“Home is where you hang your heart”

A home is a place a lot like our mothers, it’s the embrace where we come to rest and relax after having a bad day at work, a good day with friends, and a hectic routine. Just like we used to hug our moms after the end of a day, as we grow old, our home becomes the beacon of our emotions. The four walls of our room might have seen more emotions and transitions in our personalities than any other human being. Meaning to say, our homes play an important role in our lives and it is important to decorate them with all the love we have.

French-style decoration

France and its relation to the world of style and fashion have been associated widely with the advent of the reigning era of Louis the XIV. It dates to an era where all the luxuries items of home decor and clothing were under the royal control. French interior decor primarily concerns with tradition and is all for adding modern twists. Modern new flare along with keeping the tradition alive is what the French are all about. French decor is a unique and adequate blend of modern and contemporary styles of decoration.

Pointers to follow to get to the French side of style.

Color scheme for French designing

Color combinations for French decor are mostly white tinted. White is always prominent with this kind of setting. White tinting refers to white being the primary and some other colors are mixed and matched to create a character and bling. White is the color of purity and energy, it’s new and old, it’s bright and dull, it’s mysterious and has depth. White color seems like a viable choice because of its historic vibes as well as its newness.

White is often paired with classic colors like Golden. The golden color is best for French styling because it gives more subtle and mature vibes. Golden is sophisticated with traditional kind of element. It would help restore the old-time charm of the place. While the new and modern elements can be added by some other colors.

Black is an interesting pairing with white. Black and white have been around since the beginning of white and television. Old photos of black and white give us nostalgia even if the picture isn’t of us. The pictures give us happiness because they remind us of old simpler times in life. If white and black get too boring, you can always use other accessories to make the place bang.

Orange and baby pink can also be paired up with white. These are both fine choices for adding traditional, simplistic, and fun choices for the setting. Both colors are light and soothing. They can be introduced into the place in the form of linings on the wall, in curtains, or with a decorative item etc.

Grey can also go perfect with white and bring out the beauty of both colors. Red seems a bit unusual as stated earlier about light colors. But red is a fine addition that can work in odd combinations and end up looking divine.

Molding patterns of walls and ceilings.

Moldings are patterns and lines of extra cement to create depth and beauty to the already perfect setting. These moldings are simple and easy to create and giving us an atmosphere of tradition and style. These are an important element of style in French interior design. They look unique yet contemporary with each molding creating its element. This kind of decoration has become so very popular and simple to use that they are preferred by many people either French or non-French. You can take the traditional elements associated with them and add your individual twist in the setting. Get a molding of something that’s trending. An idea is to make a molding of some trend, a slogan like “home is where the heart is”. You can search for some other witty stuff on the internet. You can add shading to the molding pattern. The color that isused for shading should be a darker shade as a contrast to thecolor of the setting as a whole.

Floors of a French-style decorated home

Floorings are normally of two kinds in a French-style setting. Wooden and marble. Marble and stone give a smooth and shiny finish to your place. Marble with its natural patterns is unique and timeless. It has been used for so long, and it imparts the traditional style of vibes to the whole area. Wooden flooring is always cool and always welcome. Wood with its natural colors adds beauty and nature to any place it’s used. Either it is the furniture, the walls, or floors. Wood is surely a gift from nature and a valuable one.

Furniture for Frenching it

Furniture for French decor resides between super fun and complicated approach. That’s what French style is right? Effortless with a lot of effort. The kind of articles you can use are contemporary, new, and up-to-date pieces and super simple antiques. You can also add some classic touch with old furniture refurbished and renewed. Do not overcrowd with the setting. The different categories of furniture should come together as one beautiful combination rather than cluttering the place up. It is tricky, but you have to find the perfect balance.

Accessories

If there are no decorations, there is no fun. Accessories are important to keep any place alive. You can decorate your home however it feels good keeping in the limits of modern yet conventional and making it minimal too.  Grand crystal chandelier or a wooden lantern you can make use of anything you just got to make a balance between settings. If one item is modern the other can be a simple one. A delicately decorated golden rimmed large mirror in the living area can not only provide an area for some self-praising but also, you can fix your makeup while the bathroom is occupied.

Sculptures in the area

Sculptures and antique pieces are a perfect idea to add details to your setting but a traditional and easy appearance. Sculptures can cost up to many thousands of dollars, so you can keep posters of sculptures. They are also a good representative of your taste in art and stylish home. You can also get some reasonable price perfect sculptures to add that wow and its factor in your French style decor. The House is a little small and accommodates posters of the sculptures well instead of the real thing.

Our recommendations

Some extra tips to gain some additional insights into French culture and style.

All these tips are more targeted towards some specific items that are unusual in another style of decor but are commonly used in French decor. These are easy and specific tips specifically to make any place instant French.

Imperfectly perfect

French life and design embrace imperfection as a fashion statement. They won’t mind keeping a distressed table with a brand-new chair of modern style. They follow an eclectic mix of various eras and styles. It’s the imperfection that makes them different from other cultures and styles.

Mastering the imperfection

Although it’s good to combine various styles and techniques, it’s also good to find a decent balance among the stuff. It’s good to not overdo anything. Always keep it chic and simple but eclectic and selective.

Keep your history in mind

The important thing to keep in mind while decorating your home is to take your own history into consideration. Infuse the historical part of the setting drawing from your ancestors. Like if you have family ties from Japan there won’t be any harm to keep something from their culture and make your setting unique from others.

Make yourself familiar

Searching and gathering information about various historical aspects of a style or piece of furniture that you liked is also important. Making yourself familiar would help connect the dots and find a better balance between different styles and furniture items.

Be bold

Don’t be afraid to try an unusual combination of colors, decorations and pieces of furniture. It’s always unknown until you know it. Trying different combinations won’t hurt you but satisfy your curiosity and who knows you might end up with a flawlessly imperfect ye amazingly French decor. You can try pairing white with different other color schemes. Or unrelated articles of furniture to see if they go well together.

Going floral is also important

Flowers and nature are a part of almost every decor. Some emphasis on greenery, small bonsai trees or plants hanging from the ceilings, pots of plants with pretty flowers, etc. In French style decor, using flowers either dried and arranged in pretty patterns or fresh in a stylish/traditional vase is much appreciated. The pretty colors of flowers would always have a good impact on one’s health and mood.

Our recommendations

The gilded mirror is the way to see

The gilded mirror has stylish edges mostly golden in color.  It gives an antique feel to the whole place just by being there. Bathrooms should have this kind of mirror on display for a French them of decor. These mirrors become the focal point of any place because of their size and style.

Clawfoot bathtub

A clawfoot bathtub is a tub that is elevated from the floor and has four feet. These feet rest on the floor at a little height. These bathtubs have been around for several years and are not going away from usage and style because of their French ties. These are common in French bathrooms and are old in fashion hence the comfort element.

Armoire for keeping your clothes

Armoire is an antique kind of cupboard used for storing clothes. This cupboard is simple and has a pretty color to it. It is common in the French style, adds a flare of colors and ancestral elements. Also, gives you a place to store your clothes and other stuff.

Create a comfy outdoor area

French apartments are usually in a large building with a spacious terrace to look out in the city and appreciate the beauty of city life. If you have an outdoor area, make use of it. Make it comfortable, stack quilts and pillows. Keep a small table for your laptop with drawers for snacks. Decorate the setting with fairy lights and florals. Keep it stylish and rustic to honour the French style.

Get a perfect chandelier

Chandeliers when hanging from the ceilings look pretty with their structures and making. When they light up, they look even prettier with their shimmers and gleams. A grand chandelier would work here perfectly. So, choose the ornate and traditional yet stylish chandelier and hang it on the ceiling of your living room.

Put your needs first

While styling any part of your home, you need to understand your and your family’s needs . And if something doesn’t work for you if you don’t like an item them don’t keep it. A home is to be lived not just to look pretty.  It should be pretty but not be perfect and to be photographed. Your place should be able to address all your preferences.

“Design is coming to grips with one’s real lifestyle, one’s a real place in the world. Rooms should not be put together for show but to nourish one’s well-being.” —Albert Hadley

Experts’ advice

French-style decor and any other style of decor is all about addressing your needs for a perfect home. What you like and hope to feel. All the efforts and guides are given so you can find the perfect setting that hits the right spot in your heart and makes you feel at peace and comfort with your environment. We are here to help you out in any way and any style you want to explore and try and make your homes worth living. Happy Frenching!