French Country decor is tremendously popular all over the world for its rustic elegance, luxurious splashes of colors and emphasis on simple or rustic items. Many people wrongly assume that French Country is meant only for the elderly, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Just because you are older doesn't mean that French Country is out of your reach. Anyone can incorporate this lovely theme into their home to create an inviting environment that everyone will love. So no matter what age you are, you too can enjoy the timeless charm of this charming style.
To achieve the timeless beauty of French Country, you must begin with a clean, fresh, uncluttered environment. This means removing anything that has been placed in the way of the natural flow of sunlight. Once this step has been completed, start by selecting pieces that have a vintage look to them, either antique reproductions or period pieces. These decorative pieces will provide the rustic accents that you need to help carry the natural palette of the French Country room throughout the rest of the home. For instance, a Glass Votive will help to give the feeling of an old English country home, while a distressed wooden doorway, distressed trim and distressed wood can give the feeling of old barns or cottages.
In addition to the pieces that you will use to build the French Country look, you will also need to select pieces that have a southwestern feel to them. For instance, instead of using warm sunflowers to decorate your living room, try using warm indigo curtains. For an elegant touch, choose decorative throw pillows and plush pillows decorated with geometric designs or floral patterns. The curtains and throws that you choose for this decorative style should be rich in textures like linen or velvet, and feature floral patterns. There are many fabrics available in today's market that are suitable for use in French country style; check out rugs, tablecloths, and window treatments to find a great selection of fabrics that will help you achieve the ultimate in comfort and elegance.
To complete the look of your French country style home, the finishing touch will come in the form of exquisite wall art and wallpaper. There are several artists who have created photographic portraits of scenic scenes from across America, and these can be printed out and framed along with the curtains and throw pillows for a beautiful wall accent. Large photos can be displayed on a wide screen TV or hung on the wall for even greater impact. Artwork featuring animals, nature, and landscapes will add even more character to the walls of your home, and you may want to add a unique piece of contemporary art for an even more unusual touch. Regardless of what type of artwork you decide to use, it is important to remember to select pieces that have an elegant, timeless appeal so that your French Country room has a polished, high end finish.
The kitchen is an essential part of any French country decor design, as this is where you will serve food and guests. In keeping with the theme of the area, consider using aged wood for cabinets and tables, as well as a rustic copper pot rack. French country kitchens are usually warm and welcoming, and you will definitely want to include a few French country decor touches here as well. A stone island shaped like an ocean shell or a row of cookware stacked high with cooking utensils will provide the perfect place to display your collection of French porcelain pottery along with a collection of glassware, copper cookware, and other items that add to the charm of this particular style.
French country kitchens typically do not include central heating, but you may want to include some vintage photographs or reproductions of flower vases or other decorative pieces in the background along with a vintage iron pot rack and some baskets on the counter. The walls of a French country home are usually painted in white or cream, and you should choose neutral floral wall art for the focal point of the room. Window curtains should be of light fabric, and the hardware you choose should be worn and creased. Antique or fussy jewelry will work well with this style, but it's not necessary to go all out on this decorating theme.
In the kitchen you can use an old-fashioned kettle and wooden spoons for flavoring along with an antique pan and a butter dish with a classic French country style pattern. Other accent pieces can include an assortment of wooden buckets and china hangers. You can find French country-themed dishes at almost every grocery or thrift store. You can also find a wonderful collection of antique cookbooks and silverware at many bookstores as well as online.
When you go all out in creating your French country style kitchen, you can have one of the most elegant interiors in the whole neighborhood. You will have the pleasure of knowing that all of your friends and neighbors will think you're quite the genius when they see your kitchen. An authentic French countryside kitchen can be accomplished with minimal effort, and is something that any homemaker can feel proud of. You don't have to break the bank or have any expertise other than a good eye for design. With a little bit of elbow grease and the right accessories, you too can bring the rustic charm of an antique French country style kitchen into your very own home.