French Country Rugs And Interior Decor
Posted by VILLEDOMO INDIA
For generations, homeowners, interior designers, and architects have drawn inspiration from the French countryside, particularly that of Provence, for the aesthetic of the French country style. Although there are manor residences and chateaux in the French countryside, this design is influenced by the cozier farmhouse-type homes and their closeness to nature.
The Development of French Country Decor Style
The villas they saw in the Provence region of rural France attracted American soldiers serving there during World War I. When they moved back to the United States, they carried the design with them and replicated the French countryside aesthetic in the construction of their own homes. Owing to its aspects being closely related to the modern farmhouse interior design trend, this style, which has ebbed and flowed over the years, is currently seeing a rebirth. The rustic and elegant elements of the French country style blend beautifully. Its conventional components are distressed, laid-back, and muted to create a pleasant, relaxed grandeur. The seamless and "perfectly imperfect" atmosphere of the French countryside is mostly a result of natural elements. The country-style French furnishings are warm, comfortable, and stylish.
The French country style can be summed up by these major interior decoration trends:
1. Colours
Warm hues make up the French country-style colour scheme. Medium- to low-intensity colours are used with a neutral backdrop to create character and highlight. Popular colours include more vibrant greens, brick reds, and deep blues as well as soft yellows, baby blues, and warm pinks.
2. Patterns
The style is rich in patterns and prints, typically on linen or cotton, and is used to provide character and splashes of colour. Along with toile, the emblem of French country style, checks, plaids, and stripes are frequently used. Sunflowers, roosters, olives, and lavender are further traditional Florentine design elements that are frequently seen on tablecloths and drapes.
3. Materials
Natural elements are essential, with wood-beamed ceilings, wood-planked or natural stone flooring, and worn brick or stone fireplaces all contributing to the overall appearance. Nothing is polished, and the finishes are slightly distressed to produce a lived-in appearance.
Architecture in the French Countryside
French rural architecture comprises both farmhouse styles and more majestic manor residences. The style is distinguished by pleasant, natural shapes and a rustic warmth with many curves and gentle lines constructed mostly of wood, stone, and plaster.
1. Exteriors
Homes are typically built to blend in with their surroundings and feature the simplicity of brick, plaster, or stone exterior. With essentially flat front facades, symmetry is a key component. Roofs are tall, sloping, and hipped, and they are covered in barrel-shaped, overlapping clay tiles that are either red, beige, or brown in hue.
2. Windows
It helps the symmetry and provides the impression of more height that windows are often tall and rectangular. The windows on the first and second floors are often properly aligned and ornamented with arches and/or wooden shutters.
3. Ceilings And Walls
The distinctive feature of French country houses is exposed wooden beams.
Plaster is also used in this design on the walls and ceilings. The French country style is enhanced by accent mouldings and trim with elaborate curves and delicate scrollwork, as well as by tapestries, light-coloured curtains made of luxurious materials, and textured wallpapers with simple designs.
4. Floors
Natural stone, aged brick, or wood plank flooring, typically set in a parquet or herringbone pattern, make up the majority of floors in the French country style. Tiles with large checks, fleur-de-lis patterns, and lantern mosaics are also well-liked.
Furniture from the French Countryside
Designs for French country furniture, which are influenced well after furnishings used in Provence homes, frequently feature a combination of patterns, distressed woodwork, ruffled fabrics, and colourful and muted colours. Curved lines, organic materials, and low-sheen finishes are essential components of the style since furniture is all about developing flow. Here are some of the characteristics of French furniture:
1. Cozy And Soft Seats:
Comfort is the main priority when designing the seating. The majority of chairs come with upholstered cushions. The Louis XVI chair, with its wooden structure, graceful lines, and plush cushions, is the pinnacle of French country design.
2. Simple Furnishings:
Typically simple and elegant, furniture like chests and tables use carvings that function as decorations while highlighting the contours of the furniture.
3. Traditional Finishing Techniques:
Distressed, painted, and even bleached finishes are typical of furniture. To create this distressed impression, milk or chalk paint can be utilized.
French Country Decorative Items
The French country style is related to the now fashionable modern farmhouse, although it has a quite different appearance. Both styles are noted for their comfort and natural inspirations, while French country décor has more elaborate ornamentation, curved lines, and feminine motifs. The French countryside style has the following traits:
1. Wall Decor
Wall sconces made of iron or bronze that have curved arms and delicate ornamental accents give a room a French hamlet feel. Between the sconces, a vintage mirror with a gold or bronze frame accomplishes the design by reflecting light and enhancing the rustic feel of the space.
2. Tableware
Wall sconces made of iron or bronze that have curved arms and delicate ornamental accents give a room a French hamlet feel. Between the sconces, a vintage mirror with a gold or bronze frame accomplishes the design by reflecting light and enhancing the rustic feel of the space. The design will evolve with the use of prints in vintage frames with floral and birds themes.
Rugs to Complement Your French Country Decor
A suitable floor covering is necessary for the French countryside look. Here are a few of the most well-liked styles:
1. Natural:
The French rural aesthetic is largely influenced by nature, and the common wood or stone flooring looks fantastic covered with a natural rug made of jute or sisal.
2. Antique:
A distressed, faded, antique rug with a central medallion or floral theme is the ideal complement to the French country style, which is characterized by warm, subdued hues.
3. Vintage:
The cozy elegance of a French rural home is enhanced by vintage floor coverings. The fleur-de-lis, roosters, vines, sunflowers, wine, floral patterns, and checkered designs are common themes.
4. Aubusson:
Antique French carpets from Aubusson exhibit the 17th-century French skill of weaving rugs with depth perspective, adding a genuine dimension to any French country design.
5. Savonnerie:
These historic carpets, which King Henri IV first ordered in the 17th century, make use of the subdued hues and floral themes that are distinctly French country.
This decorative style, which takes its cues from the French countryside, finds a balance between simple yet exquisite. French-country interiors frequently feature antique furniture, distressed finishes, natural materials, and warm neutral colours. The general design goal is to appear warm, informal, and casually exquisite.
