The French Country bathroom, which could be part of the bedroom itself, is decorated and treated the same way as any other room in the French home - pleasing to the eye and oozing charm, while at the same time being light and airy.
Country bathroom accessories are chosen more for their charm and aesthetic appeal as opposed to their practicality. Whether they may be affected by steam or moisture wouldn't matter - for what looks and feels good is more important.
The French are not a 'throw away' nation and have perfected the art of recycling. This can clearly be seen in the French Country bathroom where pieces, originally designed for another function in the home, are now pressed into service in the bathroom - or where items are re-invented to adjust to modern living.
Photo: 'Art & Decoration'
It is not unusual to see the following items in the bathroom:
A small comfy settee or upholstered chair
Decorative pictures on the walls
A small wrought iron table
Glass vases filled with sweet scented flowers
Huge ornate mirrors
Tall standing wrought iron candelabras
Wrought iron or twisted wire holders or baskets
Because of the French people’s love of antiques and re-cycling instead of discarding, it was a natural step to take the washstand, with either stone or wooden top, which used to hold a basin and pitcher for washing, and recycle it to accommodate modern plumbing, with a basin either inset or sitting on top. The bottom section will have open shelves for storage and there could be a rail on the sides to hold hand towels. Wrought iron washstands are another alternative to wooden stands.
Separate showers have never played an important role in the French bathroom and therefore focus is more on the bath - which incidentally is most likely to be a free standing roll top - which would double up as the shower area. If shower curtains surround the bath, perish the thought of plastic curtains being on view. Instead it is common practice to have an unseen waterproof lining which hangs inside the bath, with light cotton or muslin curtains hanging outside the bath.
Wall colors are usually pale, or light and fresh, reminding one of cool water and clear skies - although it is not uncommon to see ochre washed walls. Pattern will generally be found in the glazed and colored terracotta-based bathroom tiles, with geometric and monochromatic motifs, as fabrics and towels are usually a solid white or off-white.
Creating the Look for a French Country Bathroom:
Roll top free standing bath
Free standing vanity basin with open shelves for storage of towels etc.
Colors predominantly white, with pale light blue or grey
White linen as in curtains and towels
Wrought iron items
Glass bottles and jars
Folding free standing towel racks
Vases of lavender
Chandelier/candelabra dressed with crystals
Large mirrors
Terracotta or stone floor
The French country bathroom is definitely a place where relaxing and lingering in the bath will be an absolute pleasure!
