French Country Style Home

The French Country style home can be based on any of the three variations of the style, namely the French Country manor, working farmhouse or rural cottage. All three variations translate well into modern interiors because of their easy style and simple charm, no matter whether you live in a small apartment or a large homestead.

Decorating Manor Style

Elements in the country manor are not as grand as a chateau, but some are the same due to the style having a subtle mix between a refined chateau and a simple farmhouse.

Start with the following basic elements to introduce the country manor style into your own home:

Color

Plenty of milky whites with buttery creams, powdery pinks, chalky blues, pale sage greens and musty violets, combined with smoky grays.

Lighting

Chandeliers, candelabra and wall-mounted lighting. These can be painted Paris gray with touches of gold which is quite characteristic of a French country manor.

Fabrics and Linen

Lots of pattern, from dainty flowers to stripes and checks and plenty of Toile de Jouy fabrics. Toiles can either be very grand or simplistic country scenes.

Quilted bed covers with scalloped edges called a 'boutis', made from either floral or toile prints can be used in either the bedroom or the living room as throws.

Curtains are either fine or coarse linen and fall to the floor in a soft puddle.

Dining

French porcelain decorated with dainty garlands or flowers and small touches of gilding work well with the toile and floral prints of upholstered dining room chairs. White damask table linen showcases the porcelain beautifully.