French Country style encompasses a range of styles that are usually inspired by traditional French architecture and design, especially those from the rural regions of southern France. Often characterized as rustic and elegant, the look features distressed wood, antique furniture, vintage fabrics and warm earthy colors.
French Country style is known for its cozy cottage and manor house elements such as stone fireplaces, exposed beams and painted shutters. Brightly painted furniture and distressed metal finishes, to a more traditional, simpler look featuring tinted neutrals and wooden or terracotta floor tiles.
Common architectural features include a steeply pitched roof, small windows and patterned masonry. French Country style also involves an appreciation and use of natural elements, such as fresh flower arrangements and fresh herbs, which add texture and color to the interior design.
French Country style is an inviting and elegant look that can be used in both traditional and modern interiors.
What is the difference between French country and shabby chic?
The main distinction between French country and shabby chic style is that French country has an Old World European look with more of a traditional and rustic feel, while shabby chic has a softer, more romantic and feminine look.
French country style is distinguished by its use of rustic materials, intricate details, muted, earthy colors and unique upholstery. It typically incorporates wood finishes such as oak, pine or cherry and is often decorated with floral or nature-themed accents.
The furniture is typically ornate, with carved details and intricate designs.
Shabby chic style is distinguished by its use of distressed, painted furniture and often includes an eclectic mix of items. It is typically decorated using pastel colors, floral patterns and butterflies, and is often decorated with a large number of textiles – bedding, curtains and slipcovers.
The furniture typically has a soft, unfinished look, with worn edges and surfaces. It also often incorporates vintage pieces and items that look aged or weathered for a more romantic and feminine look.
Is farmhouse the same as French country?
No, farmhouse and French country are two distinct decor styles. Farmhouse decor is far more rustic and often incorporates natural materials, such as wood and wicker, as well as distressed finishes. Colors tend to be muted or neutral tones.
This style is often marked by comfort, simplicity, and coziness, as it originates from homes on actual farms.
French Country decor focuses on creating a bright, airy atmosphere with prominent fleur-de-lis patterns, ornate accents, and weathered woods. This European-inspired look often includes floral prints, muted blues and greens, pastel hues, and white-washed furniture pieces.
French Country comes from the French countryside and is demarcated by its aged, timeless aesthetic. In contrast to the modern farmhouse style, this look uses delicate and ornate features to create a sense of elegance.
Is shabby chic French country?
Shabby chic is a popular decorating style, but it is not necessarily the same as French country. Shabby chic is an eclectic mix of vintage, antique and upcycled items that create an inviting, comfortable atmosphere with a romantic feel.
French Country is a classic style that focuses on bringing nature indoors, evoking a rustic yet elegant feel. Elements of French Country typically include natural wood, neutral colors, linen, stone, wrought iron and bright accents.
While there may be some overlap between the two styles, shabby chic does not specifically refer to French Country.
What is French shabby chic?
French shabby chic is a form of interior decorating style that focuses on creating an elegant, vintage aesthetic with an ultra-feminine feel. It combines elements of both traditional French decorating styles, such as Rococo and Louis XVI, with more distressed, thrifted decor and French country pieces.
Some elements that help create the French shabby chic look include faded and whitewashed furniture, distressed painted walls, rustic shutters, antique mirrors, and overstuffed slipcovered furniture. Accessories and decor pieces with a vintage feel, such as shabby-chic throws, ruffled curtains, and rusted metal finishes, also help to set up the space.
Overall, the aim of French shabby chic style is to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere with a somewhat worn-in but still luxurious feeling.
How do you decorate a French farmhouse style?
Decorating a French farmhouse style is all about achieving a rustic, yet chic look. Start by painting the walls in a neutral, sandy shade or creamy white. Accent this with a vintage-looking rug and add touches of accent colors like bright blues, greens, and yellows for contrast.
Natural materials such as wood and wicker create an inviting texture that adds a rustic touch and can be used in furniture pieces or cute wall hangings. Textile and linens are also important, such as lace curtains and embroidered pillows, to add a note of charm to the room.
Incorporate the French countryside with a basket of fresh flowers, antiques, rooster figurines and vintage-style cookware accents. Finally, accessorize with metal pieces, like wall planters, mirrors and sconces to tie the room together.
Can you mix French country with farmhouse?
Yes, it is possible to mix French country with farmhouse style. Both country and farmhouse styles are rooted in traditional themes, with French country being more formal and elegant and farmhouse being more relaxed and casual.
By combining the two styles, you can create a beautiful and inviting room with a mix of accent pieces and classic furniture. Start by incorporating timeless elements like distressed woods, vintage-style accessories, and charming lighting.
To bring the French country side into the room, include sophisticated features like tufted furniture, crystal chandeliers, and ornamental mirrors. To complete the farmhouse look, add rustic antiques and industrial style furniture.
You can also mix texture and patterns, like classic stripes with plaid prints and paisleys, to create an interesting, layered space.
What does farmhouse style mean?
Farmhouse style is a type of home decor that is inspired by the traditional, rural farmhouses from the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It is a style that is warm, comfortable, and inviting, with light, neutral colors, natural textures and materials, and a cozy feel.
It often features vintage, rustic, and/or handcrafted elements combined with elements of modern and industrial design.
The farmhouse aesthetic typically includes wood furnishings, corrugated metal, galvanized and/or distressed finishes, warm, muted colors, soft textures, natural materials such as rattan, jute, and linen, white-washed walls and floors, antique lighting, and subtle prints.
Artwork featuring nature, animals, and rural scenes are also popular, as well as prints of vintage tools and farming equipment.
Many modern farmhouse designs also incorporate reclaimed wood, chic furniture accents, and interesting textures, such as wool, mohair, and linen. Farmhouse decor prides itself on being charming and timeless, providing a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for family and friends to gather.
Popular accessories for this style include vintage-style clocks, weathered tin signs, old windows, crates filled with plants, enamelware and old-fashioned baskets.
What are the different types of farmhouse styles?
Ranging from the traditional rustic style to a more modern, contemporary style.
Traditional Farmhouse Style: This style is typically described as cozy and inviting, with off-white walls, shiplap paneling, whitewashed floors and simple yet substantial furniture. Other traditional elements include wicker baskets, exposed wood beams, gingerbread trim and distressed furniture.
Modern Farmhouse Style: This style is a more modern take on the traditional farmhouse design. It features more contemporary touches such as sleek glass-paneled cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, deep colored walls, and tile flooring.
Mid-century modern furniture and colorful, rustic accents further contribute to the style’s trendier look.
Country Farmhouse Style: This style takes cues from the past while still having a touch of cosmopolitan flair. Walls in warm shades, like sage green and burgundy, create an inviting atmosphere, as do classic antiques, pretty floral accents, and shabby chic furniture.
Vintage Farmhouse Style: This style combines the best of both worlds — modern and traditional elements — to create a unique and charming space. Suggestive of a bygone era, vintage farmhouse incorporates mismatched furniture, reclaimed wood, aged accessories and bright colors represented in shabby-chic accents.
Industrial Farmhouse Style: Industrial farmhouse includes many of the typical modern elements, such as reclaimed woods and metal stools, but its focus is on the incorporation of the industrial revolution’s inspired metal elements — metal sheeting, steel beams, and corrugated metal — to give the layout an urban edge.
New American Farmhouse Style: This style is characterized as a modern take on the traditional farmhouse. It is focused on clean lines, an open layout, and plenty of natural lighting. Earthy colors are commonly found on the walls combined with splashes of bright colors throughout furniture, accessories, and décor.
What colors are considered farmhouse?
The colors that are typically associated with farmhouse style decor and design are earthy and muted tones, such as creams and whites, blues and greens, greys, and taupes. These colors can be broken down further into a multitude of shades, such as navy blue, olive green, light grey, etc, to create unique and interesting combinations.
Many of these colors come from nature-inspired hues, giving the room a rustic, tranquil, and cozy atmosphere. Other colors, including warm tones like mustard yellow, burnt orange and terracotta, can be added to the mix to give the home a more eclectic and vintage feel.
For a truly authentic atmosphere, consider adding wooden touches and stone tile in neutral colors as well.
What makes something farmhouse?
Farmhouse style decor is a combination of reflective of a simpler time, when life’s emphasis was to create a cozy and simple living space. This style draws on natural materials, country elements, and vintage furnishings.
It is warm, inviting, and can be achieved with a variety of materials, colors, and furnishings.
The use of natural materials and finishes, like reclaimed wood and galvanized steel, gives farmhouse decor an authentic and warm feel. Exposed beams, rustic cabinetry, and barn door style hardware, can all add to the rustic look.
Neutral colors, like whites and beiges, are common for farmhouse style as a way to soften the more contemporary elements and bring a relaxed country feel to any space.
Furniture is usually made up of natural materials, such as unfinished steel, rattan, and clay. Typically distressed, often with worn edges, paint, and vintage inspired accents, furniture adds to the nostalgic feel of farmhouse decor.
Indoor and outdoor area rugs in neutral colors, like cream and sage, complete the room and are a great way to bring in some subtle color.
Accents, such as reclaimed wood and hanging antiques, can also be used to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. A mixture of layers and textures, like baskets, planters, and jugs, give the space a cozy and homey feel.
Adding vintage accents, like old windows and doors, can create an inviting atmosphere and make it feel like home.
Why do they call it farmhouse?
The term “farmhouse” is used to describe a style of residence that originated in the 17th and 18th centuries, which saw the rise of rural living as people moved away from cities and into the countryside.
This type of home was traditionally built on a large plot of land, allowing for plenty of space for full-scale farming. As a result, the interiors of these homes typically consist of a large kitchen and common area for eating, preparing, and preserving food, along with bedrooms and a comfortable living area.
This style of architecture is often characterized by its classic, simple design, often featuring painted white exteriors and natural wood accents such as beams and trim.
Farmhouses can also be associated with the concept of homesteading, which is an agricultural lifestyle associated with traditional kitchen gardens, as well as subsistence farming and self-sustenance.
While this concept has been popular again in recent years, the term “farmhouse” is primarily used to refer to historic and classically designed homes. Ultimately, the term “farmhouse” is used to describe a certain style of residence that originated centuries ago, and was designed to be practical and comfortable for living a rural lifestyle.
How do I get a farmhouse look?
Getting a farmhouse look for your home is an easy and inexpensive way to give your living space a cozy and rustic feel. To get this look, start with a neutral color palette that features shades of white, gray, tan, and beige.
From there, you can add texture and accents with wood and metal pieces that add a touch of industrial chic to your home. Start with incorporating furniture pieces like a wide wooden table, a worn-out sofa, or a rocking chair.
Natural materials like rattan, burlap, linen, and wool can also be used as statement pieces. Finally, add accessories like woven baskets, wooden signs, and lanterns to build on the farmhouse look. You can also use plants and flowers like wildflowers and potted plants to bring a fresh and natural feel to the space.
With these tips, you can easily create a rustic and cozy farmhouse look in your home.
