A wooden house, like no other, is suitable for decoration in the style of Provence. This structure is chosen by romantic natures who are not too eager to surround themselves with technology and other attributes of modern life. Natural wood, many cute little things, antique (or artificially aged) furniture - this is what distinguishes the Provence style.
It originated in sunny France, where it became the embodiment of the French province of Provence and the measured life of the people who inhabited it. If you want to create an interior in the Provence style in your wooden house, it is not necessary to move to the south of France. You can build or remodel an existing house in accordance with the rules of this style.
Features Provence style in the interior
Lightness, grace and simplicity characterize the Provence style. It is difficult to confuse with any other. Unlike country, for example, with rough furniture and almost complete absence of decor, Provence is the epitome of lightness and peace. Nature itself inspires the creation of an interior in a Provence style in a wooden house. For this reason, many natural flowers and natural materials are used in both the interior and the exterior.
Provence harmoniously combines beauty and simplicity. The interior uses a lot of light wood and textiles. Use of antique or vintage furniture is welcome. Comfortable chairs with bent legs in such an interior look much better than a leather sofa. In addition, there are many interesting wood furniture with original painted facades.
Color palette
Before choosing a color for a room in the Provence style, it is important to know that it is necessary to maintain lightness and harmony in the interior. It is precisely the perfect color scheme that will make it possible to easily associate with the heat of a hot province, to feel the aroma of the sea, spices and lavender.
- Shades of blue and lavender. These colors in Provence are the primary and most commonly used. In lavender, the shutters on the windows are painted (in a country house), curtains and tablecloths are selected. Blue is closer to the sea, a little blurry, like a halftone. This range will give the interior freshness and coolness. Light blue hues, delicate turquoise, sky blue are allowed.
- Bright colours. Despite the commitment of this style to muted tones, bright colors add warm notes to the interior. Quite often used mustard, lemon yellow (but not neon), the color of the petals of a sunflower, terracotta and even thick red. It is important to understand that bright colors only complement the overall palette, help create a cozy home atmosphere.
- Greens and olive shades. Since Provence gravitates to natural tones, greenery in the interior is associated with shady groves, an olive branch, a vine, forest glades, pine needles and cypress trees.
- Pastel shades. The design in pastel colors should be soft, give joy to the eye and charm. For example, white in this style is, rather, vanilla cream, milk or ivory. Powder shades, gray-blue or ashen rose fit perfectly into the interior.
It is worth noting that in the Provence style, colors can be called vintage, as if with the remaining touch of time. The effect of colors fading under the scorching sun, a slightly rough surface and the dullness of the walls, ceiling, floor is associated with sea sand, which flew into the house with a breeze, adorns the original design.
Furniture is also predominantly painted in light colors with clearly visible scuffs; its appearance indicates that it has served several generations. The furniture is characterized by soft tones of light blue, the color of natural oak, white with a delicate floral pattern, light chestnut or walnut.
How many floors should be in the house?
Provence style has no limitations in the number of floors. It can be a cozy small house, a two- or three-story cottage. There are many projects that allow to realize the various wishes of the customer. For a family of two or three people, one floor for a country house is enough. It can accommodate a bedroom and all necessary household premises.
On two floors there is where to roam. In this case, all utility rooms can be located on the first floor, and on the second floor bedrooms.
Facade
It is no secret that the first impression of the structure develops, starting with an assessment of its facade. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the appearance of a wooden house in the Provence style from the outside. Beautiful houses in this style are usually made of timber or light wood. A log home can be decorated with carved decor or upholstery. However, these undoubtedly beautiful decorative elements should not be very many, since the external design of the house should emphasize the grace and simplicity of the style.
The house will be decorated with a wide staircase that leads to the front door. The terrace attached next to the house looks spectacular, where in summer you can relax and eat.
Window
All living spaces inside a Provence-style wooden house should be very bright. This can be achieved by installing wide windows. Designers recommend giving preference to simple wooden structures, although plastic wood-like windows will help keep the house warm.
It is important to choose the right curtains in a wooden house in the style of Provence. Short curtains will look good in the kitchen, and long curtains will suit the living room and bedroom. Preference is given to natural fabrics - chintz, linen, silk, etc. Curtains with a small floral ornament in pastel colors and stripes look interesting in the interior of a wooden house in the Provence style.
Stairs
If you plan to build or are already the happy owner of a two-story wooden house, a staircase in it is in any case necessary. Perhaps not everyone knows that for each style, this design has its own characteristics.
When arranging a staircase in a wooden house in the Provence style, designers recommend giving preference to a straight or rotary design at an angle, because simplicity in execution is the key to a successful style in this French direction.
A single-march curved staircase will fit well into the interior. With a graceful appearance, it only emphasizes the sophistication and sophistication of the style. We have already said that the main material in the Provence style is wood. And the stairs are no exception.
It is advisable to choose a tree of light tone: linden, birch and others. Sometimes the owners of the house acquire a finished construction, but its color does not always correspond to the desired. In this case, it can be painted. If the house already has a staircase using metal or a concrete structure, then it is desirable to sheathe it with wood. When covering the structure on the side, decorative panels can be used, and the free space thus obtained is suitable for shelves.
Stairs in a Provence style with wrought-iron railings look great in a wooden house. Patina will decorate the look and create the feeling that the staircase has been in operation for many years.
The material is quite expensive. Its use will significantly increase the cost of construction. This material is used to finish not only the elements of the staircase, but also the surface of the floor adjacent to it.
Interior decoration
No less important is the overall appearance of the wooden house inside. Many design experts believe that you can leave the floor and walls wooden, but this is not the only solution that is possible when decorating a wooden house in the Provence style.
Floors
Provence style in the interior of a rustic wooden house should be supported in all rooms. If we talk about flooring, then for living rooms and bedrooms, a laminate or light parquet is most suitable. In the kitchen or in the bathroom, the wood will not last long, therefore it is better to choose stone, for example.
Wall decoration
Wall coverings should also be as simple as possible. Stucco finish is allowed. Even if you do not have much experience, you can do the design of the walls with your own hands - even if somewhere the plaster does not lie too smoothly, it will look beautiful.
In the interior of a wooden house in the Provence style, walls painted with light paint look great. For this, colors like light pink, yellow, light blue are more suitable than others. Darker tones are used only as accents. For example, you can choose a lamp made of dark metal, or a table made of dark wood.
Often, modern designers use modern materials to decorate a Provence-style wooden house . Therefore, in residential premises, they paint the walls with water-based paint, rather than traditional whitewash. It is easier to apply texture inserts on it. A wall painting in the Provence style, which uses floral motifs, looks especially impressive.
It is not forbidden as an alternative to use plain plain wallpaper in light colors. Gentle and cute wallpaper looks in a small cell, a flower, a narrow strip. One of the walls in the room can be decorated with a colored mural. This option looks unusual and original. Murals can be colored details that form a beautiful image. For example, a picturesque French garden with flowers or a bewitching sunset. Such a mural will be an alternative to the most beautiful wallpaper.
The ceilings
Of particular note is the Provence style ceiling. This is a rather complicated design, which consists of light color and wooden beams. Often they are made of dark wood and serve as a contrast to the light finish of the ceiling. Along with this, options with bleached and artificially aged beams are used.
The ceiling with wooden beams in the interior is not a constructive element, but rather a decorative one. The roughness of untreated wood (this seems to be the case) focuses on itself. In living rooms or dining rooms, the ceiling with wooden beams can be additionally decorated with stucco. But this element of decor should look aged. Such a ceiling decoration can radically change even the most simple interior.
Furniture
Of course, the Provence style in the interior of a wooden country house is supported by the right choice of furniture. It should be wooden, forged or wicker. Provence does not accept plastic or chrome elements, modern fittings.
Solid wood furniture is not cheap, so you can find a compromise. You can buy, for example, kitchen cabinets made of chipboard or MDF, but decorated accordingly with a decent imitation of wood or painting.
In any of the Provence-style living quarters, chairs with soft textile seats, decorative cabinets made of natural wood, low tables with bent legs will be interesting to look at. Despite the seeming massiveness, in the Provence style the furniture looks much more elegant and lighter than in similar styles.
For the bedroom they use forged beds with exquisite decor, painted white. Airy and lightweight constructions look very attractive and thorough at the same time. A feature of Provence-style furniture is a variety of cabinets, chests of drawers, display cases and sideboards. Drawers and mezzanines, hinged doors with exquisite glass inserts - reliable and solid furniture made of wood or painted in pastel colors.
Gorgeous vintage furniture is greatly appreciated in this style. Therefore, if you manage to find an old rocking chair or a massive chest of drawers, then your room will be filled with special charm. However, if you could not find an antique copy, do not despair. You can try to change the look of ordinary old furniture that has gone out of fashion. This can be done in many ways. For example, using the decoupage technique or a special paint, which after drying is covered with cracks.
Dining room furniture is always massive and solid. The dining group is a large wooden table, often with carvings, on massive legs. Chairs are allowed classic, with soft upholstery, sometimes they can be with armrests. For a living room in the Provence style, upholstered furniture is selected simple in shape.
Wicker chairs are allowed, but numerous pillows are required. Sometimes for sofas and armchairs, “with a skirt” style covers are used. Such lovely details give this style home cosiness.
Decor
Many create decorative elements with their own hands for the original interior in the Provence style. For example, napkins are embroidered or crocheted. Such small details always look charming. But here it is important not to overdo it - there should not be a lot of napkins.
The room will be decorated with beautiful quilted bedspreads, bed linen made from natural fabrics. Of the large decorative elements, it is necessary to pay attention to birdcages, original plates on the walls, unusual decorative bottles with flowers inside or boats.
Do not think that the decor in the interior in the style of Provence is always "useless." There are many functional things that will surely decorate your home. These include original fixtures. Today you can buy table lamps, floor lamps with lampshades from textiles with floral themes, elegant forged sconces.