How to Exude Class and Comfort with French Provincial Décor

If you're someone who loves sleek, sophisticated furniture paired with comfortable linen and old world charm, perhaps French provincial decor is for you. This interior design evokes with natural grace that is achieved by effortless arrangement of raw materials, making use of wrought iron, distressed timber, stone and terracotta. It suits homeowners with practicality in mind; a tasteful décor that will never go out style and will keep your home looking warm and cosy every season of the year.

A little bit about French provincial decor: this interior design blossomed in the late-1700s, when wine indulging locals began to mimic lavish chateaux furnishings. Due to their business, homeowners incorporated industrial finishes in their rooms, creating a lovely balance between the extravagant and the practical, such as rustic wood and marble. Think about enjoying a lovely sip of Bordeaux as your eyes scan the lovely antique shelves and classic paintings on the wall.

Get swept back to the French countryside with this unique look. Here are some tips on how to incorporate this style in your home:

Skip the bold colours and head to the taupes and whites. French provincial decor has a quiet, soothing palette, and you want something that offers the feeling of serenity instead of a splashy, laud hue. Use whites and creams as base colours, and from there, build up the palette with earthy, muted or jewel tones.

Look for shabby chic items with a hint of age:

Like a distressed surface or a peeled-off paint job. More points go to furniture with ornate details. Armoires, vintage tables and sideboard add an authentic, raw charm to your room.

While French provincial decor is rarely flashy, you can add a touch of luxury when it comes to lighting. Our suggestions?

Recreate the look of a wine cellar with this Vintage Industrial Pulley Light. Our suggestion? Place it over your kitchen table or for more formal affair this  3 Light Glass Pendant over a dining table for that rustic French charm.

A black French Industrial Brass Desk Lamp to keep your tables company during task lighting needs. There’s a unique European flair in this Candlestick Brass Table Lamp which is a perfect company for accent tables

Want something hauntingly unusual? This Vintage Umbrella Chandelier will definitely make a statement in your French provincial interior

You don't have to be finnicky about dressing your room to the nines when it comes to French provincial decor. In fact, this style relies on a beautiful feeling of undoneness. So take out that chipped cabinet or raw wooden table and enjoy the rich comfort of seasoned natural lines and patterns. Herringbone floors, carved detailing and intricate wall designs also add up to the look.

Things you want to indulge in? How about comfortable linens and tastefully curated drapes and rugs? Choose pillowcases with soft patterns and textures to incorporate a burst of colour into the look. A few more things to invest into: soft-shade ceramics, woven baskets, gilded mirrors and toile patterned fabrics.

If you loved these tips, please be on a lookout for more interior design features in this blog. Tell us what you think about this post by commenting below! Images via Fat Shack Vintage Pinterest board.