It doesn't matter if you live in the countryside or the city: with the right styling of French country interior design, you will always feel as if the Provençal landscape awaits you just outside your door.

This charming interior style is an ideal choice for those who crave a balance between elegance and rustic elements in their interior.

WHAT IS THIS STYLE?

Provence (French Country) is a creative interior style where the elegance of old French decor intertwines with unexpected coziness and naturalness.

Inspired by the idyllic homes of southern France, and particularly the Provence region, this style is characterized by imperfect, vintage-looking wooden furniture with harmonious, elegant lines. Also, one should not forget upholstered furniture, a natural color palette, and patterned fabrics such as toile.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRENCH COUNTRY AND RUSTIC INTERIOR

Both of these styles contain rustic and natural elements, but although they are often confused, they are still two distinct and unique interior styles:

• Provence style carries a lot of elegance and is often described as a softer and more feminine interior.

• Rustic interior style is simpler and more focused on rustic details; the biggest difference between these styles is that in a rustic interior you will find 'cleaner' and more defined lines.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS STYLE

• You will feel as if you have brought a piece of Provence into your home.
• It is an aesthetically pleasing balance between elegance and rustic coziness.
• A captivating natural color palette.
• You will enjoy the softness of toile fabric and other natural materials.
• Decorative, elegant furniture lines will reflect the character of the home and become a perfect decorative element.

WHAT COLORS TO CHOOSE?

To best highlight Provence in your home, focus on a natural color palette.

Traditional colors of this style and their shades: soft yellow, cornflower blue, baby blue, warm pink, pale green, orange-red, cream.

A great start would be to choose three main colors that suit you best and that you like, and try to stick to them throughout the interior.

Also, a popular choice is to focus on neutral and warm colors to create a pleasant, inviting impression, and use cooler toned shades minimally and thoughtfully (for example, to add a bit of contrast).

ELEGANT, YET 'WORN' FURNITURE

Furniture is the best place to start when you need to bring the charm of old French decor into your interior.

Wood can be either natural finish or painted. The ideal option is to choose old, vintage-looking furniture, or new furniture that has been specially distressed.

Elegant, curved lines are very common in this interior. A perfect example would be chairs - in this interior, traditionally wooden, upholstered chairs are used, whose legs must be curved (the so-called cabriole legs).

While distressed wood gets the most attention, you can always decorate your home with a few gold, wrought iron, or metal accents.

BRING NATURE INTO YOUR HOME

Just like with colors, the rustic French style encourages you to incorporate as much naturalness as possible into your space. After all, you can't be inspired by Provence and then forget to include its best elements in the interior!

• Choose botanical and natural themes for fabrics, wallpapers (if you decide to use them), artworks, and accessories. Some of the most traditional French motifs include roses, lavender, olives, sunflowers, roosters, as well as rustic patterns like plaids.
• Try to stick to natural fabrics whenever possible. Cotton and linen are popular and versatile materials, but don't forget to experiment with the most recognizable French fabric - toile. Soft and cool - ideal for patterned curtains.

DETAILS THAT IDENTIFY THE PROVENÇAL STYLE

We share a list of elements that will help you finally create a French idyll in your home:

• Upholstered chairs with curved, cabriole legs.
• Cabriole legs on everything - a must.
• Vintage mirrors.
• Painted, distressed furniture.
• Benches.
• Toile fabric.
• Freestanding, unattached bathtubs.
• Large kitchen island.
• Chandeliers (especially with crystal drops).
• Armoires.
• Dressing tables.
• Exposed wooden ceilings.