Today we’re taking a deep dive into another popular home décor style to better understand the elements that define a style. Understanding what defines different décor styles helps you pinpoint your own personal tastes which makes it a lot easier when it comes to decorating your home even if you are blending more than one style.
French Country style is our focus for today and personally this is a style I’ve loved for a long time though I admit to not fully understanding until I researched the style in more detail. I’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to!
French Country Style
French country style is derived by the décor found in homes in the French Countryside. It is popular primarily for its comfortable and casual elegance.
Some confuse it or call it Provincial Style which is similar but is a bit more formal and refined. Provincial style incorporates bold patterns in rich colors often with gold accents. These elements can all easily be incorporated into French Country décor but the styles are not the same.
French Country Colors, Prints and Materials
Warm, muted colors are typical of this style. Soft yellows, warm pinks, baby blues and lots of creams and whites are most common. Softly patterned fabrics, often Toile featuring landscapes or figures are common as are other patterns such as stripes, gingham, plaids and small florals.
French Country Furniture
Comfort and style are key to furniture of this style. Upholstered seating and chairs incorporating soft and cozy cushions. Distressed woods and painted furniture are common.
Tables and chests are graceful and simple wood pieces with curves and carvings. Distressed painted and white washed finishes are also common.
French Country Architecture
In keeping with the details mentioned above, French country architecture is simple and natural with a comfortable elegance. Exposed wooden beams on the ceiling are common as well as natural stone, wood or brick floors. These natural materials often have a weathered appearance and these elements are the same on the exteriors of French country homes as well.
French Country Kitchens
Kitchens of this style are notably comfortable and sophisticated. It’s common for the cabinets to look like regular furniture with moldings and sometimes carvings.
More casual kitchens typically are accented with shabby chic and vintage elements with pretty old jars and bottles containing pantry items. Pot racks full of copper pots are also common and add a warm element to the space.
Modern French Country Kitchens are often characterized by their signature, decorative range hoods.
French Country Dining Rooms
French country dining rooms (where I’m most interested in the style) feature spaces with lighter toned wooden tables and vintage or mismatched chairs. You’ll often see rustic chandeliers made of distressed wood or metal. Curtains of gingham in a lightweight fabric that fall to the floor or elegant silk are also common.
French Country Living Rooms
Living rooms are light and airy with plenty of natural sun-light and lots of white. Textiles like the fabrics on furniture mix patterns for a cheery and uplifting feel.
French Country Bedrooms
French Country bedrooms are feminine and soft with a mix of cottage or shabby chic style and lots of vintage elements that lend a comfortable feel. It’s common to see elements like a crystal chandelier on a smaller scale and layers of white bedding in lightweight fabrics. Toile is also a common pattern for comforters or drapery. Like other rooms, furniture in distressed woods are also common.
French Country Bathroom
Like bedrooms and other spaces, French country style bathrooms are feminine, comfortable with a comfortable level of elegance. Crystal chandeliers, gold framed mirrors and toile wallpaper would all be typical.
French country style is comfortable and casual with a level of elegance that makes it a popular style for many homes. Not to be confused with farmhouse style that also includes natural materials, antiques and airiness, French Country style is softer and feminine with a refined elegance that feels timeless and doable for real life.
I hope you’ve gained some understanding of French Country Style that maybe you didn’t have before. This is a style I’m incorporating into our dining room even though it’s not necessarily a style I want everywhere. This has given me some direction for my own space and I hope I’ve done the same for you.
Is French Country style something you like or have in your own space or do you prefer something else?
you may also like:
- Style Made Simple: Traditional Style
- Style Made Simple: Coastal Style
- How to choose the right style for you and your home
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