How to Use Elements of French Country Decor
French country style typically depicts an air of Provence. Relaxed, breezy, sun-swept landscapes come to mind. Plastered walls and terracotta tiles, shuttered windows and potted flowers embody the idea of French country style -- enjoying the simple pleasures of life. This style is easy to embody and can be subtly with a few pieces scattered through the space or you can delve right in down to the colors of the walls and types of flooring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Find the right furniture. Ladder back chairs with straw seats are quintessentially Provencal. A cane chair with upholstered seats and arms or any armchair with exposed, darker wood with upholstered seats and backs will add to the French country feel. Don't let the furniture match, but each piece should complement the others. The idea is to make it look like you've been gathering pieces for a long time.
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Use baskets for holding just about anything. Place a few blankets in a basket next to the couch or use one in the entryway to hold a few espadrilles or an umbrella. Contain a few books, maybe a few in French, in a small rectangle basket on a shelf or side table. In the kitchen, use a straw shopping basket in the corner to hold bags of potatoes and onions.
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Incorporate fabrics of different prints and textures. Provence country style uses a variety of bright colors with small prints. You could use the prints as accents and have neutrals for larger things such as curtains. Use cheesecloth for a large window or French doors, making a gossamer curtain with a rustic texture. Paisley, toile and velvets also have their place in French country style.
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Accent your space with framed black and white French postcards or stalks of lavender in vases. Don't shy away from a sprinkling of fringes and tassels. Stack a few antique French books on a side table.
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Paint your walls washed-out colors of pale greens, blues, ochers or peach. For a real Provencal feel, the bottom quarter of the wall can be painted in a darker color than the upper part of the wall.
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Floor with terracotta tiles. The traditional "tomette" style is a hexagon shaped tile, but squares and rectangles are also used.
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Tips & Warnings
Check out yard sales, thrift and consignment shops for pieces of furniture.
References
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