A Touch of Provence: Bring the French Countryside Indoors

Don't live in Southern France or even New Orleans and want to redecorate and bring the simplicity and beauty of the French countryside to your home, condo or apartment? Think simplicity when you are thinking Country French decor or design. The brightness and simplicity of the Southern French farmland and countryside for which this design style takes it's name doesn't take a great deal of money. There are several things you can do, even on the most modest of budgets.

1. Living room - This room should be simple, with overstuffed chairs, pillows in bright, colorful floral designs. Window coverings should be simple rough or painted shutters, or simply one of the many designs of translucent or print shades. Oak and/or pine flooring is suitable here, either painted or covered with simple throw rugs in the Country French design. Patterned or mosaic tile floors also have Country French themes, and many of the local Home depots or Loews carry a variety of these ceramic tiles, and will even provide design service in providing patterns for different motifs. As far as accent pieces and other furnishings, those too should be simple, as they will set the tone and mood for the entire home. Try using an antique French steamer trunk as a coffee table (or reproduction), scatter it with gardening magazines and a ceramic vase of fresh cut tulips or floral sprays and voila, you have a welcoming home in the Country French style (with the bonus of even added storage space). There are many on line websites of Country French design furnishings, two of which are http://www.chicchateaux.com and http://www.countryfrenchantiques.com/

2. Kitchens can be French countrified with the use of bright tile accents in blues and yellows. Hang copper pots and utensils over cooking areas with one of the many wrought iron design pot hangers. Pottery Barn has both stores and an on line service with a great selection of kitchen accessories. Refinish the floors and back splashes with a unique mosaic tile pattern or simply the counter-tops themselves. Home Depot, Loews and most major tile outlets usually even have design services for creating 'mosaic' patterns and tile accents, and there are many books also on creating different 'looks' with tile. Oak or pine flooring also can be used in the kitchen, painted or decorated again with Country French design throw rugs in florals, navy, yellow or salmon. Visit some of the local antique shops and second hand stores for an old oak or pine trestle or round pedestal table, and surround it with 4-6 oak or pine ladder back chairs - the kind with the rush seating. Again the sites mentioned above carry the French style kitchen tables and chairs, and also many Ethan Allan outlets.

3. In the bedroom go again with color and simplicity. Work with the available light and keep things simple. Oak and pine accents of simple design, again, are best or pieces which can be covered with chic floral upholstery fabric in blues, yellows and salmon. Paint the rooms in either light yellows or light blue, with either offsetting trim (blue walls, yellow trim) or white trim. Overstuffed, small reading couches and throw rugs also help in the bedrooms. Brass or iron head and foot boards and floral patterned comforters contribute that "country" old world feel. Keep drapes and wind coverings, again, simple such as oak or pine shutters or translucent fabric shades. If your budget allows, purchase a pine or oak armoire in an antique store of Country French design, and use it as an entertainment center to hide your television, or even as extra storage for your clothing.

There are several on line websites dedicated to living and decorating in the Country French manner. Several are listed below:

http://www.reallifedecorating.com/country/
www.cottagehomedecorating.com/french-country-decorating.html
http://www.interiordesign.lovetoknow.com/Country_French_Style_Basics