What is French Country Decor?
It comes as no surprise that the French Country Decor is an inspiration from the actual French countryside, particularly Provence.
French Country Decor is a style that can be extravagantly ornate, elegant, sophisticated, and sometimes maximalist. However, Provencal homes use the traditional elements in a more casual and subdued manner.
The most fundamental element is an elegant style that is tempered by incorporating elements from nature like weathered or whitewashed woods and neutral colors.
French Country Decor strikes a balance between rustic and elegant.
Suppose you go towards Paris or the region of castles. In that case, it is possible to see interiors with more embellishments with elaborate panels, gilding and molding, but country decor is more rustic but not entirely so.
The timeless French style combines a rustic, rural style that creates the perfect balance of elegance and comfort. It’s warm and cozy yet elegant.
What is the difference between French Country Decor and Farmhouse Decor?
The contemporary Farmhouse Decor is a blend of both old and modern. Furniture found in second-hand stores and complemented by new pieces will give you a traditional appearance, and it should feel warm and cozy. The farmhouse style is all about character.
Whereas French Country Decor is an excellent balance between the rustic and elegant. It is characterized by warm tones of paint, painted furniture, and clean lines. It should be warm and cozy.
French Country style is softer than the farmhouse, which is cleaner and more informal. Many curving forms are characteristic of French Country style, while farmhouse style could be more distinct with lines.
The points below describe the Country Decor of French category perfectly.
Warm Tones
Warm is the word to describe the French Country style. Although the palette’s base is generally neutral, the use of color enhances and creates the character.
Any color is acceptable, including yellow, green, red, blue. The main point is that predominantly warm hues are utilized, creating an inviting, welcoming aesthetic.
Dark hues, like grays and blacks, do have their place; however, they are used more sparsely. These colors are employed in French country style to break up the color and provide the contrast of bold colors.
French country is a blend of delicate, light, feminine, and elegant.
French Country Furniture Brings the Curves
Don’t be distracted by the clean lines of contemporary furniture. French country uses furniture to create a flowing look to a space. Lines are curvy; however, there’s nothing that’s overly formal because it’s constructed of natural materials like carved wood, which has the appearance of a matte finish.
French country decor furniture is distinct from traditionally rustic furniture due to the upholstery. The goal is comfort, and therefore, the furniture is comfortable and cozy.
The Prints are Used
Patterns are used to add color and personality, such as stripes, checks, plaids and the most well-known, which is toile.
Classic French Country decor themes also feature olives, roosters, lavender, and sunflowers, but they are usually used in tablecloths or curtains. The majority of prints are constructed from cotton or linen.
Accessories Modern with Vintage
The country decor of French origin is frequently used to mix old and modern. Antiques and vintage items such as chandeliers, wall clocks, white and blue mirrors and porcelain plates are woven with baskets and colorful ceramics and vase-like pitchers to create a style that is a bit rustic yet elegant, cozy and welcoming and irresistibly swoon-worthy.
It’s not the Same as Farmhouse Decor
It’s easy to mistake French country style with farmhouse since both are made of natural elements, lightness, white, wood and antiques; however, they’re two completely different things.
French Country Decor is delicate, airy, elegant, feminine, and sophisticated. The farmhouse has a sleeker style, more distinct lines, and a casual look.
French Country Kitchen Decor
The typical French country kitchen is simple but elegant. The kitchen is warm and inviting thanks to the use of natural materials, old and new furniture, and exposed stone. All of this makes it the perfect spot to prepare French cuisine.
Although there are always exceptions to the rule, country style of French origin and ideas tend to focus on lighter tones.
Choose Your Color
French country kitchens tend to fall in the space between elegant and traditional. You can use lots of bright whites or weathered neutrals, and these colors will compliment any rustic stone accents or warmly-toned farmhouse-style cabinets that you choose.
Blue and white is another traditional combination. This combination can be used as a country-inspired backsplash; it is also used to inspire color choices for kitchen islands and cabinets.
Make the Stove the Star
Make the stove the centerpiece, the star of your French Country Kitchen.
Alongside this, there should be lots of prep space to cook, with honed marble, quartz, or reclaimed wood countertops.
Take Tips from Cafes
French-inspired scroll light fixtures, cafe-style counter-top chairs, and antique-looking decor can all help you achieve the French country style you desire.
Don’t be afraid to use wrought iron and copper – they will add French country charm to your kitchen. You can also go antique shopping with bold drawer pulls and faucets. The finish you choose mustn’t overpower the rest of your design.
Plenty of Flowers
For a French-country feel, fill the room with flowers. You can also opt for classic, antique vases.
Retro-Inspired Appliances
Consider a timeless yet on-trend colour combination for a bold statement in your kitchen. Retro-inspired appliances can balance out the modern elements and give your kitchen a French-countryside vibe.
Eclectic Seating
For an eclectic farmhouse look, mix and match your seating. Add color to the room with antique tableware and cabinetry. The woven pendant lamp also enhances the coastal look. Classic white subway tiles are the best choice for your backsplash.
High Ceilings
This French-country-inspired kitchen feels like the perfect balance between classic, cozy, and refined. The light blue color brings out the colors without overwhelming the senses.
French Country Wall Decor
Wall sconces are among the most well-known design elements to transform the 21st-century wall into an 18th-century style. It’s not practical and a fire risk obviously remains using candles as the main lighting source within your home.
However, French country-style wall sconces with candles-shaped bulbs make an ideal alternative.
The arms of the sconce will probably be curved, and any decoration will be minimal, maybe with a simple wall plate and an arm back, and perhaps some decorative details or two.
Sconces that are available currently are generally made from iron; they are then finished and adorned with shades that resemble distressed or aged bronze.
A mirror with an antique frame hung in front of the French wall sconce that is rustic can add an element of authenticity to your space’s look while reflecting light to enhance the light, rustic feel.
Mirrors/sconces are available in a variety of styles and are affordable.
The frames that are antique and hold prints of artwork from the 18th century with avian or floral designs placed discreetly throughout the room can help create a French country-style decor.
Elegant (but not overly extravagant) trim and accent moldings that feature the curvature or delicate scrollwork popular during the time of the Renaissance can be bought and put in place to add a touch of elegance to the French country appearance of rooms. Tapestries aren’t an absolute “must-have” component in the rustic French kitchen; however, they are often used and can be incorporated into. Less authentic wall pieces, but attractive designs in the style of the past, like clocks or planters, won’t be appealing to historians or designers but will still add style to your overall design.
Textured wallpapers with subtle patterns tend to be better than painting on French country walls. Light-colored draperies made of rich fabric can help create the airy, comfortable atmosphere of a traditional French country house.
French Country Wall Decor Examples:
Vintage Mirror French Country Wall Decor
Bull Head French Country Wall Decor
Vintage French Brass Sconce Lighting French Country Wall Decor
Door Knob French Country Wall Decor
Large Oval Vintage Decorative Wall Mirror French Country Wall Decor
Birdcage Candle Holder French Country Wall Decor
Canvas Print Wall Art French Country Wall Decor
French Country Chandelier French Country Wall Decor
Decorative Pieces French Country Wall Decor
Also Read: 50+ Farmhouse Wall Decor Ideas for 2022
