Room design in Provence style

Do you remember the historical novels of A. Dumas, where the French provinces were often mentioned? Provence is one of them, located in the south of France. Original color, invariably beautiful weather, bright hot sun, amazing variety of flora, proximity to the sea and vineyards. The heady aroma of flowering plants. A hard working day for rural residents, at the end of which the most delicious village food and well-deserved rest await at home. And work in the bosom of nature so raises the appetite!

The name is translated - "province". As applied to the style of the interior, the name "Provence" means one of the directions of the rustic style (country). The unique charm of home comfort, the style of provincial housing in the south of France.

Style characteristics

Archaic for centuries of established habits and traditions of the ancient way of life, where the innovations and trends of the time come with a noticeable delay. Hence the rural routine, straightforwardness, lack of pretentiousness, natural simplicity, proximity to nature, an abundance of flowers and herbariums. Colors of nature, strongly fading in the sun. And a kind of charm, even some romance of past centuries. Provencal style is illuminated by the stamp of time and does not accept any innovations, elements of modernity.

Style decor

Provence style also has an abundance of accessories. Forged frame of mirrors and watches, curtain rods and candlesticks, various woven chests, baskets. The abundance of small pillows: on sofas, beds, chairs. Numerous bouquets in combination with ceramic or glass pots, fruit vases, figurines. The ceramic figurine of a rooster will always remind of the homeland of the Provencal style - France, as a symbol of this country.

Massive forged or cast lamps with glass lampshades harmoniously fit into the interior. Open sections of walls are decorated with Mediterranean landscapes, still lifes, decorative ceramics with painting.

Fabrics - cotton and linen of gentle tones and colors: curtains, floor paths, tablecloths with a light ornament or traditionally colored stripes. Textile products should be hand-made. A prerequisite - village naivety - flowers on the windowsill. And hanging bunches of fragrant herbs in the kitchen.

The Mediterranean theme in the bathroom will also be useful in the Provencal style. White and blue colors for tiles, bathtubs, curtains and towels. Particular attention will be drawn to the seagulls painted on the tiles.

Style colors

Provence style implies increased attention to the color scheme - only pacifying, cozy, bright colors, no bright colors. This is what makes him most different from the usual country style with a predominance of bright color schemes. Calm pastel colors, creating the impression of a variety of surfaces burnt out in the sun. The ceiling and walls are not necessarily white. The proposed range of finishing tones for Provencal interiors is quite diverse: muted (burnt) colors of sunflower petals, sea wave, blue sky, lavender, herbs, lemon, dried clay. Mandatory presence of white, beige, cream, pale orange. And certainly the elements of artificial aging.

These same tones are used to decorate furniture, painting dishes, and fabrics.

Finishing facilities

Walls and ceiling. No wallpaper. Only natural materials. Color textured stucco for wall decoration in Provence style is suitable, and the work done as if by an amateur or hack-worker is uneven, with drips, bald spots, through which the open masonry of walls and floors can be seen in places. It is possible to finish with wood - a facing board, painted, as a rule, with white paint. The ceiling, most often white, is decorated with beams of contrasting dark colors. If the ceiling is not white, the beams, on the contrary, can be whitened.

Our compatriots, when decorating an interior in Provence style, use the same pastel colors to paint the board, or leave the color and texture of the wood to the finish.

Doors and windows are traditionally white. Artificially aged white doors can be painted. And the large windows to the floor (it is clear that this is unrealistic in a city apartment, but why not in your house) are sectional, separated by bindings.

Curtains can be made of beads or light, airy fabric. Zoning of Provencal premises with partitions or floor material, forged lattices, wooden racks, decorative flowerpots with living plants can play the role of partitions.

Parquet, linoleum, laminate, carpets are categorically not suitable for the floor of a room decorated in this style. Usually this is an unprocessed (sometimes painted) board. For the kitchen and the corridor - raw wood or floor tiles with beveled corners of terracotta shades.

The kitchen, unlike the rooms, is finished differently: the walls here are made of natural stone, multi-colored mosaics, brick tiles or actual brick. The collection of rustic dishes and fine ceramics with painting, embroidered linen napkins will complete the creation of the Provencal interior.

In modern life, you can not do without household appliances. Here it can be built into furniture, hiding behind doors or facades. A barely noticeable effect of soot on a light ceiling will strengthen the association with rural life.

Provence style furniture

Solid rustic (wrought, wooden or wicker) rough furniture in the Provencal style cannot have glass, nickel or other modern finishes. She looks as if she has served people for generations. Preserves the texture and color of the tree, but can be painted in bright colors. Artificial aging of furniture is achieved by small cracks, chips, scuffs.

Dressers, chairs with carved legs, cabinets with mezzanines, large spacious beds. For furniture light wood species are used: oak, walnut, ash, chestnut, cherry. Forged headboards and bed legs, bent legs of a massive round dining table in the center of the room.

Open cupboards are a peculiar highlight of the Provencal style. Dishes placed in them are an additional element of the interior. To prevent dishes from becoming dusty and dirty, cabinets and cupboards can be made with glass doors.

Upholstery of upholstered furniture is a fabric of soft, calm colors, with a color pattern.

General arrangement tips

Clocks and paintings decorated in a classic French style. Such things attract the attention of the visitor and correctly place emphasis in the apartment or room. If the elements recreated in this style are already used in it, then the clock (or picture) will complete the image of the interior.

The right approach to the design of the bedroom. To design a bedroom in the French style, you need to use ready-made Provence details: curtains framed by ornaments, bedspreads, paintings and decorative pillows.

Decorative drawings instead of wallpaper, indoor plants. You can draw a picture on light walls with your own hands: for example, a tree, butterflies or birds. A retro lamp and pillows placed on the bed complete the room perfectly.

Wooden furniture. Use old wooden furniture, such as shabby old chairs, which is the norm in the interior of Provence.

Decorative path to the table. It will look great in the dining room or living room, made of beautiful and well-washable fabric.

Provence in a country house. The knowledge gained can be used in the country. For example, on a bench painted white, draw a floral pattern and decorate it with pillows.

Curtains framed by floral patterns. This is a very important element of the decor of the apartment, so you need to choose curtains made of soft suede texture so that they are well washed, look beautiful and protect the room from light.

Emphasis on natural ornament and natural colors. The most relevant are pastel and natural colors. On all decorative elements, drawings with birds, flowers, butterflies look great.

For a modern apartment with its small dimensions, in Provence design, it’s not at all necessary to carefully use all the listed elements of decoration and decor (and it’s unlikely to succeed), just take the main ones and add cute little things - and you will succeed.