Decorating With Yellow:18th Century French Provence Paint Colors

Alan Lloyd & Anne Fowler's Stunning French Decorated Home

GAP interiors featured Anne Fowler's stunning French styled home  who, after five years living in Gers, which is located in the Midi Pyrenees region of France moved back home to Cotswolds UK.  Her partner, Alan Lloyd and herself restored a three-storey Cotswold stone building into the home of their dreams.  The home which had formerly been a stationery shop became their own oasis.

Alan Lloyd & Anne Fowler's Stunning French Decorated Home

In one of the bedr00ms sits a painted antique french armoire in a brilliant yellow.  Yellow is one of the most popular historical colors that are seen in classic French countryside decorating.  All Provencal looks are inspired by the landscape of France, so when you think of decorating;.... think of the middle of summer, and you will always hit the mark.

The people at the time, and still today are captivated by the French countryside, and so much that they want to bring the outdoors inside.  Saturated colours such as green, blue, purples and yellow and golds are of Provence taste. Yellow sunflowers, and massive fields of yellow colza flowers are seen in Toulouse, in the south of France must have been what sparked the taste in the yellow paint colors we see all over Provence.

Ochre was a popular coloring in France during the time of the French Empire, and many French citizens living in foreign colonies would import a great deal of ochre clay from France to make their new lands feel like home.  Today the color of yellow is still one of the most popular colors to decorate with, along side blue, purple and green.

Lighter Muted Yellows With Pastel Blue Shutters and Brighter Deep Blue Colors Found in the Awning- Corey Amaro's Blog

How To Decorate With Yellow:

1.  Use Muted Yellows with A Combination of Blues.

Corey Amaro took pictures around Provence, (which she lives) and found many shades of blue and yellow.  In this photograph above we find a muted yellow as the base color, with light colored pastel blue shutters and brighter deeper saturated blue found in the awning.

Use a lighter muted yellow on your walls.  Choose a dulled down yellow and accent it with mustard yellow.  Rusty brown can be used in your hardware, potting containers,  and old world rusted out lamps.  Use a rusty old urn and feature moss green toned plants for a very old world appearance.

Textured walls with textured plaster often found at your local hardware store will give you the presence of a stone and plaster appearance often seen in France.

Add in the light blue color with your painted furniture, or upholstery.  Using the color scheme of the the muted yellow as your base, you can then focus on bringing the the array of muted blues into your home.  Base your entire living room set around the lighter shades of blue and perhaps add in a few throw pillows in the brighter saturated ocean blues will give a nice balance to your home.  Following the scheme of these three color tones will give a beautiful French Provence look to your home.

Classic French Provence Yellow Orhre Painted Chest

The Parma Chest features a signature acorn with fleur de Lis motif.  The overall design features a ochre yellow with woodlands red fleur de Lis motif finished on a four drawer parma chest.  The chest also features pendant hardware and measures 33"H x 18"D x 36"W.  This chest gives all the looks of classic Provence painted furniture.  Guild Master sells it for $1,167

How To Decorate With Yellow For A French Provence Look

18th century, Yellow Provencal Picture Corey Amaro's Blog

1.  Use Brighter Toned Yellows with Muted Blue Accent Colors.

Again in this photograph we see the same color scheme but reversed.  Brighter tones of saturated yellows are paired with muted blues.  Paint the walls a bright yellow, and add in lighter blue painted french furniture.  In this scheme paint colors include light and bright blues, muted greens, true reds and yellows and soft shades of these colors.

-Consider growing bright red poppies in your garden.  The garden strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 1750s.  Consider displaying faux strawberries , crab apples or green Grannie apples in apothecary jars.

French Provence Painted Furniture

1 Emily Console Table $199- Add French-inspired flair to your home decor with the Emily Console Table. Expertly crafted from wood in an antiqued finish, this no-fuss table features storage and is the perfect way to display your home accents. Crafted of wood for years of lasting beauty.

2 Ashley Painted Console Table $103 Unquestionably stylish, the Ashley Painted Console Table goes hand-in-hand with most all types of furniture. Place the console table behind your sofa with lamps or use it in an entryway to colorfully welcome guests to your home. Available in two colors. Quality construction for long-lasting use and beauty. 32.5"Hx33.5"W

3 .Louisa Accent Table -Take your decor in a fun new direction with the unique styling of the Louisa  Complements the French Provence home decor styles. Actual size is 30.25"Hx21.5"W

Louis XV Sofa Southern Accents Oct 2001 Suzanne Rheinstein

Provence Furniture is often left in its natural state, or painted for a country feel.  Provence styled upholstered chairs featured linens and natural comfortable fabrics that you could put your feet up in. Farmhouse tables were functional for preparing dinners and had smooth tops from the years of use.  Dining chairs were designed to be beautiful yet functional. Homes had a distressed appearance showing good times over the years.

Provence style is an upscale romantic version of relaxed country living. Furniture is comfortable, and interiors are not stuffy and formal, but relaxed and casual. Furniture that was seen in Versailles was duplicated for the country but in relaxed fabrics.

Collecting Louis XV styled furniture will go a long way to create this look for your home. Seating should be soft and comfortable. While many people opt for plain linen fabrics others invest in the classic floral patterns found in traditional France.

The Best Of Provence Dining Tableware

Grange Provence Red Dining Table

Grange is known for their hand-finished furniture, which is also available in a  range of colours which reflects the Provence style.

France is the world's number one tourist destination, and known to be one of the most beautiful places of the world.  One of the most visited regions is the area of southeast  France known as Provence. The south of France region of Provence is internationally renowned for its scenery, artists, and beautiful architecture showing a colorful history.

Provence has been known for its renowned for its herbs and its aromas. Some of the best soaps, and beauty products come from France.  In the springtime, the countryside releases the fragrances of thyme, rosemary and lavender.  In the spring the apple and cherry trees are in full bloom, while in the autumn, the grape harvest is underway and the vines are just beginning to take on their fall colors.

Among the beauty of France, and unique boutiques that offer endless shopping,  France is known for their cuisine.  Herbs, Garlic, olives and fresh garden vegetables serve the base of many flavorsome dishes offered in the south of France. During any time of the year you can enjoy gourmet food and fine wines which the region of Provence France is well known for.  Encounter a wide range of restaurants in the  region, ranging from sidewalk cafes to award winning cuisine level of dining.

Le Cadeaux Fleur de Provence

Pick from a number of different Provence sets from the acclaimed Le Cadeaux brand known for their colorful patterns that have a distinct old world French style.

Column 1

1. Le Cadeaux Fleur de Provence 16pc Set-8 salad + 8 dinner plates $209

2.Le Cadeaux Fleur de Provence Blue 12InchPlatter $16.99

3.Le Cadeaux Fleur de Provence Blue Background 12InchPlatter $24.99

4.Le Cadeaux Fleur de Provence Tray $34.99

Le Cadeaux Fleur de Provence Blue 16 Piece Set $209

12 Piece Le Cadeaux Break Resistant Drinkware Serving Set, Blue $89

Column 2

1.Benidorm - Le Cadeaux Melamine Cereal Bowl $12.49

2.Benidorm - Le Cadeaux Melamine Solid Plate Set of 4 $61.99

3.Benidorm - Le Cadeaux  16pc Set-8 salad + 8 dinner plates $209

4.Benidorm - Le Cadeaux Dinnerware Tray $34.99

Benidorm - Le Cadeaux Melamine Clip Set $32.99

Benidorm - Le Cadeaux Melamine Salad Bowl $28.99

Column 3

1.Malaga Red - Le Cadeaux Dinnerware 16pc Set-8 salad + 8 dinner plates $209

2.Malaga Red - Le Cadeaux Dinnerware 12InchPlatter $16.99

3.Le Cadeaux Triple Weight 9 Piece Dinnerware Set, Solid RED $149

4.Malaga Red - Le Cadeaux Dinnerware Tray $34.99

12 Piece Le Cadeaux Break Resistant Drinkware Serving Set, Red $89

Malaga Red - Le Cadeaux Dinnerware Cereal Bowl $12.99

Le Cadeaux Triple Weight 9 Piece Dinnerware Set, Solid Green $149

Drink Ware Sets:

1.12 Piece Le Cadeaux Break Resistant Drinkware Serving Set, $89

2.12 Piece Le Cadeaux Break Resistant Drinkware Serving Set, Yellow $89

3 12 Piece Le Cadeaux Break Resistant Drinkware Serving Set, $89

29 Of The Best Rustic Iron Hardware For Your Provence Chests

Natural Raw Wood French Provence Chest Hanbel French Commode featured on Decompras Elmueble

There has been more of a public draw towards rustic natural wood furniture without the heavy lacquer or polyurethane finishes. Many people are gravitating towards the unfinished furniture with all natural stains that look worn, rustic and embody a and antique old appearance.

If you like this look above, you may really enjoy bleached pine furniture.

The dresser above is featured on Decompras Elmueble is made of natural oak and tends to embrace the elaborate stylings of Provence furniture.  Instead of the prominent gilt hardware featured on classic French furniture, Provence style gravitates towards the rustic iron which works nicely on this piece.

French Provence Drawer Hardware Ideas

A. Classic Hardware Drop Pull-Oil Rubbed Bronze $13.50

B.Classic Hardware Drop Pull Oil Rubbed Bronze $16.43

C.Bosetti Marella Louis XV Brass Handle Pull,Antique Brass Distressed $8.50

For More Brass Styled Hardware see this post.....

Classic French Provence Choices:

1.Classic Hardware Knob Oil Rubbed Bronze $6.27

2.Classic Hardware Drop Pull Natural Rust $25

3.Classic Hardware Drop Pull Distressed Antique Brass $14.50

4.Classic Hardware Pull French Antique Gold $10.71

5.Classic Hardware Drop Pull Antique Brass $14.71

6.Classic Hardware Pull French Antique Gold $15.26

7.Classic Hardware Ring Pull French Antique Gold $9.74

8.Classic Hardware Drop Pull French Antique Gold $17

9.Liberty Hardware Pull Kentworth $22.93

10.Liberty Hardware Pull Kentworth $22.93

Oil Rubbed Bronze Hardware Paint

Rustoleum produces an amazing spray paint that takes on the very looks of all the high end Oil Rubbed Bronze hardware. Ebay has some of the best selection of french hardware lots, and if you find a lot that you love why not spray the hardware to look like the high end oil rubbed bronze french hardware?

If you like the look of the old rubbed bronze hardware, and have a dresser with good looking hardware that you want to update, consider purchasing the Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze. I have had great success with it through the years. It particularly looks great with rustic barn colors, natural woods, black and really primitive colors. I think you will enjoy it as much as I have.

Here are some of the projects I have used it with in the past:

Dresser 1 - Striped Colonial With Sprayed Hardware

Hutch 2- Painted Black Hutch with Sprayed Hardware

Colonial Dresser- Painted Black Sprayed Hardware

Dresser With Sprayed Hardware- Look how I sanded around the brass hardware after the Oil Rubbed spray paint has dried, to reveal more of the shape of the hardware.

Additional Rustic Hardware For Countryside French Homes:

1. Cast Iron Large Gate Door Pull Set Of 6 $30

2.Bosetti Marella Classic Series Ring Pull, 1.97-Inch Diameter, Old Iron or Brass $7.

3.Bosetti Marella 1800 Circa Brass Round Knob, Oil Rubbed Bronze $7

4.Bosetti Marella Louis XVI Brass Drop Pull Oil Rubbed Bronze $10

5.Classic Hardware Appliance Pull Antique Brass $147

6.Classic Hardware Knob Natural Rust $10

7.Classic Hardware Card Holder Distressed Antique Brass $6.38

8.Classic Hardware Knob Natural Rust $16

9.Classic Hardware Hinge Natural Rust $13.50

10.Classic Hardware Card Holder Oil Rubbed Bronze $4.33

Classic Hardware French Provence Style

Classic Rustic Ring & Bin Pulls:

1.Classic Hardware Bin Pull Distressed Antique Brass $12

2.Classic Hardware Ring Pull Distressed Antique Brass 10.82

3.Classic Hardware Card Holder Distressed Antique Brass $7.68

4.Classic Hardware Bin Pull Distressed Antique Brass $5.30

5.Classic Hardware Ring Pull Distressed Antique Brass $4.76

6.Classic Hardware Knob/Plate Distressed Antique Brass $9.

Decorating With Stone For An Old World French Provence Look

Decorating With Stone For An Old World French Provence Look

Elmueble featured a Spanish styled home on their site that had all the beauty that we see in the classic Provence styled homes. Inside the home, stone slabs cover the floor, unifying each room. Rustic wooden beams captivate the romance of living with history. Simplistic wall finishes pair this space down, showing off the french Provence furniture. The kitchen features a minimal appearance with several glass cloches, and glass apothecary jars filled with colorful fruit. Natural linen is used with the drapes, and stone is found in the bathroom giving this house a luxury appeal to an antiquated period style design. This old world style is minimal but emphasizes the true beauty in the architecture and stunningly beautiful furniture.

Decorating With Stone For An Old World French Provence Look

Decorating With Stone For An Old World French Provence Look

Decorating With Stone For An Old World French Provence Look

Decorating With Stone For An Old World French Provence Look

Decorating With Stone For An Old World French Provence Look

 

Linen- Decorating Ideas For Your French Provincial Home

Suzanne Kasler Southern Accents Magazine

Suzanne Kasler -Photo Credit Trouvais

Linen is still the most desired fabric for decorators and interior designers alike. Linen is elegant, durable, and simply luxurious. Linen is the strongest of the vegetable fibers and has 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton. Linen is from raw flax, a bast fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. Linen is one of the oldest textile fibers known to man. Over 4000 years ago, it was woven in Egypt and used to wrap royal mummies.Not only is the linen fiber strong, it is smooth, making the finished fabric lint free. does wrinkle easily but also presses easily. Linen, like cotton, can also be boiled without damaging the fiber. From creamy white to light tan, linen can be easily dyed and the color does not fade when washed. Linen also happens to be highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, but also has the qualities of keeping cool making it an ideal fabric for summer garments.

French Provincial Furniture - French Provence Decorating Ideas -Aurélien and Pascale Deleuze's French Home

French Provincial Furniture - French Provence Decorating Ideas -Aurélien and Pascale Deleuze's French Home

-Linen is also prone to mildew in extreme conditions. Don't make the same mistake that I did and hang drapes in a solarium's that collects water on the windows, because overtime your drapes will collect mold. Linen on the other hand does well in light conditions compared to all other fabrics due to its inherent resistance to UV damage. - Linen easily creases and wrinkles, and tends to hold the wrinkles, so if you don't mind that, it could be lovely for slipcovers. Linen has very little stretch, so be prepared to make your slipcovers a little extra large, as linen will shrink a little. Never put linen in a hot dryer. High heat causes the linen fibers to shrink and break. Consider letting your linen slipcovers dry on a table or on Air dry or tumble.

-Linen should be ironed with a good quality steam iron while it is damp, if you choose to iron at all. The more often linen is worn and washed, the softer it will become. However, if you are looking for a crisp appearance, ironing is a must. Use a steam iron and sprinkle on additional water if necessary to get a smooth finish. Press linen on the wrong side to prevent shiny spots. Use spray-on starch to get a crisp appearance. -Of all the areas where you could use linen, the fabric looks best with drapery, because it doesn't need to be washed as often, which also limits the lengthy pressing sessions.

Consider linen for your drapes. The material looks elegant, rich, yet very natural in appearance, making it a must have for Provence interiors.

Modo Textured 100-Percent Slub Cotton 3-Piece Duvet Sham Set only $54 dollars. Wrinkle Resistant 300-Thread Count Reversible Cotton Duvet Set Stripe- Twin, Full, Queen, and King $45. Safavieh Becca Grey Linen Dining Chair $249

French Provincial Furniture - French Country Caned Linen Chaise

Sussex Beige Linen Club Chair only $454!

This Louis XVI Armchair Only $319!

French Provence Furniture -Maison French Country Natural Linen Rectangle Tufted Ottoman

Maison French Country Natural Linen Rectangle Tufted Ottoman $1150

French Country Weathered Gray Hemp Linen Dining Chair $499

French Provence Furniture - White Linen French Country Cloris Bench

White Linen French Country Cloris Bench $1850.

Linen Pillow Cover with Jute Embroidery $33. Cotton Linen Pillow Cover with Jute & Mother Of Pearl Embroidery Sea Horses Ballard Essential Panel Natural Linen 108 Inch-$99 Springcrest™ Trim Linen Drum Shade $14.99 Maytex Twill Wing Chair Cover $71.24 Williamsburg William and Mary Matelasse Pillow, Linen $51.67 Oval Hardback Natural Linen Shade $30.00 Tumbleweed Faux Linen Sheer $29.00 Progress Lighting Off White Shade 1-Inch $16.00

Decorating With Trunks

French Provence Decorating

Don't discount a vintage trunk the next time you run across one in an antique or second hand store. Decorating with trunks presents limitless opportunities around your home.

There has been countless times where I have run across great looking rustic slatted wood trunks with old fashioned leather straps and have regretted not buying them.

Trunks can improve the look in any part of your home.  Stack them in your closets, use them in the living room, or in the kids rooms for their toys.  Consider even using them out in the garage to store excess tools, improving the look in the garage.

Some trunks are more valuable than others.  While some trunks can be found locally for under 20 dollars, others sell for hundreds of dollars.

If you are looking for a special trunk, consider scouting on ebay for something vintage with detail.

Often times these trunks aren't overly expensive. Ebay has a number of spectacular trunks which are very affordable, making it possible to collect a few to stack up tall on a small feature wall.

The brass hardware, and leather straps adds detail to the trunk and is something to look for in a trunk.

Stacking Trunks- Some Ideas For Decorating With Trunks

Many times you can get trunks cheap enough that you can paint the details the color that coordinates with your interior.

Consider a stack of trunks in two tone colors. For Example - consider painting 3 trunks in a blue color range, say peacock, navy, and cobalt blue, and an orange trunk on top to break up the colors. Work with the color wheel to determine the colors.

Consider faux painting your trunks. Buy an overhead projector and copy a pattern on to overhead projector paper and paint on a geometrical pattern that appeals to you.

Make your walk in closet extra grand by setting one aside a wall for a stack of old trunks. They make excellent storage while at the same time looking fabulous.

Set of Four Classy Wood Burlap Decorative Storage Trunks

Exclusive Decor sells a very steam lined set of trunks with burlap and leather details.  If you are wanting a set of trunks that have classic shape and form without any fussy details, these trunks are for you. Get a set of 8 and stack them to the ceiling. Exclusive sells them for $179

Decorative Script Trunks

Great Deal Furniture also sells this wonderful set of three decorative trunks.  They are also made of a canvas material with decorative printed motifs giving it a very rustic feel.  They sell this set of three only for $74.00

Rustic Map Decorative Trunks (Set of 4)

Great Deal Furniture sells a set of four trunks for $115. Their rustic map trunks provide a simple yet stylish solution to storage needs around the house. Accessorize any room with our trunks unique design while providing storage space for any loose items around the house. Each of the four trunk also has easy to open latches and convenient handles for caring.

What makes their trunks so attractive is the red leather material, which adds so much detail to the overall look. The material looks to be a heavy burlap. This trunk is very attractive!

Bombay Jewel sells a set of three decorative storage trunks for $114. These wooden trunks work well as an attractive item in any room of your place. They are not only an ideal storage options but are also perfect to enhance your overall home decor.

Three Wood Metal Unique Storage Trunks

Exclusive Decor sells a set of three beautiful trunks for $179. These trunks look quite a bit more antique than the others. These trunks are made from wood and metal making them more durable. The set of three measure 23", 19", 16"W

French Provence Red Check Textiles

French Red Check Bergere Chair

French Red Check Bergere Chair

Decorating with red checked fabric is a sure way of adding the French country into your home.  The Paris Breakfast Blog discovered that red check fabric is actually called  Nappe à carreaux in France.  In fact, most traditional French wine bistros will dress their tables in red checks.  In the picture below we see a French styled home with red check fabrics both in the living room and on the seats around the dining table.

Decorating with checks give a very country rustic feel.  Pairing red with natural woods is almost a must.  In the photograph above you can see in the distance a natural wood French armoire.  In addition the walnut chairs look terrific against the red fabric.

You can see how they use it over top of their tables in the living room instead of the kitchen.  Consider dressing up your bedroom tables with check fabric, or getting a checked duvet cover for your bed to match it up.  Also if you plan on doing a theme around the red, consider the richer woods such as walnut or bombay mahogany stains.

Finding an over-sized check pattern can be difficult.  I have't limited myself in the past and even have used tablecloths to upholster with.

Consider a Bright RED Neoclassical Pattern - Such as The Jack Country Pattern

LinenTablecloth's rectangular tablecloths are durable, and are made of a heavier fabric than most other tablecloths on the market.

DII Flame Red and White Checkers Tablecloth 60 x 84" Made of 100 percent cotton

Decorating With Red Check From Country Living Magazine

House Beautiful Magazine Cover

Red Chintz Dinner Ware and Brightly Painted French Red Chest With Gold French Hardware

Beautiful Country Red Rustic Cabinets

Antique French Country Linen Buying Sources

Consider Alaska Quilting Adventures - Red and Blue Fabrics

The Chinese Pavilion Decorated in Red

Decorating With Red For Bedroom Canopy Ideas

French Provence Decorating Red Check Tablecloths

French Provence Decorating Red Check Tablecloths

French Provence Decorating With Red Check Fabrics

Decorating With Red Check For A French Provence Look From Southern Accents Magazine