All things french country
25 Examples of French Country Decor
John Bessler
If you feel like there's a certain je ne sais quoi about French country decor, allow us to break it down for you. This style is all about natural materials, muted colors, toile fabrics, extravagant lighting, touches of gold, tapestries, and more—all with a rustic touch. We gathered 25 stylish examples of French country style, from modern interpretations and eclectic visions to classic renditions. Read through to get to know the characteristics of this style and get inspired to incorporate French country decor in every room in your house.
James Merrell
1 of 25
Cubism On Display
In the dining room of this Cape Cod estate, designer Kathryn M. Ireland chose a sea-grass rug to cover the floor and reupholstered the owners' Gustavian chairs to keep a traditional touch. And then there's that fun Cubist moment in the corner.
Hearst Magazines UK
2 of 25
Layered Linens
With layers of laidback linens in a variety of hues, this bedroom exudes warmth and timeless taste. The tall upholstered headboard brings in some bright, playful tones while sticking to the distressed character of French country design.
Romanek Design Studio
3 of 25
French Doors
Interior French doors are a bucket list item as far as chateau-inspired decor goes. In this grand living room by Romanek Design Studio, the pared-back design set against the backdrop of a classic, ornate architectural canvas represents a modern take on classic French country decorating.
Thomas Loof
4 of 25
Grand Lighting
The gorgeous, large-scale antique lighting in this foyer really sets the tone for the rest of the home. The exposed beams, stone tile floors, and understated console table introduce that French country rustic look.
John Bessler
5 of 25
Channel Marie Antoinette
Channel Marie Antoinette with cheerful pastels, layered prints, curvy lines, and fun details, like a fringed awning. Here, John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon painted a jaunty mint green and white diamond pattern to disguise the damaged parquet floors.
"That was more than seven years ago, and the paint has held up—proof that painted floors are practical and full of pizzazz," they say, adding, "dining chairs move around so much easier on a wood surface than on carpet."
Douglas Friedman
6 of 25
Vintage Scores
In the dining room of this Manhattan duplex, designed by Garrow Kedigian, is a circa-1900 mahogany table that's surrounded by antique chairs that were purchased at a Paris flea market and re-covered in a Schumacher velvet.
Corey Damne Jenkins
7 of 25
Slim Profiles
Another common characteristic in French Country design is furniture with slim profiles. Read: Ditch your bulkier items. Looking for a way to put a more modern spin on it? Designer Corey Damen Jenkins mixes colorful abstract art and modern photography with more classic elements, like the antique desk and accessories while the lucite chair provides some contemporary flair.
PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar: DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors
8 of 25
Copper Cookware
White painted bricks and stone tile floors set the country chic scene in this kitchen.
And with that wrought-iron hardware and hanging copper cookware, we can almost smell the French food from here.
Laura Resen
9 of 25
Robust Gallery Walls
A full gallery wall complete with antique gilt frames and classic portraits is a great way to introduce dimension in the living room. And of course, a Louise XV-style settee is always a good touch.
Annie Schlechter
10 of 25
Exposed Beams
Exposed ceiling beams, distressed wood floors, colorful textiles, and antique paintings and trays on display create a truly charming dining nook.
Studio Razavi
11 of 25
Modern Twists
Studio Razavi gave this historic home in Lyon, France, some modern updates while still honoring the integrity of the space. The floating shelves and bright emerald green accents and blond flooring anchor the living room in the modern era while the raw materials of the mantel and exposed beams stay true to its history.
William Abranowicz
12 of 25
And Trusses!
Designer Daryll Carter added wood beams and trusses to this 1980s living room for a storied French country feel.
Laura Ressen
13 of 25
Natural Materials
To mimic the rustic look of French country decor in a more modern way, opt for a jute rug in the living room. Then upholster a classic Louis XVI-style seat in a fun, contemporary fabric and adorn your walls with abstract art.
Annie Schlechter
14 of 25
Antique Decor
Though this sink area boasts a decidedly modern aesthetic, there are many French country-inspired details throughout the space. For example, the antique trays, water cans, and glass vases.
Peter Murdock
15 of 25
Subtle Contrasts
This cheerful study is bursting with charm, thanks to the bright green walls and personal items on display. The traditional upholstered chair juxtaposes the rustic vase, a contrast often found in French country interiors.
Miki Duisterhof
16 of 25
Easy Patterns
Designer Ramsay Gourd let the exposed wooden beams in this Vermont farmhouse serve as the focal point on the room, but a green couch and upholstered Louis XV-style chairs take a close second place.
Bjorn Wallander
17 of 25
Eclectic Pieces
The linen skirted chair and tablecloth along with the rustic wood dining table bring in that French country ease while the coral paint and curtains, ornate lighting, and gilt decor assert a more formal and spirited personality in this dining room.
Luke White
18 of 25
Rustic Details
Designer Marshall Watson uses a traditional plate rack to showcase everyday dishes as wall art in this Swedish home. Meanwhile, a vintage table and chairs with a blue gingham seat covering add a touch of rustic charm.
Douglas Friedman
19 of 25
Antique Mirrors
Super elaborate, antique pieces mixed with more understated and casual items is a French country decorating staple. This black and gilt-framed antique mirror opens up the entryway by Ann Pyne.
Thomas Loof
20 of 25
Gold Accents
Dramatic drapes, plenty of gold, and ornate lighting make this master bedroom a French dream.
Thomas Loof
21 of 25
Extravagant Materials
Pink marble? Sign us up. Though French country style is known for being more rustic and earthy, there are plenty of examples that feature much more extravagance. Ornate and intricate details like these are prominent in classic French design.
Luke White
22 of 25
Detailed Window Treatments
Designer Marshall Watson opted for traditional French country motifs on the window treatments in the dining room of this Swedish home.
Annie Schlechter
23 of 25
Toile Accents
Graceful prints and a muted palette create a cozy bedroom in this North Carolina mountain getaway designed by Jane Hawkins Hoke. The walls and valances feature Brunschwig & Fils hound-dog toile.
Simon Watson
24 of 25
High And Low Mixes
The mixture of high-end (the chandelier) and antique (the chair) in this Long Island, New York dining room, designed by Ellen Niven, makes it feel like everything was sourced from a flea market in Provence.
Douglas Friedman
25 of 25
Statement Fireplace
Designer Garrow Kedigan played up the classic architecture in this Manhattan duplex's living room by incorporating a symmetrical furniture layout around the room's stone mantel.
What Is French Country Style?
Fact checked by
Jillian Dara
Fact checked by Jillian Dara
Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
French country style is defined as a mix of rustic and refined decor inspired by the homes in the French countryside. It's a popular style worldwide because of its comfortable and casual elegance that's never ostentatious. Three distinct characteristics make up the style:
- Softly patterned fabrics in muted colors
- Distressed, painted, and vintage furnishings and accessories
- Lots of wood and other natural materials
You may also hear this type of decor called provincial style.
Provincial style is recognized as a slightly more formal, refined look. Some of its elements, such as its rich colors, bold patterns, and gold accents, can be incorporated into the French country style.
Colors, Prints, and Materials
Colors of this style can be found on the warm side of the color wheel with hues that have medium to low intensity. Think of soft yellows, warm pinks, baby blues, and creams for your rooms. Provincial-style fabrics are known for having more saturated colors, such as sunbaked ochre and deep brick red that bring to mind the pigments found in the region's natural clay earth.
Toile de Jouy, best known as toile, is a traditional pattern printed on cotton or linen fabrics used for upholstery, drapery, tablecloths, and wallpaper in French country rooms. Toile de Jouy is also known as the "fabric of Jouy" because the 18th-century factory of Jouy-en-Josas located near Versailles became famous for printing the fabric.
The toile pattern is characterized by its designs of landscapes and figures of one color printed on a white or cream background.
The beauty of toile is that it can be paired with many other patterned fabrics, such as stripes, plaids, checks, ginghams, sunflowers, and small florals. Other patterns used on French country fabrics include roosters, damasks, and the borders that characterize bolder-colored provincial-style fabrics.
Furniture
The key to French country-style furniture is comfort and style. Upholstered seating and chairs always incorporate soft and cozy cushions. Other furnishings, such as tables and chests, are typically graceful, simple wood pieces that often incorporate some type of carvings that emphasize the furniture's curves. The furniture is also characterized by distressed, painted, and often whitewashed finishes. You can use milk or chalk paint to distress furniture to get this style.
French provincial furniture is a touch more formal with added embellishments than French country style, and its history explains why. French provincial furniture was created in the 18th century for wealthy families living in the French provinces as more affordable adaptations of the luxurious Rococo-style pieces made for the monarchy.
Tip
Wrought iron or rusted metal accents and accessories are often paired with distressed French country furnishings.
Architecture
The style's architecture is taken straight from the French provincial countryside. Here are the style's most popular interior architectural elements:
- Exposed wooden ceiling beams
- Natural stone, wood, or brick floors
- Weathered appearance
French country homes incorporate stone, wood, and muted colors into their exterior architecture, as well.
Kitchens
A kitchen in this style is both comfortable and sophisticated. Cabinetry may look like regular furniture with molding and carvings. Casual kitchens of this style feature shabby chic and vintage touches, including pretty old jars and bottles that hold pantry items, quaint signage for wall decor, wrought iron pot racks, and plenty of copper pots. Modern French country kitchens are known for their signature, decorative range hoods.
Dining Rooms
A rustic chandelier of distressed wood or metal with candelabra bulbs is a must in a traditional French country dining room. A lighter-toned wooden dining table surrounded by whitewashed, vintage, or mismatched chairs brings in a casual and welcoming look. For a casual feel, hang gingham curtains to the floor with a little puddling. Lightweight silk draperies puddled on the floor add a bit more formality.
Living Rooms
Airy, whitewashed, and sun-kissed describe the style of French country living rooms. There should not be any heavy, dark fabrics or furniture in the room. This style living room beckons guests with an uplifting and pretty mix of patterned fabrics and painted furniture. Use sheer lace curtains to allow light to stream in while still providing privacy. For a quaint and whimsical touch, place a wrought iron garden bench with pillows under the front window for the look of a casual window seat.
Bedrooms
A French country bedroom is feminine and soft with a mix of cottage shabby chic and comforting vintage elements.
Add in a small crystal chandelier somewhere in the room, layers of soft and lacy white bedding with a toile comforter and curtains, and a headboard made of distressed wood or an old iron gate, and you have the makings of a beautiful bedroom. Use an old metal garden bench at the end of the bed as a sitting area. A bedroom is the perfect place for painted and distressed dressers and armoires.
Bathrooms
Just as a bedroom in this style will have a feminine flair, so does a bathroom with the same decor. Toile wallpaper, a small crystal chandelier, candlestick-style wall sconces, a mirror framed in gold with a bit of carving, and a vintage clawfoot tub combine to create the perfect French country bathroom. For a casual feel, use a wrought iron towel rack or stand for linens.
Tip
A distressed or painted bureau transformed into a bathroom vanity and topped with a vessel sink is a beautiful French country touch.
Provence. French country
In this article we will talk about what is often called Provence, but is more like French country (why confine all this beauty to one French region!).
Many interior designers are close to this cozy direction.
What is "country french"? The first associations are soft green meadows of the French provinces, beige sheaves, pink and blue wildflowers. This style is inspired by local traditions and endearing things that have been passed down for generations in large and friendly families. Light, translucent, light and very simple, French Country has a natural elegance. It calms and induces peace of mind. nine0003
It is generally accepted that the French have an innate sense of style and great taste. This natural grace is reflected in the country style in the French presentation - it is very natural, native in a European way and sweet to our northern eye.
Being very harmonious and consonant with nature, country design does not look eclectic, despite some variety of objects combined in it. Adult sensuality, mixed with elderly sentimentality and youthful craving for intricate details - all this perfectly describes the style of French country music.
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If you strive for harmony, love lavender and apples, if your dreams include caring for your own garden in the silence of a European countryside - this style is for you.
Style nuance: Elegant but practical furniture
There are unique people in our lives who are able to find an outfit in an ordinary clothing store that looks like it was made to order by a famous designer. With the French country a similar thing - it includes details from quite budgetary elements, and it all looks elegant and functional. It does not have the lush and overly chic details inherent in traditional French design, on the contrary - individually, some elements will look rustic kitsch, but as part of an element they become stylish and appropriate. nine0003
Each part of the French country style element works to the maximum, so transforming furniture in this design is not uncommon.
For the unity of the composition, there is no need to use pieces of furniture that are identical in design.
The main thing is that all the details are natural - wood, fabrics, a little patinated metal.
Useful recommendation. When choosing furniture, think not only about its exterior, but also about its functionality. Fortunately, a sufficient number of furniture options have been produced for this style for decades - comfortable light chairs with armrests, tables with unusual legs, etc.
Style nuance: Flowers
The main point of French country design was the blurring of lines between what is inside the house and what surrounds it - the pressure of a rural lifestyle affects. For example, flowers are very actively used - from dead wood in a vase (or a small natural bouquet), to floral prints in furniture upholstery or decoupage on a jewelry box.
Useful recommendation . Flowers used in interior decoration should look like they came into your room straight from the garden, and from the French garden - wild rose, poppy, iris, sunflower.
Their colors must certainly be natural, the image without even a hint of glamor or fantasy. nine0003
Style nuance: Warm shades
Country colors - it doesn't really matter which - juicy or pastel, magically make the interior comfortable and cozy. Even white is used not the one that is blue-white, but warmer, the color of fresh milk. All the shades that are used are very natural - straight from the landscape outside the window. The easiest way to choose colors for a design is to type the query "Provence" in the Google or Yandex image search - and voila! any shades from the opened pictures can serve as a source for inspiration. nine0003
Useful tip . Still, you should not use a lot of juicy in the main color of the interior. Leave bright colors for accessories, and give most of the space to pastels.
Nuance of style: Meaning in accents
In Provence interiors, accessories rarely play an exclusively decorative role - all of them can be used in everyday life.
Plates and jugs, which look like a cute decor, can be removed at any time and used for their intended purpose. Baskets and wicker bowls can always be dusted off and filled with apples or grapes. Pillows, potholders, vases - nothing that would be just decoration! nine0003
Useful tip . Shelves without doors (or even just boards nailed to the wall) are the best place for all these items, because everything should be at hand in a convenient place.
Style nuance: Natural textiles
Along with furniture and accessories, French country textiles are used for both comfort and decoration. Toile de Jouy is a traditional French pattern used in textile prints combined with checks, flowers and stripes. Rough textured fabrics (linen, tapestry), together with thin ones (cotton, cambric) enhance the overall feeling of the interior with tactile ones. Exaggeratedly rustic, overly simple fabrics are one of the pillars of the French country style
Useful tip .
Most textiles are traditionally used in the bedroom - pillows (many pillows), a canopy. The most important thing is not to use the same fabrics throughout the interior, but also not to go beyond 2-3 options. The main thing is the combination of colors and textures with each other.
Style nuance: Delicate patina
French country style is rich in traditions, it does not accept new furniture and accessories. Cleanliness, freshness and... age-old wear... Everything around should say: these are generic things used for decades before your arrival. Small chips, scratches, cracks - if not real, but stylized (like, for example, the baguette that we offer), even old stains on the pillowcase - this is what gives the interior a cozy charm. nine0003
Useful recommendation. You can search for interior items not only in modern expensive stores, but also at flea markets, flea markets (and then restore them either on your own or with masters who specialize in restoration).
You can also find something worthwhile in antique shops, but sometimes they sell a remake that is passed off as antiques, for which you will overpay ten times.
Style touch: Textured surface
Shiny steel or glossy ceramic tiles are the enemies of French Provence. All surfaces should be convex, palpable fingertips.
Useful recommendation. Walls, floor, ceiling - stone, wood, rough plaster are best suited for this (in modern conditions, the texture of plaster can be stylized in different ways). Ceramic raw tiles, wall textiles.
Style nuance: Roosters
One of the accents of the French country style is the image of a rooster. This bright bird has become a symbol of French rural decor and has found its place in the form of figurines, images on dishes, embroidery, etc. nine0003
Baguette models made in Provence style can be found in the wooden baguette catalog by selecting Provence style in the filter
Useful recommendation.
The image of a rooster is best suited for a kitchen or dining room. In the living room and bedroom, roosters do not look very logical. Do you have any questions? The consultants of the Infanta baguette workshop - St. Petersburg will always help you with the choice. You can contact us by phone (812) 382-09-65 .
French country. Interior style description ⋆ Building
Home » Interior » French country. Description of the interior style
The style of the French hinterland for some reason only strengthens its position with time. It would seem that France is much smaller than China or America, and the population there is less. But the art, architecture, design of France can always be recognized. Even the rustic interior style of the French is not simple, but with a twist, and a truly Gallic scale. Most apartment owners are no longer satisfied with just renovations. They also want to show their artistic taste. Therefore, a logical conclusion arises from here that beauty in the house is pleasure and joy, it is peace and a stable positive mood.
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Since the French are by nature a resilient nation, singing the Marseillaise at every opportunity, and since the inhabitants of southern France are the most aesthetes, let's try to guess three times what made the Provencal interior style so different? Of course, among the inhabitants of Provence, admiration for southern nature comes to the fore, and they always have a desire to sing this beauty in their home.
The Provencal interior design of the apartment combines such timeless spiritual concepts as nobility, romantic aura, fine taste and grace. Perhaps that is why he is admired. It is easy to symbolically divide this country into two parts: one of them is associated with bohemian chic, and the Provencal style belongs to the second part. nine0003
A noticeable and not beaten highlight of the wonderful style of the Provencal house is a large number of textile details. There are no complicated draperies on the windows, but simple lace curtains hang.
Dishes, rustic baskets, candlesticks made of copper, exquisite vases, even a rocking chair with a plaid are suitable for this style for decorating a room. It is appropriate to use handicrafts here.
Signs of French country style.
Embroidered textiles, chair covers, furniture covers and hand-knitted napkins - all of the above set off the beauty of the style and complement the overall impression. The dominant feature of the original style of Provence can be considered an ancient setting. There is a rational way out - to purchase furniture aged on purpose. Such a solution is just a godsend for those homeowners who would like to quickly and without hassle reproduce Provence full of cheerfulness in their home. nine0003
This solution allows an amateur craftsman to realize his most fabulous interior design fantasies. In sunny and radiant Provence, in addition to aged, wicker furniture will successfully fit in, and there will also be various ones to the place.
