It was time to update this oldie but goodie filled with beauty and sentiments about French farmhouse style. 31 Beautiful French Farmhouse Style Moments {Decor Inspiration} are a comfort as well as a testament to what hard work (and a dream to own a French country home!) can bring to fruition. Also see this post for the full scoop on Vivi et Margot, a shop born after a young family restored their 150 year old French farmhouse near Bordeaux. You’ll find a few photos of my own interpretation of French inspired style as well as designer favorites.
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, 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.
A French country approach to furnishing a home is relaxed; the goal is a custom, harmonious and also undone look (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 foro casual display.
Depending on the region, sunflowers, irises, and poppies are common blooms flourishing 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 rarely blend as well with antiques and vintage pieces. The same is also true for rugs. The French don’t shop for a new rug because of fading or fraying since this look is deemed attractive.
It is common practice to use something until it is threadbare and beyond useful. In fact, distress and wear from use are honored and exalted in French Country design.
7. Patience, Mes Amis!
The French typically take a decidedly patient, unhurried, and also not-too-serious approach to home decor.
The look unfolds over time as family heirlooms are passed down through generations.
8. Trends? Look the other way
Rather than 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 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
Cozy Romantic French Country in Houston
I couldn’t leave out this unforgettable living room in Houston!
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 love timeless…for example, the sort of decor un-influenced by what is currently strutting down the runway. It won’t look silly in a couple of years because it is connected to the past yet remains relevant now.
When I discover beautiful finds I think you will fancy, I tuck them away…a few are below.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Grey rattan patio chair with cushion: FIND HERE.
Pretty, Timeless & Tranquil Settees
Lovely Display Cabinets
Martini Table Finds
Pretty Headboards & Bed Possibilities
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 Vivi et Margot’s French farmhouse: FARROW & BALL, and you can order samples HERE.
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 green is a traditional French exterior paint color very popular in France.
Shopping & Resource Guide
French Farmhouse Kitchen
If you love the look of the antique, reclaimed hex kitchen floor tile, check out this porcelain hex tile with a gorgeous finish!
Kitchen Design: custom by Neptune Kitchens.
Cabinet Paint Color: Neptune – Limestone.
Kitchen hardware: Rejuvenation.
Kitchen Faucet: Cuissimo
Pot Filler: Kingston Brass…FIND HERE.
Kitchen farm table: Neptune. Find a lovely one RIGHT HERE
These dining chairs are lookalikes!
Rustic Cottage Exterior
Shutters: Custom-made locally.
Patio Furniture: Maisons du Monde (France)…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 & Chandelier: Maisons du Monde.
Cremone Bolt on Door: Signature Hardware…FIND HERE
Skylight: Velux…Find Here.
More Country French Inspiration Ahead
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
Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE (not just items in posts), and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!
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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
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice morning!
Absolutely in Love ! Any idea where to get similar women baskets like the one on the wall ?
Author
Vivietmargot.com has beautiful French market baskets – you can also find them here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005TFX24C/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hellolovelyst-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B005TFX24C&linkId=6b0910886073ccbd3ac8d302cd194370
Absolutely stunning French Country style. I must have one of those chandeliers!!!
Author
Thanks for visiting and joining in the admiration – it’s lovely to have you here. 🙂