Accenting French Country Furniture
Culled from the countrysides of Provence, French Country style is found in the roomy farmhouses of the French peasants and rural artisans. The steady and no-nonsense approach to farm life is echoed in its furniture. French Country design features large furniture with casual, often painted, finishes. The furniture is often distressed, with worn edges and surfaces, for a rustic look. The imposing size and heft of French Country pieces such as kitchen tables, large armoires, and hutches necessitates that it be accompanied with softer accents. This article will discuss some of the traditional ways to incorporate French Country accents.
Color
Color is an important part of achieving a French country look. One of French country’s most enduring color combinations is blue and yellow. In addition, light amber browns, reds, pinks and rusts, and natural greens are also popular. Cool grey or black pieces should be kept for smaller accents, with the exception of black or dark grey ironwork, which is a typical feature in French country kitchens, for example, in a baker’s rack. Be sure that whites, a favorite color used in both French country furniture and decor, are soft and creamy, not a harsh, stark or “cool”, blue-based white. This will ensure that your look is more authentic, as well as make the blending of different pieces easier.
Woven Items
Weaving is a softening agent for the weighty look of much of French country furniture. French country style has the ability to be sturdy and substantial without looking heavy, and weaving is one of the ways that balance is achieved. Weaving or caning can be found on the seats of kitchen or dining room chairs, while netting can be seen as a re-placement for cabinet faces on hutch, armoire, or breakfront doors. Look for pieces that feature wire-mesh netting for style and visibility of your stored objects. Woven accent pieces such as baskets are also great ways to soften the room.
Paint
Painted furniture in white (remember, soft or creamy whites) or light colors is another element of French country style. Furniture or wall paint colors can be chosen out of a magazine, at your local paint store, or even off of a favorite material, piece of upholstery etc. Most paint stores have color matching technology so that selecting and blending your rooms colors is a breeze. Be sure that you do not get a glossy or high sheen paint. Matte paint is preferred on furniture. The highest level of gloss advisable is eggshell.
Fabric
Printed fabrics can bring out the unique nature of French Country design. These fabrics can range from toile-like materials that are printed with scenes of country farm life, to bird or farm animal prints, to the rustic designs of Provence on pattern tablecloths with a deep color palette. Raw silk or even muslin fabrics are also used to drape pieces such as large armoires or heavily framed mirrors.
Accenting beautiful and sturdy French Country furniture can bring out its unique style and grace even more, creating a home with a beautiful French country atmosphere.
About the Author
Andrew Hallinan has 6+ years of organic SEO, PPC SEM, and social media marketing experience. Currently, Andrew owns Tampa Search Engine Optimization which caters to the online marketing needs of small to mid sized businesses in the Tampa, FL area.
Andrew Hallinan is also a SEO consultant and caters to the needs of small and medium sized businesses seeking to maximize their SEO potential.
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