July 2008 News

This Month's Tip:

DECORATING STYLE - French Country Decorating

By Sharon K Miller

 Visit Dove’s Nest for home décor items to match your preferred decorating style.  This newsletter will give you a view of the French Country style.

 French Country decorating has become very popular, in part because of its warmth and welcoming style.  Rich, vivid colors reflecting the countryside of Provence, France, duplicating the look of an adorable rural cottage.

 French Country is comfortable, casual, and romantic.  It creates a home where people will want to put up their feet and stay awhile; the focus is on “old and charming.”  There are few rules with this style—it can even be made more elegant, like a French country estate.

 Foundation colors are neutral (dove gray, stone, white, taupe, dust, mustard), but in everything else, color is central, drawn from the French countryside.  Think fields of lavender, heavenly blue sky, bright green grass, sunny yellows, deep reds, cobalt blue, soft ocean tones.  White or pastels can be used for curtains, linens, and accessories.

 Furniture with this style almost always indicates a handcrafted look.  An armoire, a bench with an upholstered seat, new or reproduced rustic furniture all work well.  Ladder-back style chairs, dining or occasional chairs with curved and carved details create texture and add to the coziness of the rooms.  Rough, exposed beams on the ceiling and white-laced curtains will give the open, easy-going look that makes this style a leading favorite.

 Originally, flooring materials were chosen from the countryside—rustic stone, clay, brick, or flagstone.  Unglazed quarry tile in colors from pinkish red to honey to deep brown give a definitive French look, as does slate, marble, terrazzo, or ceramic tiles.  Stone floors can be covered with wool or cotton rugs; wall-to-wall carpet is not part of the look.

 A stone fireplace is a favorite with French Country decorating.  A clay or brick hearth and accessories of herbs, copper pots, and iron pieces on the walls complete the look.   Rooster prints in the breakfast room, and a tablecloth and curtains of olives, sunflowers, grapes, lavender or beetles turn a kitchen into a bit of French countryside.  You can also stencil with a blue fleur-de-lis pattern. Wrought-iron chandeliers, iron or brass lanterns, or candelabras on the walls or tables call out country charm.

 Shutters increase the look and block out the hot sun when needed.  Windows and doorways encircled with growing vines add the look of age.  Chipped paint, rusted iron, heavy cotton, and rustic pine will have the same affect.  You can incorporate the French Country look into your present rooms by choosing wallpaper in a classic, black-and-white toile design and thin lace curtains. 

 For accent pieces, choose woven or wire baskets, colorful ceramics, carved wood pieces, natural grasses, and dark or colorful paintings for the walls.  Lush, natural flowers should be everywhere, inside and out.  Place these floral arrangements in old pitchers, copper pots, clear glass vases, and baskets.  The aim is to bring the colors and textures of the outside into the home.  Window boxes are a must, with geraniums and lavenders being preferred.

 French Country allows lots of flexibility with colors and fabrics. Cotton and lace are leading fabrics, as are chintz and damask for upholstery and draperies.  A busy red paisley fabric or wallpaper can be combined with an ivory and red rustic check.  A green rooster print fabric can be paired with a small-patterned cotton miniature print.  Use whites and pastel hues in the bedrooms  for a rest from the vibrant colors elsewhere.

Toile themes include farm animals, monkeys, Chinese patterns, country scenes, and courting scenes of the 18th century are used often.

Not sure of your decorating style?  You might want to check out the following website quizzes:

www.decoratingsecrets.net/quiz

www.bargainclicks.com/Store/Style

Stop by Dove’s Nest at your convenience and check us out! 

Store hours:  Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed on Sundays