The French country bedroom, like any other country bedroom, is characterized by its simplicity. But the French, who love individuality, beauty and comfort, have their own way of interpreting simplicity. It may be simple in style but that doesn’t mean it will be short on comfort and luxury.
Ever mindful of space, harmony and balance, each component of the room is carefully chosen, mixing old and new, and even the most fundamental element will not only be elegant and stylish, but be in perfect harmony with the rest of the room.
Having a more softer and feminine approach the room is inclined to have gentle colors that harmonize and soothe.
The French country bedroom is individual, open, light, airy, comfortable, harmonious, romantic and … simply beautiful.
The French bed will have sheets and pillow covers of the best linen and lace. If you are looking to purchase bedding do take a look at Layla Grayce where you will find exquisite examples of the finest bedding.
Blankets, still more popular than duvets, will be soft and snug. Beds will be dressed in cotton valances and sheets, then topped with blankets, and finished with a pretty ‘boutis’ or quilt and soft cushions.
In days gone by the bed used to be symbolic therefore it was fairly adorned and decorated. Today the bed is still one of the most important pieces of furniture and although not as adorned as it used to be, it is still decorated to some extent.
French country beds are made of wood or iron, free standing with a spring base and have a head and a foot in some decorative style. It is also not unusual for the bed to have wooden or metal posts.
Other pieces found in the room will be an armoire, an occasional chair and a commode.
Bedroom furniture can either be painted in soft shades or lime washed for a softer effect.
Storage of course will be none other than the ubiquitous armoire, the icon of a French Country Bedroom. The door panels will be softened with mirrors or filled with gathered fabric.
Walls like the rest of the house will be light in color, finished in off-white or a soft whisper of gray, pink, yellow or blue. It is also quite acceptable for a bedroom to be wallpapered in soft patterns of flowers or lightly colored stripes.
Window treatments will be simple in style, with no fussy drapes, swags and tails, but soft curtains falling to the floor in a generous puddle.
Lighting will consist of an elegant overhead chandelier or wall sconces dressed in crystals or prisms to reflect light. Bedside lamps are also used for ambience.
Floors will either be wooden boards, which could be painted or sealed, terracotta tiles or parquet flooring. If rugs are used they will preferably be sisal or made of a natural material.
Creating the Look for a Country French Bedroom
The aim of French Country bedroom decor is to create a sanctuary of simple elegance, comfort and luxury while keeping the room light, spacious and airy. Retain harmony, scale and balance through careful choice of furniture and color.
Start with a neutral color palette in one tone and add color with quilts, cushions and accessories.
Accessories can be candleholders, storage boxes, quirky porcelain figures, antique busts, mirrors and needless to say… flowers in pretty antique vases. However, keep accessories minimal and do not clutter.
Lighting should be soft to give the room ambience. Wall chandeliers or a central chandelier, simple in style and perhaps dressed with prisms is a good choice.
Furniture in the French country bedroom should be simplistic, elegant and kept to a minimum, avoiding clutter. Mix old and new, but use old pieces that look loved and gently worn with age, not shabby and neglected.
Use the best bed linen you can afford to add luxury and comfort to your French bedroom decor.
Remember, rules are minimum for French Country, but don't forget...harmony, scale and balance.
Ideas
Instead of a pair of matching nightstands, use one round little table on the one side and one square on the other side. Or use a commode on one side and an old chest on the other. Otherwise, take an old coffee table with curvy legs, cut it in half, give it a paint treatment and attach each half to the wall. Think laterally and let your imagination run free.
Use an ornate, fair sized picture frame and insert a mirror… or just leave it empty and hang on wall for interest.
Use old French sheets and quilts as bedcovers.
Back scraps of treasured pieces of toiles, stripes, checks and florals with a new piece of fabric for cushions.
Tip
If your lamp shades are plain, don’t get rid of them…just dress them up by adding beads or crystals and fringes. Or recover them in a pretty toile.
