French Style in Interior Design

Various elements of styles are applied when creating a project: Empire, Baroque, Classicism, Modern. The Palace of Versailles seems to have been transported into an apartment or house, inspiring new ideas and giving a royal sense of pride for the dazzling design embodied in the apartments. We will tell you more about this style and its application today.

A bit of history of the style

For everyone who loves romance, a blend of simplicity and complexity, French style is the ideal choice. The style originated in the middle of the 17th century. Today, it still competes successfully with all other directions. It is important to note that this style has a number of nuances. One of them is French Provence. It is usually applied in the decoration of country estates. But it can also be successfully used to decorate an apartment. It will create a cozy rural atmosphere and tranquility.

A more simplified version of the style differs in its details, but the following remains unchanged: antiques, elaborate furniture compositions, decoration of complex forms. Textiles must fully correspond to the overall mood in the room. If the budget is limited, designers recommend not getting upset and using flea markets where you can find less expensive items. 

You can also use the patina technique, which will add its own flair. The characteristics of the style include: restrained, not bright color palette, antique items and modern technology and comfort in the smallest details. Light walls, wooden parquet, cornices and ceiling moldings, lack of contrast – characteristic features that were brought by the French.

Color palette in interior design

The distinguishing feature of this stylistic direction is the presence of muted, pastel shades. Bright and flashy palettes are inappropriate here. Only natural shadows and accents. Designers use the following method: they take one main color and several shades darker/lighter, but close to the main one. The entire interior is built on this mix. White, milk, light green, brown, caramel, peach, light pink, light yellow, gray and all derivatives of these shades are most popular in this direction. Ceilings must necessarily be white and high. And lots of light, preferably natural.

Finishing

Finishing directly depends on what vision of the project the owners and designers have. For a coordinated design project, it is important to understand which element of the style is built into the finishing. Professional decorators offer many solutions: apartments in a new building can be decorated by introducing elements of Classicism and Renaissance with gilding, moldings, and frescoes. Housing in old buildings is not completely renovated but rather preserved in its original state. In historic Paris apartments, high ceilings, parquet, and moldings are always present. New owners preserve and cherish these elements. We will talk more about the finishing of key interior elements.

• Walls
  

Walls are often covered with matte finishes, gloss is inappropriate here. Paint or wallpaper decide, consulting based on preferences. They can simply paint them white, thus creating the impression of additional volume. They can be covered in gray, lavender, light blue colors. Then they attract attention to themselves and become the main element of decoration. If wallpapers are used, you can select rolls with ornament and then cover them with special paint if desired. If niches are present in the walls, they can be used to place pictures, statues, flowers, and lighting fixtures.

• Floor
  

Parquet and again parquet. If the floor has been in use for more than a year, you can try to preserve and renovate it: it needs to be sanded, damaged fragments replaced, and everything re-coated with varnish. This type of floor is necessary in this direction. In new buildings, parquet boards or natural tone laminates can be laid. On the kitchen and bathroom floors, tiles with a mosaic pattern are laid.

Design: Shperling Design Studio

• Ceiling
  

For city apartments in French style, the ceiling is plastered and finished. There is whitewashing and painting, moldings in tone with the ceiling, a large crystal chandelier in the center. Suspended or stretch ceilings are not welcome. If they still decide on a stretch ceiling, it is better to choose a matte, fabric variant, preferably monochromatic.

Design: Oksana Korotkina, studio Prosperity

Decorating rooms in French style

Living Room

For a living room in this style, two factors should be considered: space volume and light. For small, tiny apartments with low ceilings, this style is hard to imagine. For French style, sufficient space and maximum lighting are required. Natural light penetrating through famous windows envelops the living room. Lack of light disrupts the entire concept. Therefore, artificial lighting should partially compensate for outdoor light. 

A large crystal chandelier and wall sconces will create the necessary conditions. Candelabras and candles will add charm and embody scenes from movies. For color selection, pastel, light shades are suitable. Furniture and accessories are also chosen in tone. Monochromatic wall covering or wallpaper will not overload the room. Designers recommend choosing either a patterned wallpaper resembling old cotton fabric or using photo wallpapers with the most natural print. The entire decor should not be overloaded and oppressive. Attention here should be focused on rich patterns of accessories, small details, ornate tables and chairs. Almost all materials are used in the decor of this direction: porcelain, wood, natural materials. Except plastic. 

Furniture is chosen wooden and antique style. You can find wicker or fabric-covered wardrobes. For the floor, wooden parquet or light-toned ceramic tiles are suitable. The ceiling should be left white, decorated with a wide cornice or moldings in tone. Professionals recommend toning the area around the fireplace if there is one, in dark gray color. You can also tone and the area with porcelain figurines, statues, and other collectible elements. Speaking about furniture placement, it should be noted that there is a lot of furniture and every item has its own purpose. A soft sofa or armchair with monochromatic print or fabric with a floral pattern. 

A small side table, items with forged details, and a fireplace. The fireplace can also be imitated; the image is important. Living flowers in a luxurious vase will complement the living room. Curtains, cushions, and a small handmade carpet also beautifully complement a space with French flair.

• Bedroom
  

A piece of France in the bedroom is desired by many. And implementing this idea is quite easy. A gentle, elegant, romantic, comfortable bedroom invites you to immerse yourself in a world of dreams and forget all the worries of the past day. A lot of notable details create a cozy nest. The main tones here are white, milk, pearl, lavender, light lilac. Traditionally, wooden beds with forged legs and carved elements are placed. Walls are covered with matte paint without glossy shine. You can try to cover them with fabric. 

The ceiling in a light color, decorated with moldings or natural tone beams or painted white. Large windows from floor to ceiling saturate the room with light. Mirrors in dark frames and other dark items can be used, but they must be harmoniously integrated without a jarring contrast. Wall sconces best accentuate the refined decor. For window decoration, light, semi-transparent curtains made of silk or organza are ideal. Do not choose fabrics with heavy patterns; draperies that highlight the airiness and lightness are a good solution. It is also important not to overdo it with patterns, everything should be in moderation. 

For floor covering, a good choice would be materials that look like wood, parquet, laminate, natural stone. Modern technologies have solved the problem of replacement and imitation, now you can choose coverings that imitate oak and other wood species. It is better to prefer light shades. Decorators recommend using the attic space, if it exists, and arranging a bedroom there. Solitude and distance from the hustle and bustle are sometimes needed. Textiles are chosen to match the overall palette.

Design: Nadya Zотовa

• Kitchen
  

A kitchen in French style is an antique cabinet, but it is also possible to use patinated and aged furniture. By the window, you can place a bergere – a deep chair with high side walls. A dresser for dishes, known as a dresstool, will also fit well. 

In it, you can display rare examples of porcelain and silver. If the budget does not allow for significant spending, you can always order artificially aged wooden furniture. Forged details and patterns on stained glass are indispensable elements of such a kitchen. All household appliances will easily fit behind cabinet doors. Gilded decorative elements will emphasize the interior. But it is important not to overdo it. 

Otherwise, it will become a loud madness. Caramel, beige, light coffee shades will restore color balance. Bright strokes should be added to the upholstery, curtains, and soft cushions. On the plastered walls, you can hang several frames with family photos. Floor vases on parquet or quality tiles, crystal chandeliers, and glass candlesticks will recreate palace luxury.

Design: Svetlana Yurkova

• Bathroom
  

Such baths enchant at first sight. They are installed with a bath with forged legs and no shower cabins. Cabinets in antique style. A pair of chairs or a small armchair. A small sideboard with personal items. Expensive white or milk-colored sanitary fixtures – the main decorative elements. Attention is focused on the bath. Window and lots of light. 

Natural light and a magnificent chandelier – here you can allow simplicity and luxury. Speaking about the color palette, we note that cream, light pink, light blue, light gray or simply white – the classic of the genre. If the room is large and lighting is bright, you can also use darker shades. For floors and walls, designers recommend finishing with natural or artificial stone: marble and granite will look magnificent. But ceramic tiles without patterns will also do. Walls can be clad with bouazery panels or painted with moisture-resistant paint. Moldings, as in all previous rooms, complement and decorate the bathroom.

Design: Zhenya Zhudanova

Furniture

Let's note several features specific to furniture in this direction:

1. Only natural materials. Wood, glass, and metal – the main materials;
   
2. Use of forged elements. A table, bed, chairs and armchairs with forged legs and backs;
   
3. Soft furniture upholstery is often made of velvet or satin. A stripe alternating with a floral pattern – the most popular option. The upholstery should match the wall pattern or other textiles;
   
4. Furniture can be selected in an antique store or made to order;
   
5. A oak table can be placed in the center of the living room or dining room;
   
6. Space zoning can be done using a screen decorated with paintings;
   
7. A woven rocking chair is often a decoration on the balcony or in the living room.
   

Design: Tatiana Morozova

Lighting

In addition to crystal, ornate chandeliers, professionals recommend choosing lighting fixtures covered with aluminum or brass. Bronze will also do, they look like gold. Lighting should be sufficient but not bright.

Curtains

Curtains complement the interior; without them, it's hard to imagine a complete picture. In French style, both dense materials for curtains and light, semi-transparent materials are used. Curtains should organically fit in and harmonize with the overall tone of the interior

Design: Ludmila Krystalева

Decor and Accessories

Decor is very important in this direction. Let's consider the main features:

1. Textiles must be carefully selected. Without them, it's impossible: cushions, draperies, carpets, upholstery;
   
2. Velvet and velvet – the most in-demand materials;
   
3. It is curtains with lumbreks that decorate every room. Without blinds;
   
4. Mirrors traditionally decorate the interior. Gold, wooden, and copper frames create pompousness;
   
5. Pictures and wall hangings on the walls. Among the images – nature and portraits, fitting perfectly;
   
6. A huge crystal chandelier lights up even at night with its magnificence. Wall sconces matching it – will complete the picture;
   
7. Porcelain statues, vases, and flowers refresh the atmosphere.
   

Design: Elena Chabrova and Olga Chebysheva

French flair – still popular and accessible to many today. Lovers and followers of this direction adore luxury and light that fill all space. Rich decor gives the feeling that the owners are either in Paris or the Palace of Versailles.

Design options offered by designers

On the cover of the design project by Ludmila Krystalева.