Decorating Around A Neutral Interior – French Provincial Decorating

Historic Styled Lighting – 1stoplighting.com

Cambridge – 18 Inch Two Light Wall Sconces Burnished Brass Finish $319.00

This beautiful French Provincial chest features a multi- finish paint finish. 

shabbychictexas.com

French Louis XV Country Auffray Style Paint Decorated Triple Dresser, $1,356

Distressed Vintage French Country Sofa – hudsonfarmhouse.com
Baskets with greenry on the wall – Love this!
I love how Karianne used objects from her own home to change the entire look of this room…3X! Now that’s re-purposing, economical, and green.
 

MILIEU  Fall 2014, discountmags.com

French Sofa – onekingslane.com

Cosette Chair $3,399.00

French Chair From horchow.com

Pair of Louis XV French Chairs – $1950 Cherish.com

French Mid-19th Century Painted Wood Five-Drawer Chest $3,675.00

French Decorating – Etsy

Back Drop Home Paint

lulafabrics.com

I wanted to introduce you guys to a new chair that I got last week from a good friend of mine. My friend Holly sells at our shop, The Found Cottage, & every time she comes to drop stuff off at the shop I want it all. Like, really. I want it all. Well, last week when she dropped off at the shop I spotted a chair of my dreams that she had re-covered & I about died. I took some quick cell phone photos of it today in our back living room to show you… lizmarieblog.com
Beautiful spring home tour with vintage cottage style. ” – followtheyellowbrickhome.com

Chalk painting an old French Dresser   – myvintageporch.com

purplerosehome.com

French Style Chest by Baker Furniture – Von Meyer Ltd. $1,395.00

 

Top 7 Must-Have French Furniture Pieces

 
From the opulence of Louis XIV to the sophistication of the French countryside, every period throughout France’s turbulent history had a unique style. For those trying to recreate these looks in their own home, here are some of the most classic must-have furniture pieces with French origin.
 
 
1. Armoire 
 
Armoire is a word borrowed from the French language to mean wardrobe. The  armoire has a long history in French design, but its style has changed quite a bit throughout history and even differs based on region. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, when French style was quite opulent, armoires featured intricately carved doors.  French country furniture, which has the more traditional style of the French countryside, has more subdued armoires with simpler carvings.  Antique armoires are still popular, commonly sold in a variety of wood finishes.
 
2. Chaise Longue 
 
Literally translating to “long chair,” a  chaise longue is an upholstered sofa in the shape of a chair. Although many see the chaise longue as a luxurious but primarily decorative piece of furniture, it was not always this way. French craftsmen began making such furniture in the 16th century for aristocratic customers, who would relax on these sofas in sitting rooms as they greeted guests. In more modern times, many have used them to accent living rooms or as benches in master suites.

French Louis XVI Style (19/20th Cent.) Walnut Full Size Bed with a Cane Pane- Newel on eBay

 
3.  Louis Bed
 
When shopping for French furniture, one may often come across the term “Louis bed.” The “Louis” in “Louis bed” is likely referring to Louis XIV, Louis XV, or Louis XVI. The rules of these men span from the mid-1600’s to the late 1700’s and the French Revolution, and during this time, the popular style of bed was largely the same. The Louis bed commonly features intricate hand-carved head and footboards fit for a king. The wood comes either stained or painted, depending on one’s personal tastes.
 
 
4. Vitrine 
 
While people commonly use the word ” vitrine” in English, it is originally a French word for a display cabinet. Traditional  French vitrines feature glass doors so that one can display cherished items on glass shelves. Many also have mirrored backs, allowing for one to view both the front and back of the items on display inside. The vitrine dates back to 18th-century France, but they continued to grow in popularity throughout the following centuries.
 
Read more at Ebay
 

 

Antique 19th Century Hand Carved French Provincial Bookcase Cabinet –Scandinavian Antiques Co

 
Antique 19th Century French Morbier Grandfather Clock- Scandinavian Antiques Co
 

Habersham Plantation Large French Louis XV Style 3 Door Armoire-Bucks County Estates

25 Pictures Of French Country Dining Rooms

French Country Dining Room Seen In Architectural Digest

French Country Dining Room Seen In Architectural Digest – Found on moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com

Decorating a dining room in the French Provincial style can be easier than you think.  With the right furniture, and a few accessories, you can ease into the French style with a limited budget.

– Country Life Images shows a beautiful gray dining room in the prestigious Weldam Castle. White painted French caned chairs are paired with a long rectangular table, matched up with a formal white table cloth. A red carpet breaks up the white and gray in the room. 8 small table lamps add light during late night feasts.  View it here

– A French dining room featuring a stone fireplace, stone walls, upholstered French chairs, and a tapestry against the far wall- View it here

How To Identify Size

How To Identify Size- www.talariaenterprises.com

Open-plan dining room - House To Home

Open-plan dining room – House To Home

Grace Notes At Home Arkansas

Grace Notes | At Home Arkansas

Rustic French Country Dining Table Seen At French Country Cottage Blog

Rustic French Country Dining Table Seen At French Country Cottage Blog

frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com

Set Of Four French Carved Wood Three Arm SconcesSet Of Four French Carved Wood Three Arm Sconces

THOMAS JOLLY ANTIQUES

Comptoir de Famille - French Home Furnishings

Comptoir de Famille – French Home Furnishings

Country French Interiors In Dallas TX

18th Century Painted Cabinet from Provence- Country French Interiors

French Farmhouse Table- Ann Koerner Antiques

French Farmhouse Table- Ann Koerner Antiques

Provence InteriorsInterieurs De Provence On Amazon

Provence Interiors/Interieurs De Provence On Amazon, Seen on Belle Francaise Interiors

Corey Amaro, Tongue In Cheek Blog

Tongue in Cheek Blog- French-ness

Jane Moore’s townhouse in Veranda

Jane Moore’s Townhouse in Veranda- Jane Moore – Veranda

Veranda March 2011

 Veranda March 2011

French Style Decorating Seen On Luc Productions web site.

French Style Dining Seen On Luc Productions web site.

Pam Pierce Linen

Pam Pierce Designs– Linen Dining Room

French Country Dining Table – Antique Reproduction Furniture from Laurel Crown

French Country Dining Table – Antique Reproduction Furniture from Laurel Crown

French Country Dining Table – Antique Reproduction Furniture from Laurel Crown

French Country Dining Table $1,750 On Amazon From Laurel Crown

Primitive Decor - Country Style Decorating Judith Miller Influential Country Styles

French Provence Style Decorating Judith Miller Influential Country Styles

French Style Dining Seen On Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

French Style Dining Seen On Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, bhg.com

A Simple Way Of Displaying Flowers - French Provence Style From French Country Cottage Blog

A Simple Way Of Displaying Flowers – French Provence Style From French Country Cottage Blog

Found on frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com

Craigslist Chair Makeover Seen On Me And Jilly Blog

Louis XV Straight Cane Back Chair- $440.00 From Laurel Crown On Amazon

French Style Decorating Seen On Luc Productions web site.

French Style Dining Seen on Luc Productions web site.

Jeanne d'Arc Living

Jeanne d’Arc Living

A 16th-Century French Countryside Estate Seen In House Beautiful

A 16th-Century French Countryside Estate housebeautiful.com

Savvy Southern Style Blogs' French Country Dining room

Savvy Southern Style Blogs’ French Country Dining Room

See more at savvysouthernstyle.net

 

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12 Ways To Bring The Rustic French Countryside Into Your Home

Château de Pintray Bed and Breakfast near Saint-Martin-le-Beau 

Château de Pintray : Bed and Breakfast near Saint-Martin-le-Beau –www.map-france.com

French country is a look that is comfortable and inviting. It is no wonder why it still remains to be one of the most popular styles to decorate around.

When you think about touring a French countryside home, you would expect to see classic printed drapery in the living room and natural stone floors throughout the house.  The walls would be finished in plaster and wooden furniture would be seen in a rough and distressed state.

Here are a few things you can do for your home to give it a classic French look:

Rough painted plaster walls are seen in most French interiors, and is a key element to achieving this style. Faux painters often start with an ivory base and use a sponge with darker shades of cream to give the look of plaster. Mixing translucent glaze with several shades of ivory softens the look, making it appear more realistic.

Natural stone floors can give the look of primitive France.  Architectural elements can be added such as a stone fireplace in the living room, iron lighting fixtures, and railings in staircases.  For tight budgets, consider polishing your concrete floors, instead of installing stone and using throw rugs which can bring back the warmth into the room.

Buy reproduction rustic furniture with raw or painted wood. A large dining table in a dull low-sheen finish gives the look of old age. Purchase ladderback, vertical slat chairs with rush seating for a provincial look. New upholstery or paint can update a vintage chair, so look for great chair frames which can be improved. The French style has always been one surrounded by natural elements of stone and brick and warm colors such as gold, burnt rust, and cobalt blue.  Furniture is featured in painted black, gray, corn yellow, deep grays.  Heirloom furniture with layers of patina show a history generations that have passed. Most important when buying a chair, buy a frame and style that you love!

Work With Opposite Colors– Typical French country interiors often have contrasting texture and color. Pale plaster walls and ceilings can be punctuated with dark rough wood beams. Colorful provincial printed fabrics can set against lighter-toned interiors.  If your interior is based around lighter colored walls and furniture, work with prints in blue and red, or purple and eggplant.  These warmer colors bring out the French country style.

Work With Copper– Think about accessorizing with copper pots, natural linens, and glass tableware for the kitchen areas.  Use a pot display rack in the windows above the sink or table to give that old world feel.

Decorate With Pottery- Colorful and muted pottery often adorns a French country table. Work with iron or wooden bowls for centerpieces, and iron candle stick holders to create the perfect centerpieces for your buffet tables.  Pottery, and colorful tablecloths are some of the classic marks of the French style.

La Valette Rouge Bleu cotton print by Braquenie - Pierre Frey. From the 18th century Chateau de Montgeoffroy in the French Loire Valley.

La Valette Rouge Bleu cotton print by Braquenie – Pierre Frey. From the 18th century Chateau de Montgeoffroy in the French Loire Valley.

Work With Traditional Printed Fabrics– The beautiful colors of the French countryside are seen in the traditional fabrics like basic plaids, checks, and stripes.  Classic prints combine shades of primary colors with greens, lavenders, and bright orange. Motifs include roosters, olives, sunflowers, grapes and lavender.  Often the most beautiful designs are arranged in intervals accompanied by a border.

Work With Toile – Toile has always been a traditional design seen in France.  Toile themes are often seen with animals, Chinese patterns and country scenes.  This classic 18th century look often is printed on linen or cotton.

Create Window Benches – Deeply cut window sills and benches are a feature in these old estates.  Tall, narrow windows with shutters were drawn to keep out the hot sun out in the summer. Windows and doorways often had wildly growing vines which added to the romantic aesthetic, but were functional in keeping things cool.  Create window seating which can be dressed up with bench upholstery and throw pillows.

Dried Flowers– Bright flowers are often seen in baskets, old pitchers and copper pots.  This is a fabulous way of bringing in the color lilac, orange or bright red into an interior.  Opt for the higher grade of faux flowers that have a wax type surface for your tables, or entry way consoles.  Consider installing window boxes outside to grow geraniums and lavender in the summer seasons.

 

Faux Ceiling Beams - Ana White

Ana White | Build a Beams of Light

Hefty beamed ceilings also are key architectural elements in old chateaus.  Styrofoam beams can be painted to look like real wood instead of going to the trouble and cost of the real thing.  Wood supports can be drilled into the ceiling, while thin plywood can be anchored into place to create a box, which then can be  faux painted.

Decorate With Baskets – Woven or wire baskets can hold magazines, plates, towels, bedding and so much more.  This natural element can be used for storage in the bathroom, on the floor in a bedroom to hold extra blankets.  Use it in the living room to contain throws or toys.  Baskets can be an inexpensive way of bring in the natural elements into the home.

Enjoy these inspirational photos of French Provincial style interiors below.

 

This reproduction Louis-style children’s desk from French company Jardin d’Ulysse comes with a matching chair and is aged to lend your child’s room an antique look. More furniture and accessories from Jardin d’Ulysse.

17th Century Farmhouse With French Furniture

Inspiring Interiors blog featured some wonderful pictures of a 17th century farmhouse which is located in Catalonia, Spain. The home featured beautiful stone walls, and some beautiful white slip-covered sofas and dining room chairs. In the bedroom, sat some Louis XVI stools, and a Louis XVI antique french chair. In the living room area, a beautiful natural wood desk and a Louis XVI chair in white sit amongst white slip-covered furniture. Wood herringbone floors show throughout the home with plaster white walls. This home is very similar in style to those found in the countryside of France.

17th Century Farmhouse With French Furniture

17th Century Farmhouse With French Furniture

Home of designer Henri Quinta in Perpignan, France. Elle Decor.

Home of designer Henri Quinta in Perpignan, France. Elle Decor

17th Century Farmhouse With French Furniture

17th Century Farmhouse With French Furniture

18th Century Louis XVI SofaBermingham & Co. Antiques

17th Century Farmhouse With French Furniture

17th Century Farmhouse With French Furniture

19th C. Louis XV Style Painted Armoire- Melissa Levinson Antiques

19th C. Louis XV Style Painted Armoire-  Melissa Levinson

Primitive-Rustic-Provence-Decorating-Ideas-Shabby-Chic-Mania-500x372

Primitive Rustic Provence Decorating Ideas Shabby Chic Mania

A FRENCH PROVINCIAL EBONIZED OAK SLANT-FRONT BUREAU

A French Provincial Ebonized Oak Slant Front Bureau From Christies

Rustic-Old-World-Decorating-Ideas-500x500

Rustic Old World Decorating Ideas Marie Claire Maison

Colefax & Fowler 2010

Colefax and Fowler 2010

Old-World-Decorating-Ideas-500x689

Old World Decorating Ideas Luc D’Hulst (source here)

Manuel Canovas From Mscott218 Photostream

Manuel Canovas From mscott218 – Flickr

17th-and-18-Century-Decorating-Ideas-500x478

17th and 18 Century Decorating Ideas Trouvais

Rustic-French-Decorating-Ideas-500x398

Rustic Old World Decorating Ideas Bijsterveld

French-Provence-Decorating-Ideas10-500x353

French Provence Decorating Ideas

French Sofa Sold by Karina Gentinetta

French Sofa  Sold by disegno Karina Gentinetta

Axel-Vervoordt-From-Belgian-Pearls-500x404

French Provence Decorating Ideas – Axel Vervoordt

Swedish-Bench-French-Country-Decorating-500x500

Swedish Bench French Country Decorating

Betty-Lou-Phillips-500x528

French Country Decorating By Designer Betty Lou Phillips

French Provence

This beautiful French Provence interior with light plaster walls shows you that black furniture can really stand out against lighter interiors such as this. Stein World sells a really stunning black crackle finished chest that would be ideal in the bedroom, but also could double in a living room against a feature wall. Bombe chests like this are typically regarded as Italian, but also has some of the stunning features that French furniture is famous for.

A Fine Louis XV Painted and Parcel-Gilt CommodeA Fine Louis XV Painted and Parcel-Gilt Commode Bermingham & Co. Antiques

Laurel Painting Reproductions

Laurel Painting Reproductions, 1st-art-gallery.com

Le Grillon Voyageur

Le Grillon Voyageur, legrillonvoyageur.com

Architecture examples - Saint remy de Provence, Luberon

Architecture examples – Saint remy de Provence, Luberon

French Style Seen On Luc Productions web site.

French Style Decorating -Seen On Luc Productions web site.

Louis XV Petite BenchBermingham & Co. Antiques

Manuel Canovas

Manuel Canovas

De Rohan Chabot French Chateau- Architectural Digest

The Rohan-Chabot Family’s French Chateau– Architectural Digest

French Louis XV Style Settee Stamped Jansen Greenwich livingGreenwich Living Antiques

Pair of Gilded and Painted Louis XV Style Chairs

The Antique andArtisan Center – Stamford, CT

French Style Decorating Seen On Luc Productions web site.

French Style Dining Seen on Luc Productions web site.

French Style Decorating Seen On Luc Productions web site.

French Style Dining Seen on Luc Productions web site.

European Chef Apron Red Stripe - FrenchGardenHouse

European Chef Apron Red Stripe – FrenchGardenHouse

Linda McDougald Mirror Table

An antique French painted and gilded mirror is set within the custom-designed paneled walls that are finished in the manner of old French blue created by Greenville artist Jeff Renow. In front of the mirror sits an antique French desk. – Found on hgtv.com

Manuel Canovas

Manuel Canovas

17th century country house of the Marquise Marie-Anne-Françoise de Beauharnais (1757-1822) (related to Josephine, future Empress ) in the old village of Sézanne, France.

17th century country house of the Marquise Marie-Anne-Françoise de Beauharnais (1757-1822) (related to Josephine, future Empress ) in the old village of Sézanne, France.

Chateau de la Goujeonnerie outside of La Rochelle, France 2

Chateau de la Goujeonnerie outside of La Rochelle, France

Chateau de la Goujeonnerie outside of La Rochelle, France 4

Chateau de la Goujeonnerie outside of La Rochelle, France

Christiane De Nicolay-Mazery, Bernard Touillon

Christiane De Nicolay-Mazery, Bernard Touillon

John Hall Designs

 John Hall Designs – Fine Furniture since 1967

Château de Bresson ~ Moissieu-sur-Dolon ~ Isère ~ France

Château de Bresson ~ Moissieu-sur-Dolon ~ Isère ~ France

Chateau de Groussay

Chateau de Groussay

Chateau de Hautefort, Aquitaine

Chateau de Hautefort, Aquitaine

Bukowskis

Bukowskis Auction

Chateau de Cheverny au beau milieu des chateaux de la Loire

Chateau de Cheverny au beau milieu des chateaux de la Loire

Don Ziebell.

Don Ziebell

Marie Claire

Marie Claire Maison

 

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