French cottage home decor

Why country house decor is the most popular? How to equip and decorate such a house? You will find the answer to these questions by reading this article.

Often we often treat the country interior without due attention, and since the country house is as close to nature as possible, country style is very suitable for it.

In the interior of a country house, this style is the most successful, using it, you can turn old utensils and furniture into cute decor elements. This style of interior is the most “rustic”, it has simplicity and naturalness.

Country style boasts the widest variety of directions - variations on any ethnic theme will look organic.

Each country, observing the main requirements of country style, adds its own characteristics, reflecting the flavor of the rural life of its people.

French country style - Provence reflects the spirit of provincial France, creating a truly rustic picture: light colors, colorful landscapes or sea views illuminated by shining sunbeams - all this leaves an impression of weightlessness and tenderness. This feeling is accentuated by various baskets, wicker and wooden furniture, linen textiles with a soft floral pattern. In the color scheme, the choice falls on white and pastel shades.

The kitchen and dining room are decorated with tablecloths, lace curtains, candlesticks, wrought iron chandeliers and, of course, dry or fresh flowers in vases. This is where “antique” furniture comes in handy, it does not have to be artificially aged, you just need to paint it with pale colors. If the walls are sheathed with clapboard, then to match the Provencal style, they are also painted in white or soft colors, private components stand out in contrast with brown.

Items decorated using the decoupage technique are perfect for a Provencal interior - it is not difficult to master it, and the look of things will be really magnificent.

The style of the French province was called "Provence" in honor of one of the regions in the south of France. Also being a popular variety of rustic style, it differs quite a lot from the considered English and American variants in its great grace, tenderness and femininity.

Provence is characterized by light colors in pastel colors with accents of lavender, mint, sand shades. The walls are usually decorated with decorative plaster or wallpaper in a small flower, and the floors are decorated with light-colored parquet with a pronounced wood texture.

The Provence style is a journey into a poor dwelling of a French peasant who cannot afford luxury elements, cannot even always renew furniture or household utensils, but, nevertheless, is satisfied with a life in which the bright sun shines every day. Light colors predominate in this dwelling, white is especially common, because whitewashing has always been cheaper and faster than painting. The walls are painted or plastered, sometimes completely or partially covered with boards, sometimes they are textured masonry. The floor is covered with a parquet or floorboard with a pronounced texture, cracks and potholes; if tiles are used, then beige-terracotta or grayish tones, with an uneven surface imitating a “stone”.

A characteristic feature of the Provence style in the interior is the coloring of wooden parts in the interior. And wall panels, and a chest of drawers, and a kitchen set should not be the “natural” color of wood (unlike rustic or eco styles), but they can please the eye with juicy turquoise, lavender or lemon yellow. Provence style color combinations are distinguished by their brightness - terracotta and pale blue, white and salmon, yellow and purple, turquoise and beige. These are colors borrowed from the colors of Provence - a bright blue sky, an azure sea with white foam, sandy rocks, multi-colored grasses, whimsically painted walls of old houses. However, there are also completely light, pastel interiors without bright spots.

Tip: in order to fully maintain the authentic style, it is recommended to age the surface after painting. Chips, cracks, color defects in this case are a plus, not a minus.

Forged metal interior elements (usually also painted in light colors), wicker furniture and boxes, a hearth made of stone, aka a fireplace, complete the interior.

Do not make the dwelling "glossy" - the gilding should be worn off, the paint should be cracked, with a mesh of "wrinkles" in the corner, the fireplace tongs should be rough. For example, if you want to hang a painting on the wall, the baguette should be a little “worn out”, the style should be classical, and the plot should be restrained (everyday still life, landscape or scene from rural life), perhaps religious (for example, Madonna and Child). Provence style is a resolute “no” to glamor, luxury and chic, conspicuous wealth. When in doubt, it is better to prefer a restrained, even poor environment to inappropriate details: furniture made of glass and shiny metal, an English-style mahogany clock, a crystal chandelier and Gothic patterns. Provence differs from shabby in less intimacy, comparative monotony, so do not get carried away with embellishment - lace, rhinestones, combinations of patterns and textures.

Provence style dining room: simple furniture and textiles with small floral patterns.

As opposed to wood and metal, French country fabrics can be finely patterned. Floral ones will fit especially well - painting or embroidery. Natural material: linen, chintz, coarse calico, tapestry, wool. Upholstered furniture should have fabric upholstery, including armrests; sometimes floor-length covers are sewn on chairs and sofas. Window curtains - classic cut, without complex draperies. In fact, the best curtains are two curtains, suspended at the base of the window and allowing maximum light into the room. You can even do without a lambrequin, and even more so, several layers of tulle in addition to the main curtains will be redundant. Brocade, silk, satin, satin, organza, veil, taffeta will be out of place. An intricately woven lace tablecloth is acceptable if the lace is light-coloured or bobbed, rather than the fine black chantilly.

If your home includes a real fireplace, you can add a sheepskin or cowhide tossed on the floor in front of it. It is also important to know the measure here: for example, a fur blanket or an armchair, a tiger or bear skin instead of a modest sheep will already be out of place. In addition, a woolen carpet with a floral pattern or a tapestry can be placed on the floor. Tapestry with a scene from village life 16-18 centuries. You can also decorate the wall - the main thing is not to overdo it.

An interesting idea: a mini-garden of spices for which Provence is so famous: purple basil, mustard with yellow flowers, fragrant tarragon and other unusual herbs will create the necessary atmosphere in the kitchen or balcony.

Painted wrought-iron furniture also organically fits into the style of Provence.

Is the Provence style right for you?

Choosing a style born in Provence, you have to give up a lot. For example, from pathos and chic, from neatness, since cracks and scuffs do not go well with perfect cleanliness, even visually; from the glamor and feeling of "high cost" in the interior. Provence requires a rather subtle taste and, at the same time, a taste for life in all its simplicity and joy. It is not overloaded with details and a little old-fashioned, it does not combine well with ultra-modern devices and the smart home system, ceiling lighting and art objects. But it is he who, like no other, will give you the feeling of the sun, even on the most cloudy day, and the invisibly soaring aroma of distant lavender fields. The choice is yours!

Provence style country house: design ideas with photo

Provence style house interior is a very beautiful and popular design option. It creates a romantic mood that helps to relax and truly relax. Properly furnished interior of a country house is the basis of a good rest. Nobody decorates the walls with clapboard anymore. For a country house, people choose a design project, a unique style, elements to support the image and finishing materials.

General data

Provence style originated as an idea that continues the development of the famous French country style. This is an image of southeastern France that appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. It looks very appropriate in a country house. Provence-style houses have no extra elements. Every detail has its own clear place.

Please note!

A well-decorated interior in Provence style has a touch of rustic charm combined with a special French chic.

The three main words associated with French Provence are sea, lavender and herbs de Provence.

French Provence in the interior of a country house has the following characteristics:

1. Warm shades, mostly pastel colors.
2. Refusal of wallpaper in favor of covering the walls with plaster.
3. Use of a large amount of wood and other natural materials.
4. The effect of aging furniture and walls, creating deliberate negligence.
5. The use of natural flowers as the main decoration.
6. The presence of figurines made of ceramics and porcelain of light shades.
7. Elements of embroidery, sewing and knitting hand-made.
8. Patterns in the form of flowers.
9. Light curtains in tulle, covered with heavy curtains in a denser fabric.
10. Abundance of natural and artificial light - large windows, fireplaces, lots of candles.

To create a country house in the Provence style, it is not necessary to do a complete redevelopment. It is enough to add new elements - curtains, flowers and light bedspreads on furniture to create the spirit of Provence in the house.

Provence style interior

When choosing a particular style for your home, it is recommended to use this interior design in every room. If a room completely decorated in this style may look too frilly, then beautiful details help to freshen up the look.

It is better to start decorating a country house in the Provence style from the facade. It is better to lay out the facade with natural light stone. If this is not possible, artificial materials will do:

• plaster;
• artificial stone.

Facades of houses decorated with natural wood painted in light shades look good. When deciding to use wood, be sure to use a protective paint. Having completed the decoration of the external facade of the house, they begin to work on the interior decor of the cottage in the Provence style.

Kitchen and dining room

The kitchen is the main attraction in any home. Its decoration should be thought out to the smallest detail. The advantage of Provence as a design for the kitchen is its versatility. It is suitable for small and large, for just a space for cooking and for indoors in combination with a dining room. The original design in country style involves the rejection of a large amount of technology.

Please note!

The modern Provence style in the country due to the constantly emerging new technologies involves the soft integration of appliances into the kitchen space.

This kitchen is cozy and relaxed, light and pleasing to the eye. Walls, floors and ceilings should be painted in light colors. The floor and ceiling must be white and the walls can be painted in:

• peach;
• lavender;
• olive;
• ocher;
• any other muted shades.

Read also!

This choice of colors visually enlarges the space. There should be a lot of light in such a kitchen. It is recommended to integrate light bulbs into the kitchen set - this will make it more comfortable, visually larger.

The color scheme for a particular kitchen is chosen depending on the direction of the world to which the windows face.

1. If the kitchen windows face south and southwest, it is better to use blue, green and gray colors.
2. If the windows face north or northwest, then it is better to fill the room with beige, pink, yellow and light yellow shades.

Wall decoration:

1. Provence style in the country house suggests the simplest way to decorate walls. It is not recommended to paste over the walls with wallpaper. It is better to just use plaster or plain matte paint. This finish fits into the style. He becomes practical. If you still prefer wallpapering, then it is better to choose with a very primitive pattern - a floral print, monograms, simple stripes - or without it at all. Lurid patterns make the design heavier.
2. A wooden lining is also well suited. This decor is generally quite traditional for a summer residence. However, it is worth picking up other ideas than just wooden planks. The Provencal style house opens up space for imagination. You can choose wooden canvases with the effect of aging, paint them in white, beige, lilac or pistachio colors. You can experiment with the width of the wooden strips and the distance between them. It is better if all the stripes are plain - the space decorated in this way looks better.
3. Real brickwork can fit into the country style. It is recommended to brick only one wall. If you do this with several, the space will visually become smaller, and in this style it is one of the most important principles.

The table is also better to choose a light shade so that it does not stand out against the general background. Wicker furniture in light colors will fit well.

Provence in the bedroom

Bedroom decoration is an important part of any home renovation. This is where the owners spend most of their time. The interiors of the bedroom of a country house are gentle, airy, pleasant and light, like the whole style. The best color for the bedroom is lavender and all its shades. This color relaxes and sets in a positive way.

Note!

A modern version of the country decoration - fabric early on the wall by the bed.

It looks good even in a wooden house. The fabric should be as soft as possible. A panel composed of several textile elements is a popular option for organizing space.

Read also!

Antique furniture looks particularly advantageous in the bedroom. It gives the interior an exquisite French flavor. The more details, the better for the interior. A light canopy, decorative pillows in floral upholstery, a picture with lavender fields - if the elements are combined with each other, several are used in the interior at once. When choosing colors for the bedroom interior, it is recommended to choose:

• dusted;
• antique shades.

No bright colors even in accent pieces. Simple shapes and shades are the basis for decorating the space. The style allows the use of patterns and drawings, but the decoration should not be overloaded. The white stretch ceiling looks good in the bedroom. Be sure to choose matte. It combines all the elements into a single whole.

The center of gravity of the bedroom is the bed, it should be made of wood. The front of the bed is often painted or carved. The main thing is to make sure that there are no surpluses. A light-colored wrought-iron headboard by the bed is also a good option for organizing space. Will fit well into the decoration:

• snow-white dressing table with aged effect;
• massive mirror.

For lighting, choose a metal forged chandelier with imitation of candles. It must necessarily fit into the overall concept of space and not stand out.

Living room

Country houses in the Provence style do not tolerate dark shades. The living room is no exception. Often the window becomes the center of the living room. Well, if it is possible to create a window to the floor. If you decorate it with thick floor-length curtains, the interior definitely looks brighter and more interesting. Looks good on the window and shutters. In addition to beauty, such elements give practicality to the room - it is enough to vacuum them with a special nozzle - and it immediately becomes easier to breathe.

Walls are traditionally made in plain colors:

• white;
• beige;
• ivory.

Sometimes, at the request of the owners, you can create a combination of two colors in the shades of the walls. They should match well with each other. In the living room, it is better not to highlight the ceiling among the walls and floor. Let him be in tune. So the space looks more organic.

An interesting addition to the Provence living room is a large light wrought iron with a soft floral pattern. If the walls are multi-colored, then the colors of the carpet should overlap with the shades.

Interesting elements suitable for the living room of a Provence style cottage:

1. Rocking chair. Made of wicker materials and decorated with a blanket and cushions made of soft fabric, the armchair will perfectly complement the interior of the living room.
2. Light colored round table. On the table you can place light knitted napkins, candlesticks, flower baskets.
3. Fireplace. Although Provence is a southern region, fireplaces in houses are also needed there.

By placing the fireplace in the middle of the room, it can become a real center of attraction for all guests.

Read also!

Children's room

Delicate design of the room in the cottage is suitable for a girl. Properly organized space allows you to create a house for a real princess for a girl.

Important elements of a nursery in Provence decoration:

• light canopy;
• wooden bed with carved headboard;
• abundance of light sources - chandeliers, pendant and table lamps;
• multi-layer curtains - they give the space coziness;
• unlimited daylight access.

The table set in the children's room should be the same color as the bed and other pieces of furniture, such as a wardrobe. Carved elements, a lot of textiles in delicate colors, wicker baskets, chests are great options for decorating a nursery. The patterns on the walls should be soft, not repulsive.

Bathroom and toilet

Simplicity and comfort are two main pillars. Bathroom and toilet in Provence style - a place of harmony of heat and light. The bathroom must have a floral ornament. It is most logical to place it in the center of the wall. It is better if the floral pattern is made in muted colors:

• dusty pink;
• lilac;
• pistachio.

Brick-effect matte walls also look spectacular. You can experiment with the floor. A dark textured board or a tile imitating concrete are unusual options. Of course, a large snow-white bathroom is the main center of the bathroom.

Note!

Small nice touches like interesting colored towels, candles, curtains for windows or bathrooms refresh the interior and give it personality.

A special element for a Provence style bathroom is a mirror. Large above the sink in a beautiful carved frame should be a real reflection of the whole style.

Entrance hall

This is where the guests get to know the house. The task of the owners is to make it cozy. In the hallway, you can use the maximum number of wooden elements. Hanger, bench, table - everything should be combined with each other. The closet in the hallway stands out from the other elements. The most effective and closest to this style are open hangers, however, by hanging them with outerwear, you can get the opposite effect.

A high mirror with wrought iron frames will fit into the hallway and visually enlarge even a very small space.

Do not forget about the hallway during the renovation of the house. The organically renovated entrance hall is the visiting card of the house. There should not be anything superfluous so as not to clutter up the space.

Study

Study is the place in the house where the aging of furniture relevant to Provence looks most appropriate. Ideas:

• tiles with uneven joints;
• hewn edges of furniture;
• chipped all over the furniture.

No need to treat the office with deliberate negligence. It is enough to age a couple of pieces of furniture. In the design of the walls, it is preferable to choose a brick layout. The main thing is to follow the basic rule - you can lay out only one wall with a brick.

Please note!

In floor design, the most traditional option is terracotta tiles.

The ceilings are decorated with beams, in a contrasting color with respect to all other shades of the walls. The cabinet is suitable for experiments such as textured plaster, stucco and floor tiles in unusual shades.

Loggia and balcony

Loggia in this technique is a romantic place. Traditional colors for this design:

• light;
• frame shades.

In combination with bright sunlight, they look even more spectacular. It is better to hang metal or wooden shutters on the windows. Be sure to put in the room a small soft sofa with plenty of pillows. If space allows, put a small table decorated with a traditional floral ornament. If the loggia is glazed and warm, fresh flowers in pots or vases are placed on the table and small strips.

Decoration

Finishing a house in the Provence style begins with the repair of the facade. Then, having drawn up a rough plan for decorating the whole house, they begin to decorate it. The cottage must be designed in a single format. At least one element in each room should be combined with details in others. Gradually, a general picture is being created.

The main colors of Provence are distinguished by softness and tenderness. All are dusty. The shades are soothing, calm, with a slight coating:

• white;
• beige;
• dusty pink;
• pale yellow;
• lavender;
• pale green.

The main material is wood. Different shades, textures and shapes turn wood into a versatile material for furniture and even walls. Suitable for a variety of textiles. Use light tulle, satin, chintz, cotton. Lots of natural materials are a plus. This makes the repair environmentally friendly and safe.

Porcelain figurines are often used to decorate the space. An important element is textiles. Cushion and coke covers, blankets, curtains, knitted napkins on the table - small details become components of comfort.

Light is one of the most important elements in Provence. The abundance of lamps of different shapes and sizes, candles and high summer in the floor - childhood is proof of this. The more light sources in the room, the better. The main thing is to ensure the combination of all elements with each other. Outside, the courtyard is decorated according to the same idea.

Country provence is the most romantic way to organize space. It is not necessary to redo the entire interior, just add a few delicate details to get the desired effect. A photo of the interior of a country house in the Provence style will help you make the final decision.

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