Elegant interior in the spirit of medieval France

The French consider a show of wealth and ostentatiousness to be mauvais ton, so they prefer to see their houses not flashy with expensive furnishings, boasting of gilded faucets, but decorated with noble materials and decorated things with history. Such a concept as the French style in the interior appeared at the dawn of the 18th century. At that time, the inhabitants of France began to actively buy elegant accessories and decorate their homes with them. We must pay tribute to the subtle French taste, which allowed them to see the hidden magnificence of forms even in a nondescript little thing. The lucky ones had only to slightly tweak the outlines of the acquisition, and the elegant decor element was ready. With objects that were originally of noble origin, it was even easier. These accessories only needed to be presented correctly, focusing the attention of guests and household members on them.

The classical style, presented to the world by the French, wins hearts with its unique individuality, although, in fact, it is a mix of such noble trends as Empire, Baroque and Rococo. The first in the interior of French houses is represented by Roman stucco. This decorative element has been holding the palm for several centuries and does not allow new design developments to shift its Olympus. Rococo gave the interiors notes of tenderness, painting them in pastel colors, and baroque touches turned the rooms into mini copies of the royal chambers, not overloaded with excessive pomposity.

If you look at the interpretation of the French style in a modern interior, it will be impossible not to notice the features of former luxury, but they appear more restrained. Now, it is not the well-known French elegance that comes to the fore in the decor, but deliberate disorder. Naturally, the appearance of each element in the setting is clearly measured and thought out a hundred times, but outwardly it seems that the composition was composed carelessly and as if in a hurry. This design style impresses with its romance, serene simplicity and positive energy.

Despite some innovations, the main characteristic features of the style are clearly visible now. The French interior is also distinguished by:

1. Restraint of luxury.
2. Pastel palette.
3. Forged or carved furniture.
4. Use of vintage elements.
5. The presence of stucco.
6. Possible use of gilding in the decor.
7. Parquet floors.
8. High ceilings.
9. The presence of a fireplace.

French style in the interior: who is it for?

First of all, owners of luxury apartments with high ceilings should pay attention to this type of interior design. Such decor will be appropriate not only in city apartments, but also in country houses.Connoisseurs of luxury in its best aesthetic manifestations will not remain indifferent to stylistic delights. Here, no one will forbid them to flaunt collectibles and other items acquired in interesting situations. Romantic natures will delight this direction, because the French style is a kind of ode to love, frozen in images. It is worth stopping at such a design for everyone who prefers to surround themselves with the unique beauty of antique furniture, as well as just admirers of the French lifestyle.

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Colors of Parisian interiors

If you ask the designers in what colors the French style can be applied in the current interiors, then the list will certainly include:

1. Beige.
2. White.
3. Pale pink.
4. Caramel.
5. Pale blue.
6. Pale yellow.
7. Light green.

This does not mean at all that there will be no place for dark shades here. Bronze, brown, gray - they may well be introduced with furniture and other accessories. But juicy shades are used extremely rarely, only if it is necessary to create accent zones - and then, very dosed.

French interiors mean plenty of light, so don't try to arrange them in dark, poorly lit spaces. True French people still try to make their sunny rooms in lilac or favorite pink tones, although recently silver and green interiors have been gaining popularity.

The combination of colors does not abhor French decors. Most often, green, pink and a little gray are involved in the background composition. The duet of white and dark blue colors looks original. You can try mixing shades of terracotta with black and dilute the resulting combination with ivory. However, you can experiment yourself in the selection of color variations; the only thing that should not be forgotten is the inadmissibility of sharp contrasts in the French style in the interior.

A traditional pattern for such a decor is a strip in combination with floral or floral patterns. Golden curls will give a special chic to the finish. Thinking through the background, do not forget about the sense of proportion and try not to overdo it with colorful strokes. From the picture in no case should not ripple in the eyes. Its role in the decor is secondary, that is, it is just a background and nothing more.

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The nuances of interior decoration

Let's start with the walls. Their surface can be either smooth or textured. In the first case, the walls are simply painted with unobtrusive pastel paint, and in the second case, you will need to use wallpaper with embossed, elegant prints. The most successful options, ideal for recreating the French style in the interior, can be found among vinyl, flock or textile types.. Walls finished with Venetian plaster or hidden under liquid wallpaper look very original.

Let's go to the ceiling. In this interior, it is better to make it from drywall, and decorate it around the perimeter with lightweight polyurethane stucco molding.

Floors. Their surface should be covered with parquet of light shades, for example, amber. If you don't really like to take care of such a floor, then use glossy tiles with ornate golden patterns to finish it. It will look no less attractive and quite stylish.

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How to furnish a room in the French style

French-style armchairs and sofas in the interior have intricately curved legs, high backs, lush and soft armrests.

The French style, interpreted in a modern interior, is characterized not only by massive sets in which wood is adjacent to metal and glass, but also by light furniture woven from banana leaves or water hyacinth.

An interesting fact is that for the decor in question, combinations of pieces of furniture belonging to different eras and generated by different directions are acceptable. But even in the most “motley” environment, the permanent attributes of French houses, which were once invented by local craftsmen, must certainly be present. Their most comfortable and most expressive representative is the bergère chair. Being very low and incredibly deep, it will not only take you into its arms, but also make you renounce all the problems that have piled up. A reliable setting is unthinkable without a “geridon” table and an unusual cupboard for dishes, called a “dressoire”. The latter is an invariable decoration of the French dining room.

In the French style of the interior, cabinet furniture must be present, only its decor must be specific and convey the charm of bygone times. Agree, there are not enough antique items with a living history for everyone, and it is too expensive, but it is quite realistic to buy a set of specially processed solid oak. The surface of the pre-bleached wood is sanded and sanded to give the material a charming antique charm. This technique of artificial aging is incredibly relevant today, and if patination is added to such processing, then it seems that the furniture was not made in a modern workshop on new equipment, but came out from under the chisel of an artisan who worked in distant years somewhere in Paris suburb.

Unlike massive cabinet furniture, upholstered furniture looks incredibly elegant. French-style armchairs and sofas in the interior have intricately curved legs, high backs, lush and soft armrests. Banquettes, ottomans, couches will become your favorite elements of the decor. To convey the spirit of France, it is advisable to cover such furniture with velvet or tapestry. However, modern designers are increasingly using dense satin for this purpose.

Undoubted decoration of the room interior will be elegant tea tables. Their shapes and proportions can be very diverse. Round, square, oval and multi-faceted tops can be attached to high and low legs. In such an assortment there is always an item that will become an elegant focal point of a stylish interior.

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The luxury of French textiles

A rich interior requires chic decor. In particular, fabrics should amaze with the nobility of texture, calmness and elegance of colors. For example, the French style perfectly perceives damask fabrics in the interior. He is impressed by their unusual weaving and the presence of a secret pattern, which becomes visible only under specific lighting. You can use cozy chenille, noble velvet, expensive silks, the lightest taffeta, organza or royal satin.

 

The main rule when choosing textiles is that all fabrics must be able to manipulate light, that is, shimmer and have a reflective effect. The light should flicker and at the same time dissolve in their folds, beckoning the eye with a muffled brilliance. When choosing textiles, give preference to plain fabrics, without any patterns. Believe me, your curtains will look great without it. But if you decide to make them an accent spot in the decor, use hand embroidery and beads.The compositions you create will only add to the atmosphere of specificity.

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About accessories

The presence of the French style in the interior will be emphasized by such architectural elements as niches and arches, as well as several rows of shelves of wrought iron or wood, representing collections of original dishes.

In addition to the fact that the French style provides for a beautiful drapery of windows in the interior - with lambrequins, suspensions and tassels - it should contain elegant and intricate accessories. It can be crystal pendants, rhinestones, Murano glass. Any of these elements will add charm and sophistication to the atmosphere. And, of course, the French style will not be perceived enthusiastically if there is no place for mirrors in it. Framed in massive frames, inlaid with silver and shimmering with gold, they subtly emphasize the splendor and high cost of the rest of the decoration.

Another characteristic attribute will be silk pads, rollers with tassels at the ends. A peculiar, somewhat intricate, but incredibly cute addition to the bohemian decor will be a wrought iron screen with wicker or cloth doors.

Since the main background of the interior is done in pastel colors, the walls will also require finishing touches, which, along with mirrors, may well be paintings. “Dress” them in a rich frame and place them in prominent places, so you can also add aesthetics to the French style in the interior.

In a wonderful medieval spirit, you can decorate the whole house, and it will not look cloying. It's unbelievable, but in each room, seemingly the same type of decor will be perceived in its own way.

Let's look at the kitchen. The use of French decor in its design will make the room warm and fill it with endless comfort. The decoration will include only natural materials such as glazed bricks, mosaics, ceramic tiles. The color palette is full of variety, but certainly subdued. Furniture with weathered wooden fronts and marble tops. The presence of the French style in the interior will be emphasized by such architectural elements as niches and arches, as well as several rows of shelves of wrought iron or wood, representing collections of original dishes.

When decorating the living room, the emphasis will be on luxury. Here the walls will be dressed in the color of silver and pearls, the parquet floor will be covered with carpets. The decor uses stylized furniture, chic textiles. Lighting is entrusted to crystal chandeliers and equally magnificent sconces. Porcelain and Venetian glass objects can be placed on open surfaces.

In the bedroom, the spirit of France will be embodied in extraordinary romanticism. The background decor remains in the best traditions, and the wrought-iron bed, hidden in the folds of a chic canopy, becomes the center of attention. It is very important that all the textiles present in the bedroom be in the same texture and comply with the rules of style. Sconce lampshades, small paintings will serve as decoration here, and fluffy carpets will become the key to comfort.

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Conclusion

Creating a French style in the interior is incredibly exciting. It is elegant, multifaceted, but it will not be insanely difficult to reproduce. So, with very little effort, you can become the owner of a small, but very cozy and unusual “palace”.

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