A French-style house is the dream of any romantic. The originality of Parisian design is inspiring. It can breathe freshness and lightness into any interior. Minimalism wanted to show you the basic principles on which this unique direction is based. Ready to head to France? Go!
What does a French style house look like? Distinctive features of architecture (with photos)
Not all of us can boast that we have a house in France somewhere among lavender fields or on the banks of the Seine… But you can convey the spirit and mood of Paris if you decorate the facade of a private house and its interior accordingly.
So, by what architectural features is the French style recognized? Well, firstly, the house should be quite spacious and bright. The windows are large, with many partitions, often arched or panoramic.
This style has been formed for more than one century. The influence of different historical eras is felt. Ancient French houses have absorbed the following features:
- Roman era. This is the period of the 11th – 12th centuries when there was active construction of churches and castles. Hence the domed vaults, round arches, and various architectural ornaments.
- Gothic era. This is a later period, the formation of which ended closer to the 15th-16th centuries. The symbol of Gothic is the pointed arch.
- Renaissance-era (XVI – early XVII centuries). Here are the columns and pilasters. The facades are strictly symmetrical and decorated with patterns.
- Rococo era (XVIII – XIX centuries). From this historical period, the French style took grace, sophistication, and an abundance of decorative elements.
It should be noted that there are three main architectural movements a la France:
- chateau;
- Provence;
- Norman style.
This is what completed French-style house projects look like.
Impressive, isn’t it? There are arched windows and Gothic elements – in a word, fabulously beautiful.
If you are planning to build a house on a country plot, think about some interesting projects in the French style. Here are ideas for inspiration. It seems that princesses, kings, and queens still live in such houses, which look like real castles.
French style in the interior (with examples in the photo)
French style in the interior is extreme attention to detail, comfort, and some elusive lightness and airiness. Unlike the categorical nature of high-tech and the one-sidedness of minimalism, the French style does not lend itself to everyone. Some tasks can only be done by experienced designers.
Here, take a look at these photos.
The first impression is how much there is. But, upon closer inspection, you realize how much soul is put into each piece of furniture. It becomes clear why this or that color was chosen for wall decoration.
But first things first.
French style does not tolerate low ceilings. In a modest space, all its magic is lost, and this special charm disappears.
And further. There is no desire to bring everything to perfection. On the contrary, some roughness and unevenness are allowed. You could even say that they bring some mood to the interior and set the tone.
Generally speaking, there are:
- Classic French style. It is characterized by lightness, sublimity, purity, and the desire for freedom in space. This is what it looks like.
- French country (Provence). This direction has something in common with the classical one but is more original. Here you can not restrain yourself and embody a variety of design ideas.
Living room interior in French style – what to take as a basis?
For the interior of a living room in a country house, the French style is just a great idea. The space will be festive, cozy, with a touch of chic. The main thing is not to overdo it with gloss. The idea is to modestly hint at the level of wealth. No pomp or pretentiousness.
Decorative plaster and sometimes wallpaper are used to decorate the walls. The best solution is to paint it in a matte, slightly bleached color:
- Ivory;
- pale olive;
- white;
- ecru;
- light pink;
- grey;
- baby blue.
If you choose wallpaper, you can use light wallpaper with a small floral print. They look like slightly faded chintz.
The ceiling should be perfectly smooth and white. If the height of the room allows, you can decorate it with plaster stucco, rosettes, and moldings.
A simpler option is a stretch ceiling with 3D photo printing. The appearance is impressive – you can’t tell it from real plaster elements.
Porcelain stoneware, parquet, and wood are suitable for finishing the floor.
The essence of decor is that the design does not attract all the attention. Furniture plays the main role here. It is different in color and texture, “alive” and seems to be completely incompatible with each other. But that’s the whole point. Ottomans, chests of drawers, console tables, sofas – each element has its history and energy. And this is the unifying link.
Much attention is paid to textiles. Satin is used for furniture upholstery. Its barely glare texture fits perfectly into the general idea of the French style. Sometimes the upholstery repeats the wallpaper print.
How to implement a French interior in the bedroom?
In the bedroom, decorated in the spirit of Paris, all attention is focused on the bed. It should be large, and comfortable, with a massive headboard, perhaps with a canopy. The colors in the wall decoration are also muted and restrained. Peaceful harmony, elegant beauty, restraint, and dignity can be seen in everything.
Expensive bed linen, curtains, and other textiles are contrasted with forged headboard elements. This is especially evident in black and white interiors decorated in the French style.
French-style kitchen design
But the kitchen looks great in the French country style. The design can be filled with various “stuff”.
Appropriate here:
- kitchen utensils similar to rural ones;
- textile covers for chairs;
- cabinets with bent legs;
- vintage crystal chandeliers;
- textured wooden beams;
- floor tiles;
- French curtains.
It is important to be able to create a special mood in the kitchen. Textiles will help with this – there should be a lot of it. These are various capes, lace mini-pillows, fringed curtains, and napkins.
There are no special requirements for furniture. This could be a modern set, stylized as an antique, or some antique items.
Minimalism designers wanted to say that you can decorate a house in a French style in different ways. But before you choose something as a basis, listen to your inner feelings. The interior should look familiar. The kind where you want to be and receive guests.
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