An antique armoire creates a focal point in a room.
French country interior design evokes the simple, pastoral countryside of rural France. It is not a single set of rules, because the design elements range from rustic to sophisticated. Shared fundamentals include color, furniture styles and fabrics. The final effect is relaxed and comfortable. Some designers yield to the temptation to clutter, adding too many country accessories or using clashing hues. Keep it simple and fresh. Does this Spark an idea?
Colors
French country design calls for creamy whites and pale blues as the predominant colors in most rooms. Slipcover the sofa in oatmeal-hued linen or another medium to heavy fabric and toss blue accent pillows on chairs. Paint walls off-white and highlight trim molding in sophisticated rooms with gold. Plaster the walls for a rustic look. Use shades of green to compliment the blues and whites. Paint wooden furniture forest green or use a brighter green in window treatments. Add a few bright red and yellow accessories.
Fabrics
Hang needlework tapestries in larger rooms or in hallways. Select tapestries with a country or floral theme created in darker colors like maroon and brown. Cover dining room chairs with cream-colored linen and embroider the seat backs with a floral theme. Use gauzy fabrics for window treatments. Toile de Jouy is common in French country design. Toile is a light-colored fabric with a repeating pattern depicting a scene like a huntsman riding to hounds or a bouquet of flowers.
Furniture
Create a focal point with a large piece of antique furniture like an armoire. Arrange comfortable wooden furniture with crisp slipcovers around a wooden coffee table. Traditionally, wooden furniture like side tables, buffets and consoles is painted and distressed, or has a bucolic scene or a floral pattern painted on it. Sophisticated French country uses gilded accents. Use an antique chaise in a bedroom or large bathroom and put an etagere in the living or dining room to display pottery.
Accessories
Place fresh and dried flowers in earthenware vases on side tables, consoles and buffets. Fragrant lilac, bright sunflowers and red Sweet William suggest the countryside. Set pottery and baskets on the floor and side tables, and use unpretentious lamps on end tables. Wrought iron wall decor such as sconces or mirrors adds to the country atmosphere. Drape fabric from the ceiling to create a headboard in the bedroom and tie it back at the sides as you would a curtain.
Design Elements
Arched doorways and dark wooden ceiling beams add a rustic element. Accent distressed hardwood or stone floors with area and throw rugs. Hang artwork with simple, wooden frames depicting romantic countryside scenes, charming villages or flowers. French country kitchens are light and airy so use open shelving, or doors with glass inserts on upper cabinets. Hang a pot rack to display copper pots and suspend bunches of dried herbs over the window.
Tags: French country, side tables, wooden furniture, country design, dining room, floral theme
