Currently, the Provence style is very popular in the interior of apartments and country houses. It allows you to plunge into a pacifying atmosphere of comfort and peace, to feel lightness, to feel close to nature, to fill life with harmony and peace. This article will tell you about what the Provence style is, what are its main features and key points when decorating rooms of different types.
Content
- 1 Provence as a stylistic direction
- 2 Characteristic features of the rustic Provence style
- 3 How Provence-style houses should look
- 4 Provence style in the interior: decoration of room elements
- 5 Lighting elements and furniture in Provence style
- 6 Provence style apartment interior colors
- 7 Typical textile pattern and Provence decor
- 8 Provence style kitchen: interior in the spirit of the French province
- 9 Cozy Provence style hallway: design ideas
- 10 Provence style in the living room interior: design subtleties
- 11 Provence style bedroom in a wooden house
Provence as a stylistic direction
Provence - what is it? This destination is named after the southeastern region of France Provence. In the 17th century, representatives of the French bourgeoisie increasingly erected buildings in the provinces. They decorated their houses simply, but elegantly, using only natural materials and natural color schemes, which are clearly displayed by photos of the interiors of Provence-style country houses.
Further, this trend began to spread among writers and artists who used its characteristic features in their works. Its echoes can be found in the canvases of Cézanne, Van Gogh and Matisse, the books of Balzac. By the middle of the 19th century, this genre became widespread in Europe.
Today the Provence style, thanks to the simplicity, comfort and coziness that it creates, attracts the attention of many people. The room, designed in accordance with the requirements of this direction, is characterized by a special energy, conducive to relaxation, tranquility and calm rest from the everyday hustle and bustle.
Characteristic features of the rustic Provence style
Provence style is a warm, romantic trend that is popular in interior design. It has its own unique features:
- the decoration of the premises is carried out using natural materials such as metal, stone and wood;
- the color scheme uses a light pastel palette;
- the presence of small floral ornaments;
- furniture should have an elegant shape, smooth lines;
- good illumination with natural light, which is achieved thanks to large windows and transparent curtains;
- the use of bright local sources of artificial lighting;
- the use of vintage, aged or restored furniture;
- decorating the elements of the room using woodcarving, artistic painting, knitted, braided or stitched elements;
- a variety of indoor plants, dry or live flower arrangements;
- light, airy, translucent curtains on the windows;
- an abundance of textile ornaments in the form of lace, cutwork and ruffles;
- the use of forged elements in the interior, made delicately, delicately and gracefully;
- the presence of porcelain, ceramic and clay decorative interior items in the Provence style;
- the presence of open shelves and shelves with accessories placed;
- slight negligence in the arrangement of furniture elements.
How Provence-style houses should look
The exterior and interior of the house in the Provence style are simple and natural. Such cozy suburban buildings harmoniously fit into the surrounding area, merging with it.
A Provence style house can be one-story (with a terrace or attic) or two-story. Structures should be carried out without a porch and plinth. They have large windows with brightly colored shutters. Entrance details are decorated with forging. The front part of the building is decorated with artistic paintings with characteristic thematic vegetation.
Provence houses can be built not only of stone or limestone. A wooden structure left in its natural state or painted in a characteristic light color will fit optimally into the direction. The roof is covered with burnt tiles, which are often replaced with a metal counterpart. It can also have small windows.
For the exterior, a minimum amount of material is used. The presence of a stone path, a large number of trees and neatly decorated flower beds is mandatory. A characteristic feature of the style is the presence of a wrought-iron gate or a small iron arch, which will look austere, harmoniously combined with the light facade of the building and the abundance of greenery around it.
Simple furniture is used to equip a resting place on a personal plot. These can be wooden chairs with a table or wicker chairs. Different design options can be seen in the photo of the interior of the Provence style cottage.
Provence style in the interior: decoration of room elements
During the interior decoration of the walls, ceiling and floor of a Provence-style room, certain rules should be followed. When decorating walls and ceilings, plain textured plaster, painted in light warm colors, is often used.
The floor of the room in the interior of the apartment in the Provence style should be laid with natural stone tiles. You can use porcelain stoneware, ceramic tiles with imitation of a stone structure. In wooden buildings, untreated or painted plank floors are often used.
Useful advice! The floor of a Provencal-style room can be covered with terracotta or beige laminate.
The ceiling of a room designed in this direction should be decorated with beams, the color of which can stand out against the general background.The use of contrasting design is allowed, or the monochrome ceiling is taken as a basis. The color of the base coat can be beige or white with a darkening or antiqued effect. As a finishing material, plaster is used, which can be textured, having the effect of an uneven surface.
Basic requirements for the design of walls, door and window openings in the Provence style
The walls of houses in the French province are built of stone or brick. If brick or masonry appears through the plaster, this will give the room a special charm. In a bedroom or living room, one of the walls can be decorated with such masonry, and it is desirable to decorate other surfaces with textured plaster. An alternative design is finishing the walls with a wooden board, clapboard or other similar material, followed by painting the surface in a warm shade. Various decoration options are shown in the photo of Provence style apartments.
Pasting of walls with paper wallpaper is allowed. They can have a smooth or embossed surface in a light shade with small blotches of floral motifs.
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Wanting to distinguish between the ceiling and wall surfaces, it is recommended to use a thin edging in the form stucco made of polyurethane foam tiles, which are glued around the perimeter of the room and painted in a light color.
Important! When creating a Provence interior design in a room, you cannot use glossy surfaces that will look too defiant and catchy.
On the walls and ceiling there may be art painting on plaster in the form of vegetation elements.
For Provence style rooms, white interior doors in Provence style are chosen. The fittings can be made of wrought iron. The canvases are decorated with floral painting or have an aged look. The presence of glass inserts allows the sun's rays to enter the room.
Provence-style interior windows are chosen large to fill the room with a huge amount of natural light. The color of the window frames is usually white, but other color options can be used. As a rule, windows are decorated with colored curtains, tulles, beads, bows, etc.
Lighting elements and furniture in Provence style
Provencal-style furniture has a simple, uncomplicated appearance, freed from unnecessary decorations. At the same time, it looks elegant and original. Often they use vintage styled interior items - with artificial scuffs, chips, aged paint.
Furniture in Provence interior is usually made of natural wood using forged elements, curved legs, monograms and carvings. It is performed in a light palette. The place of honor is given to white. Furniture elements should have a smooth outline and not look massive. They fulfill not only a functional but also a decorative task.
Provence style apartment design requires good lighting. This applies to the organization of both natural and artificial lighting. The first option is provided by large windows. At night, the central chandelier of massive dimensions is the direct light source. It can have a metal frame, various stylized decorations and pendants.
Several candlesticks or table lamps decorated with artistic painting (floral motifs) or decorative carving will look appropriate.
Furniture in the interior of Provence: photos of interesting options
Tables are used in round or oval shape with carved legs. Chairs can be made of wood or metal combined with soft textiles. They are equipped with a comfortable backrest.
Sofas and armchairs are usually plain, but they can also be with floral patterns. An abundance of textile decor is encouraged. The design of the sofa is selected in such a way that it harmoniously fits into the environment without attracting attention to itself. Wooden sofa sides will help to give the room a rustic simplicity. Interesting options can be seen in the photo of furniture in the interior of Provence style apartments.
Painted dressers, mezzanines, curbstones, "pot-bellied" sideboards and dressing tables with ceramic pots with indoor flowers will look appropriate indoors. Multifunctional modular furniture with a large number of open shelves will ideally fit into the room. Self-restored old objects or antiques look harmoniously. In the bedroom, a wooden or wrought-iron bed would be an excellent option.
Useful advice! A room decorated in a rustic style can be decorated with new stylized furniture with applied elements of artificial aging.
To recreate the feeling of closeness to nature, use rattan wicker furniture do it yourself in the interior of the Provence style. It can be complemented with textile elements with floral motifs and decorative pillows.
Provence style apartment interior colors
Modern Provence in the interior of the premises assumes soft natural tones, such as beige, peach, milk, cream, muted yellow, olive, sky blue, lavender. The main place is reserved for white. Calm shades can fill the room with tenderness and romance.
Important! The Provence style does not use bright neon colors.
Lavender and blue shades are of a certain importance for the style. Lavender can be used to paint shutters on windows, curtains and tablecloths. Blue tones create a feeling of coolness and freshness. They are recommended to be used both in the design of the walls of the room and in the design of furniture.
You can add an interesting warm flavor to the room with the help of mustard, terracotta or lemon yellow. Such shades are used as accent blotches when decorating room elements. The use of green and olive tones is encouraged, which enhances the association with nature.
The use of pastel shades gives the room a soft and natural feel. The colors of ivory, vanilla cream, ash rose, milk, powdery and gray-blue tones will ideally cope with the task. Various color options are presented in the photo of Provence-style interiors.
Natural materials used for interior decoration must have a rough structure, scuffs, cracks and other visible traces of time. It is necessary that the surface be free from gloss and shine.
To add richness to the interior, an abundance of textile elements with floral prints on the surface of the products is used.
Typical textile pattern and Provence decor
Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and wool should be used to decorate Provence-style rooms. Laces, tablecloths, rugs and rugs with bright floral designs are welcome. Burlap will look organic in the interior. Canopies, covers, cushions and bed linen with floral or geometric patterns will help to add cheerfulness to the room.
Particular attention is paid to the choice of curtains, which should be light and airy. Products made of cotton, unbleached linen, chintz, organza and chiffon in pastel shades cope with this task. Cool colors such as pink, lavender or blue are preferred. They can be plain or patterned in the form of floral combinations, checkers or stripes.
Important! For Provencal style, classic French or Roman curtains are suitable.
The premises should be filled with decorative accessories in the form of antique candlesticks, toys, photo frames, Provence style paintings, antique porcelain figurines, vases, wall decorative plates with floral ornaments, open shelves with flowers. The rustic charm is accentuated by handmade decor elements. A large round mechanical clock with Roman numerals will look exquisite on the wall.
Important! A characteristic element of the decor is a stylized figurine of a rooster, which is a symbol of France.
One of the main elements of the Provence style is lavender, therefore it is often present in interiors in a live or dried form. Flowers can be arranged in vases, placed in pots by hanging them around the room or by placing the herbarium on the wall.
Provence style kitchen: interior in the spirit of the French province
The kitchen space is perfect for rustic decoration. Here you can experiment with color palette, materials and decor.
The ceiling of the room is finished with wood or materials that imitate it. Wooden beams, lining, wood-like panels look organically, thanks to which you can create the feeling of being in a village house. A whitewashed or light-paneled ceiling is also appropriate.
Wood, linoleum, antique tiles, stone are most often used as flooring. The color scheme can be both light and dark, the main thing is that it blends harmoniously with the surrounding elements.
Useful advice! To create the effect of artificial aging of the floor, you can use grout, which is applied to the coating, and then partially erased.
Provence-style kitchen walls in a wooden house can be finished with any natural material. Preference is given to brick, stone, light colored tiles, imitation panels and plain plaster with a fading effect. The selected material should be in harmony with the floor and ceiling, without standing out from the general color scheme. The kitchen looks good, with stone walls and wood-beamed ceilings. Plastered walls are favorably complemented by ceiling panels and floor tiles.
You can experiment with different options by making the walls dark and the floor light. Indoors, you can add color with a colored accent spot. It can be one wall, an apron, a kitchen cabinet, curtains or a whole kitchen set, which is clearly demonstrated by photos in the Provence style of kitchen interiors.
Important! The accent spot should be one, and the rest of the space is done in a neutral color.
The right choice of furniture and textiles for Provencal cuisine
Furniture for the Provencal kitchen should be made of natural wood. The best option is products with the effect of an old thing. The color of the headset is chosen in such a way that it contrasts with the wall decoration. The room should be filled with Provence-style flowers that will give it brightness and life.
The curtains are selected from a fabric that is easy to wash. French or Roman versions are preferred. If an accent spot is already present in the kitchen, then the products should be light and translucent. If brightness is brought into the kitchen by means of curtains, then products with small floral ornaments made on a light background are recommended. Restrained cage is allowed.
Useful advice! To create a harmonious atmosphere, other textile elements in the form of tablecloths or chair covers should be made of the same fabric or in the same tone.
Cozy Provence style hallway: design ideas
The entrance hall is the smallest and darkest room in the house. Therefore, it must be finished with light materials. On the walls of the room, the texture of brickwork will organically look, which can be bleached or covered with paint of a light shade, which will add coziness to the room. An unusual and original solution will be stone wall cladding, which is displayed by photos of Provence-style hallways.
Tiles, porcelain stoneware or laminate are suitable as flooring. It is advisable to whitewash the ceiling in white, which will make the room more spacious and lighter.
The main element of the Provence style corridor is the entrance doors. They are made of natural wood and complemented by a forged handle. A large mirror, bordered with a frame with an antique effect, will be useful. Wooden furniture is selected, and there should be a minimum amount of it: it is enough to install a small chest of drawers, a closed cabinet and a mezzanine. It is appropriate to use a sofa or pouf upholstered in cotton, chintz or linen with a small floral pattern. Different furniture options are shown in the photo of the Provence style hallway interior.
Important! As furniture for the hallway, decorated in accordance with this direction, you should not choose modern products in the form of a wardrobe. A vintage-style wardrobe will look more harmonious.
Provence style in the living room interior: design subtleties
The Provencal style living room should be filled with natural light as much as possible, which comes through the large windows of the room. The walls are covered with decorative plaster. Sloppy white painted brickwork is allowed. For flooring, use bleached wood, stone, tiles or parquet.
The whitewashed ceiling can be decorated with wooden beams. A graceful, discreet stucco molding is allowed along the perimeter. The accent element of the room will be a fireplace, which can be located in a corner or near one of the walls. It repeats the shade of the walls or is painted white.
The leading color for the Provencal living room is white. It can be diluted with emerald, blue, purple, violet, green or yellow shades. You should not be too zealous with cold tones, which should be no more than 30% in the interior. It is better to complement them with warm and cheerful colors: pink, green and yellow.
In order not to make the interior of the living room vulgar and variegated, you should be neat with the purple color, which should be embodied in no more than three elements, as shown in the photo in the Provencal style of the living room interior. The sunny yellow room looks cheerful and cozy.You can add brightness to light shades with the help of orange, red, beige or brown, which are used in decorative elements, furniture or for decorating a room.
Refined and rich, but at the same time, a Provence-style room will look strictly (interior photos clearly confirm this) with chocolate inserts contrasting with white trim. You can complement such a duet with red, yellow and lilac colors.
The furniture is made of natural wood with carved elements. The fabric upholstery of upholstered furniture can be plain or with floral patterns. Patterned cushions are often used. The upholstery option should be combined with curtains, carpet on the floor and other textiles - they are made in the same color and with similar patterns.
Useful advice! As a rule, furniture in the Provencal living room is arranged with slight negligence.
The decor of the living room often uses glass or clay floor vases with flowers, porcelain or ceramic figurines, placed in different parts of the room.
Provence style bedroom in a wooden house
The Provence style is optimal for the design of bedrooms, where it is necessary to create a warm, calm, peaceful atmosphere that will contribute to relaxation and healthy sleep.
The ceiling is traditionally done in white or other light shades. The walls can be painted in a light color and supplemented with painting, sheathed with wood panels or pasted over with plain light wallpaper with an unobtrusive pattern.
The bed is selected in a classic design in light or dark neutral shades. The headboard can be decorated with carvings or upholstered in floral fabric. The vintage forged construction with smooth curved outlines looks original. In addition to the bed, the room most often contains an antique dressing table, a wardrobe or a chest of drawers, wooden, rattan or wrought iron chairs and armchairs, bedside tables on curved thin legs.
The interior of the room in the Provence style should be made in a pastel palette. You should not create bright accent compositions here. Use white, beige, cream, pale blue, pale yellow or light green as the main color. It is recommended to dilute the light tone with the help of fresh flowers suspended in pots, paintings depicting nature or a floral pattern on curtains, walls, bedspreads or carpet.
For the Provencal bedroom, curtains with flounces, frills and ruffles are used. Their color palette should match walls, upholstery and other textiles.
A Provence-style children's room is pasted over with pastel-colored wallpaper, which can be plain or patterned. For boys, a pattern in the form of a strip or a cage is suitable, girls will like floral motifs. The floor is laid with parquet or plank, followed by a rug. The ceiling should be flat and white.
Useful advice! Artistic painting of walls or door leaf with acrylic paints will help to add a touch of uniqueness to the interior.
Furniture for the children's room is selected in elegant shapes in light colors. The girl's bed can be decorated with a canopy with ruffles, curtains and many pillows. For boys, an ascetic-looking bed is suitable. Wicker baskets and toy chests emphasize the style of the room.
The rural area has adapted well to the modern conditions of urban life. Thanks to the warm and cozy atmosphere that is created in the apartment, the Provence style is very popular. Knowing the features of the stylistic direction and observing all the rules for decorating a room, you can recreate the French provincial design in any room of an apartment or a country house. Provence style helps to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle and enjoy the feeling of closeness to nature.