and more. Look for wood furniture with ornate detailing. It's common to find weathered wood dining tables paired with upholstered dining chairs in French-country dining rooms.

What are some examples of French country interiors?

French-country interiors share some of the characteristics of farmhouse-style rooms, but the two are distinctly different styles. Curvy-lined furniture, feminine patterns, and ornate details appear much more often in French-country homes, for example. Elegant gilded mirrors and vas es filled with flowers are also classic to the style.

What Is French-Country Style?

Infuse your home with romance with Country French decor. Here's how to capture the decorating style in your home.

What color backsplash goes with a country French kitchen?

Detailed woodwork and shapely legs on the island soften the square shape of the piece. Powder blue island stools and a sage green backsplash add a punch of color to the neutral kitchen color scheme.

What architectural details add charm to a French kitchen?

But you don't have to live in an ancient chateau to create the look. Rustic stone tile and hand-scraped wood beams add the charm of an old French eatery to this new kitchen. Curved archways, intricate molding details, and patinaed finishes also enhance the look.

What are the colors of French country?

Soft colors and warm neutrals form the mainstay color scheme of French-country style. Muted shades of blue, red, pink, and green often coexist with creamy whites and wood tones in this relaxed European look. 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.

How to incorporate French country style into a modern home?

Incorporating French-country style into a modern home requires a thoughtful balance. To provide an elegant stage for casual living, dress the room with French influences, such as full-length draperies, rich wallpapers or paint finishes, and formal fabrics. Then fill the space with livable furnishings, such as this generous, farmhouse-inspired dining table, to entice large gatherings of family and friends.

What is repurposing a dresser?

Repurposing is a popular way to incorporate old pieces into a home, and it's perfect for bringing in country French flavor. This vintage dresser makes a beautiful showpiece as a bathroom vanity, with its sweetly painted designs and gilded details. A sparkling mirror and sconces add to the elegance.

What is French country decor?

French country décor is all about elegance and ease, a refined take on country life and the art of living that the French have perfected over centuries and the rest of the world never ceases to try and emulate. French country décor tends to skew more traditionally feminine than the modern farmhouse style that is ubiquitous in the U.S. today.

How to incorporate French country style into a room?

An easy way to incorporate some French country style into any space is by using architectural salvage such as this lovely door, which has been stripped of its finish, at at Patina Farm designed by Giannetti Home. An unfinished door has a modern look that complements the original hardware.

How to add French country to a room?

If you want to add a little French country to your space without redecorating the whole room, start small with a vintage or antique shelf to create a vignette that can change with time. Here French interior designer Vanessa Scoffier created a little shrine to French country style with a vintage gold-framed painting, a vintage mirror and perfume bottle and a modern paper cube light garland at Paris’ Hotel Henriette.

Who created the French vanity?

French Vanity. Anita Joyce at Cedar Hill Farmhouse created a bedroom vanity in the space between two windows by pairing an upholstered Louis XVI chair with an antique desk. A gilded Louis Philippe mirror and a pair of ornate sconces anchor the space. Continue to 17 of 20 below.

What is French country style furniture?

Typically, French Provençal or country-style furniture is more rustic and rougher-hewn than its Parisian counterparts. “While the upper class could afford the finer furniture, the country folk weren’t as wealthy, so their homes were furnished with simpler styles, local woods, and less ornate carvings,” Webb explains.

What are some examples of French country furniture?

Larger pieces that channel French country include antique armoires (usually the focal piece of the room), rustic rectangular dining-room tables, living-room settees with curved mutton legs, and bakers’ rack “shelves” made of iron with brass detailing.

Which print pattern was associated with the Provence?

“Of the many print patterns associated with Provence, the one that gained a lot of fame was toile de Jouy, which was also used by the aristocracy,” explains Isabelle Odjaghian, assistant interior design program director at the Design Institute of San Diego.

When did French country style become popular?

The popularity of French country style gained even further acclaim in the 1980s and 1990s, with movies and books about the region (such as Peter Mayle’s “A Year in Provence”) inspiring home decor, notes Beverly Solomon of the eponymous design firm.

Who is the first lady to decorate the White House?

While this style has existed for centuries in France, it took off in the United States in the mid-20th century, thanks to two influencers: the French company Pierre Deux, and former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. “Mrs. Kennedy decorated the White House with both fine French and country French pieces, and Pierre Deux made fabrics ...

What is French country style?

French country style is undeniably charming. Inspired by the idyllic homes in Provence, France — a picturesque region complete with rolling hills and lavender fields — this style marries fanciful, feminine details with classic, country elements.

What is the best color for a French country bedroom?

Blue and yellow is a classic, French country combination. It's warm and inviting, and sets the perfect tone for guests in this sumptuous bedroom designed by Mary Anne Smiley. To make this look your own (and achieve French country decor on a dime), start with a blue-and-yellow comforter and then layer on coordinating pillows, preferably with a floral motif. For common spaces, consider blue-and-yellow curtains or even a blue-and-yellow checked accent chair.

What is an armoire in French country?

Need an excuse to go thrifting? Armoires — also known as freestanding, wood wardrobes — often double as decor in French country households. And they don't have to be used in the traditional sense. You could bring one into your bathroom as a place for towels and bathrobes, or station one in your foyer or hallway, like a grandfather clock. In the room above, an armoire and clawfoot tub add the perfect, French country touch.

What is floral decor?

Florals are essential French country decor; they enliven neutral linens and evoke thoughts of picturesque Provence. For an organic look, simply pair a floral armchair or ottoman with fresh (or faux!) arrangements, just like Casabella Interiors did for this airy reading nook.

Where to display antique plates?

There are countless ways to display your dinnerware, but our favorites include in an arch over the door, in a traditional wooden hutch or in a floor-to-ceiling unit like the one pictured above. It's the perfect way to add a little Provençal flair to your humble abode.

What is French country furniture?

French Country Furniture. Traditional French furniture designs from centuries past are a must when furnishing a French farmhouse home. French furniture is often crafted from wood. Sometimes it is left its natural color and other times it’s painted. Over time, the paint will peel, giving furniture a nice distressed look.

What is curated interior?

Welcome to Curated Interior, where you can find the best home decorating tips and furniture recommendations from across the web. We curate a selection of gorgeous home products so you can design the home of your dreams!

Is French country decor good?

If you love the idea of spending the summer in an old house in the south of France, surrounded by lavender fields and not far from a world-class antique market, then French country decor may be the right choice for your home! French country decor is characterized by its understated elegance and use of rustic elements with an old- world European charm. Today I’m excited to give you a quick overview of how to get French country style in your home.

Can you make a French country farmhouse look like a French cottage?

As you can see, it’s entirely possible to make your home look like it came from a beautiful French cottage!

Who designed the French country dining room?

Liz Fourez designed a beautiful French country dining room that is rooted in neutral woods and looks extremely sophisticated due to her styling. Here’s proof that it really is all in the details! A lace runner and arrangement of fresh flowers bring extra warmth and sweetness to tonal space.

What is Deb Foglia's home style?

Blogger Deb Foglia ‘s family home features a welcoming, charming living area decorated in quintessential French country style —whitewashed woods, ornate molding artwork, and light upholstery. The eye-catching coffee table, which looks like an oversized vintage clock face, is just one of our favorite features in this sunny space.

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1.What Is French Country Style? - The Spruce

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