Often known for their love of gilding, eighteenth century furniture, distinctive porcelains, and elaborately framed oil paintings, modern French Country may insist on quality but can also be achieved with budget in mind.  Elegant, warm, and inviting, this decor pairs abundance with refrain.

THEMES OF PROVENCE STYLING INCLUDE:

Large scaled armoires.

Tiled floors (often in terra-cotta tones)

Earth tone palates of greens, golds, bricks, and blues.

Oversized, comfortable sofas, chairs, and settees.

Aged patina or color washed walls.

Long desks and consoles often placed in studies or dining halls to showcase book collections.

Stately buffets that serve as both storage and serving pieces.

A mix of fabrics and patterns, coordinated by colors and textures.

Animal prints, in particular accent pillows encrusted with hens and roosters.

Wide width panel draperies embellished with gimp, fringe, and tassel.

Slipcovers that can be changed with the season and reflect the beauty of the outdoors.

Toile, Toile, Toile.

Mixing family heirlooms with modern pieces to give an eclectic feel.

Black laquer with gold leaf on a mantle, a vanity, or a bed frame.

Fireplaces that are adorned and lit.

 Large scale ottomans and footstools. in entry halls, living rooms, and libraries.

Missmatched china, the French prefer inventive pattern mixes.

Salons; or using rooms for multiple purposes or dividing spaces into intimate gathering spots.

Hand painted and distressed furniture that evokes age even when newly purchased.

Butler pantrys encased in wallcovering, large cracks visible to the naked eye, jardines used as plant containers to hold freshly grown herbs.

Collections,

Crystal or ornate chandeliers.

Objects d'art arranged in a seemingly effortless way.

The interweaving of hues, textures, and patterns. 

Oriental accents usually emphasized with lamps, porcelain, or statuary.

Canopies over beds or embellished frames that showcase fine linens.

Mirrors hung, leaned, or grouped.

Architectural artwork prominently displayed.

Handcarved or painted beds, nightstands, and commodes.

Copper pots hanging over an island, large butcher block cutting boards, platter collections used as serving trays.

Hand painted tiles especially in kitchen design.

Using fashion influences in design decisions.

Terra-cotta pots full of freshly bloomed plants and flowers.

Pastoral landscapes and botanical prints.