Decorating
Authentic French Style Advice Direct From France
Move over shabby chic and French provincial, these myths and realities reveal the real French style
As an interior designer born and bred in France (and only about to become an Australian citizen later on this year), I am quite often contacted by potential clients who want me to create a French style for their home. At first, I was totally dumbfounded; I never knew that French style really existed, and I certainly didn’t know what people had in mind when they referred to it. I quickly learnt that, in most cases, it meant lots of whitewashed pieces, some antique-looking items, many candles and hurricane lanterns, with the occasional glitzy crystal chandelier, linen towels, cute white lace and silver trays. It’s become known as shabby chic or French provincial, and although I can see some similarities in French homes, none of this looks truly French to me. Which probably prompts a question: what, then, is French style? How can it be described? Let’s explore together some of the essentials in a French-style home.
MYTH: It’s all about the excess
If you think of Versailles as being the epitome of French style, you are totally mistaken. It might have been the case during the reign of Louis XIV, an era of extreme spending and royal debauchery, but the excesses of the monarchs led to their downfall.
REALITY: Moderation is key
Moderation is at the centre of French style, whether it’s in the way we decorate our homes or the way we dress.
If you think of Versailles as being the epitome of French style, you are totally mistaken. It might have been the case during the reign of Louis XIV, an era of extreme spending and royal debauchery, but the excesses of the monarchs led to their downfall.
REALITY: Moderation is key
Moderation is at the centre of French style, whether it’s in the way we decorate our homes or the way we dress.
Thoughtful, considerate design that aims to strike a balance between being singular but in a subtle, discreet way – that’s what it’s all about. It must look effortless.
Even in children’s bedrooms, we keep things minimal: a simple colour palette and little, carefully curated accessories that make for a clean-looking space that’s easy to change as the child grows.
MYTH: French style is about luxury
Now of course there are exceptions, but in general we tend to choose, when possible, high-end products that don’t look expensive, and would opt for antique stone, pre-washed linen and weathered, quality timber any day over glitzy or shiny materials like marble, travertine, polished mahogany, gold brocade or fine silk. And we have no problem decorating with secondhand or inexpensive items, as long as they feel right for the space.
REALITY: It’s about harmony
To French people, ostentatious finishes are vulgar and tasteless, while elegance and beauty lies in restraint and harmony. This doesn’t mean that we don’t like quirkiness or luxury; we just don’t like when items or materials scream, “Look at me! Look at me!” It doesn’t matter if it’s expensive or not – it is perceived as tacky. We tend to like good design, and items that are efficient, practical, innovative and beautiful; this is because French homes tend to be much smaller than their Aussie equivalents. There isn’t much space to waste on unnecessary items!
Now of course there are exceptions, but in general we tend to choose, when possible, high-end products that don’t look expensive, and would opt for antique stone, pre-washed linen and weathered, quality timber any day over glitzy or shiny materials like marble, travertine, polished mahogany, gold brocade or fine silk. And we have no problem decorating with secondhand or inexpensive items, as long as they feel right for the space.
REALITY: It’s about harmony
To French people, ostentatious finishes are vulgar and tasteless, while elegance and beauty lies in restraint and harmony. This doesn’t mean that we don’t like quirkiness or luxury; we just don’t like when items or materials scream, “Look at me! Look at me!” It doesn’t matter if it’s expensive or not – it is perceived as tacky. We tend to like good design, and items that are efficient, practical, innovative and beautiful; this is because French homes tend to be much smaller than their Aussie equivalents. There isn’t much space to waste on unnecessary items!
Everything must play a role or be gorgeous, and preferably both. The work of French designer Philippe Starck is a great testament to this, as is the work of the French architect Jean Prouvé. Balance is also fundamental – we might add an accent of shimmer, via, for example, a brass light fitting, but this will be offset by the rest of the decor.
The materials we use are extremely important, with a strong focus on quality and authenticity: stone, terracotta, timber, plaster, wool, iron, steel, etc. Linen (antique, new, crisp or pre-washed) is probably our favourite fabric because of its understated luxury. It’s soft but with irregularities – it creases, shrinks, expands; it’s never perfect, but feels naturally at home in any setting.
MYTH: French people live in totally white homes
White textiles, white homewares, whitewashed furniture, lime-washed floors and white walls. For some reason, many seem to think that French homes are a temple to white! Yes, white is widely used in France and is the standard building colour (not beige), but white can also often be perceived as cold and impersonal, and French people are not scared to mix it up.
REALITY: We love neutrals …
In terms of colours, the French palette follows the same principle of subtlety and revolves mainly around neutrals – beige, white, grey, black, light blue, brown, taupe, and sage are the basis of most French interiors. Patterns are usually quite discreet, and more often than not, come from architectural or structural details, as opposed to homewares and textiles.
White textiles, white homewares, whitewashed furniture, lime-washed floors and white walls. For some reason, many seem to think that French homes are a temple to white! Yes, white is widely used in France and is the standard building colour (not beige), but white can also often be perceived as cold and impersonal, and French people are not scared to mix it up.
REALITY: We love neutrals …
In terms of colours, the French palette follows the same principle of subtlety and revolves mainly around neutrals – beige, white, grey, black, light blue, brown, taupe, and sage are the basis of most French interiors. Patterns are usually quite discreet, and more often than not, come from architectural or structural details, as opposed to homewares and textiles.
… but we don’t shy away from colours either
When using colour, the French usually embrace bold, vibrant hues that will make a statement. However, we keep it simple by using no more than two colours (or several colours of the same family) throughout a room.
Because our homes tend to be small, we often use colours as a way to maximise our space: to define zones in a small one-room apartment, or to reduce clutter and create harmony. This photo is a great example of it: the same paint has been applied to the wall and wall cabinetry. As a result, the joinery blends into the wall and delivers a more minimalist result.
When using colour, the French usually embrace bold, vibrant hues that will make a statement. However, we keep it simple by using no more than two colours (or several colours of the same family) throughout a room.
Because our homes tend to be small, we often use colours as a way to maximise our space: to define zones in a small one-room apartment, or to reduce clutter and create harmony. This photo is a great example of it: the same paint has been applied to the wall and wall cabinetry. As a result, the joinery blends into the wall and delivers a more minimalist result.
Among some of the most popular accent colours, you’ll find peacock blue, lime green, hot pink, terracotta orange, mustard yellow and red, but keep in mind that these can vary greatly from one region to another.
MYTH: It’s traditional and ordered
If you think opulent decor, large pieces of furniture, clean, straight lines, perfect symmetry, spotless finishes, and a tidy household are all typically French, you probably haven’t visited many French homes. The typical French home is about a third of the size of a typical Australian house, and we still manage to accommodate adults, children and even a few pets. In Paris, the average-sized apartment for a family of four is around 60 square metres. As a result, most rooms are multifunctional and we use compact, if not foldable or stackable, furniture where possible. Living in old buildings means accepting its flaws and quirks, such as worn-out floors or walls with patches of missing plaster. In fact, we often refer to something (or someone!) imperfect as charming. Spotting bargains at a flea market or secondhand store is a national sport, often contributing to a busy, mix-and-match, effortless look.
If you think opulent decor, large pieces of furniture, clean, straight lines, perfect symmetry, spotless finishes, and a tidy household are all typically French, you probably haven’t visited many French homes. The typical French home is about a third of the size of a typical Australian house, and we still manage to accommodate adults, children and even a few pets. In Paris, the average-sized apartment for a family of four is around 60 square metres. As a result, most rooms are multifunctional and we use compact, if not foldable or stackable, furniture where possible. Living in old buildings means accepting its flaws and quirks, such as worn-out floors or walls with patches of missing plaster. In fact, we often refer to something (or someone!) imperfect as charming. Spotting bargains at a flea market or secondhand store is a national sport, often contributing to a busy, mix-and-match, effortless look.
REALITY: There are elements of eclecticism
Another key to French style is eclecticism. Because our land and architecture reflect millenniums of evolving civilisations, there is no such thing as a uniform French identity. We all are the result of a mixed and complex history, and this translates into the way we decorate our homes. We shamelessly mix eras and styles, lines and materials, but, often, a restricted colour palette helps tie everything together.
Another key to French style is eclecticism. Because our land and architecture reflect millenniums of evolving civilisations, there is no such thing as a uniform French identity. We all are the result of a mixed and complex history, and this translates into the way we decorate our homes. We shamelessly mix eras and styles, lines and materials, but, often, a restricted colour palette helps tie everything together.
MYTH: Provincial style is everywhere, including Paris
No, you haven’t been entirely lied to – the provincial look does exist in France. Province refers to anywhere in France but Paris, including countryside villages, small towns and major cities. As stressed before, France is, by traditions and geography, a very diverse country, which means the provincial style differs greatly from one place to another.
More: So Your Style Is: French Provincial
No, you haven’t been entirely lied to – the provincial look does exist in France. Province refers to anywhere in France but Paris, including countryside villages, small towns and major cities. As stressed before, France is, by traditions and geography, a very diverse country, which means the provincial style differs greatly from one place to another.
More: So Your Style Is: French Provincial
Provincial style usually involves whitewashed furniture and structural timber, wrought-iron details, limestone or light-coloured lime-rendered walls, and terracotta or sandstone floors. It’s a little bit rustic yet chic, but it does need strong architectural elements to actually shine – it might look a bit bland in a ‘generic’ suburban home. While many French people do like such style, they often use it as way to add accent pieces in a more contemporary setting. They might embrace the style a bit more in older, rustic homes, but the total look is often created for tourists, in holiday homes, and bed and breakfasts.
REALITY: We love rusticity, not clichés
Generally speaking, French people hate clichés with a passion, and having an interior entirely fitted out in the same style without any surprising quirks or an interesting mix would be judged predictable and boring at best, and tacky at worst.
While the French love some of the ‘honest’ materials used in the French provincial style, such as linen, timber, wrought iron and stone, we tend to use it in a more contemporary interpretation than what you might expect. This image describes this quite well: the clean, fuss-free lines of the vanity and the contemporary basin, mirror and tapware bring a contemporary edge to an otherwise more traditional home, with soaring ceilings, antique terracotta floor, rustic ladder and ticking bedding.
Generally speaking, French people hate clichés with a passion, and having an interior entirely fitted out in the same style without any surprising quirks or an interesting mix would be judged predictable and boring at best, and tacky at worst.
While the French love some of the ‘honest’ materials used in the French provincial style, such as linen, timber, wrought iron and stone, we tend to use it in a more contemporary interpretation than what you might expect. This image describes this quite well: the clean, fuss-free lines of the vanity and the contemporary basin, mirror and tapware bring a contemporary edge to an otherwise more traditional home, with soaring ceilings, antique terracotta floor, rustic ladder and ticking bedding.
TELL US
What aspects of the architecture and interiors in France strike you as ‘so French’? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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What aspects of the architecture and interiors in France strike you as ‘so French’? Share your thoughts in the comments.
MORE
French Houzz: An Artist’s Studio is Redesigned With Living in Mind
French Houzz: Former Parisian Office Space Reworked as Urban Sanctuary
French Houzz: A Petite Parisian Flat Worthy of Guests
This being said, when you look closely enough, some common points can be identified when it comes to the various styles that can be seen in France, and they might not be what you think they are.