If you want to put a touch of je ne sais quoi into your home then why not consider the French country style of interior design. The French country style has become one of the most popular styles throughout the world and conjures up images of warm Mediterranean sunshine, sandy beaches, beautiful purple lavender fields, winding country lanes, scenic villages peppered about the countryside, flea markets, and of course the sheer charm and elegance of the cottages and farmhouses not to mention the people themselves. The good news is that you don't have to go all the way to Provence to bring a touch of rural France back into your home.
If you are stuck for ideas or inspiration you can start by browsing through magazines or do a search on the internet to get an idea of what elements go to make up the French country style. Of course you can always employ a professional interior designer to do the job for you but it helps if you know what you want to start with. Although the French style can vary significantly from area to area, to most people, it's the area known as Provence in the South of France that seems to spring to mind when thinking about French country style.
The lifestyle in Provence tends to be more casual and so the look matches this which is invariably welcoming, warm, and decidedly unfussy. Think about brightly coloured wooden shutters to keep out the blazing midday sun on windows which are often narrow and deep set. The furniture tends to be rustic with a worn lived in and comfortable look. Imagine copper pots strategically placed next to old stone fireplaces, or the dark wooden beams contrasted against the paler rough plastered walls. The scope is endless so there is plenty of variety to cater for any taste. The following ideas may help to inspire your own interpretation of French country style.
Colours
Colours that fit in with the French country style include warmer shades of bronze, gold, yellow and rust to match the hot Mediterranean climate as well as the cooler ocean colours in different shades of blues and greens, however, bright and vibrant colours do not go amiss either such as strong purple, bright red, and shocking pink. It is the way they are combined that helps to create the final look.
Fabrics and other materials
Probably the most popular fabric associated with the French country style is toile. Toile is generally a repeated pattern on a fabric with a pale background. It literally translates to cloth. However, fabrics in different textures, colours and prints go well and you can include anything from plain cloths to stripes and floral prints to fabrics depicting motifs. Motifs can be found not only on fabrics but also on wall coverings, paintings and ornamental and practical pieces in the home too. Popular motifs include roosters, grapes, lavender, and insects such as bees and the famous Cigale, whose song can be heard throughout the summer in Provence.
Use natural materials as far as possible and consider stone floors and walls, untreated wood, plastered walls that are not perfectly smooth, ceramic tiles, clay, brick, and metals such as copper and wrought iron. The key is to go for the old, the natural and the lived in look.
Furniture
The furniture has a definite rustic look to it, often in darker woods. Don't forget to include the Amoire, a tallish cabinet with drawers, shelves or cupboards used for storage or for decorative purposes. For example, you can use it to display pots, for hiding the television or storing linen and other items. Use your imagination, it is an extremely useful piece of furniture and helps to convey that authentic French look in your home.
Flowers
Flowers are essential for capturing that southern French look in your home. Hanging baskets on patios and balconies, window boxes, pitchers, pots or vases of flowers inside and outside the house help to create that distinctive French atmosphere. Of course any blooms will suffice but lavender is abundant in the south of France and as it is so deliciously fragrant, make use of potpourri, sachets of lavender and bunches of lavender to give your home that final ooh la la.
Bonne chance!
The rustic look of leather lamp shades is a wonderful way to add western style to your home decorating. The use of decorative rustic shades has increased in recent years as decorators have become more and more aware of how simple it is to add southwestern and country style in any room, by just using a natural lamp shade as part of the interior design.
The typical style you encounter in the southwest and in designer magazines can be easily copied by effortlessly switching the lamp shades on lamps you already use, or by placing them on special types of rustic lighting fixtures such as wrought iron and antler lamps. Leather lamp shades come in a natural color and are also dyed in many colors including brown, wine, gold, red, green, and black that look fantastic and are simple to use with any color pallet.
The thing I like most about rustic shades is their adaptability and the way they enhance Native American style. These hand-made, rustic lamp shades are fashioned out of soft pigskin, suede leather that creates a nice glow when illuminated and has small natural hair follicle holes that give it a rustic finish.
Wonderful for filtering light both upward and outward, leather lamp shades are great when used on desk lamps, table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers, wall sconces, antler lamps and all rustic lighting fixtures. No matter if you wish to light a large room with chandelier lamps or other rustic lighting fixtures, or are just trying to light a dim area with table lamps or rustic lamps, leather lamp shades will give you the perfect lighting effect in lighting your home.
You will like the welcoming light of rustic shades and the pleasing warmth they create when using them beside other southwestern style design accessories such as Native rugs and Indian pottery or with wood furniture. Deciding where you will use the lamp shade is something to figure out before buying. Larger lamp shades that provide more light are good for reading and illuminating a large room, while smaller shades are great for accent lighting or illuminating a dimly lit corner.
Leather lamp shades used on table lamps or accent lamps can make a dramatic statement and bring authentic western style to any room. Whether used with standard style lamps or on special rustic lamps, leather lamp shades are the greatest way to get the rustic style that you like. The wonderful adaptability of pigskin leather lamp shades make them wonderful for using in any of the rooms of your home where you would like to add Native style.
They also look beautiful in log homes and are the greatest way to enrich the natural beauty of its environment. Today, it is easy to buy leather lamp shades online or purchase them in stores that sell rustic style decorating items. If you like western style in home decorating, and want to enhance the spirit of the old west in your home decorating, try using the unique beauty of designer leather lamp shades for your home decorating.
Both David Mcevoy & Craig Chambers are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
David Mcevoy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Depression Cure, Aquarium Fish and Fitness. David McEvoy is an expert in interior design. If you are looking for a to give the finishing touches to a newly decorated room then please come and visit. David Mcevoy's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Craig Chambers has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interior Design, Culture and Society and Interior Design. Craig Chambers is the director of and offers free information online about choosing. Craig Chambers's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.