Country French Decorating Ideas

Country French is defined by its elegant look, with a touch of nature and country mixed in. The French manor look can be yours by bringing in these elements: antiques, blue and yellow, florals and nature inspiration, gilded elements, rustic country-inspired details, trims, and finishes (fringe, lace), and decorative faux finishes (stucco, patina, distressed).

Furniture and accessories reflect the relaxed French countryside. Gilded edges on the furniture glow against softly textured walls. A bedside table draped in a lace tablecloth adds a touch of romance to the room.

Lush drapes, rich fabrics, and gilded furniture are all marks of a Country French room. The mark of a beautiful Country French room is elegance: opulent, but not glitzy, detailed, but not overdone. To maintain the balance, keep accessories simple and colors subdued.

Instead of granite, a butcher-block countertop was installed in this kitchen. The wood counter fits in with the kitchen's Country French decor. Distressed cabinets with furniture details, a tile range backsplash, and an old-fashioned plate add to the look. The room is crowned with country manor-inspired beams.

Several flea-market finds work together to create a cozy cottage space. A trophy-turned-lamp, a French bistro chair, and an old birdcage add substance and character. Mismatched dishes are turned into wall art. Soft yellow walls and touches of blue envelop the decidedly Country French room.

Antiques abound in this cozy living room, but it's the fabrics and accessories that are filled with French flair. Notice the interesting use of a large upholstered window seat instead of a traditional sofa, and the positioning of two ottomans and a pair of footstools.

An architectural piece and a fruitwood daybed, both antiques, add structure to a light and airy room. A crisp canopy of ruffled plaid panels was hung from the architectural piece and cascades across the bed. Fluffy pillows and blankets make the space inviting and cozy.

Bring the garden inside with a nature-inspired color palette. Soft green molding and window trim matches the Chinese-inspired wall covering. The color inspiration for the dishes, linens, and centerpieces taken from the fanciful striped drapes.

Pleasant arches offer views of adjoining rooms in this home. Golden walls combine gently with neutral flooring and mantel, accented only with a bit of black and touches of blue-and-white porcelains. Softly puddled draperies have a luxurious yet casual feel.

Knotty wood beams, sturdy bookcases, and the oak-and-walnut parquet floor give this room a country manor feel. A carved stone fireplace and traditional furniture balance the rustic qualities of the wood elements.

Mismatched flea-market chairs create an ensemble when they are reupholstered with the same fabric. White fabric with a yellow fleur-de-lis pattern introduces a touch of Country French. The pieces circle around a glass-topped table. A bay window lets in a pleasant amount of light.

White linen sheers give the four-poster bed a dreamy quality. Crisp white walls and bedding create a cloudlike atmosphere. Touches of sky blue complement the fluffy whites. The hexagonal-tile floor gives the space weight and substance.

Sometimes an understated design makes the biggest impact. Rich materials and subtle details, like the x-motif on the cabinet and a decorative tile border, make the space in this master suite. The neutral colors, soaring ceilings, and spaciousness create a clean look, which is common in country European style.

This display of botanical prints on the wall accentuates the height of the soaring ceiling. Soft green coordinates with the antique prints and unites the lower and upper parts of the wall. Reclaimed oak flooring, laid in a herringbone pattern, lends the charm of instant age to the room.

Island blue walls introduce a modern spin to Country French. The color enhances the beautiful antique walnut furniture. The floral, fringed drapes keep with the antique look and a subtle blue stripe unites them with the wall color. Crisp contemporary bed linens balance the antique look.

A perfectly symmetrical display by designer Lucinda Lester finds charm in shades of brown and cream. Triangular tables made in the 18th century stand on each side of a French walnut table. Underneath sits a French field basket that holds architectural pieces.

Symmetrical rooms lend a structured air, ideal for formal entertaining. The look is achieved by first determining the axis. In this living room, the fireplace is the axis. Plants and candlesticks on the fireplace and coffee table mirror each other. A loveseat is placed on each side of the axis. The arched doorway and armoire also balance each side.

A simple white coverlet, ivory carpet, and light walls give the eye places to rest amid this bedroom's collection of fabrics. For a polished design, all three fabrics are united by a similar shade of blue and a Country French motif (floral, gingham, and stripes). To avoid visual competition, only one large-scale patterned fabric (the floral) is used.

Natural elements provide a feast for the eyes in the dining room. The custom wood table has a carved-stone base. The new hand-planed wood floors are distressed to look old. A brick accent wall contributes to the old-world feel of the space.

Antiques are important in Country French decor. In this vignette, a paper screen from the mid 1800s serves as the backdrop for other antiques. Painted and gilded candlesticks from the same era were chosen for their height variances. The taller candlesticks balance the height of the screen.

This kitchen gleans its personality from detailed limestone countertops and flooring, as well as from vintage accessories. A glass-front cabinet sits on the counter, reminiscent of the look of a French bakery.

More than 15 different fabrics are used throughout this parlor. The rich fabrics are opulent and elegant, but are all linked by similar hues. Red pillows tie the sofa, chairs, and ottoman together. Golden hues visually link the sofa, walls, and rug. Rich wood and gilded edges complete the French manor look.

A crystal chandelier illuminates a fruitwood dining room table. Two styles of cane-back chairs encircle the table to prevent a boardroom atmosphere. Golden walls and yellow damask draperies wrap the room with a sunny glow.

Fabrics set the mood for Sunday brunch or afternoon tea in this breakfast nook. The blue-and-white fabrics each have a personality of their own -- a large-scale gingham is casual and relaxed, while a French rooster-themed toile is elegant and refined. The blue-and-white color palette is a classic choice for a Country French room.

Incorporating antiques into a room lends an authentic Country French look. Pillows covered in antique fabrics stand out against cream upholstered pieces in the living room. The hutch and fireplace mantel display other antique treasures.

A family room's tranquil green-and-brown color scheme takes its cues from nature, which can be seen from the room's picture windows. The furniture is sophisticated but family friendly. An armoire hides the television when it is not in use.

Rustic touches create a homey dining room and a place for friends and family to gather. Reproduction furniture is ideal for heavy-traffic rooms. The newer pieces are a sturdier alternative to delicate antique pieces. In this room, the chairs are reproductions but look authentically Country French.

A pair of lanterns hang in place of a traditional chandelier, giving a more casual feel to this formal dining room. Long drapery panels and striped wallpaper assist in visually pushing up the ceiling height a bit.