Modern French Paint Colors for Timeless Charm revisits a tour of lovely French country colors chosen by Brittany Jones for a beautiful build. The interior and exterior colors as well as materials work so harmoniously together in this memorable Country French home.
Modern French Paint Colors for Timeless Charm
Also find shopping resources to get the look in case these furnishings and accessories suit your own interiors.
If you’re planning on building or redesigning your exterior, you may also score ideas from the construction and design details here.
Design/Photos: Brit Jones Design Architect: Tyler Gentry Builder: Scott Lane Homes
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Muted French Colors for a Country Home
Paint colors for timeless and tranquil projects? A topic for which I am often consulted. It always helps to have a place to start so these tours illustrate how the pieces come together.
When we think thoughtfully about the colors that will create the atmosphere we’re after (energetic? calm? moody? cheerful? sophisticated?), it will set the stage for so many other details. Getting it right will save so much time in the long run so working with pros is money well spent.
If finding the right palette or even just the right neutral for an interior seems like a journey, well then, you’re probably doing it right.
Because often in sampling colors, you’ll find many rejects. Learning about what doesn’t work is enormously helpful.
Exterior Paint Colors
These rustic board and batten shutters look so authentically old and wonderful. We made and installed similar shutters on a French country manor house we built as well.
It took us a few tries to get the wash right for our own shutters. Too bright, and the look can feel off and unweathered.
Trim Color Idea: Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue
Use sample boards to test colors, and keep in mind the color you see in the paint can may look intense compared to how it will sheer out if you’re applying a wash to the wood. When I have done this, I have tried various techniques (diluting paint with water, drybrushing, brushing followed by a wet rag…), and with each project and wood species there are differences.
If products on Amazon are secured more easily for you than Annie Sloan, here’s a color that is comparable (maybe a touch less green-gray):
Blues, Green & Grays for Country French Projects
If you are awake and watching interior design in the 2020s, maybe you noticed GREEN is still.like. everywhere.
Not just dark or earthy greens, but aquas too.
Maybe green’s enduring popularity is tied to how lifegiving, healthy, and nurturant the color can feel.
Aqua and blue-greens or blue-grays feel tranquil and somehow comforting.
Whether you live in a coastal environment or not, they can also be suggestive of sea and sky and naturally restful places like the ocean.
Sherwin-Williams Sealskin 7675 for Exterior Trim & Doors
If you’re after a natural, rich chocolate brown, this one has both taupe and green undertones.
Another rich brown possibility is:
If you’re in need of a brown with less of those green undertones…
If you’re wondering about a shopping resource for the garage doors, I would suggest finding a master craftsperson to design something custom.
What a statement they make, and what a shame that we mostly overlook aesthetics when it comes to this part of the construction process. And why!?! It’s the first thing we often see on the front of a home, and it’s a huge detail!
More Inspiration from the Home’s Exterior
So many rich architectural elements to admire including stone, brick, stucco, and rustic shutters, as well as eyebrow dormers and arches.
Windows: Pella Aluminum clad in Bronze.
Lanterns: Troy – Larchmont in Aged Pewter:
Brick: Mangum Brick in Country French color with white mortar.
Doors: 10 feet tall black steel with glass.
Roof: Tamco – Thunderstorm Grey.
Stone: Castlerock Stone mix of cream and white, with white mortar.
What is the Finish on the Brick?
Slurry Wash for Brick Exterior
An alternative stucco application was used on the exterior brick. Called a brick slurry or brick mortar slurry, the product was hand applied in a custom tan finish.
This treatment of the brick is different from simply painting or whitewashing brick.
Brick Restoration describes the slurry here:
“Slurry is another type of mortar wash that is done by completely coating the area with a thick layer. Slurry uses the same materials as a German Smear but differs in the application. With a slurry there is full coverage of the masonry producing a stucco-type look but still allows the brick texture to show through. Typically, slurries are done with slightly tanner mortar colors. This is an excellent way to achieve the stucco look without the maintenance and cost of traditional stucco.”
Get the Look With Painted Brick
If you could use ideas for a warm white exterior paint color, find suggestions here as well as below…these are similar to today’s inspiration house:
Psst. If you are closely examining photos here of the home’s exterior color and wonder why these suggestions seem not to match exactly, there’s a reason. Paint colors for outside are affected by yellow sunlight, appearing lighter and more washed out, and other issues such as a home’s exposure. That is why is so important to sample several different options and watch them as the light changes through the day.
With putty whites like this, they may all look the same when you’re at the paint counter, but in fact, each has different pink or peach undertones. These undertones come into play as they interact with light and with other surrounding colors.
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Modern French Interior Paint Ideas
SW Alabaster 7008
It can truly simplify matters if you choose one main color for the entire house. But that also adds pressure since you better choose wisely! For this home, Brit Jones chose SW Alabaster 7008 with its greenish undertones.
Here are a couple warm whites from BEHR I have used that are close to Alabaster. Swiss Coffee has subtle green undertones (don’t be afraid of green – it works wonders in the proper location!).
Cameo White has grey undertones, and if you compare these two whites, you’ll see what I mean. There’s no substitute for sampling them though!
Modern French Foyer
Isn’t this a calm, gentle, welcoming entry?
Sconces: Aidan Gray – Joni; Chandelier: Aidan Gray Musa Carved Arm; French armchair options: find HERE.
European commode options: find HERE; Flooring: Hill Country Innovations (Cape Cod Oak).
Color Ideas for Bedroom Barn Door
It’s such a gentle color the designer/homeowner chose for the door here!
For the soothing pale blue-green-grey paint color on this custom door, the designer custom mixed Annie Sloan chalk paints using Duck Egg Blue, Old White, French Linen, and Coco. (Bear in mind Annie Sloan changes color formulations from time to time!).
After consulting a local Annie Sloan stockist, I learned about Annie Sloan Svenska Blue…oooooh, it’s a gorgeous Nordic inspired color that may come closer to your own idea of what duck egg blue should look like.
You could subdue this tone with any number of warm whites.
Ideas to Get This Custom Look
It’s always worth taking the time to create the perfect custom hue, and if you’re me…it’s also fun. The most important step is being sure to jot down the precise proportions. Then when you get it right, make sure to mix up enough for your project rather than mixing up multiple batches, each of which could be a little off.
Here is an example of a combination:
Another possibility for arriving at a muted blue-grey-green is to mix several beautiful chalk paints together for a custom color all your own.
For example, start with 1 part Vintage Duck Egg and 1 part Drop Cloth to arrive at a muted blue-green. Then, keeping track of how much you add, mix in a little Manatee Gray which will bring grey-blue to the tone. Find these chalk paints linked below.
Get the Look: Modern French Bedroom
Large Chandelier: Wood Carved Chandelier; Smaller Chandelier (in same French country spirit): find HERE;
Bed Skirt: find HERE. Sliding barn door is painted is hand-painted a custom mix of Annie Sloan chalk paint colors (see explanation below).
Linen upholstered ottoman: find HERE; Wall paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster. French bedside tables: find HERE; Similar table lamp: find HERE;
Similar chandeliers HERE.
Minimal Modern French Great Room
Traditional Country Kitchen With Reclaimed Brick
The kitchen in this new build has so many Old World finishes to admire.
Even the brick feels subtle!
An elegant custom range hood feels sculptural and feminine.
What a view from the kitchen window! It’s not everyday you get to enjoy pretty rustic French exterior shutters from inside!
Old World style fixtures like the faucet are harmonious with the traditional French country kitchen’s timeless style.
Copper accents which are so very French, echo the tones of the Chicago brick.
Somehow these large lanterns feel weightless and light with the lofty ceiling.
Grey Pantry Trim Color
This blue grey trim illustrates how you should look in the grey range of colors rather than blues which can go terribly wrong.
Here’s a very similar color to try if BEHR from Home Depot is more easily available to you:
Don’t you love seeing rooms with trim painted something other than white? So interesting. Easiest way to see if a color is right? Order samples with Samplize and have them delivered straight to your door.
Design Elements in This Modern French Kitchen
Dining Table: Reclaimed Pine Table; Bench: Hand-finished and Distressed Pine Bench. Single handle kitchen faucet: Danze – Opulence; White Gardenia dish soap and collection: FIND HERE. Bar Faucet: Danze Opulence and find a similar option HERE as well. Cabinet hardware: Jeffrey Alexander; Copper cookware: Find HERE; Backsplash: reclaimed Chicago brick…options HERE; Countertop: honed Arabescato marble. Paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster; Cabinet hardware: Jeffrey Alexander. Custom range hood: created on site; Lantern: Feiss – Galloway; Similar Wingback Chair: HERE and HERE. Here’s a wingback chair I love: FIND HERE. Side Chairs: Round Back Linen Chairs. Floors: Hill Country Innovations Cape Cod Oak.
Reclaimed Chicago Brick
When I learned about reclaimed Chicago brick (sliced thin so it may be tiled like regular tile) years ago, there were only a couple of suppliers. Not you can find sliced brick at big box hardware stores! Find an option HERE.
Reclaimed Brick Floor in Utility Room
What a great place to use this material!
Girl’s Bedroom in Blush Pink
Pale pink accents star in a feminine, light as cotton candy, kids room.
Gilded accents feel right at home even though they are fancy!
Distressed White Chandelier: Similar HERE.
Wall paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster. Pink Bedding: Soft Rose – Pottery Barn.
Rugged Wood Ceiling
I admire the unfussy, under-baked look of this den.
Den Resources
Sconce: HERE, similar wall sconce: find HERE; Flooring: reclaimed Chicago brick.
Wall paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster.
Ceiling: a mix of reclaimed wood and new cedar.
Classic French Country Bath Inspiration
These timeless country French bathrooms while traditional, have appeal that won’t soon fall from favor.
What a difference it makes to not have standard sheets of mirror wall to wall!
I’m also reminded of the luxury building a new house affords…you can place a window in the perfect spot for flattering light in the bath.
This chandelier is everything!
Bathroom Resources
Nickel Wall Sconce: find HERE; Bathroom paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster; Chandelier in Master: Terracotta Lighting “Ballerina”.
Tour a Brit Jones Designed Project
Check out this amazing design reveal for a happy client!
I hope you enjoyed this house tour! Do direct your questions about the design to Brittany Jones Design if you would like help making your own French inspired interiors come to life!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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