31 Beautiful French Farmhouse Style Moments {Decor Inspiration}

French farmhouse style moments in 31 Beautiful French Farmhouse Style Moments {Decor Inspiration} are a testament to what hard work and a dream to own a country home in France can bring to fruition. See this post for the full story of Vivi et Margot, a shop born after a young family restored a 150 year old French farmhouse near Bordeaux.

Beautiful French Farmhouse Style Moments {Decor Inspiration}

8 Secrets to More Authentic French Farmhouse Decor

“Why are you calling them secrets and what makes you an expert anyway?” Maybe they aren’t secrets outside of mainstream America, but one peek around Pinterest, and it would seem there are endless inauthentic attempts. The look can fall flat without understanding what undergirds this design style and makes it so charming in the first place.

1. Bear in mind where French Farmhouse style originates.

French farmhouse style originates from the lovely landscape of rural France with its hills and valleys. If you can’t travel to the south of France, do spend time online or at the library studying the region to better understand the romance and allure.

2. Genius Mix Masters

There is often a sense of refinement in French Country homes where a mix of old and new feels balanced and sensible, yet also soulful and interesting. Old World charm and collected antiques and family treasures impart a sense of rich character.

3. Mismatch Magnifique

Plenty of Americans still opt for matching furniture sets that fall from favor after a few years. This would never do for a French farmhouse. The French country approach to furnishing a home is more relaxed, and the goal is a custom, harmonious, and also undone look that appears un-decorated and never overwrought.

4. Refreshingly frugal and functional

French farmhouse style is practical since home decor pieces tend to work in a variety of rooms and can be moved around to function flexibly. Since many furniture pieces are weathered, chunky, and not terribly delicate, pieces get better with age and use. They work hard no matter where they are put into service.

5. Honoring Nature

The French love their gardens and bring flowers inside to casually display them. Depending on the region, sunflowers, irises, and poppies are common blooms which flourish in the French countryside.

6. Distress is Not Distressing

Since French Country is a style which imparts a sense of age and tradition, scratches and rust as well as signs of wear are celebrated. Perfectly new painted finishes do not blend as well with antiques and vintage pieces. The same is true for rugs. The French don’t shop for a new rug because of fading or fraying since they regard the look attractive. It is common practice to use something until it is threadbare and beyond useful. Distress and wear resulting from use are honored and exalted in French Country design.

7. Patience, mes amis! 

The French seem always to take a decidedly patient, unhurried, and thoughtful as well as not-too-serious approach to home decor. It is a look which unfolds over time as family heirlooms are passed down through generations.

8. Trends? Look the other way

Rather than following trends and redecorating every decade, the French understand timeless beauty and prefer timeworn finishes, patina, and character from age. It’s an elegant, sophisticated look which is never contrived or overthought.

How do the French accessorize in their French Country homes?

Houzz reports French Country home decor accents always have a purpose: “Rarely will accessories in a French country room be purely decorative. They usually have an undertone of usefulness: wall-hung plates that can be pulled down for service, jugs and jars that house kitchen staples, baskets that corral plump produce from the garden. Open shelving is a natural partner for this look — everyday items enjoy pride of place rather than languishing behind cabinet doors.”

French Country Influence in My Own Home

Our own current home has a Nordic cottage style exterior and timeless interiors inspired by French Farmhouse style and Belgian design sensibilities.

French Country Dining

French farmhouse and French Country interiors feature a mix of country warmth, sophistication, and simplicity. The decor is not singularly informal, but it’s never too fussy, loud, or froufrou.

Pale Colors

French Country Baskets

Romantic French Country in Houston

I couldn’t leave out this unforgettable living room in Houston!

Cozy Factor

Elegant Yet Approachable

Find similar rattan dining chairs RIGHT HERE.

Love for the Threadbare

Antiques that Function Well

“Undone” and Not Overwrought

Ahhhhh, lovely French summer living…baskets: Vivi et Margot.

Get the Look!

French Farmhouse Decor Inspiration Ideas & Decorating Ideas!

Timeless Decor Furniture & Decor

I appreciate timeless decor that isn’t influenced by what is currently strutting down the runway. It’s not going to look silly a couple of years from now because it has a connection to the past yet remains functional and relevant now.

When I come across a particularly beautiful find which I think many of you would fancy, I tuck it away – and the links have been accumulating so it’s time for the lovely to rain down.

Grey rattan patio chair with cushion: FIND HERE.

Pretty, Timeless & Tranquil Settees

Lovely Display Cabinets

Martini Table Finds

Pretty Headboards

Scandinavian Inspired Timeless Dressers

French Inspired Timeless Chandeliers

Beautiful Beds With Timeless Style

French Farmhouse Design Inspiration: Interior Paint Colors

Paint colors for interiors throughout this French farmhouse: FARROW & BALL.

Woodwork, doors, and beams: FARROW & BALL French Gray

Interior walls: FARROW & BALL Strong White 2001

Ceilings: FARROW & BALL All White 2005

Girls’ Bathroom: FARROW & BALL Middleton Pink 245

Paint color of  shutters: TOLLENS Vert Olivier (satin) purchased at Castorama.

This is a traditional French exterior paint color very popular in France.

Shopping & Resource Guide

French Farmhouse Kitchen

Exterior

Shutters: Custom-made and new, made locally.

Patio Furniture: Maisons du Monde (France). Find similar rattan dining chairs RIGHT HERE.

 French Farmhouse Bathrooms (see more  of them in Part 2!)

Towels, Soaps, Accessories: Vivi et Margot.

Clawfoot bathtubs and faucets: Hudson Reed.

Window Treatments

All Drapery: Pottery Barn (Beligan Flax Linen drapes).

French Farmhouse Master Bedroom

Rug: Rejuvenation.

Bed: Maisons du Monde.

Chandelier: Maisons du Monde.

Cremone Bolt on Door: Signature Hardware…FIND HERE

Skylight: Velux…Find Here.

The beauty continues in PART TWO of the tour right here.

You will love the French farmhouse shopping nirvana that is Vivi et Margot!

And do visit their instagram RIGHT HERE.

p.s. Don’t miss the exceptionally beautiful TIMELESS EUROPEAN COUNTRY HOUSE TOUR of Chateau Domingue’s founder, Ruth Gay!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

From my home to yours, I leave you with this simple
vignette on my farm table and a Navajo prayer:

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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