The French are well-known for their contributions to design over the years. Country style is another contribution supporting their reputation.
France - Country Style Furnishings
There is nothing quite like the style of furnishings that is referred to as French Country. While there are many elements that contribute to this style, the end product is always rustic, quaint, and very welcoming. Whether you are living in a Chateaux or a country house, this casual style fits well into any home. French country style is made to reflect a more practical lifestyle with the understated elegance that you get with ornately carved pieces.
An important facet of this type of furnishing is the material that is used to build it. Artisans use natural materials such as delicately carved woods, rusted metals, woven rich texture fabrics, wool, and cotton, just to name a few. A popular fabric is Toile. It is a traditional style usually done in white or cream background with brightly colored patterns which include farm animals, flowers, or stripes. Couches are usually done in one pattern while side chairs are done in another to lend to the eclectic look that usually accompanies these furnishings.
Colors are also extremely important in this style. Fiery reds, burnt rust, sunny yellows, soft gold, dark hunter green, and cobalt blue are colors more associated with French country. Bright blacks and dull grays accentuate these colors to make a warmer piece of furnishing. Although the pieces themselves are done with a light stain or painted look, the fabrics are vibrant and made to look very lively.
Complex, but simple at the same time, the carvings are also a main facet of the style. The dining room tables are ornately carved and are rather large with French open-air arm chairs, whereas the kitchen tables are simpler. Most French country furnishings look antique, even if they are new. They have a very distinct vintage European look to them and are identifiable by their mix of colors and soft carvings.
Authentic French country furnishings can be found in estate sales, auction houses, or antique stores. Reproductions can be found from just about any major manufacturer, since it is such a popular look. Most lines feature the armoire, caned chairs, and romantic four poster beds that are the staple of any French country home. What the new pieces lack in history and charm of the older pieces, they make up for in the quality, as it is consistently some of the best furnishings made.
