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Design techniques are used to create an interior in different styles. Among them is the Provence style, which fits perfectly into the design of country houses. However, it can also be used in an apartment if you are a fan of natural design and want to create a cozy homely atmosphere in your home.
What is Provence style
The Provencal style owes its birth to the colorful, eponymous place of Provence in France. Its inhabitants value closeness to nature, love cleanliness and sunlight, lead a dimensional lifestyle. From generation to generation, they formed their ideal idea of how the ideal home interior should look like.
Features of style
Elements of French modern Provence, materials and colors fit perfectly into private houses and summer cottages.
It has the following features:
- internal and external decoration from natural materials, mainly from iron, stone, wood;
- pastel colors, as if faded over time from the sun’s rays;
- the inclusion in the interior of the house of fabrics and materials with the image of flowers (most often roses);
- large windows that let in maximum sunlight, with light, translucent curtains;
- many sources of additional artificial lighting;
- furnishing the room with artificially aged, vintage, elegant furniture;
- various interior items, which are the result of the work of home craftsmen (artistic painting, wood carving, weaving, sewing, knitting);
- a large number of live flower bouquets, dried flowers, indoor plants;
- the presence of elements of elegant, thin iron forging;
- light textile decorations (ruffles, lace);
- the presence of clay, ceramic and porcelain figurines and dishes on open racks and shelves.
Provence in the interior is good because it makes it possible to create a very individual, unique image of a country house, keeping the same style.
The cardinal difference between French Provence and Russian country is that wooden surfaces are painted in pastel colors. In Russian village traditions, the texture and color of raw wood are supposed to be preserved.
Exterior decoration of a country house
Projects of Provence-style houses are replete with natural finishing materials. Various types of plasters are welcome. Wooden and plastered walls are painted in pastel colors of the Provence style:
- sand;
- lactic;
- pale purple;
- light blue;
- lavender;
- pistachio.
Color accents are created on the facade using contrasting colors (mahogany, yew, wenge). Pitched roofs are welcome. The best roofing material is clay tiles.
In one-story buildings, an attic is equipped with large windows or a balcony. There should be a lot of greenery and flowers in pots and vases on the windowsills and terraces. It is advisable to install shutters on the windows outside, hang openwork curtains inside. Facade decorative elements must be handmade, including forged door and window fittings.
The entrance to the house should look like a continuation of the courtyard and not have high feet and elaborate railings. Therefore, the basement of the foundation should be as low as possible. An excellent solution for a country interior is to plant a vine or a weaving rose at the front entrance to the house.
The design of a Provence-style country house is completed by a light airy gazebo, a bench, a wrought-iron table surrounded by a small orchard, lanterns along the paths and a retro lamp above the porch.
Interior decoration of rooms in houses
In the house, having crossed the threshold, one must immediately feel the abundance of sunlight and comfort. Light shades and natural materials are used for decoration.
hallway
Narrow vestibules are excluded – the entrance hall should be as large as possible and made in bright colors. French Provence does not allow any heavy cabinets and dark nooks and crannies.
Soft pink and blue ottomans are placed in the hallway, mirrors in elegant frames are hung on the wall. For shoes and clothes, hangers and coasters made of openwork wrought iron or painted artificially aged wood are used.
Living room
Heavy partitions in the living room, if space zoning is necessary, must be replaced with sliding screens, curtains, or color accents should be made. It is advisable to install a fireplace that will immediately create a special mood.
Aged artistic parquet will look good. The walls are covered with pastel colors or textured wallpaper with floral motifs or stripes. The ceiling is performed without modern mirror elements. Leave protruding painted beams, or make a classic whitewash. Lightweight plasterboard constructions are allowed.
Bedroom
A Provence-style room designed for sleeping should be romantic and calm. Delicate textiles, flowers in large vases, curtains with floral elements, an abundance of cozy blankets, pillows and ruffled bedspreads create such an atmosphere.
Beds with iron “air” backs are covered with cotton or linen bedding. Candlesticks and cozy floor lamps are placed on the bedside tables. The top of luxury is an elegant transparent canopy above the bed.
The main thing in the design of the bedroom is to withstand the colors of Provence. It is necessary to completely eliminate black and dark brown. Replace white color with milky and creamy.
Kitchen
In order for a modern kitchen in a country house to acquire the features of French Provence, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the overall color scheme and natural materials, but also to the little things. Ordinary kitchen utensils become an integral part of the decor. These can be antique accessories such as coffee grinders, mortars, knives, cutlery.
Plastic should be replaced with wood, and electrical household appliances should be built into the kitchen set and decorated with a metallic gloss. The cosiness of the Provence-style kitchen is given by numerous textiles: towels, potholders, lace napkins.
Open shelves with light-colored dishes, a patchwork kitchen apron, will enhance the impression of the comfort of a Provence-style kitchen.
Bathroom
A Provence-style bathroom is just a room, not a utility room for taking hygiene procedures. The more warmth, light and space, the better. Ideally, it should be at least 9 square meters, have a window with curtains, a couch, a rattan chair and many pleasant little things that promote relaxation.
In the bathroom, it is preferable to use a milky, olive, pale pink color. Leave brighter shades only for small parts and accessories. A free-standing bathtub in traditional white color on graceful legs, perfectly emphasizes the sophistication of style.
The furniture is simple, made of bleached wood, or painted in light colors, with the effect of “artificial aging”. Plastic soap dishes, glasses, Provence-style bathroom dispensers are replaced with ceramic ones. Plumbing fixtures and accessories should correspond to the spirit of antiquity, approach the classics.
Provence style when decorating rooms in apartments
Even in the smallest apartment, you can create the cosiness of the French province: keep the wall decoration in natural pastel colors with floral motifs, and furnish the rooms with aged furniture, decorated with patina or carvings.
The narrow hallway needs to be visually expanded, using light colors in the wall decoration, as well as a large antique-framed mirror. A heavy wardrobe for outerwear should be replaced with an open hanger with forged details. Since it is impossible to add another window in the apartment, the emphasis should be on artificial lighting..
Classic “walls” and “slides” should be removed from the Provence-style hall. The center of such a room should be a large and cozy sofa with beautiful pillows.
Due to the fact that wood is very sensitive to moisture, in a small bathroom you can create a French style with pastel-colored tiles and expressive fittings.
To decorate a city apartment in Provence style, stock up on porcelain figurines, as well as ruffled textiles. Add fresh flowers and change heavy curtains for light curtains.
Lighting
A thoughtful selection of lighting fixtures is one of the most important components of style. No matter how hard you try to choose furniture and finishes, if there is little light, the desired effect cannot be achieved.
It is preferable to choose table lamps on elegant stands, with textile fringed lampshades. Wicker lampshades will be appropriate on terraces, loggias and kitchens. It’s great if the lampshade for the lamp is made by yourself.
In large rooms, you can use heavy chandeliers with wrought iron supporting elements that imitate candlesticks. In the theme of them, you can hang several sconces on the walls.
Porcelain, ceramic and forged candlesticks will make the room even more comfortable. Forged braided lanterns look great in front of the entrance to the house and terraces. LED spot lighting in rooms, with skillful use, can also fit well into the interior.
Furniture
The highlight of the French style is elegant furniture with a rustic flavor:
- cabinets with rounded corners, made of painted and natural unvarnished wood and finished with carvings;
- wicker rattan furniture for the terrace and kitchen;
- beds, chairs, armchairs with wrought iron parts (patina);
- upholstered furniture upholstered in natural textiles (plain, striped, with floral motifs).
Refurbished grandmother’s dowry, antique cupboards, chests of drawers and chests – this is what is suitable for creating an interior in the Provence style.
Curtains
Heavy curtains must be replaced with curtains made of chintz, staple, linen, taffeta. They are draped with ribbons. The color of the curtains is selected in contrast to the walls: terracotta, pistachio, olive, apricot, preferably with a floral motif. Textiles with embroidery or printed patterns look great. Also, to create a style, you will need light curtains made of openwork tulle, organza, cambric, chiffon.
Сonclusion
The interior of a country house or apartment in the Provence style is able to create an environment that will help restore strength after an active day at work, improve psychological comfort. This is exactly what a modern person needs in a busy active life and constant stress.
Let sunlight and warmth into your home, get rid of toxic plastic and replace it with natural materials. And then step by step, start creating a cozy world around you, in which you will be comfortable at any time of the day or night.