Decorating Your Home with French Country Style

There's a sort of design, a glamor, as the french say, Je ne sais quoi that Americans frequently associate with France. Though only a small percentage of our country's heritage comes from France, a large portion of our aesthetic values comes from there, and because of this you see a great deal of French country decor within the new globe - much more than you would think, otherwise.

So what does French country decor consist of? Properly, the number one attribute is sunshine. Bright and plentiful, sunshine has to be evoked for your new room to boast French country decor. Without it, you simply have a mismatched room.

The goal is always to produce a rustic look. You desire a thing that's old globe, rich and warm, and often welcoming. You desire one thing which will make you at house from the meanest of country houses too as within the most impressive and largest with the old chateauxs.

Obviously, because sunshine is so crucial to the mix when aiming for french country decor, you will see a whole lot of normal colors in a room decorated in that specific fashion. Sunshine yellow is number one, but there will probably be softer, subtler shades of gold too. You will see some nice, bright reds - specifically given that ceramic chickens are component of country decor, and their combs are a vivid red - but far more frequently you will see a deeper rust instead. There will probably also be greens, whether the bright green of grass or the richer tones in the forest, the colors of french country decor spans the entire wheel from the spectrum.

When aiming for a french design room or country house, it is critical to bear in mind that a good deal on the decorating will need to be done with normal materials. You will want plaster walls which are either rough stained or painted, and ceilings with visible, sturdy beams showing. The furniture itself will need to be carved, with hand-sown pillows there to give volume. The floors, naturally, will likely be stone, and covered in warm, hand-made rugs.

Certainly, the greatest component about any household that's decorated inside the french country design will likely be the old fashioned stone fireplace. It is a should, and it is the centerpiece for any french country decor household.

Should you wish to spruce it up even additional, an additional suggestion would be to have vines that may grow around window and doorframes. It'ls a bit of authentic french country decor that could give your house the warmth and invitingness you're searching for.

Try to Apply French Country Decorating Style in Your Home

French Country decorating style finds its origins in the scenic villages and countryside of the Provence region of southeastern France. The look is casual and inviting. This decorating style has a rustic feel.

Colors for the French Country decorating style are taken from the countryside. Typical colors include soft foamy greens, bright yellows and golds, rust, red, blues, pinks and lavenders. Shades of red are dramatic in this decorating style. A combination of brilliant red with sunflower gold or cranberry red with dark golden mustard are popular color schemes. Also, burnt orange and copper, blue and yellow are popular choices. Mix and matching of colors and prints are often done.

Fabrics that are used in French Country design often have a repeating pattern. Countryside scenes, flowers, birds and nature scenes are used. The background of the fabric is often a neutral white or beige. The print is often red, blue, green, brown or black. Mixing fabrics such as plaids and prints are acceptable in this decor.

The furniture for this style is casual and practical. The furniture can be simple or elegant in design. It can be rustic wood, fine hardwoods or scrolled iron. The furniture often includes accents of iron, leather or tile. Furniture is sturdy and basic. For the dining room a large plank style dining table with caned chairs or benches are often used.

Accents and accessories for this decor include wrought iron, wheat shafts, lavender wreaths and sprigs, roosters, distressed metal, tapestries, ceramics and earthenware. For the kitchen, the copper pans are often displayed on a pot rack overhead. Over-sized planters, rustic copper vessels, french cooking oils in containers are just a few items for the kitchen. For the living room and bedrooms a french tapestry or iron wall decor is often used. Tapestries with earthy colors, rich green, burgundy and deep golds.

Roosters are a common theme in French Country design. They motif is not only used in the kitchen, but elsewhere in the house.

No French Country decor would be complete without flowers. Lavender is used a lot, but any flowers can be used. Flowers and plants just add the finishing touch to this style. Over-sized containers and metal containers are often used for the flowers.

This style of decorating is a really beautiful decorating style. A French Country Style home is warm, beautiful and inviting.

How to Emphasize a Decor Style

After searching decorating books, using trial and error decorating, and growing up a little bit, you have finally found the style of decorating that you really love. Your style could be Arts & Crafts, French Country, Asian, or Metro Hip.

Now that you have identified a décor style, the challenging part may now be to implement that style and make it substantial enough so others will notice.

There are seven simple elements that will really help you emphasize this great look.

1. Choose a focal point that will reflect your décor style.
This signature piece is usually the most dominate item you see and sets the tone of the room. If this piece is not your specific style, the room will not look its best. An example could be a beautiful Queen Anne armoire for a Classic Traditional style or a large rustic log mantel for the Mountain Lodge look.

2. Use colors that are common to that specific style.
Different décor styles are usually shown with a collection of colors that are prominent for that palette. Make sure your room has those colors. For example, French Country is well known for its pretty yellows and blues. Americana Style would not be the same without red, white and blue.

3. Collect in a theme that emphasizes that style.
Every ones needs a conversation piece or collection that demonstrates the owner’s personality and interests. A collection also doesn’t need to be large just 3 to 5 objects. Ginger jars for the Asian Décor or cute porcelain teapots to emphasize an English Garden style.

4. Frame an authentic object that is original to the country or era.
This simple task does not have to be expensive. Old Postcards from Italy for your Tuscany Villa Style or wine labels from France for a European Look will add authenticity and personal touch to the décor.

5. Purchase a large coffee table book to demonstrate that décor.
Large beautiful books can subtly emphasis the style you enjoy. The book does need to be a decor books but rather a topic that is related to the style. For example, a Vintage Advertisements for the Shabby Chic look, or Andy Warhol book for the Metro-Modern look.

6. Use plants or flowers that coordinate with the décor.
The greenery can be real or artificial as long as they look healthy. Nothing spoils a designer-look like a dying plant. Use cactus for the Southwestern look or a great palm tree for the Tropical style.

7. Review all you accents and accessories to make sure they blend with your new found style.
By reviewing each element individually to see if it blends (not necessary perfectly matches), you can make sure you have a well-coordinated look. Look for a geometric patterned pillow for a Modern look; search for fringed lampshades for an Old World style.

Remember decorating is a process. Searching for those perfect accessories to emphasize your style is part of the fun. These tips will help you add the style you want to the home you love.