The thing about decorating a beautifully traditional, tranquil, timeless white French country family room is it won’t feel dated a couple of years from now. When it’s unfussy and informal? Crazy good combo. Here’s one we’ll deconstruct, and I’ll suggest comparable design resources to approximate the look of the living room in a home known as “The Club House.” This renovation by Chip and Joanna Gaines (season 5 of HGTV’s Fixer Upper (find it here) entailed updates, upgrades and refreshes an opened up floor plan, and also a lighter mood.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
White French Country Family Room Inspired Look
I guess family room is not entirely accurate.
It’s actually a room adjacent to the kitchen that Joanna Gaines called a “family den” (is this a Southern thing, Texas peeps?). Here in the heartland, we would call it the family room.
While they initially planned to strip the existing paneled wood walls, in the end they required paint. The light toned wood beams on the ceiling contrast softly with the balance of pale colors.
One of the first questions you may be curious about is the white paint color used throughout the interiors at The Club House.
It is a creamy off-white (find several contenders HERE) which appears to have grey undertones. Keep reading to find an educated guess at the paint color along with another possibility since it’s wise to sample a few.
Joanna Gaines & Farmhouse Style
If you are a fan of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, you likely understand how Joanna Gaines approaches American farmhouse style.
Let’s take a peek:
It’s her interpretation of Country French and European Country styles that is always of particular interest to this Francophile and Hello Lovelies. Did you know you can watch Fixer Upper episodes whenever you want for a few bucks?
There are a few tried and true design elements and details Joanna tends to incorporate into French country designs on the show.
I have noticed she layers white oak and light toned hardwoods, antiques or vintage finds, muted colors, fresh flowers, and plenty of arches and curved details.
You’ll also notice Joanna chooses more refined silhouettes and adds more romantically feminine pieces to the mix.
Is French Country Less Rustic Than American Farmhouse?
You may notice in her choices for European country style spaces that the scale of certain decor items is less rustic than those American farmhouse counterparts. Table legs are less rugged and chunky. Vases may be more sculptural. And the art is often more sophisticated.
But the emphasis on unfussy and functional is still there. There aren’t formal fancy elements that feel unapproachable. Let’s explore this lovely Texas home known as The Club House…
For French-loving viewers of HGTV’s Fixer Upper (Season 5, Episode 11), the mood boards, shopping resources, and decor ideas here will help you pull together a similar look if you’re game.
The BEFORE look of this French country room had oodles of potential. Vaulted ceilings, beautiful wood paneled walls, built-ins flanking an elegant fireplace, spaciousness, and ample natural light.
Painted Paneling to Lighten the Mood
Initially the design plan called for addressing the finish of the dark stained wood paneling for a lighter, more natural effect. However, with so much veneer, those plans bloomed into Plan B. Walls and millwork were painted to create a lovely, more elegant envelope of billowy white.
I so appreciate how such details are shared on the show because as a real life renovator, I’m well aware that design plans inevitably change. You begin with a perfect plan–even a solidly simple plan–yet you still must hold it loosely. Once the work is underway, there are always unexpected developments that plague each step of the transformation journey!
Linen Sofa in The Club House Family Room
For this lovely family room designed by Joanna, she chose a sofa similar to the one in my own living room. Here’s mine…
and here’s the one in this Country French living room on Fixer Upper:
While they are both slipcovered sofas with Belgian linen (the color looks just like mine which is SAND), and both have a single cushion for the seat, the sofa in The Club House living room has TRACK style arms whereas my own sofa is the style with SLOPE arms.
I love that the arms on my own sofa have a gentle curve – they are not as sloped as other styles you’ll see (like the classic slope) yet they are not as straight-lined and modern as the track arms.
Slipcovered Sofa Options
McGee & Co’s Everleigh Sofa
Not sure if you’re familiar with McGee & Co’s furniture offerings, but I think you’ll love the curated sofas there.
Isn’t their Everleigh sofa a handsome one?
Just imagine all the ways you can personalize a neutral like this with pillows of varying color, texture, and pattern.
While the Club House family room has a pale palette with just a few pops of black, it’s helpful to see a room like this with more black as well as warm earthy colors.
Lulu & Georgia’s Portola Sofa
If you like sofas with a single cushion (such a European inspired look!), this one may appeal:
Worried about wrinkly linen and the slipcover style?
Make sure to order and inspect a linen swatch before ordering – this way you’ll be able to examine the weight of the fabric.
For example, the Belgian linen on my own RH sofa is heavy and lays flat so wrinkling has never been an issue.
Slipcovered Sofa from Lulu & Georgia
Here’s another single bench cushion sofa with straighter lines and a very classic style.
Pottery Barn Sofa Ideas
I love the wood platform on a sofa like this one:
Slipcovered and skirted sofas are not for everyone, so if you admire a style like this, you’ll still get that relaxed comfy look.
If you have the opportunity to sit on a sofa at your local Pottery Barn, definitely do that!
It also helps to take the time to read through lots of reviews before investing in a piece you’ll live with for quite some time.
Crate & Barrel Slipcovered White Sofa
Notice how the same sofa looks completely different in a traditional room:
Here are more options for a similar look:
01// Basket // 02// Console Table // 03// Sofa // 04// Rug // 05// Coffee Table // 06// Pillow // 07// Lamp // 08// Side Table // 09// Vase Idea // 10// Stems
This sofa would work with any number of styles and has a more Modern French feel:
Quiet Muted Neutral Area Rug
Exact Grey Chunky Geometric Pillow
Paint Color Ideas
While we don’t know precisely which creamy white Joanna Gaines used in this family room for The Club House, she often favors Sherwin Williams Alabaster 7008.
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is a similar creamy white you might also sample:
Rustic Black & White Earthenware Vase Decor
Tray Style Accent Table
Brass Tripod Table Lamp
Traditional Gray Wood Coffee Table
Tall Woven Oval Basket
Romantic Photos of French Country Decor Inspiration
Console Table Ideas
Vintage Book Bundles
If you loved this episode of HGTV’s Fixer Upper with the renovation of The Club House, you may want to get the look of other rooms. The entry, living room, dining room, and kitchen have mood boards with resources as well.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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