Style Spotlight: French Country

There's a certain je ne sais quoi about French country decor, conjuring up images of a charming cottage with a flower garden in the front yard and an herb garden outside the kitchen door. It came about in the 17th and 18th centuries, when local furniture makers in southern France began imitating the ornate furniture being produced in Paris. These furniture makers used the more affordable materials available to them to create the French country style pieces which became widespread after World War I.   

French country style, sometimes referred to French provincial style, is a style is full of delightful contradictions: casual yet elegant, rustic yet refined. Furniture is often a mix of antiques from different periods, but always comfortable and inviting. It incorporates natural materials, a soft palette, toile, gold finishes, and ornate tapestries to create a unique look. 

Modern French Country

In recent years, a more modern French country style has emerged, making it more compatible with contemporary design elements. To achieve this balance, furnish a space with practical elements such as farmhouse-inspired fixtures. Bring in French influences with bold wallpaper, formal drapery, lots of gold, and ornate lighting.   

Color Palette & Patterns

Soft blues, creams, and pale yellows are a soothing backdrop for a French country design style. Often inspired by colors in nature, muted shades of green, pink, and red blend well with wood and cream tones. 

Plaids, broad stripes, toile patterns—even chintz—play well together, as long as they share the same color palette. Fabrics and wallpapers featuring faded reds are especially effective in setting a French country decor tone. 

A French Country Kitchen

In French country kitchen decor, even functional pieces are ornamental. Vintage-inspired bridge and kitchen faucets and deep farmhouse sinks make a sophisticated statement in the kitchen. Exposed wood beams are ever present in French country kitchen decor as well.  

Patterned wallpaper or backsplash tile are often used to contrast white marble countertops and rich wood base cabinets. Hanging cabinets add style with carvings, glass fronts, or a splash of painted color. Decorative-but-functional cabinet hardware is a must. Ornate stone floor tile completes the look.   

A central island is a mainstay of a French country kitchen, often paired with hanging copper cookware. A decorative rangehood over the stove is a simple way to add sophistication to the look. Can you smell the coq au vin? 

Bathroom Design

A French country bathroom practically demands a gorgeous clawfoot tub. It especially exudes elegance when a crystal chandelier is hanging overhead. Polished plumbing fixtures such as ornamental tub fillers and faucets complement regal toilets and embellished vanities.

Muted shades create a serene feel in a bathroom space. Flank a vintage-look mirror with elaborate sconces. Textiles can be frilly and fussy to add a flourish to the decor. Indulge and soak in your very own relaxing Parisian space. 

Doors & Hardware

A discussion of French style wouldn't be complete with the inclusion of French Doors. French doors can provide a vintage look or have cleaner lines for a more modern style. Door hardware can help determine your desired look.  

Embellished cabinet hardware contributes to a traditional French country look, whereas more modern hardware makes for a contemporary style.  

Lighting

Wrought iron is a common element in French country decor. Often combined with exposed beams, it contributes a rustic touch. Iron gradually develops a unique patina for a timeless look.

French country chandeliers and candelabras achieve this. Note that gold and brass accents are used frequently in French country style. In lighting, mirrors, and even accent in appliances, French country lighting is the perfect place to get this look. 

French Country Furnishings & Decor

French country decor style can be found in the architectural details of many French country spaces. Stone tile, hand-scraped wood beams, crown moulding, and curved archways are quintessential. Curvy lines, ornate details, gilded mirrors, flowers, and feminine patterns are ever present in French country design as well. 

A Perfect Balance

You don’t have to live in a French chateau to cultivate the look of French country decor. Focus on delicate provincial patterns, rustic furniture, and patinaed finishes achieve the charm of French country design in any space.