Unfussy French Quietude: Understated Color Stories is a photo gallery of French farmhouse style beauty highlighting a few favorite interiors and gardens. The moments are unfussy and reflect rustic charm to both inspire and soothe. Let’s face it. While we may never get the chance to live in a farmhouse in France, we can collect ideas for color stories and vignettes. Also see these posts for the full scoop on Vivi et Margot, a shop that dawned after a young family restored a 150 year old French farmhouse near Bordeaux. Also included here are moments around my own house depicting my own interpretation of French inspired style.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Unfussy French Quietude: Understated Color Stories
From the looks of this, it would appear green may play a prominent role for French farmhouse interiors and exteriors. What’s curious is that green is not typically the first color springint to mind when one ponders quieter color stories.
Green doesn’t show up in my own modern European country and modern French moments at home.
Yet green can definitely be quiet or understated.
And it’s certainly a natural color – derived from nature and such an organic symbol of life.
French Farmhouse color stories celebrate the countryside.
French farmhouse style originates from the lovely landscape of rural France with its hills and valleys.
Celebrating colors from the beautiful countryside is always a great idea.
Mixing Quiet Neutral Colors
While most folks think certain colors match certain other colors and that the ultimate goal is for everything to “match,” there’s a little more to decorating!
In the breakfast nook of a prior home I decorated, BM Ashley Gray walls contrast with BM Dove Wing trim and also the Belgian linen of upholstered chairs. Cool grey from galvanized accents were a counterpoint along with warm white oak.
Even if your decor scheme is tone on tone whites, you don’t want to strictly commit to just one value of white.
It’s all about the mix. For quiet color stories, in most cases, you’ll be after low contrast. But there aren’t any colors from nature that won’t harmonize!
The French do such an amazing job with pale interiors, and it doesn’t mean every room should be greige.
However, greige backdrops are perfect for seasonal changes in decor since no one wants to repaint all of the time.
Notice how in the same kitchen, multiple vibrant accent colors look natural and right at home.
Faded Colors & Timeworn Distress
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.
One of the qualities I love about French farmhouse, modern French, and Belgian minimal style is the preference for light toned wood.
Dark stained wood pieces can feel so formal, and when pieces are hands-off, they just aren’t as friendly or useful.
Everything should have the potential to be pulled into service.
Using furniture, objects, and decorations will result in age, distress, scars, and proof of life!
Even farmhouse exteriors seem to benefit from distress from the elements!
Quiet French Country Colors Make Sense for Timeless Design
If you look at basic French sensibilities, there’s a conservatism and a realism undergirding them.
They truly understand timeless beauty and history.
Trending colors and interiors changing based on the latest fashion strutting down the catwalk?
Natural colors are never going to fall from favor.
Celebrating and maximizing light is never out of style.
Who needs to keep reinventing, refreshing, and redesign when timeworn finishes, glorious patina, and character grow with age?
Light Colors Create a Serene & Sophisticated Mood
Our former home with its Nordic cottage style exterior and timeless interiors was inspired by French Farmhouse style and Belgian design sensibilities.
In addition to the French country courtyard with its pea gravel and serene color palette, the interiors reflect quiet green-grays, serene whites, cool grey, and of course green visible through the windows.
Our Arizona home was decorated with a French Nordic style (minimal and lots of white) and felt serene and approachable in spite of some of its more formal furnishings.
Color truly does influence mood.
Soft Tranquil Colors Are Welcoming & Friendly
The opposite of a quiet color story? Lots of formal dark, deep, moody colors that feel less than friendly.
Neutrals, whites, and pastels often play a starring role in French country interiors because they lend themselves to a peaceful mood and a sunnier atmosphere.
I mean – doesn’t the image with the beautiful pastels above feel sunny, light, and delightful?
There’s something so warm about French limestone which is anything but cold.
The warm gold of the reclaimed stone walls sets a sunny tone while adding so much texture. Notice there aren’t bold “pops of color.” Rather, the contrast is low, lending a calm mood.
Elegance With Approachability
Color can truly soften, transform, and bring elegance to otherwise rustic design elements. For even more ideas for adding rustic elegance, do see THIS.
Light colors come forward but also quiet the overall composition.
I’m particularly aware of this transformative quality since we have been renovating our current home.
I have been tasked with painting dark brown trim white in many rooms, and the effect is dramatic.
Fussy and formal becomes friendly and casual. I have even moved the whitewashing to the outdoors as this week I change dark brown deck railing to bright white. (I am definitely getting too old for the scope of what is involved and will need days to recover! Hahahaha.)
These outdoor scenes from a dining area in this farmhouse near Bordeaux also inspire with an understated, hushed color story.
The curves of the rattan chairs and a welcoming round table also feel friendly. They are similar to the grey kubu chairs I have shared from my own home:
I’m also partial to thse beauties:
They just scream SUMMER and invite us to slow down and relax, oui?
Love the pea gravel look of a French farmhouse garden or patio? I’m hoping to add one to our property here this summer. There’s an old concrete basketball court on the property that has seen better days. The concrete is buckling and unsafe so it’s time to give it a fresh identity.
More Glimpses of Vivi et Margot’s Farmhouse
The practical sensibilities consistent with French country living are so appealing because they support philosophies of timelessness, sustainability, and humility.
So much of in our culture is excessive and wasteful. Here’s a way of life that reinforces something different.
Get the Look!
Even fresh flower arrangements are not over-thought or overdone. The simpler the better!
Interpreting European Country In My Own Home
When I discover beautiful finds I use in my own home, I love to share them. Here’s a bedroom in our former home with French inspired touches such as the Paris print and curvy headboard.
Even though the statement wall in our bedroom was rustic reclaimed wood, the hushed color keeps everything more quiet and less rugged.
A Louis style chair and a vintage clawfoot tub in our bath add elegance to be enjoyed every single day.
This loveseat looks so sumptuous and would work in a variety of spaces including a smallish apartment.
There’s something magical that happens when you combine more rustic pieces with elegant ones. Luxurious bedding on a country style bed elevates the look and more importantly, the feel of a retreat.
Beautiful Display Cabinets
Don’t you love how a cremone bolt adds instant age and elegance to a cabinet?
Which one do you prefer: the arched top or straight?
I can’t decide!
French Farmhouse Design Inspiration: Interior Paint Colors
It can be tricky to know where to start with paint colors even when you have decided on neutrals and French farmhouse style. Start with samples and take your time!
But which samples?
Consider some of these options provided by Charlotte of Vivi et Margot:
Woodwork, doors, and beams: FARROW & BALL French Gray
Americans tend to think white is the only color trim can be, but it can be interesting to use an atmospheric color that slightly contrasts with lighter walls.
Interior walls: FARROW & BALL Strong White 2001
Despite the name, Strong White is a muted light grey (see more light gray options in this).
Ceilings: FARROW & BALL All White 2005
Ceilings and/or trim could be this color:
Girls’ Bathroom: FARROW & BALL Middleton Pink 245
Pink paint colors are not the easiest so take your sweet time!
Paint color of shutters: TOLLENS Vert Olivier (satin) purchased at Castorama.
This green is a traditional French exterior paint color very popular in France…see THIS for ideas for green paint colors.
French Farmhouse Kitchen Resources
If you love the look of the antique, reclaimed hex kitchen floor tile, check out this porcelain hex tile with a gorgeous finish!
You will adore the French farmhouse shopping nirvana that is Vivi et Margot!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Your posts are the most beautiful way that I always start my day! I can’t just pin certain items from them. I pin the entire post. I love your work and every detail you share along the way!
Author
Sooooooo happy to hear, Jeannie. Thank you for starting your day with me. How lovely to have you here. Thank you for pinning – you’re keeping my business afloat. 🙂 Happy almost weekend.
Green has been my accent color of choice in our home and this post reinforces that choice!! And I love your statement that EVERYTHING (all decorative items) should have the potential to be pulled into service! Because useful items are beautiful decor as well. So much beauty in this post…thanks for collecting it all in one place and sharing with us! I’m inspired afresh as I always am with the words and pictures you so carefully choose for your posts!! It’s what goes best with my morning cup of coffee at the start of my day! 🤗❤️
Author
Love that! I start my morning with coffee as well – oh how I love the mornings! If the whole day could be a long outstretched morning and my caffeinated energy level could only remain! Instead, I turn into a werewolf 4 pm-ish, just in time to decline steadily for my husband’s arrival at dinner. Hahahaha. Thank you for sharing your mornings with me and giving us glimpses of your life and rhythms. It’s a pleasure to journey with you, friend.