If you love the ease and comfort of farmhouse style but want something a bit more elegant, then French country design might be right for you. This design style is popular all over the world for combining rustic elements with traditional luxury and beauty. Here we’ll go over the basic elements of French country design to better understand the style and how you can use it in your own home.
French country style features warm color palettes with plenty of soft white. Pastels and other low-intensity colors like baby blue, creamy yellow and soft pink all come together with white and off-whites to keep interiors bright and soft. The style promotes a sense of casual charm that also has a bit of romance with delicate floral patterns and other organic motif that reflect the world outside the home.
The more rustic side of the French country style can be seen in exposed woodwork and natural stone. Vaulted ceilings with unfinished wooden beams recall an old-world farmhouse feel and light-colored stone is practical and timeless. Stone surfaces are usually painted white or other light colors to keep lots of light in the room and soften any hard edges. You’ll also find the preference for exposed beams and stone reflected in furnishings that also have natural materials.
One of the most iconic elements of French country design is shiny copper cookware. Gleaming but well-used pots and pans are prominently displayed in kitchens and accents like drawer pulls and sink hardware may also include copper. This creates contrast with the softness of the color palette and also provides vintage charm. Cookware in particular is a focal point in French country design, with the kitchen being the center of the home’s universe.
The key way that French country style differs from other similar design styles is that it has a lot of soft edges. Furniture and accessories have gentle curves and round shapes. To carry this through in your own design, opt for seating with rounded backs and circular accent tables. Vintage-style armoires and headboards with swooping lines and delicately carved accents are perfect examples of this element showing through. You will also find a lot of floral and pastoral imagery in French country textiles and artwork.
The philosophy behind French country design is to create a feeling of ease and elegance while celebrating a love of the outdoors. You can create an escape to the beauty of the French countryside through the use of natural elements and by emphasizing outdoor living. Create a space that makes you want to spend time outside by adding bistro seating with cushions. A vintage bar cart for your patio or deck makes an excellent edition to the luxurious but practical mood. Try tossing a picnic blanket over a rectangular table to soften it and add casual charm.
French country design style may seem expensive and difficult to implement in your own space, but once you understand the above elements you will find many ways of making the style your own. From natural materials to romantic florals, you’ll find the perfect balance that works for any room of your home.
As a lifelong resident of Litchfield County, Heather is quite familiar with the beautiful Northwest Corner of Connecticut. In partnership with her husband at Turri, Inc., in Torrington, she managed and grew a 30+ employee electrical contracting firm that served both the residential, commercial and industrial industries. Currently residing in Goshen she hopes to transfer and utilize many of the skills she learned in contracting to the real estate industry.
Knowing how a vital community relies on its volunteers, Heather spent many hours in several capacities at local organizations that she admires. She serves on the Woodridge Lake Finance Committee and House Committee, Victoria Court Condominium Association (secretary) and Educating Canines Assisting with Disabilities (volunteer and nursery mom). Heather has also been involved with Goshen Community Care & Hospice (president of board of directors), Warner Theatre (board of directors), LARC (volunteer), Festival of Trees (founder), the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, and Goshen Business Circle. Heather also served as Vice President of Woodridge Lake’s Board of Directors.
In Heather’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with family usually in an active way by playing tennis, golf, boating, hiking and skiing.
Heather is honored to be a part of the E.J. Murphy team and hopes you will contact her with any of your real estate needs.
