French Country style kitchen
French Country style evokes rolling hills planted with vineyards, abundant flowers and distinctive stone homes with narrow windows and thick walls. The style is oriented toward comfort, tradition and simplicity. If it's fancy, it probably isn't French Country. A house decorated in this style should welcome visitors, inviting them to put their feet up and enjoy a glass of wine. To achieve this style you have to approach your home with relaxation and a sense of humor. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Decorating In French Country Style
1. Paint walls with a very subtle cream or dark cream faux finish to make them appear older and uneven. Distress doorway moldings to show loving wear. Install wide-plank hardwood floors in a matte finish and natural or tumbled stone in bathrooms and entries. Install faux or real distressed beams to lower the ceiling height and add rustic character.
2. Add decorative tiles with strong patterns and colors as part of the kitchen backsplash. Counter tops should be honed stone. Cabinets should have simple lines with iron handles and fittings. Hang an iron candelabra over the worn kitchen table. Place ladder-back or slat chairs with rush seats around the table. Hang bright curtains on the kitchen windows, trimming them out with distressed indoor shutters in a blue or green. Replace cabinets with a hutch-like cupboard that is painted and decorated with images of food. Store some thick crockery, which does not need to match. Choose from themes of roosters, beetles, flowers and grapes. Display a basket of colorful cloth napkins.
3. Place a large rug tucked up under the feet of an overstuffed sofa in the living room. Adorn the windows with drapes of toile. Position large vases of flowers on tables. Draw comfortable chairs close to a natural stone fireplace and place lamps on small tables, close enough to read by. Choose art that looks a little dated, including countryside or floral scenes. Use metal or pottery lamps with a rustic air. Include bits of iron work at the fireplace or on a table. Include carved wood either on furniture or mounted like art.
4. Decorate the bathroom so that it feels crisp by pairing creams or whites with one other color. Add this second color in tiles and accents. Distress any cabinet so that it looks like old furniture.
5. Develop the style by carrying the same materials, colors and décor consistently throughout the home. Include a tall hutch in each room. The hutches should be different and functional for everyday living so that it doesn't look placed or staged. Bring objects into the décor that are functional, simple and classic. Nothing should be too shiny except for polished kitchen pots and clean windows. Other surfaces should favor matte and natural finishes when possible.
Tags: French Country, Country style, that looks, this style