These French farmhouse style moments are a testament to what hard work and a dream to own a country home in France can bring into fruition. See this post for the full story of Vivi et Margot, a shop born after a young family restored this 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 browse around Pinterest, and it would seem there are more than a few inauthentic attempts at the look which can fall flat without studying the genius underneath this design style that 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. Mix masters Genius.
There is often a sense of refinement in French Country homes where a mix of old and new result in interiors which feel balanced and sensible, yet soulful and interesting. Old World charm and collected antiques and family treasures impart a sense of rich character.
3. Mismatch Magnifique.
Many Americans still opt for matching furniture sets that fall from favor in style after a few years, which would never do for a French farmhouse. The French country approach to furnishing a home is much looser, and the goal is a customized harmonious and unhomogenized look that appears undecorated and not overwrought.
4. Refreshingly frugal and functional.
French farmhouse style is practical since home decor pieces tend to work in a variety of rooms so they can be moved around to function in a flexible way. Since many furniture pieces are weathered, chunky, and not terribly delicate, pieces get better with age and use and work hard no matter where they are put into service.
5. Honoring Nature.
The French love their gardens and bringing in flowers for home decor and arrange the blooms quite casually. Depending on the region, sunflowers, irises, and poppies are common flowers which flourish in the French countryside.
6. Distressing is Not Distressing.
Since French Country is a style which imparts a sense of age and tradition, scratches, rust, and signs of wear are celebrated. Perfectly new painted finishes or stains do not blend well with antiques and vintage pieces with desirable patina. The same goes for rugs. The French don’t shop for a new rug because of fading or fraying since this look is attractive, and the practical thing to do is to use something until it is threadbare and beyond useful. The distress and wear which come from using furniture and objects are honored and exalted in French Country design.
7. Patience, mes amis!
The French seem always to take a decidedly patient, unhurried, and thoughtful, and not-too-serious sort of approach to their home decor which unfolds over time as family heirlooms are handed down through generations.
8. Trends? Look the other way.
Instead of following trends and redecorating every decade, the French understand the beauty of timeless and prefer timeworn finishes, patina, and character which results from age and wear. 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
But. That. Pink! Basket: Vivi et Margot. Photo: @Evgenia.Prinsloo, courtesy of Vivi et Margot.
French Country Baskets
Romantic French Country in Houston
I couldn’t leave out this unforgettable living room in Houston!
Cozy Factor
Rugged Textures
Elegant Yet Approachable
Check Tablecloth (Maison de Vacances Blush Check)…FIND HERE. Outdoor dining furniture: Maisons du Monde (France). Find similar rattan dining chairs RIGHT HERE.
French farmhouse tablescape simplicity. Check Tablecloth (Maison de Vacances Blush Check)…FIND HERE.
Love for the Threadbare
Antiques that Function Well
Rustic French farmhouse exterior with green shutters. Photo: Vivi et Margot.
Rugged with the Refined
“Undone” and Never Overwrought
Ahhhhh, lovely French summer living! Baskets: Vivi et Margot.
Climbing vines on a breathtakingly rustic French farmhouse exterior. Photo: 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
From my home to yours, I leave you with this simple
vignette on my farm table and a Navajo prayer:
Charming Check Linens in a French Country Kitchen
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
Kitchen Floor Terracotta tile: for flooring in kitchen, mud room, and bathrooms: 200 year old reclaimed terracotta tiles sourced from a stone yard in Angers.
FIND A UNIQUE terracotta lookalike PORCELAIN TILE WITH AN ANTIQUED APPEARANCE YOU MAY LOVE: RIGHT HERE.
Kitchen Design: custom by Neptune Kitchens.
Cabinet Paint Color: Neptune – Limestone.
Kitchen hardware: Rejuvenation.
For butcher block countertop options, SEE THIS and for apron front farm sinks, GO HERE.
Kitchen Faucet: Cuissimo. Find similar…RIGHT HERE and HERE.
Pot Filler: Kingston Brass…FIND HERE.
These dining chairs are very similar!
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!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Hi Michele,
What are you trying to do to us out here???? Drive us totally insane? I'm drowning in French loveliness with this post and loving every moment of it! Happy Thanksgiving!!
xoxo
Holly
yes! i won't rest until the french farmhouse loveliness renders us all begging for mercy! happy thanksgiving, beautiful holly. xox
I agree. Now I want to redecorate my whole house!!
hahahaha…that's the spirit! 🙂
Hi Michele! What a lovely post, as usual! This is a bit random, but do you know what breed the dog is in the first picture? My best friend had a dog that looked exactly like it over 15 years ago. Her family always wanted to find out what breed she was but since they got her from a shelter they never got a definitive answer. Eventually they gave up the quest, but when my bestie and I were looking over your post she suggested we ask you. I mean, it's worth a shot! Thank you in advance and again, really amazing post! Definitely got my redecorating juices flowing :p
Hi Kinga! Thanks for the kind words. I love that dog! Doesn't she look like a Schnoodle–a schnauzer poodle mix? Wondering if the image may be from Rachael Hale's book about dogs in France. I'll keep searching, and let me know if you discover the breed/mix. 🙂
I was struck by the pair of green boxes flanking the doorway with the posse of geese.
They were fantastic!
Author
I knowwww! Those boxes! So unique. Ha! Thanks for adding to the beauty, Kay. :0
The dog is a Wire Fox Terrier! Think Asta from the Thin Man movies. The coat is blown out. Many are seen in France. I have owned a few. Rascals!
Author
Thanks, Lisa! You’re an expert! 🙂
Where did you get those wrot iron twin beds. Love the look in that room with the rug and the panels.
Author
I added a link to the post for an iron panel bed that has a same feel. Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps. You can find a similar bed here:http://shrsl.com/ytdb