About French Country Flair Decor

French country decor is noticeably different than other decorating styles with its casual and simplistic flair coupled with subtle elegance. Light and airy, it is a fusion of colors combined with natural materials to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. French country decorating with flair combines the best elements of comfort and coziness while maintaining a sophisticated touch.

Style

The style of French country decor is based on simplistic design, natural materials, woven accessories, metal decorative items made of iron work, copper and brass, wood and stone accents and primary colors of white, yellow, gold and blue highlighted with splashes of deep green and ruby red--all meshed together to create a rustic look and feel. The atmosphere of a home furnished and accessorized with French country decor is one of ease and comfort with no rigid formality.

Features

Complement French country decor by adding or enhancing any natural materials or objects found in the home. These materials can include brick or wood mantles, stone or brick fireplaces, iron fireplace screens with fretwork, andirons, wood ceiling beams, decorative molding, ceramic tile or stone floors, natural hardwood or laminate flooring and original plaster walls.

Furnishings

Furnishing a room with French country flair includes furniture with delicate curves, not bulky or large ornate pieces. Overstuffed sofas and chairs with plush throw pillows can be complemented with wood furniture pieces that have been distressed and coated with whitewash, wooden accent tables and foot stools, antique ladder back chairs with reed seating, and a baker's rack, as well as small table lamps strategically placed throughout the room, floor lamps and wall sconces.

Accessories

Incorporate the use of wood-slatted blinds, lacy curtains or cotton gauze sheers at the windows to allow natural light to illuminate the room. Recessed lighting can also be used to give off a soft glow that can enhance and highlight vases and brass and copper containers used as decoration. Delicate iron work, silk or dried flower arrangements, artwork, small antique pieces, tapestry, woven baskets, colorful linens, decorative fabrics, ceramic statues of farm animals, especially roosters, blue and white china pieces, braided natural fabric rugs and hand-woven sofa throws are examples of French country flair accessories.

Considerations

To create the effect of a French country home, replace a standard door, whether interior or exterior, with a French door. The door will allow natural light into the room, adding to the light and casual ambiance of the decor. To enhance plain walls and create the look of rustic plaster walls, apply texturing material to the drywall. Paint walls in French country colors that will complement both the furnishings and accessories by using variations of white or very light shades of yellow, green, lavender, pink or blue. To accentuate these colors, along the top of each wall apply either a solid wallpaper border in a contrasting shade or decorative wallpaper borders that have multiple colors in the design.

Resources

• Shop at Pierre Deux
• Find accessories at Accents of Salado