| ;<!--{12725017546692}--><!-- {12725017546693} | | | | made possible. Weaving or caning can be found on |
| --><!--{12725017546694}--> | | | | the seats of kitchen or dining room chairs, while netting |
| Assembled from the countrysides of Provence, | | | | can be seen as a replacement for cabinet faces on |
| French country style can be found in the roomy | | | | hutch, armoire, or breakfront doors. Look for pieces |
| farmhouses of the French peasants, tradesman, and | | | | with wire-mesh netting for style and visibility of |
| shopkeepers. The no-nonsense approach to farm life | | | | collections and dishware you want to display. Woven |
| is seen in its furniture. French Country design features | | | | accent pieces, such as baskets, are also great ways |
| large pieces with casual, often painted, finishes. The | | | | to soften the room. |
| furniture is often distressed, with worn edges and | | | | Paint |
| surfaces, for a old, antiqued look. The imposing size | | | | Painted furniture in white (remember, soft or creamy |
| and solid features of French Country pieces like | | | | whites) or light colors is another element of French |
| kitchen tables, large armoires, and hutches means that | | | | country style. Furniture or wall paint colors can be |
| that it needs to be accompanied with soft accents. | | | | chosen out of a magazine, at your local paint store, or |
| This article will discuss some of the traditional ways to | | | | even off of a favorite material, piece of upholstery etc. |
| add French Country accents to your home. | | | | Most paint stores have color matching technology so |
| Color | | | | that selecting and blending your rooms colors is a |
| Color is important to achieving a French country look. | | | | breeze. Be sure that you do not get a glossy or high |
| One of French country's most popular color | | | | sheen paint. Matte paint is preferred on furniture. The |
| combinations is blue and yellow. In addition, light amber | | | | highest level of gloss advisable is eggshell. |
| browns, reds, pinks and rusts, and natural greens are | | | | Fabric |
| also important. Cool grey or black pieces should be | | | | Printed fabrics can bring out the unique nature of |
| kept for smaller accents, with the exception of black | | | | French Country design. These fabrics can range |
| or dark grey ironwork, which is a typical feature in | | | | materials that are printed with scenes of country farm |
| French country kitchens, for example, in a baker's rack. | | | | life, to bird or farm animal prints, to the geometric |
| Be sure that whites, a favorite color used in both | | | | flourishes and designs of Provence on patterned |
| French country furniture and decor, are soft and | | | | tablecloths with a deep jewel colors. Raw silk or even |
| creamy, not a harsh, stark or "cool", blue-based white. | | | | muslin fabrics are also used to drape pieces such as |
| This will make your look more authentic, as well as | | | | large armoires or heavily framed mirrors. This helps to |
| make the blending of different pieces easier. | | | | soften the whole room and give it a light and airy feel, |
| Woven Items | | | | Accenting beautiful and sturdy French Country |
| Weaving helps to soften the heavy look of much of | | | | furniture can bring out its unique style and grace even |
| French country furniture. French country style has the | | | | more, creating a home with a beautiful French country |
| ability to be sturdy and substantial without looking | | | | atmosphere. |
| heavy, and weaving is one of the ways that balance is | | | | |