French Provincial Home Decor Style

Understanding and Incorporating French Provincial Decor

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What Is The French Provincial Decor Approach?

Sophistication and simplicity come together in French Provincial decor, sometimes in ways that are unexpected. This style arose from a need for practicality balanced with the desire for elegance. The result is a versatile interior design that can be successfully incorporated into any home.

The French Provincial decor approach, also known as Provencal style, is an interior design style that originated in the countryside of France and is similar to French country style interior decor. It draws inspiration from the rustic charm and elegance of French rural homes and reflects a warm and inviting aesthetic.

Here are a few of the main characteristics of the French Provincial decor approach:

• Natural Materials: The use of natural materials is a hallmark of this style. Wood, stone, and wrought iron are commonly used for furniture, flooring, and accessories.
• Soft Color Palette: The color palette is typically light and airy, featuring soft pastel shades such as pale blues, greens, pinks, and yellows. Whites and creams are also commonly used to create a fresh and bright atmosphere.
• Distressed Finishes: Furniture and accessories often feature distressed or weathered finishes, giving them a worn and aged appearance. This adds to the rustic and antique charm of the style.
• Floral and Toile Patterns: French Provincial decor frequently incorporates floral patterns and toile fabrics. These can be found on upholstery, curtains, wallpapers, and linens, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy.
• Carved Details: Furniture pieces often feature delicate and intricate carvings, especially on legs, chair backs, and tabletops. These details contribute to the overall romantic and ornate look of the style.
• Natural Elements: Natural elements, such as fresh flowers, potted plants, and woven baskets, are commonly used to bring a touch of the outdoors inside. These elements help create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
• Vintage Accessories: Antique and vintage accessories play a significant role in French Provincial decor. Items like chandeliers, mirrors, picture frames, and decorative ceramics can be used to add a sense of history and character to the space.
• Proportional Balance: French Provincial decor often features a balance between comfort and elegance. Furniture pieces are typically well-proportioned, with a mix of curves and straight lines to create a harmonious and inviting ambiance.

Overall, the French Provincial decor approach embodies a romantic and timeless style with a focus on natural materials, soft colors, and vintage accents. It aims to create a comfortable and welcoming space that reflects the charm and beauty of the French countryside.

History of French Provincial Decor

Provence is a rural region located in the south of France. To this day, it retains a linguistic and cultural identity distinct from the rest of the country. Nevertheless, in the 17th century and 18th century, farmers and other citizens of Provence longed for the elaborate home fashions that were popular in Paris, France. Local furniture makers sought to answer the demand by imitating the style of Parisian furniture while using the materials available to them. The result was a “pared-back” style of furniture made from materials readily available in Provence and therefore more affordable for the people to purchase.

This amalgam of country and cosmopolitan style that came be known as French Provincial has existed now for several centuries. It became popular outside of France in the early 20th century thanks to World War I. Foreign soldiers returning from France liked the look of the country homes they had seen there and started to mimic it in the interior design of their own homes.

Elements That Comprise French Provincial Decor

Because French Provincial decor consists of disparate and sometimes contrasting elements, it can be successfully incorporated into any living space. Here are some examples of key style elements.

1. Muted Colors

A French Provincial color scheme usually takes its inspiration from nature and consists of pastels, such as lilac, grass green, periwinkle, lavender, and peach. Background colors are typically ivory cream, beige, and other warm-toned neutrals. A rug can be a good way to incorporate these colors into your design scheme and unify the space.

2. Needlepoint Upholstery

Needlepoint was a common occupation for European women in the 17th and 18th centuries. They would often turn their creations into coverings for furniture cushions. Therefore, upholstery that is hand-sewn, or at least looks like it could have been, is a common element.

3. Fireplaces

In the days before central heating, a fireplace was not a luxury but a necessity to keep the house and its occupants warm and cozy during the winter. Therefore, a fireplace has central significance in a French Provincial design scheme. The mantelpiece may be made of ornately carved wood or natural stone.

4. Freestanding Storage

A home in Provence in the 17th and 18th centuries would likely never be without a wooden freestanding storage unit, such as a wardrobe or an armoire. The people of Provence, especially those of modest means, favored these over closets because they were taxed according to the number of rooms in their home, and a closet counted as a room in the government’s assessment. However, such units were not merely functional. People sought decorative armoires and wardrobes made of intricately carved wood.

5. Rustic Materials

French Provincial interior design often makes use of rustic building materials, such as wood, stone, and brick. These may remain raw and exposed, or they may be painted or whitewashed. Examples of rustic materials that may appear in a French Provincial home include exposed ceiling beams and parquet floors, sometimes made of distressed wood.

6. Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is a relatively inexpensive material that, when bent and shaped in attractive configurations, can bring a touch of elegance to the rustic elements often present in a French Provincial home. For example, it is not uncommon to see a table made of raw or distressed wood with wrought iron legs.

A word of caution when decorating with materials like wood, stone, and wrought iron: They can make a room feel too hard, too stark, or too cold. One way to add some warmth and softness back into the room is with a happy cheerily colored rug on the floor.

7. Gold Accents

Gold accents on fixtures and hardware can provide a touch of opulence, which was all that most people of Provence could afford in the 18th and 17th centuries. Gold and gold-toned accents can add a similar touch to your French Provincial interior design without becoming too showy. See if you can find rugs embroidered with gold-colored thread.

8. Pendant Lights

No French Provincial interior design would be complete without at least one pendant light or chandelier. Whichever you choose, it should be ornate, preferably made from wrought iron or gold-colored metal. These lights are intended to attract attention and admiration; therefore, they should be hung in an area of the house where people tend to gather, such as a living room or dining room.

The Timelessness of French Provincial Decor

The different elements of French Provincial decor and French rugs result in a style that is uniquely timeless. An antique or vintage rug can tie the whole concept together. In the Nazmiyal Rug Collection, you are sure to find the perfect rug, weather it be an authentic antique, vintage or modern rugs reflecting traditional interior styles. Connect with our experts to learn more.

This interior design blog that talks about French provincial home decor style was published by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs