French Country Decor: What Do You Mean It's Not Farmhouse?
At this point, we're all familiar with the ins and outs of farmhouse decor. (If not, read our recent farmhouse decor article to get up to speed.) And while it's admittedly very popular among many designers, here is another style similar in some aspects that we can't ignore in good faith. French country could be considered one of farmhouse's ancestors in the family tree of interior design, in that it's been around longer and is distinctly European. Let's break it down.
Prominent French Country Features
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Rustic and ornate decor blended together in the same space
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Defined lines and shapes without specified boundaries
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Heavy use of patterns, especially gingham
Photo credit, left to right: @simplyciani, Duckworth Interiors, Maria McCutchen
We should make it clear that while French country decor does look more “European”, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any less casual than farmhouse decor. The opposite is actually true; French country lends itself to an easy-going nature in an elegant setting. It’s oddly non-contradictory, in a good way.
To begin, one of French country’s most defining features is its warmth. While farmhouse trends toward brightness and airiness, this style emphasizes more subdued neutrals for a different kind of coziness. Couple that with an undeniably rustic atmosphere via distressed wood beams and floral patterns and you’ve got yourself a welcoming environment which begs the question: what makes this French again?
Photo credit, left to right: @ivorylanehome, Styled with Lace, @randigarretdesign
And the answer is, well, everything.
The French countryside embodies all of the above with the added bonus of almost royal decor. Stylish mirrors and wall clocks blend the rustic with the regal using more defined shapes and lines that flow in and out, seamlessly incorporated with the rest of the room. (For more on this, check out our Currey and Company lighting and decor.) In general, there’s a large emphasis on patterns and texture; gingham fabrics are ever-present, as are floral wallpapers and furniture. We included even more examples near the bottom of this article to help you understand why we're so into this look (if you aren't already.) And it's an old world look, to be sure. But that doesn’t mean it’s out of style by any means, because as we all know, interior design styles never grow old -- they just become vintage.
