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.
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. ...
What country has both French and English?
East Africa
- Burundi: Kirundi (national and official) + French and English (both official).
- Kenya: English (official) & Swahili (national and official) + other indigenous languages.
- Rwanda: French, English, Swahili & Kinyarwanda (co-official; Kinyarwanda – also a national one).
- Seychelles: French, English & Seychellois Creole (co-official).
What do French Country Kitchens look like?
The color palette of a French country kitchen tends to be soft and subdued. Because cabinetry tends to take up the most visual space in a kitchen, using warm surfaces and muted tones on the cabinets is a must for an authentic French country feel.
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 is considered French country style?
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.
What's the difference between French country and farmhouse style?
"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 modern French country style?
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 makes a room French country?
This style is all about natural materials, muted colors, toile fabrics, extravagant lighting, touches of gold, tapestries, and more—all with a rustic touch. We gathered 25 stylish examples of French country style, from modern interpretations and eclectic visions to classic renditions.
What colors are French country?
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.
What is Joanna Gaines style called?
Joanna Gaines Style Joanna Gaines' style can be described as updated rustic enriched with details and accents of different styles determined by the preferences of home owners. We see her very often combining rustic with industrial or farmhouse with vintage.
Is French country Still in Style 2022?
French country style is never out of fashion; it's timeless.
What's the difference between French country and shabby chic?
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.
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.
What are the key elements of French country design?
Three distinct characteristics make up the style: Softly patterned fabrics in muted colors. Distressed, painted, and vintage furnishings and accessories. Lots of wood and other natural materials....ArchitectureExposed wooden ceiling beams.Natural stone, wood, or brick floors.Weathered appearance.
Can you mix French country with farmhouse?
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.
Can you mix 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 does French country farmhouse look like?
French farmhouses often feature the large windows and the simple shape of an American farmhouse. This style is combined with architectural details like sconces, painted brick, dormer windows and elegant landscaping to give it that French feel.
What is country farmhouse style?
What is Farmhouse Style? Farmhouse style is an interior design style that prioritizes practicality, simplicity, and rustic charm. While farmhouse style tends to reflect the aesthetics of rural architecture, it also embraces modern comforts, creating a look that feels both cozy and stylish.
What is a French farmhouse called?
A mas (Occitan: [ˈmas], Catalan: [ˈmas]) is a traditional farmhouse found in the Provence and Midi regions of France, as well as in Catalonia (Spain) where it is also named masia (in Catalan) or masía (in Spanish).
Warm, muted hues
The color palette from the south of France is a large part of this style’s appeal.
Marble and pottery details
White marble is another essential style element for decorating the kitchen, bath, and on top of console tables or an antique sideboard. Distressed pottery, including vases, tureens, and urns, add elegance to a rustic hutch or open shelving.
It's Inspired By, Well, The French Countryside
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.
French Country Strikes a Balance Between Rustic and Elegant
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.
Keep Things au Naturel
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.
Warm It Up
If you use one word to describe a French country color palette, it's warm. Though the palettes foundation is usually neutral, color is used to accent and add character. Any color is fair game—yellow, red, green, blue—but the underlying thread is that primarily warm shades are used. This helps to create a welcoming, inviting aesthetic.
French Country Furniture Brings The Curves
Forget clean lines and stark modern furnishings—French country uses furniture to add a flowing feel to a room. 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.
Pattern Is a Must
You'll be hard-pressed to find a French country house without some gingham hiding in it somewhere. Pattern is used to add color and character, including plaids, checks, stripes, and one of the most common, toile.
Accessories Blend Old With New
This isn't a less-is-more approach—French country definitely digs accessories, and decor is often used to help blend old with new.
Common traits of French country style
While it's easy enough to identify furnishings and home decor with a French country style, it can be much harder to create a design plan that ties everything together. Whether you're redesigning a single room or your entire home, these traits and elements are popular features for every iteration of French country style:
What doesn't fit into French country style?
When you're selecting new window finishes and home decor styles, it's just as important to know what shouldn't belong on your wish list as it is to know what should be. These are some elements that should be avoided in French country style. This can include jewel tones and bright colors, even in accessories and pops of color.
How to use a moodboard to create French Country style window designs
A mood board is the perfect space for mixing and matching samples of your French country style inspiration. You can build a Pinterest board or a physical board with your favorite fabrics, furniture styles, window finishes and accessories.
1. Plantation shutters
Plantation shutters fulfill the rustic aesthetic that makes up the backbone of French country style. The classic timelessness of plantation shutters will make your home's windows look larger and grand. At the same time, they allow for plenty of natural light and will never clash with any of your other window finishes or nearby decor.
2. Sheer curtains
To continue preserving as much natural light as possible, opt for sheer curtains or drapes in your windows. Lightly colored sheer curtains can preserve your privacy and stop some of the harmful effects of the sun's rays while still allowing plenty of light into your home.
3. Roller shades
Window roller shades are available in a wide range of styles, textures and colors, making them the perfect choice for any French country style room. They don't take up space, so even small rooms can seem open and inviting.
Be Playful in Design
With French Country style, you can take certain liberties to achieve a rustic elegant look. Do not be afraid to use distressed wooden chairs with plush seat cushions. Throw in antique knick-knacks throughout the room to bring in eye-catching visuals that wake up your inner child. Use blown glass lighting fixtures to spruce up a room.
Choose Warmth and Curves
Sleek silhouettes are a common theme in modern design. In contrast, furniture with curved edges and softer fabrics celebrate the French Country theme. Using a round table with delicately carved legs instead of a traditional rectangle table is a great way to create a more inviting environment in your dining room.
Be Over-The-Top With Nature
Maximize your use of natural materials and elements throughout every room. Nature certainly is not polished or planned and you can echo this wild trait by utilizing mismatched wooden furniture pieces, worn-looking rugs, and unvarnished antique metal decorations.
Bring on The Patterns
Although patterns may seem like an over-embellishment, splashing them tastefully throughout each room adds color and character. Patterns and motifs that are often seen in French Country style include:
Accessorize to Blend Rustic and Modern Elements
You can still incorporate traditional ornate French décor by opting for more subdued versions of opulent decorations. Instead of a crystal vase, use a ceramic pitcher to display flowers in your foyer. Instead of a grand chandelier to light up your dining room, use a mini chandelier with weathered metal.
Bring the Flowers Inside and Bring the French Country Outside
Adding fresh flowers to brighten up each room is a quintessential element of Provencal styling. Use woven baskets to artfully display a beautiful array of herbs and flowers in your kitchen. You can easily extend refined farmhouse charm to your outdoor space with white ceramic stools or galvanized metal planters.
Choose Quality Craftsmanship
At Antique Farmhouse, we have curated a wide variety of French country pieces to outfit your entire household. Our dedicated designers have searched the globe to create a selection of high-quality pieces that exude idyllic countryside beauty. We aim to streamline the entire design process for you.
History of French Country Architecture
As previously mentioned, French country homes draw their inspiration from the French countryside. Although you'll find many manors and massive chateaux houses in the French countryside, French country homes are slightly more relaxed with an Old-Word feel.
Must-Have Design Elements
French country architecture and design draws tons of inspiration from nature. Accordingly, French country homes tend to blend in with their surroundings. Some distinguishing characteristics of French country architecture and style include:
Decorating Your Home With French Country Style
Ready to say oui to French country style in your own home? Some simple ways to add a rustic and lived-in, yet elegant vibe to your home include:
