What do we associate the word “Provence” with? Of course, with delicate flower meadows and cute houses of the French village, with romantic walks along the Cote d'Azur... The interior style of the same name fully embodies these interpretations.
The following words are ideal to describe a typical French country house: elegance, simplicity, comfort, cleanliness, landscape. To experience this style and successfully translate it into reality, you should understand each element separately.
The most important role in such a room is played by colors and materials. The main task is to bring each activity as close as possible to natural look. Lots of light, soft palettes, eco-furniture, romantic accessories - that’s what Provencal design is.
The direction of the French countryside implies the use of only natural materials in construction and finishing:
- wood;
- stone;
- brick.
Ideally, a house decorated in Provence style should be built from timber or small bricks and stand on the shore of a lake. Today, designers can easily recreate pictures of old France both in an apartment and even in a studio. And the use of artificial substitutes natural materials helps to significantly reduce the project budget. It’s good that the modern construction industry offers a lot of alternatives that are almost as good as the original. A few ideas for a successful replacement:
- Laminate. Thanks to the rich assortment, it can easily play the role of a log floor. Pay attention to white and gray models like light wood. On the surface of the board, look for imitation of wear, cracks, and knots.
- Lining. Inexpensive and good option wall cladding in country style. You should choose light-colored products that resemble old painted boards.
- Wallpaper. Today this is the most popular wall decoration in Provencal interiors.
- Tile. This traditional way finishing the kitchen and bathroom is quite acceptable in provincial design.
The only thing you should not save on is the material of the furniture.
Furniture is the first thing that personifies the style of a home. In a provincial setting, it is customary to use chests of drawers, buffets, sideboards, and elegant small tables.
You should only choose items made from natural wood (for example, oak, chestnut). Dark rocks must be painted in light colors. Furniture design offers a lot of interesting design solutions. Thus, facades with an antique effect (with scuffs and rough texture) are very relevant.
Prices for antique furniture are much higher than modern models. If your budget is limited, it is better to do the restoration yourself. All you need is a good video tutorial, time and patience.
The table and chairs should look light, uncluttered and be made in the same “motif”. Wooden legs and backs are often decorated with beautiful carvings. Ornate ones also look great forged elements. The seats of the chairs in the classics of Provence are soft, framed with light plain or patterned textiles.
The main taboo when choosing furniture is large objects and synthetic materials.
An abundance of light is a mandatory attribute of the room. And this problem is easy to solve with just a few techniques.
The primary role is always given to windows. If they are large or there are several of them, then the task becomes much easier. When windows are a problem, lighting fixtures come into play.
The central zone is highlighted in the room, and the main chandelier is installed above it. It should be an elegant product with elements of French chic. The base is made of openwork forging or carved wood. Fabric or glass shades with floral painting. Floor lamps, wall sconces and desk lamp. A lamp in the form of candlesticks is suitable.
Another way to make a room light is to avoid dark walls and ceilings. However, this is unacceptable in in this case. The ceiling is usually painted in White color. The walls are also always decorated in light colors.
The basic rule is no contrasts. In a “French house” nothing should be conspicuous. Each element of the decor is part of one pleasant and calm picture. You need to decorate your home only in pastel and muted colors, using soft palette transitions.
Classic colors of Provencal interior:
- white;
- lactic;
- woody;
- sand;
- lavender;
- mint.
You can choose others natural shades. But they should be slightly faded.
With the help of decoration, provincial design acquires a “soul”. This direction is simply created for lovers of cute little things and frivolous decorations.
You don't have to buy expensive decor. On the contrary, rustic simplicity is more appropriate here. It is customary to decorate rooms with the following details:
- simple elegant vases;
- ceramic figurines;
- photos and pictures in intricate frames;
- pots with fresh flowers;
- antique candlesticks.
An excellent solution would be original hand made products. You can paint an old candlestick with white paint, or hand-paint a forgotten vase, bottle or plate.
Curtains in a provincial house should be light and have simple design. In terms of colors, it is better to choose a delicate floral pattern, a nice checkered pattern or stripes. Curtains should be ordered only from light natural fabrics (linen, cotton, chintz). Provence “loves” ruffles, tiebacks, and short lambrequins.
Good news for needlewomen: hand embroidery will be appropriate on textiles. And homespun aprons for chairs and a cover for the sofa will give the room a special coziness. It is important that the design on the fabric is not “alone”, but must resonate with another element of the decor.
If you look at any design project, you will see that the whole house is designed in one direction. Each room is part of a harmonious picture. The easiest way to achieve this result is to use one palette in all rooms. Take 2-3 pastel colors as a basis and boldly organize the Provence style in the interior country house.
Any renovation begins with finishing. A white rough ceiling in the living room, upholstered, will best display the style. wooden logs(beams).
The walls in the houses of French farmers were traditionally covered with ordinary painted plaster. If you use modern decorative in the living room wall covering, you can achieve the desired effect with much better quality. A combination of plastered and brick walls will look good. Wallpaper with a delicate floral pattern is suitable for romantic natures.
A set of a cozy sofa, several elegant chairs or armchairs and a miniature table would ideally fit into such a room.
Add a retro sideboard, a cute home rug, a couple of soft pillows to the interior, and the picture will instantly come to life.
Don't forget to decorate the living room antique watch and many simple decorative details.
The bed is the basis of the bedroom. Pay attention to models with patterned forging. The frame can be made of white, milky or ferrous metal. Second option - wooden backrests with carved ornaments.
The bedspread does not have to be handmade, but should resemble such a product. Can choose plain canvas made from cozy natural fabric, floral fabric or a bedspread made of patches.
A French bedroom cannot do without small pillows. The product looks very stylish and harmonious when it is made from the same fabric as the curtains.
For walls, it is better to choose wallpaper, which will add warmth to the room. A real oasis can be created by highlighting one wall with photo wallpaper (for example, with a picture of lavender).
If we are talking about a girl, then everything is simple. Surely every princess dreams of living in her own mini-France. An abundance of flowers, ruffles and other decorative details will help turn this dream into reality. For a girl's room, lavender, pink shades and rich decor in the design are suitable.
Turn your child's room into a real fairytale house! As decoration, be sure to use as many little things that are dear to his heart as possible.
In the case of a boy, excessive romance is inappropriate. There is a good way to move away from frivolity in the interior - interior lining from boards or lining resembling them. This will give the room a more austere, masculine character. A country bedspread and curtains will help support the overall style. A check or stripe of muted tones (sand, olive, blue, etc.) looks good.
It is desirable that the country kitchen be spacious. This room epitomizes traditional country hospitality and is a must-have with a large dining area. For this purpose, the kitchen is often combined with the living room. This allows hospitable hosts to cook and communicate with guests at the same time.
You should immediately discard the multifunctional kitchen set. Furnish the room with items from the “grandma’s house” genre. Wooden retro furniture in light colors with shabby carved facades will become the hallmark of your kitchen. Everything in this room should be simple, cozy, homely. A fabric tablecloth with a pattern reminiscent of flower meadows and the same curtains will be an excellent tandem.
In Provencal cuisine, dishes are not hidden. On the contrary, it serves as the main decoration of the room, a reflection of the originality of the interior. Place plates and pots on the shelves, kitchen utensils, and hang the towels on hooks.
Antique sideboards, shelves and lots of open shelves are a must. French country. It is also necessary to complement the decor with compositions of dried plants and flowers to give the kitchen a rural charm.
There will never be a second chance to make a first impression. Follow this motto when considering a hallway renovation.
You can decorate the walls at your discretion:
- board or its imitation;
- wallpaper in a pastel palette.
Furniture plays a key role in the corridor. Large modular systems inappropriate here. Let it be one elegant wardrobe in muted colors, complemented by a comfortable couch to match. Open hangers with wrought iron hooks are also suitable. You can install racks with wicker baskets in niches as storage for shoes.
The lighting issue can be solved with a pair of antique wall lamps. A large mirror with elaborate forging will create a special impression.
This room with a rustic touch is not that difficult to create. The rules are: a minimum of gloss and a maximum of simple, cozy details.
For wall coverings, decorative plaster, lining or tiles are suitable. Using wood-like plastic, you can create something like a bathhouse, and this is not a bad idea. However, ceramic tiles have been and remain the most rational option for the bathroom. Choose tiles with a matte texture in pastel colors. An insert or friezes with a beautiful landscape will play the role of a “highlight”. If you prefer plaster, the bathtub area should still be covered with tiles (for practicality).
Today in stores you can find a lot of retro furniture, including for the bathroom. It is these items that are worth paying attention to. These include antique taps and sinks with metal patterned legs.
Textiles always help to “domesticate” the atmosphere. Install a large shelving unit in the bathroom with open niches for towels and linen. Hang a simple colored curtain with tiebacks or ties on the window.
It wouldn’t hurt to add a couple of macrame items, flowers in pots, or a wicker laundry cabinet to your decor. And you will get a typical Provençal bathroom.
Provence is rightly called one of the most charming design destinations. The special charm of such an interior is that the creator puts his soul into it with every little detail, creating his own vision of an atmosphere of complete peace.
The province of the same name is known for its fragrant lavender fields, aromatic spices, delicious cheeses, cozy houses, as well as the charm of the sea and sunlight. These components have become an integral part of the design in the modern Provence style.
Delicate colors, as if slightly bleached by the sun, create homely warmth and comfort. The interior of a house in the Provence style does not include pretentious or provocative elements. The atmosphere exudes calm and tranquility.
Despite the fact that the furnishings are discreet and not associated with luxury, a person feels homely warmth and naturalness in it. Rough plaster, slightly shabby furniture, lavender shades, textiles - this is Provence.
Despite its authenticity, the style looks spectacular not only in France, but also in other countries. Moreover, it can be created not only in country houses, but also in ordinary apartments.
The history of the Provence style
As an independent style, Provence in the interior began its development in the 19th century in France. At that time, many people sought to move away from the atmosphere of noisy cities and factories. They strived for comfort and a calm rhythm of life, expressing this in their home environment.
Some experts argue that the Provence style in the interior appeared much earlier - back in the 18th century, when the middle class began to form. Doctors, lawyers, and large merchants began to furnish their homes with a touch of provincial charm against the backdrop of the fading Baroque. This period coincided with the Great French revolution, which left its mark on everything life spheres French, and preferences in the interior are no exception.
In the 18th century, Provence in the interior of a house was more popular in suburban buildings. In city apartments, people created a more restrained and classic atmosphere.
The style owes its name to the region of the same name, located in the southeastern part of France. Exactly from there French Provence in the interior began to spread throughout the world.
Main features
Let us list the main features of modern Provence in the interior:
- Light colors predominate. The main colors of Provence in the interior are lavender, white, light yellow, turquoise, light blue, cream, beige, light brown. All colors are muted, without pronounced contrasts.
- Bright rooms with large wooden windows, most often with white frames.
- A fireplace is considered an important element of Provence interior design. It is best to cover it with stone, and put decor on top - forged candlesticks, porcelain, photographs in an aged baguette.
- Antique, slightly shabby furniture without abundant decor and massive elements. Furniture is made from wood that is artificially aged. Upholstery is most often made from fabrics with small colorful patterns.
- Interior design in the Provence style includes an abundance of textiles - light curtains, tablecloths, ruffled bedspreads, mostly handmade carpets. Only natural fabrics are used - wool, cotton, linen.
- The style is not characterized by minimalism, so in order not to overload the decor with colorful prints and decor, other things are hidden in cabinets or chests of drawers with spacious drawers.
- Forging elements - mirror frames, clocks, stair railings.
- Domokat paths of a characteristic color scheme.
- Used as decoration flower arrangements, porcelain, forged candlesticks. Provence interior items are not distinguished by rich colors and modern design.
- The patterns are predominantly plant-based - fragrant flowers, shrubs, low trees, flying dragonflies.
- Provence in the interior of the apartment provides a lot of light. Will help achieve this effect big windows, central chandeliers with many lamps, floor lamps with light-colored lampshades, forged lamps.
- The tableware used is simple in shape and most often with a floral print.
Provence and country - what's the difference?
Country style, like Provence, symbolizes measured country life and the charm of nature. But unlike the French roots of Provence, country music is characterized by transformation, depending on the region.
For example, there is English, Russian, and American country style. The characteristics of the destination in each region depend on the climate and cultural nuances.
The country decor is restrained, with elements of minimalism. It may even be characterized by coldness, especially in the northern regions. While the design of a room in the Provence style provides warmth due to the origin of the style in a warm climate. Also, country music does not always provide large windows that provide good lighting.
Is the Provence style popular today and who will it suit?
Beautiful interiors of houses in the Provence style have not lost their popularity for a long time. This trend is due to the fact that people are tired of the urban environment and want to immerse themselves in comfort and peace.
Images of flowers and other vegetation in delicate colors have a calming effect and evoke positive emotions. And the color scheme itself does not overload the eye.
Most people do not get tired of the Provence style in the interior of an apartment for a long time, so they may not change their style direction for years; and if you want to make changes, you can always change the accents in the environment.
Design in the Provence style is suitable, first of all, for people with a calm type of temperament. It can also have a calming effect on choleric people, restraining their temper. The direction will appeal to creative people - writers and painters. Many world-famous artists love Provence for the magnificent play of colors and light, for its naturalness and picturesqueness.
Finish options
- Walls
For walls, plaster with a rough texture is most often used. Sometimes designers intentionally leave a gap in the brickwork, thus creating the effect of antiquity.
Wallpaper with floral patterns and brickwork are also used, especially in the fireplace area. Another type of finishing is covering the walls with boards painted in Provence colors. For rooms with high humidity, tiles without a glossy sheen or natural stone are used.
The design of a house in the Provence style includes floors made of wooden planks, stone or large fragments ceramic tiles. Sometimes minimally processed boards are used for flooring.
The main colors of the floor are beige, cream, light brown. Parquet, carpet and linoleum are not used.
- Ceiling
Ceilings are painted or plastered. Surface colors are only light. You can add some zest to them by complementing them with wooden beams in light brown or beige colour. Too much dark colors not used for beams.
We arrange a home in Provence style
Let's consider options for arranging the interior of rooms in the Provence style.
Living room
Since the living room is the calling card of the house, it is important to let the style in it be revealed as much as possible.
- To implement a Provence living room design, choose a spacious and bright room with large windows.
- The walls can be made pastel or white using plaster. Be sure to do textured surface. This solution for the interior of a Provence living room involves the presence of paintings with flowers and other floral decor on the walls.
- The design of the living room in Provence style is emphasized by wallpaper with a colorful print.
If you think that a solid floral print will overwhelm the decor, choose wallpaper with vertical stripes, along which a not very expressive floral decor curls. - Finish the floor light wooden board, and paint the ceiling white and complement it with wooden beams.
- Hang light cotton or linen curtains on the windows. Their main color should be combined with the color of upholstered furniture and walls, but not merge.
- Set up a sofa area - place a sofa with a medium-height backrest and several soft armchairs.
Choose upholstery with an unobtrusive small floral print. - Place on upholstered furniture decorative pillows with images of larger flowers.
- Set it low wooden table white, on which a vase of flowers will stand, for example, lavender or a bouquet of wildflowers.
- Lay a house runner on the floor.
The interior of the living room in the Provence style will be complemented by a fireplace, which will warm you up during the cold period. Finish around it with natural stone. The wall to which it adjoins can also be completely finished with stone.
Bedroom
Provence style in modern interior This in itself is conducive to relaxation. Therefore, it will perfectly fill the bedroom with an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility.
- For wall decoration, it is best to choose beige or cream colors with a beautiful floral pattern. To do this, choose appropriate wallpaper.
- The walls of the bedroom interior can be made Provence by choosing white as the base color.
But if you can't sleep for a long time, choose warm shades, as white color will not promote sleep.
- Finish the floor with a light brown wooden board. The design of a bedroom in the Provence style will be complemented by a home runner or a wool rug.
- The headboard and footboard of a double bed can be made of white wrought iron.
Lay a lavender-colored blanket on the bed, which will be associated with fragrant lavender fields; it can be quilted and ruffled. This solution will be the highlight of the Provence bedroom design. Place an easy chair light color, place decorative pillows with flowers on it.
- Place white wooden cabinets on the sides of the bed, on which you can place lamps with lavender shades.
Hang curtains in a soft lavender color combined with white tulle. Try to use textiles as much as possible.
- Place the clothes in a light-colored wooden closet (white, cream) or in a dressing room with a white, wooden door.
The interior of a bedroom in the Provence style will be effectively complemented by picturesque paintings with landscapes of the Provence region or with fragrant flowers. Frame the paintings in artificially aged frames. The same frames are suitable for mirrors in the bedroom.
Kitchen
For the French from small towns, eating is a special ritual. Dinner can last up to four hours. They love to leisurely enjoy wine, cheeses and light snacks surrounded by Provençal surroundings. The interior of a Provence style kitchen in an apartment or house should arouse appetite and evoke positive emotions.
- For walls, you can choose a combination of delicate lavender and turquoise color interspersed with a light yellow tint.
- Finish the stove and sink area with white tiles with a floral pattern.
- The floor can also be finished with tiles or stone.
- Make the ceiling white.
- Provence in the kitchen interior will be emphasized by wood dinner table white with graceful legs.
- Place it around wooden chairs With soft upholstery with floral print.
- Modern household appliances Disguise it behind the doors of wooden kitchen cabinets.
Complete the Provence style kitchen interior with paintings depicting lavender fields or still lifes consisting of elements French cuisine. Also, the design of a kitchen in the Provence style is emphasized by vases with bouquets of wild flowers.
In relation to the interior, Provence is a kind of embodiment of the dream of a carefree, measured life in a quiet, cozy village on the shore of the azure sea. The simple furnishings of an old country house and bright colors countryside nature became the basis for creating this stylistic direction in interior design.
Distinctive features of the Provence style
The Provence style in the interior is characterized by the following main features:
▫ delicate, desaturated colors in decoration;
▫ ceiling beams;
▫ aged wooden furniture;
▫ natural fabrics;
▫ floral motifs in textile design;
▫ bouquets of meadow grass and flowers.
History of origin
As an independent design direction, the Provence style began to appear in the eponymous French province back at the end of the 17th century. It was a kind of counterbalance to expensive urban classicism.
The direction is based on simple village life, with established traditions and simple practicality. Peasants constantly performed hard physical work, so they had special requirements for their home environment. In the first place were comfort and harmony, which contributed to a good rest. 
Writers and artists quickly became interested in the new style. And by the middle of the 19th century it had become very popular in many European countries.
Nowadays, Provence has completely preserved its natural naturalness with a slight touch of ancient romance, thanks to which it finds more and more fans who are tired of the bustle of the city.
Materials and finishing
For interior solutions in the style of a French village, preference should be given exclusively to natural materials.
Houses in Provence were usually built from natural stone. Therefore, along with textured plaster, paint or wallpaper, it is widely used for interior wall decoration.
An obligatory element of the ceiling are volumetric wooden beams or their high-quality imitation. White paint or plaster is used as a coating. 
The ideal flooring solution is plank flooring decorated with antique wool rugs or homespun rugs.
A large, aged one is suitable for the kitchen or bathroom. floor tiles sandy or grayish shades.
An excellent addition to the interior can be one decorated with sandstone or designed to match the walls. 
Doors must be light-colored, with obvious signs of time.
The windows are as large as possible, the frames are snow-white.
Color design
Interior design in the Provence style involves the use of calm, natural color shades, diluted with rich, cheerful accents of intricate plant and floral patterns.
Primary colors: milky, cream, beige, soft blue, lilac, pale pink, olive, light green. They are designed to create an atmosphere of peace, comfort and serenity.
Provence style in furniture
The distinctive features of furniture in the Provence style are simplicity and elegance, conciseness and clarity of lines. As a rule, these are wood products covered with dull paint, slightly cracked with time.
New-fashioned furniture models will be out of place in this style, but antique rustic chests, chests of drawers, sideboards, bookcases, simple wardrobes and bedside tables will come in very handy.
The upholstery of upholstered furniture is characterized by the use of natural fabrics, sometimes with floral patterns. 
An elegant metal with forged elements will be an indispensable attribute for the bedroom. 
And you can slightly diversify the situation with a small amount of light vine. 
Textile
Good is important for Provence daylight, so the curtains on the windows should be light and airy. For their manufacture, cambric, cotton, linen, chintz, and veil are traditionally used. 
An interior in Provence style implies a certain number of textile elements. Various sofa cushions, chair covers, tablecloths for the dining room or kitchen, blankets and bedspreads for the bedroom are appropriate here. All of them are distinguished by monochromatic delicacy or small floral patterns. And lace napkins and embroidery are almost a mandatory attribute of any room.
Lighting
Lighting in a Provence interior should be warm and unobtrusive, giving a feeling of comfort and tranquility. Good daylighting gives the interior its characteristic lightness and airiness. In the evening, the Provencal style assumes soft and diffused light in the rooms. Forged chandeliers and antique lamps and candelabra can be used as sources of additional light. Candle-shaped light bulbs will look most authentic in this style. 
Decorative elements
As decorative elements When decorating a room in the Provence style, as a rule, family portraits in aged frames, paintings depicting natural landscapes, and flowers are used. 
In such an interior, an antique metal cage with a bird, candlesticks with candles, a clay bowl with a flower and ceramic vases or wicker baskets with bouquets would be appropriate.
Interior design in Provence style - photo
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Interior design in Provence style - video:
As an interior style, Provence has absorbed all the naturalness and genuine charm of an ancient French village. It's filled to the brim family comfort and elegant romance. It has an extraordinary atmosphere of simplicity and hospitality, devoid of ostentatious pomp and pretentiousness.
You can recreate a romantic atmosphere in your country house, combining French charm with rustic flavor, using the Provence style.
Its homeland is considered to be the province of the same name in the French Mediterranean - a land of vineyards and lavender fields, picturesque fragrant nature, a boundless azure sky merging with the sea.
The interior in the Provence style is naturalness and complete harmony with environment, deliberately stylized simplicity, a nostalgic perception of rural life, permeated with the spirit of calm, peace and comfort.
Features of Provence style
Provence– design direction of rustic country style, which has well-established, unique features and recognizable features:
- The color range is represented by a wide range of pastel, bleached shades. The interior design uses the entire palette of beige, gray, blue, yellow color, natural lavender, olive, terracotta. A characteristic feature is the smooth flow of tones from one to another, the absence of contrasts;
- Harmony with nature is achieved through the use of natural materials in the construction and design of a country house. Wood, natural and decorative rock, ceramics, brick;
- The atmosphere of the Provence style is sunny, bright, life-affirming. The rooms should have a lot of light coming from natural and artificial sources. Large ones welcome French windows(panoramic, floor-length), chandeliers, lamps with lampshades, sconces, built-in lamps;
- The highlight of the style is furniture with the effect of antiquity or faded paint. You can buy real antiques or artificially aged furniture. A grandmother’s chest, a well-worn chair, a rare mirror will turn into a vintage item in the designer’s hands;
- A distinctive feature of the Provençal interior is the abundance of textiles. Preferred Materials– cotton and linen fabrics with floral, floral patterns, checkered or striped. Products made from them are decorated with embroidery, embossed patterns, and handmade lace;
- The mood of the style is created by details - decorative elements that bring a special aura of romance, naive rustic simplicity and unpretentiousness. These can be handmade crafts and trinkets, wicker baskets, ceramics purchased at a flea market, vases, forged candlesticks, etc.;
- Flowers and floral arrangements are widely used for interior decoration. Live plants in pots, tubs, flowerpots are placed on windows, shelves, tables, bedside tables, and stylized stands. The walls are decorated with panels and collages made of dried flowers and natural materials.
We bring to your attention various options for decorating a house in Provencal style:
- Living room decor with whitewashed walls and stonework elements
- Bedroom in attic indoors
- Kitchen, decorated with forged decorative elements
Decoration of floors, walls, doors, frames
Any style will look harmonious if you maintain it not only in general terms in the design of the rooms, but also adhere to the chosen direction when choosing materials for finishing the walls, floors, and ceilings of the cottage.
When decorating a house in Provence style, pay special attention to the floors. The closest match to the original will be provided by warm wooden plank floors in brown tones.
Modern materials include a light-colored laminate that imitates natural wood. Can use ceramic and stone tiles big size, porcelain stoneware.
The walls in Provencal houses are most often plastered and painted with pastel, bleached colors, giving the impression of a sun-bleached surface. The design technique of zoning the walls and decorating them with decorative coatings of different textures looks impressive.
One room can combine smooth and textured plaster, imitation brickwork, wood paneling. If you decide to cover the walls, choose wallpaper with floral patterns. The general rule is that walls should serve as a background for paintings, photographs, and flower arrangements.
High ceilings are best plastered and whitewashed or painted. Dark wooden beams are offered as a decorative accent in some design projects. Stretch ceilings with a matte texture will also provide a perfectly smooth surface.
Important attributes of the Provence style are a balcony with pilasters (carved vertical pillars or wall projections) and massive entrance doors with forged hinges made of natural wood. Interior doors are more functional than decorative, made of solid light wood and corrugated glass.
Windows should be large and let in a lot of light, especially in living rooms. The frames for them are made of wood.
Interior design examples
There are a great many options for interior design in Provencal style. You can think through everything yourself or order a project from a design studio.
Be that as it may, feel free to experiment and create. The selection of materials is, of course, of great importance, but it is even more important to feel and create the mood.
We bring to your attention several ideas and recommendations that will help you independently cope with the design of premises in French rustic style.
Kitchen, dining room
Kitchen in provencal house– an incredibly attractive and cozy room, the center of a small home universe, where people willingly host gatherings and have intimate conversations over a cup of aromatic tea.
The light color scheme of the walls and white ceiling make even a small room visually more spacious and taller. The combination of several textures in the decoration - plaster, brickwork, painted in the same color, aprons made of white tiles will create a very harmonious space. Warm plank floors and countertops imitating natural wood or stone will add coziness.
Furniture will add a special touch to the kitchen. Kitchen fronts made of wood or high-quality fibreboard, painted and processed using the craquelure technique, achieving the effect of cracking a layer of paint and varnish.
Mandatory interior elements are a large dining table and chairs with an artificial aging effect, a forged chandelier, and an opening buffet. Elegant sets, ceramics, baskets, vases, etc. are displayed on the shelves.
Don’t forget about textiles - light window-sill curtains with floral patterns, linen tablecloths and napkins, chair cushions, handmade wicker rugs will fill the kitchen with warmth and special charm.
Living room
The living room is the main room in the house; it should be comfortable and functional at the same time.
When finishing surfaces, use only natural materials, feel free to combine the texture of decorative and smooth plaster with brickwork, facing stone, liquid wallpaper.
Pastel paint colors will smooth out roughness and provide a holistic perception of the interior. They will be an excellent background for paintings, decorative panels, black and white photographs.
In a Provencal living room, a fireplace is one of the main elements. It should be massive and solid, made of stone or brick, with a mantel for trinkets and an indispensable rocking chair with a fur cape.
The center of the living room is occupied by sofas and armchairs with linen upholstery and pillows decorated with lace. Furniture – wooden, covered with patina, on open shelves place souvenirs, crafts, books, photographs in frames.
Note! Patina is a coating of antiquity on metal products that appears under the influence of oxidation processes. Artificial patination is obtained by applying special compounds simulating aging.
There should be a lot of diffused light in the room. It will be provided front chandelier, for example, made of crystal, lamps with fabric lampshades, original lamps. Linen textiles on the windows and a carpet on the floor will give the living room a complete look.
Bedroom
A Provencal-style bedroom has a gentle, airy air of sophistication and romantic mood.
When decorating walls and ceilings, we give preference to pastel shades. If the room is large, you can use the technique of zoning the walls using moldings and several types of decorative coverings. This will give the room, despite the simplicity of the interior, a touch of luxury.
Houses in Provence tend to be very low, and the terrace floor and courtyard are on the same level.
In the design, use a lot of living vegetation - flowers in pots, cache-pots, flowerpots. Forged furniture with wooden surfaces, wicker chairs, sofas with bright pillows are welcome. Here there is a place for things that have served their time - worn chairs and cabinets with chips.
Pay attention to detail. Decorate the walls with old family photos and children's drawings in homemade frames.
How to choose furniture
Character traits m furniture in a rustic style - deliberate simplicity, obvious traces of time, the presence elegant elements, such as artistic forging, carving.
The spirit of Provence is well conveyed by wicker armchairs and chaise lounges, tables and chairs forged with a wooden surface, soft ottomans, banquettes, sofas with fabric upholstery and an abundance of pillows.
A special chic is wooden furniture made of oak, walnut, pine, birch painted in light colors with an antique effect. Antique chests of drawers, chests, and sideboards will fit perfectly into the interior.
Selection of curtains and curtains
Light airy curtains made of chintz, satin, linen, and taffeta in pastel colors create a joyful and cozy atmosphere. Curtains do not repeat the color of the walls, but are a brighter accent in the interior.
For example, if the room is designed in pearl-gray-blue tones, choose textiles for the windows in a warm beige or apricot shade.
Weightless tulle curtains are combined with cotton curtains with floral prints, linen curtains with embroidery, and linen curtains. We hang long curtains in such a way that the drapery falls in picturesque folds. The mood will be created by decorative elements - ruffles, bows, tiebacks, fringe.
Additional accessories and interior items
The peculiarity of the Provence style is that it can be created over the years, with love and great pleasure, complementing the interior with cute trinkets or expensive antiques.
A variety of accessories add a special touch to the room:
- mats and wicker rugs on the floor;
- porcelain plates and ceramics on the open shelves of the buffet;
- forged products - candlesticks, frames for mirrors and photographs, flower stands;
- picturesque landscapes and photographs on the walls;
- children's crafts, wicker baskets, souvenirs on shelves;
- glass and ceramic vases;
- embroidered tablecloths, napkins, bedspreads, etc.
Color selection
Provence is unthinkable without flowers. They give it a special charm and sophistication.
The number one flower in the yard's exterior is the rose. Among indoor plants pelargonium and primrose on the windows, geranium and lavender in the bedroom, pansies and violets on bedside tables and chests of drawers, hanging ivy on the cabinets will harmoniously fit into the French design.
On kitchen window Compositions of herbs (for example) with violets or pansies will look original.
We plant an abundance of flowers in clay pots, placed in flowerpots and on stands. An indispensable attribute of summer is fresh flowers in vases, winter – bouquets of dead wood.
Master class on decorating a house in Provencal style, watch in this video.
Many people, even those not connected with design, have at least once heard about the Provence style in the interior. But not everyone is able to distinguish it from the classics, choose suitable furniture, and especially decorate the room correctly. Meanwhile, it is filled with incredible romance and the charm of French villages, which can bring life to even the gloomiest apartments. And our tips will help you with this!
Style Features
The style came to us from France, that part of it that is known to people who have at least once traveled beyond the borders of the capital. One has only to look at the endless lavender fields, the refreshing Cote d'Azur, the endless blue sky - and it immediately becomes clear what inspired these bright pastel shades, unobtrusive patterns, smooth lines, as well as a love for everything natural in Provencal interiors.
Confusion with classic style among ignorant people is not accidental - Provence actually has similar features. Don’t think that rural origin makes a destination provincial. The simplicity of Provence gives it a feeling of coziness, and its complexity lies in luxury and sophistication.
Style loves space and freedom, so for small spaces it is better to choose a different solution or fit in only a few elements, simplifying the design. It is desirable that all rooms of an apartment or house be decorated in a single theme, creating a holistic composition.
So, when planning your design, you should rely on a light, pastel palette that includes white. This can be a bouquet of pink, light green, lavender, blue shades, “seasoned” with various patterns or the texture of natural materials. The latter are an indispensable companion of Provence, which, having originated among the enchanting French nature, does not tolerate artificial options.
The furniture content has classic sophistication and beauty, often painted white. According to style rules, the space should be filled primarily with antique items purchased at auctions, but few can afford such luxury. To avoid unnecessary expenses, the necessary furniture in the Provence style can be purchased at a flea market or ordered from a master, using the effect of artificial aging.
To create a cozy atmosphere, the interior should have as many details as possible - which is why a large area is an important requirement. Drawings, figures, forged elements, soft fabrics and, of course, plants - perfect combination for Provence. The completion of this composition will be a large abundance of natural light.
Finishes and materials
But before you fill the room with objects, you need to create the right “frame” for them. Provence, although a simple style, puts forward clear rules for each part of the space.
Floor
The flooring for an interior in the Provence style should be plank, wooden, with paint applied on top. Ideally, it will contain small, but safe for movement, irregularities or defects that have arisen from the effects of time.
If the authentic option is not suitable for you for a number of reasons, choose a more budget-friendly laminate that imitates wood. It doesn’t look as impressive, but to distract attention, the floor can be covered with a carpet.
Walls
Interior partitions can also afford to be less than perfect - unevenness, abrasions and bare brickwork are held in high esteem, but only if it looks neat. A layer of light, often white, paint is applied to this coating.
The optimal materials for wall finishing are gypsum, plaster or molding. Wallpaper is also typical for Provence, but only if it is decorated with floral patterns.
Ceiling
The ceiling beams brought to the foreground do not need to be hidden - they will become the highlight of the Provençal interior. But if your home lacks such elements, ideal option What remains is a smooth white coating with decoration in the form of an elegant chandelier.
Furniture in Provence style
Provencal furniture bears the imprint of history, glorifying the beauty of classical antiquity. It is predominantly wooden, less often - wicker furniture, which is often decorated with forging elements. Objects are painted in white or pastel shades, through the paint of which a colorful, worn texture appears. Drawings or upholstery with plant patterns serve as decoration.
The furniture set is not limited to standard items necessary for life. You can’t do without low chests of drawers, sideboards or elegant sideboards here. In general, earthy objects on legs that seem to bend from gravity are characteristic of a Provence-style interior, and are also used not only in the living room, but also in other rooms. Small sofas and stools throughout the house seem to remind us of the importance of relaxation and measured contemplation of the surrounding beauty.
Forged openwork details traditionally decorate a bed, but can also be used for stairs or smaller things - for example, lamps. Only they should not create a feeling of pomp, but, on the contrary, French playfulness.
Textiles and decor
The most interesting part of the design, which will “breathe” life into a Provencal interior, is the decorative details. And although they are limited by standard style rules, the variability of application fascinates even experienced designers.
Firstly, the curtains are light, airy, and do not block the penetration of natural light. Depending on the room and the size of the windows, you can purchase classic, Austrian or cafe curtains. In this matter, the material plays an important role - cotton, linen, definitely something natural.
The fabric can be plain, floral or checkered, but this choice should harmonize the interior. Approximately the same criteria apply to bed linen.
Art lovers can fill the room with their collections of impressionistic or realistic paintings - they will look right here. Elegant gilded frames will stand out brightly in pastel Provence.
Classic fragile chandeliers and candelabra will help create a romantic atmosphere. And don't forget about mirrors decorated with wooden frames.
Numerous shelves, tables and little tables can be decorated with cute trinkets: painted vases, boxes, fruit bowls, photographs, all kinds of figurines or napkins. The main thing is to be able to stop in time without overloading the composition.
Provence in the interior - photo
And although listed rules are universal, interior design in Provence style will differ slightly depending on the type of room. But a few tips and photos will definitely give you a good idea!
Kitchen design in Provence style
A Provence style kitchen is spacious, bright, often combined with a dining room. The cooking corner is separated from dining area countertop or island bar counter. Designers face a difficult task, because they need to harmoniously fit household appliances into a classic, rustic interior so that they do not look out of place. To achieve this, modern items are often hidden in cabinets or disguised as antique ones.
Choosing dishes and others kitchen utensils, do not forget that they, displayed in plain sight, are part of the decor. Painted plates, wooden spatulas or jars with herbs will look very cozy. It is better to hang cafe curtains on small windows.
Living room design in Provence style
A traditional living room includes a sofa, several armchairs, a table, a wall and, if space allows, ottomans or bedside tables. Such furniture suggests that in addition to watching TV, you will also spend time reading books, and maybe knitting.
Speaking of the TV, it’s unlikely to be hidden, but you can choose a minimalist model that won’t attract too much attention.
A small rug with a burlap effect, floor lamps, and pots with plants would look appropriate.
Bedroom design in Provence style
The bedroom, as a resting place, can be furnished with fewer items. A bed with a wrought-iron headboard, painted white and covered with snow-white sheets, looks authentic for Provence. For variety, textiles can be with a floral pattern or lace inserts.
A mundane chest of drawers opposite the bed will fit perfectly into a large bedroom. Girls can treat themselves to a dressing table - just like in the houses of noble ladies. Air classic curtains will complete the overall composition.
Bathroom design in Provence style
The iconic Provence style bathroom is a work of art. And if in other rooms it is still possible to somehow deal with a small area, then here you simply cannot do without free space.
The presence of a window is, although inconvenient for apartment owners, a very important detail. It allows you to get closer to nature, creating the most natural atmosphere for hygiene procedures. For the same reason, natural materials are used, despite high humidity in the room.
Ceramic tiles should be matte. For example, only the lower section of the walls can be finished with it. The rest is decorative plaster or painted brickwork.
The traditional clawfoot bathtub is considered mandatory element. But it’s better to forget about the shower stall. Otherwise, the filling of the room can correspond to the needs of the owners.
