Who doesn't know the Provence style? It combines simplicity bordering on naivety, unity with nature, romance and echoes of the past. Someone will say that this is a common country style, but it has a unique grace and charm that is unique to France. To repeat the Provencal style in a modern home, you need to have impeccable taste.
A bit of history
To find out where the Provencal style in the interior originates from, you need to pay attention to the south of France, where Provence is located. Here you can admire unusually picturesque landscapes, plunge into the warm sea waves, soak in the hot rays of the southern sun, enjoy the culinary masterpieces of real home-made French cuisine. The design style is named after this area. It originated in the 19th century and still does not lose its attractiveness and relevance. This style is especially popular in Europe.
What is the difference between Provence and country?
The style of the French village has its own characteristics that will not allow you to confuse Provence with the country style typical of America, Scandinavia or other countries.
- There are no bright colors in the interior. Only pastel colors are used. It may seem that the paint burned out in the sun.
- Wooden furniture is often bleached. As decorations, a floral pattern may be present on it.
- No other country style has used so much floral fabric.
- Shod furniture differs in openwork and special grace.
- For the design of rooms characterized by minimalism and "coldness." The thing is that the climate in the Provence region is hot, so they tried to create an atmosphere of freshness and coolness in the houses.
- The Provencal style house has large windows. This is again due to the warm climate.
- Provencal style in the interior involves an abundance of greenery and flowers in the house.
Furniture
Particular attention is paid to the materials from which the furniture is made. Wicker, forged or wooden is best suited. In no case should you use nickel, glass and chrome furniture in Provence. If you liked a table and a couple of chairs, but their color is out of style, then you can solve the problem very simply: repaint. This is a characteristic feature of Provence: even huge wood products were changed color with light tones.
Very often in Provencal style there is furniture with chips, scuffs, places of exfoliation of paint, cracks. The spirit of antiquity is what distinguishes the interior design. Provencal style prefers bulky, simple and rude products. These are dressers, massive tables, benches, sideboards, low cabinets with mezzanines, bedside tables and tables with drawers.
Color spectrum
Provence uses predominantly white, lavender, light brown and cream tones. For upholstery, stripes, cages or floral prints are suitable. Sofas can be of two types: elegant with flat armrests or simple with wooden. The chairs are mainly wicker, but leather options are also possible. The beds are large, mostly with wrought-iron or wooden headboards.
A major role in Provence is played by color. The rooms are finished in pastel colors. It often seems that the colors burned out in the sun. Ceiling, walls can be decorated in blue, beige, terracotta, pale green, cream, pale lemon, orange, white. The same pastel shades are found in the decoration of furniture, as well as premises.
Details and decor
Forged and wicker items are used. It can be candlesticks, baskets, coasters for various little things, fruit bowls, flowerpots, vases, boxes, etc. On the walls it is impossible to find empty places. They are filled with paintings depicting landscapes and still lifes, wall clocks, decorative plates, elegant shelves, candelabra, mirrors framed by openwork forged frames or painted wooden. The symbol of France is a rooster. His figure can always be found in the Provencal interior.
Of course, you cannot imagine the Provencal style without greenery. There should be a lot of plants in the interior. These can be living plants planted in pots and tubs, freshly cut or dried bouquets of flowers and herbs.
Lighting
In Provence, fixtures with chains and candles are preferably used. The main thing is that the lighting should not be dazzling, but muffled, and be associated with romance. It is because of this that most of the fixtures made in this style are made with rheostats designed to adjust the brightness. At first glance, it seems that such a solution looks too rustic. But this is absolutely not the case, and only with the soft light of a wrought-iron chandelier can one easily be transported to French antiquity.
Materials and finishes
When creating an interior design in the Provencal style, it is necessary to use mainly only natural materials - stone, wood, canvas. Also often found metal parts and plaster. The important thing is that antiquity should blow from all the elements, that is, they should look shabby. To achieve freshness and good lighting, large windows and light tulles are required. The presence of flowers in pots on the windowsills will help to emphasize comfort.
Provencal style in the interior of the kitchen is characterized by the presence of ceiling beams and a fireplace (stove) made of gray stone. Natural materials should prevail in its design. Therefore, it is preferable to make the floor of wood or ceramic tiles. As for the walls, relief, rough stucco is used for decoration. It is quite difficult to recreate the Provencal style in the interior of the apartment. This is especially true for the ceiling, which should show off weighty beams. This part of the room can simply be painted in a light color, but you should limit yourself to the use of hinged structures that do not fit the Provence style.
Cuisine: Provencal style in the interior
The photos clearly show that the preferred material for kitchen furniture is natural wood. Such a set, respectively, to the Provencal style should be massive. A compulsory piece of furniture is a large table, the location of which is the center of the kitchen. This is a kind of symbol of the unity and strength of the family. Do not forget about benches, chairs and armchairs. The material for them is wrought iron, or they can simply be wicker.
An important part of complementing the Provencal interior are cabinets with open shelves, and various shelves are also possible. An excellent solution would be to use vintage or antique furniture elements painted in light color. As for the various modern appliances, then in the Provencal style kitchen they will be very inappropriate. But, of course, it is difficult to do without them. So that modern kitchen appliances do not catch the eye, it can be integrated into the kitchen cabinet. Another solution would be an appropriate facade. For appliances that are in sight, it is better to choose light shades.
In the Provence style, you must adhere to the color scheme. The kitchen is done in bright colors, but bright details are possible. For wall decoration, it is necessary to use beige or cream colors, as they are neutral and easily harmonize with furniture and decor. The latter can be of different tones, but do not forget that natural woody colors are characteristic. Also, to maintain the romance and brightness of the Provencal design, you can use colorful accessories in blue, green or orange.
Bedroom
In the recreation area, the main place is the bed. It often has a simple shape with wooden or forged legs and the same headboard. Provencal style in the interior of the bedroom allows the use of a canopy. There are places to be cozy soft couches, or wide sofas, most importantly - more pillows. Since forged parts are an indispensable part of Provence, they can decorate furniture and decorate accessories, for example, chandeliers, candlesticks, furniture legs. Vases, antique binding books, photographs will help to add refinement. This bedroom looks very cozy and elegant.
Vacation home
In order to create a Provencal style in the interior of a country house, you must adhere to such rules: glass doors that open to the garden, a cozy fireplace and a veranda entwined with grapes. In the decoration, the main plan is occupied exclusively by natural materials - stone and wood, as they fit well into the general atmosphere of the suburban area. The Provencal interior is perfectly complemented by wicker furniture, pots with geraniums, bunches of herbs hung around the house, benches on forged legs. The floor is often wooden, but can be covered with ceramic tiles in natural matt colors. For walls, light wallpaper or stucco, which creates a rough surface, is well suited.
An important feature of the Provencal style is the beams on the ceiling. Very often they are distinguished by dark tones that contrast with the faded ceiling. But mostly bright colors are not welcome in the interior of this style, but they choose gentle tones - classic for Provence. Furniture, respectively, should also be made of wood, with forging or ceramic elements. Massive home decoration is often decorated with murals. Bulky furniture is mainly of light colors with an aged look, which is achieved artificially, or use old objects.
What about the interior of a Provencal-style country house without an abundance of living plants - potted plants, flowers in vases. There are colorful curtains on the windows, linen napkins or tablecloths on the tables. Boxes, figurines and small jewelry are placed on the shelves.
To feel the Provencal style in the interior, of course, you need to organize a trip to France. It is there that he will appear in all his naive simplicity and romance. He does not leave indifferent a single person. Despite being close to the country style, there is no rudeness in it, but only grace and charm. It’s not so difficult to recreate the Provencal style in the interior with your own hands. The main thing is to adhere to simple, but mandatory rules, and everything will work out.