French Country Decorating

About French Country Style Interior Design

When it comes to French Country style interior design, the name says it all, really. This interior design style is inspired by the natural environment of the French countryside, and it also incorporates the rustic character and charm of old French farmhouses and country homes. The style can be elegant, like French country estate, or it can be more homey, like a simple French cottage. One important key to French Country decorating is that there are minimum rules. Your focus should be on creating a space that feels like a perfect French countryside escape to you, and there is a tremendous amount of flexibility in terms of colors and mixing fabrics and prints that might not be acceptable in other styles of interior design. While there are a few guiding principles to French Country decorating (more on that below), you are really in the driver’s seat when it comes to conjuring up your perfect French Country abode.

If you need some more guidance about the general ideas behind French Country design, you can take a look at some other design styles that share similar philosophies to French Country design (or that were inspired by French Country style), including:

• English Country style design
• Cottage style design
• Shabby Chic style design
• Tuscan style design

French Country Decorating Tips

If you are ready to kit your home out in Gaullist glory, these tips will help you get the perfect look:

• Basics of Color Design – Like most design styles, color is central to pulling a French Country look together. Your color inspirations should be drawn from the French countryside itself. Fields of lavender become soft purples in the home, bright blue skies translate to bright blue in the home, and fields of green grass become soft greens. Lemony yellow and deep red also figure prominently into French Country design.

• Furniture – When it comes to furniture in French Country decorating, there are a few different styles to keep an eye out for. Large furniture pieces reign supreme – the kind of furniture that looks like it has been passed down from generation to generation within your family (even if it is brand spanking new!). Light wood stains are good for French country style, as are white or off white painted pieces of furniture (either plain or embellished with painted landscapes or floral scenes).

Rod iron furniture pieces are also popular in this design style.

• Fabrics – Printed fabrics of all different kinds are key to French Country style. Toile and floral scenes are extremely popular, as is plaid. Don’t be afraid to boldly mix different fabric styles – this kind of mixing is welcome in French Country design!

• Accessorize – One motif that comes up time and again in French Country decorating is the rooster – incorporate roosters into your décor with your accessories – this can be on pillows, on your wall art, or actual “model” roosters. Fresh flowers, especially lavender plants, bring your French Country room to life. Much like the fabrics, don’t be afraid to accessorize to your heart’s content. French Country style is simple, but homey and comfortable, and accessories are an important part of making a house feel lived in and loved.