French cottage decor has a welcoming, charming feel, perfect for both the bedroom and the living room. Its traditional look and feel is very comfortable and relaxing, even charming. This style exudes a sense of peace and quiet that many dream about but few have the space or money to express. French country decor mixes rich, warm colors with sleek, contemporary elegance to make charming, inviting rooms.
One of the most popular looks is shabby french cottage decor, a romantic look that evokes memories of childhood innocence. Shabby French cottage decor makes a cozy, cottage-like atmosphere that invites you to relax. Cottage decor is a classic style that evokes thoughts of sleeping on a pile of straw with a cup of tea beneath a colorful blanket. Cottages are very feminine, romantic places, and shabby french cottage decor is definitely for the woman who loves to feel like she’s got her own spot in the house. The shabby look is actually an updated version of French country cottages, but it combines a modern edge with elements of the timeless look. You’ll want to use this look frequently, as it never goes out of style.
Other popular French home decor ideas include items such as french cafe curtains, wrought iron candle holders and wrought iron beds. Cafe curtains, which are typically white, create a lovely, soft look in the kitchen or bathroom. Wrought iron candle holders add a unique touch to any area, whether it’s the dining room or the bedroom. Wrought iron furniture adds charm and class to any home. For the bathroom, a wonderful idea is to get a french style shower curtain in a floral pattern and add French style towels and curtains that match and accent the color scheme.
If you love fresh flowers, you can add some in your French decor to create a romantic atmosphere. A great idea for a Shabby french cottage style bathroom is to add a faucet with a floral design. Try using an antique bronze faucet that has been painted with french writing. A modern chrome faucet is another option, or you can find some with old world vintage patterns on them. Try hanging fresh flowers from the bathroom ceiling in glass or wooden frames, or choose a flower vase that has a base made from a mixing pot that has been decorated in white paint.
In the kitchen, fresh flowers, tables, mirrors and candles are accents to French shabby french decor. If you have linens in your French Cottage style home, you might consider having one or two lined up along a small island in the center of the kitchen. The linens can be done in an antique, worn or distressed look to give them a 3-D effect. Some things you might want to consider to fill your island are dish towels, a vase of fresh or dried flowers, a ceramic bowl or other containers with flowers, or an arrangement of fresh flowers.
The bedroom might also need some accessories in order to complete your Shabby french decor theme. A hanging bed skirt, a lace or embroidered throw pillows, a lace coverlet over an old spring mattress, and decorative items such as a crystal box of shells are accents for this type of home decor. If you have children or grandchildren in your home, you could make the bedroom a “puppy mill” with a wooden chest where you leave their toys and blankets. You could even line the top of the chest with artificial stuffing. This can be a great project for the whole family.
The dining room or kitchen can use a few more creative touches in order to complete your Shabby french decorating theme. A candelabra, a baker’s rack or a fruit bowl complete these items. You can also display a quilt or wash cloth set on a shelf. If your French Cottage home decorating theme is leaning more towards nature, consider filling the area with plants. Hanging baskets filled with herbs, twigs, and flowers will provide a wonderful look to any French Cottage decorating area.
With these ideas, you will be able to transform your French Cottage decorating area into a welcoming retreat where you can feel at ease. Try using a few of these ideas today as you clean out that clutter from last year. Remember, it’s always good to have “do-it-yourself” items around the house, even if they are in the form of a set of linens and towels. It’s easy to get lazy with things once you are inside your home, so having those items available when you need them will be helpful in staying on track with your decorating projects.