Sheer curtains of netting or lace are a hallmark of French country decor.
The French country look is a classic decorating style. It adds a continental elegance to the traditional country cottage style, conjuring up visions of lavender fields, golden afternoons and rustic simplicity. French country colors are bold, the fabrics are cheery and the look is bright and cozy. The mix of earthy materials like pottery and wrought iron with luxury fabrics like linens and lace adds a feeling of relaxed indulgence to any room. Does this Spark an idea?
Colors
The colors most closely associated with the French country style are blue, red, green and yellow. Choose soft versions of the colors with almost milky undertones for the walls, with slightly brighter versions of the same shades for accent colors. You can also use ivories or soft dove grays on walls, especially to increase the feeling of light and airiness in the room. One classic French country look is to apply a soft shade of color over a roughly-textured wall; if your walls are smooth, try rag-painting them with two or three similar colors to give visual texture.
Fabrics
Toile, a fabric with a white or cream background and an all-over, one-color pattern, is easily recognizable as French country design. Chintz, which is cotton fabric printed with a large, multi-color floral pattern, and calico, cotton fabric with a brightly-colored background and a small repeating pattern, work equally well. Mix these various fabrics freely in throw pillows and table cloths to get the look you want. If you're uncomfortable mixing stripes, plaids and prints, match the basic colors for a harmonious look. Use lace or net curtains on wrought-iron rods to dress the windows.
Accessories
French country accessories are almost whimsical in nature, featuring everyday items that have been elevated to decorative objects by being displayed as parts of a collection. Hang plates in groupings on the walls and display pitchers and vases on open shelves. Cluster several pieces of colorful French pottery on an end table. Display books, birdcages, rolling pins or baskets; the French find beauty in well-designed everyday objects and believe in displaying that beauty wherever possible.
Furniture
One distinguishing characteristic of the French country look is that the furniture is a mixture of designs from different periods. You can use a mix of French antiques or reproductions from the 17th or 18th centuries; the most important unifying factor should be an air of elegance and comfort. Some wooden pieces are left natural or lightly stained and some are painted in the soft French country palette. Painted embellishments such as roosters, flowers or other country themes are common, and some pieces are distressed or crackle-painted to look older.
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