Decorating
Decorating: How to Give Your Home a Hint of French Country Style
Hang on to that European holiday feeling by incorporating French style into your interior décor
There’s something about the laid-back mood of what might be referred to as ‘typical’ French country style that makes it a perennial favourite. With an emphasis on quality materials and natural elements, such as stone, wood and cotton, this look is all about longevity and balance.
Whether you want to give your whole home a French country makeover, or just add a subtle Gallic flavour, these inspiring images should provoke plenty of design ideas.
Whether you want to give your whole home a French country makeover, or just add a subtle Gallic flavour, these inspiring images should provoke plenty of design ideas.
Shop for French classics
Certain pieces, such as this ornate armoire, add instant French fancy to any space. Happily, sourcing something similar need not involve long days spent driving around rural France in search of an original (although that may be your idea of heaven), as French-inspired furniture is widely available.
Look for design details such as cabriole legs and scalloped carving, reminiscent of 18th century pieces, but with a plain painted finish in a pastel shade.
Learn the experts’ secrets for successful second-hand shopping
Certain pieces, such as this ornate armoire, add instant French fancy to any space. Happily, sourcing something similar need not involve long days spent driving around rural France in search of an original (although that may be your idea of heaven), as French-inspired furniture is widely available.
Look for design details such as cabriole legs and scalloped carving, reminiscent of 18th century pieces, but with a plain painted finish in a pastel shade.
Learn the experts’ secrets for successful second-hand shopping
Try utility chic
If you’re tiring of your home’s pretty-pretty interior, a Gallic-inspired utilitarian kitchen can be an effective alternative. Features such as freestanding units and industrial-style lighting help to balance softer elements elsewhere.
Metro tiles are a fuss-free design that offer practicality and a clean look, whether finished with white grout or, as in this French country kitchen, grey. Add a chunky farmhouse table, and open shelving with cooking implements on display, and you have the makings of a stylish chef’s kitchen. Garçon!
If you’re tiring of your home’s pretty-pretty interior, a Gallic-inspired utilitarian kitchen can be an effective alternative. Features such as freestanding units and industrial-style lighting help to balance softer elements elsewhere.
Metro tiles are a fuss-free design that offer practicality and a clean look, whether finished with white grout or, as in this French country kitchen, grey. Add a chunky farmhouse table, and open shelving with cooking implements on display, and you have the makings of a stylish chef’s kitchen. Garçon!
Combine natural elements
French country is a style born of simplicity. None of the pieces themselves are particularly sophisticated or expensive, but, in combination, the effect is a winning one.
Natural elements are always evident when you examine this look: wooden tables and worktops, woven cane chairs, linen blinds, handmade tiles and a porcelain sink. Sometimes simple is best.
French country is a style born of simplicity. None of the pieces themselves are particularly sophisticated or expensive, but, in combination, the effect is a winning one.
Natural elements are always evident when you examine this look: wooden tables and worktops, woven cane chairs, linen blinds, handmade tiles and a porcelain sink. Sometimes simple is best.
Mix old and new
Your non-French non-farmhouse may not be stocked with priceless family heirlooms, but adding in a mix of vintage pieces does help to create the lived-in nonchalance that epitomises this style.
Placing ornate furniture, such as these gilded chairs, alongside relaxed linen curtains and plain bedding maintains the laissez faire mood this look demands.
Your non-French non-farmhouse may not be stocked with priceless family heirlooms, but adding in a mix of vintage pieces does help to create the lived-in nonchalance that epitomises this style.
Placing ornate furniture, such as these gilded chairs, alongside relaxed linen curtains and plain bedding maintains the laissez faire mood this look demands.
Reveal a raw finish
Rustic accents, such as exposed beams and painted brick, go a long way to creating the undone French country atmosphere. While few of us benefit from such architectural elements, it is possible to lend your home a similar raw finish.
Stick to a pale palette of driftwood shades and look into distemper paints, which have a chalky, breathable finish. Leave wooden or stone floors bare, except for the odd battered rug. Frame windows with cotton voile and keep pattern faded and vintage-inspired.
Rustic accents, such as exposed beams and painted brick, go a long way to creating the undone French country atmosphere. While few of us benefit from such architectural elements, it is possible to lend your home a similar raw finish.
Stick to a pale palette of driftwood shades and look into distemper paints, which have a chalky, breathable finish. Leave wooden or stone floors bare, except for the odd battered rug. Frame windows with cotton voile and keep pattern faded and vintage-inspired.
Add style with shutters
Wooden shutters are a practical and picturesque choice, recalling slow holiday mornings spent barefoot, padding from window to window, café au lait in hand.
For privacy and insulation, with an option to open fully or just slant the louvres, choose full-height, plantation-style shutters like these. Other types include half-height louvred shutters or traditional solid wood ones.
Wooden shutters are a practical and picturesque choice, recalling slow holiday mornings spent barefoot, padding from window to window, café au lait in hand.
For privacy and insulation, with an option to open fully or just slant the louvres, choose full-height, plantation-style shutters like these. Other types include half-height louvred shutters or traditional solid wood ones.
Arrange a sociable setup
One of the fun things about being on holiday is having extra time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends, away from the stresses of work and the temptations of the TV.
To make your home more conducive to evenings spent chatting around the fire with a glass of merlot, look at the layout of your living space and tweak to enhance its sociability. Face chairs towards each other and create atmospheric lighting with table or floor lamps.
Conveniently placed throws will encourage guests to make themselves comfortable and a ready stack of firewood has obvious appeal.
One of the fun things about being on holiday is having extra time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends, away from the stresses of work and the temptations of the TV.
To make your home more conducive to evenings spent chatting around the fire with a glass of merlot, look at the layout of your living space and tweak to enhance its sociability. Face chairs towards each other and create atmospheric lighting with table or floor lamps.
Conveniently placed throws will encourage guests to make themselves comfortable and a ready stack of firewood has obvious appeal.
Learn that less is more
Holiday homes often have a minimalist appearance due to the lack of ‘stuff’ associated with permanent inhabitants. Streamlining your belongings will make it easier to match this chic austerity. If that’s not possible, try to curate the items you put on display down to a small selection of most-loved pieces.
The beauty of this high-end French kitchen is not down to fussy décor, but simply the charm of its elements: the tactile polished floor, carefully crafted steel island and rustic stone walls.
Holiday homes often have a minimalist appearance due to the lack of ‘stuff’ associated with permanent inhabitants. Streamlining your belongings will make it easier to match this chic austerity. If that’s not possible, try to curate the items you put on display down to a small selection of most-loved pieces.
The beauty of this high-end French kitchen is not down to fussy décor, but simply the charm of its elements: the tactile polished floor, carefully crafted steel island and rustic stone walls.
Aim for subtle elegance
While we want the overall scheme to seem somewhat accidental, sometimes a statement piece can transform a room from ordinary to elegant. Keep an eye out for useful fixtures and furniture that lend a certain je ne sais quoi, such as this pretty pendant light.
TELL US…
Which elements of classic French style most appeal to you? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
While we want the overall scheme to seem somewhat accidental, sometimes a statement piece can transform a room from ordinary to elegant. Keep an eye out for useful fixtures and furniture that lend a certain je ne sais quoi, such as this pretty pendant light.
TELL US…
Which elements of classic French style most appeal to you? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Beds dressed in simple fabrics are crucial for creating the French country feel at home. Gingham, or ‘vichy’, as it’s known in France, is a classic choice and lends effortless appeal when combined with white sheets and cosy blankets.
Perhaps you could pick up some antique embroidery, basket in hand, at the local village market, or (back to reality) online, adding it to your virtual shopping bag?
Check out how to dress your bed for maximum effect