Many people use the colors of brown and red to bring a warm feeling to their homes. But for some, these color schemes can become very boring and uninspiring. With a little bit of change, you can inject a splash of color into your home with French colonial interior design. This style exudes an old fashioned appeal with a dash of romance. A French colonial home often has a worn and weathered appearance but it also has a charming charm that makes it one of the most intriguing styles to design in your home.
To achieve the appearance of a French colonial home, you will need to use a high contrast between the wall colors and the color of the furniture. The walls and the flooring should be a deep chocolate brown. The furniture should have a rich reddish color, similar to that found in a country kitchen. One of the most exciting French colonial interior design accessories is a rustic table lamp with a tall, stem-like light. In the evening, the light will create a warm glow from the table lamps and give the room a welcoming feel. For a truly romantic atmosphere, the candelabra or chandelier might be incorporated with the shade.
An important tip for this style of decorating is to keep the use of pattern in moderation. Since this style relies on a lot of darker hues, such as the walls and the floors, using pattern on one or two pieces of furniture is usually too overpowering. Instead, opt for one or two pieces of furniture that are in solid colors, such as tables and chairs, or a few accent pieces that create a cohesive look in the room.
In this french colonial style, rustic accents along the walls and tables can add interest and character. You can incorporate this rustic look with other decorating themes by finding antique oil lamps that feature curved, wooden handles, and distressed finishes. In addition to this, find modern antiques that are made of metal with interesting designs, such as animal skin, twisted tin pendants, and ornate brass knobs. The ideas that you incorporate should reflect the way that you live as well as the French culture that has inspired the design.
French colonial homes generally have open floor plans that allow for plenty of sunlight to flood the home throughout the day. To create a more tranquil ambiance, create a type of space that invites visitors, such as a living room that has an archway or foyer that allows for quick access to the living room. These simple design features are perfect for adding some English garden accents to your home.
If you have a large number of items and furniture in the home, you can create the illusion of space by using low lighting fixtures and incorporating textures and colors in the artwork and furniture that are outside the home. Use a low level lighting system, which helps to reflect light, and place accent tables in the corners of rooms to help create a welcoming atmosphere. Low contrast window treatments, which include shutters and shades, along with table lamps, are ideal to provide more natural light into the home. As an alternative to high contrast colors, choose soft pastels that will fit in with the French countryside theme. To add a touch of French home decor, incorporate floral accents into your artwork, and include flower garlands on the ends of table lamps.
The most important thing to remember when incorporating the French style of decor into your home is that you must make every room a calming environment that welcomes people into your home. By doing this, you will be able to create beautiful homes that are worth sharing with others. You will also enjoy relaxing in your outdoor spaces at night, especially if you have beautiful gardens and French landscapes to compliment your home. Use the colors of white and cream to paint the walls in order to create a comforting and relaxing environment in your home.
Other tips for creating beautiful homes that reflect the French colonial design style include using dark and heavy textured paint colors, such as shades of black and navy blue. You can also incorporate brass knobs and pulls, as well as wall art featuring natural scenes such as rolling hills. Look for accessories that will enhance your French decor, such as rugs with embroidery and decorative pillows, or use rich and luxurious fabrics to cover your furniture and windows. These simple ideas will help you achieve the look you desire so that you will love spending time in your French style Colonial home.
