French Provincial Style Decorating Ideas

An Introduction, Plus Flower Power

A Touch of Toile

Distressed Wood Finishes

This open kitchen exudes French country style, and it's all thanks to the distressed wood featured throughout the room. The cabinets, with their weathered finish and wrought iron pulls, as well as the island and chairs, add a rustic touch that makes the space feel cozy and lived-in. You can achieve a similar look at home by choosing glazed cabinets over gloss and pairing them with an ornate chandelier.

Blue + Yellow Combos

Blue and yellow is a classic, French country combination. It's warm and inviting, and sets the perfect tone for guests in this sumptuous bedroom designed by Mary Anne Smiley. To make this look your own (and achieve French country decor on a dime), start with a blue-and-yellow comforter and then layer on coordinating pillows, preferably with a floral motif. For common spaces, consider blue-and-yellow curtains or even a blue-and-yellow checked accent chair.

Reclaimed Wood Beams

Bring Old World sophistication — a hallmark of French country decor — to any bedroom by installing reclaimed wood beams. In this cozy space by renowned designer Charles Faudree, the treatment not only helps call attention to the vaulted ceiling above, but also infuses the bedroom with a sense of history and makes it seem much older. If you go with a darker wood, complement the color with brick red linens. For lighter wood, opt for creams and baby blues.

Pastoral Panache

Splash of Red

A splash of red might do your space good, too. In this handsome, French country-style dining room from Charles Faudree, red toile wallpaper and curtains meet the dark wood decor for a design that's warm and slightly masculine. This is a wonderful way to balance out a showy chandelier or a delicate plate collection. Notice, too, the red cushions on the Windsor chairs; in French country spaces, hard seats are always covered, to ensure total comfort.

Plates on Display

In French country-style homes, antique plate collections are prized possessions that deserve their own spot on the wall. There are countless ways to display your dinnerware, but our favorites include in an arch over the door, in a traditional wooden hutch or in a floor-to-ceiling unit like the one pictured above. It's the perfect way to add a little Provençal flair to your humble abode.

RS_Designer-Jenni-Rausch-Karr-bick_v

From: Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath

Storied Armoires

Need an excuse to go thrifting? Armoires — also known as freestanding, wood wardrobes — often double as decor in French country households. And they don't have to be used in the traditional sense. You could bring one into your bathroom as a place for towels and bathrobes, or station one in your foyer or hallway, like a grandfather clock. In the room above, an armoire and clawfoot tub add the perfect, French country touch.

Chandeliers + Antiques Aplenty

Whether dripping with crystal or painted matte white for a modern look, chandeliers suggest money and splendor. They're the epitome of French country decor and are often featured in every room. You could balance yours with distressed furniture for a "less is more" approach, or follow designer Charles Faudree's lead above and pull in lots of pretty antiques, like brass mirrors and polished kettles, to make your space a feast for the eyes.

Gallic Roosters

Rich in Ruffles

A simple, ruffled bed skirt and coordinating curtains give this French country suite by blogger Amy Mings a sense of casual elegance. Though the materials aren't lavish themselves, a little pleating makes them seem as special as satin or silk. You can also achieve this look (and "zhuzh" up a neutral bedding set) by pairing a ruffled duvet cover with an ornate bed frame.

Stripe Show

Copper Cookware

Long before copper cookware was trendy in the United States, it was a staple in French kitchens. Mauviel started crafting copper pots and pans in Villedieu-les-Poêles (which translates to "God's city of pans") in 1830. Since then, the cookware has been favored by highbrow chefs and families alike. No French country kitchen would be complete without a set. For maximum charm, copy designer Leanne Ford and display your copper pots out in the open, either by mounting them on the wall like so or by hanging them from a rack over the island. And voila!

Mixed Prints

Let this dreamy suite be a lesson in the art of French country decorating. French country style doesn't take itself too seriously, so it's okay to mix prints and layer different linens. Here, a striped headboard, floral pillows and a grid-patterned duvet cover combine for a playful look, while their neutral hues ensure cohesion and timeless appeal.