Decorating Ideas for French Chic Rooms

Color

• As with any other home decorating style, color is an essential part of French chic. This is a style that utilizes primarily warm, earthy tones and bold, bright hues. Cobalt blue, gold, green, deep reds, black, brown and beige are all ideal for achieving the look and feel of French style. The bright colors, including golds, yellows and rusts are the main attraction, while subtler shades of gray, black and blue are used as accent pieces to add balance and visual interest.

Natural Materials

• The use of rustic, natural materials is key to the style. Plaster walls are a traditional option, but modern homeowners would probably prefer a painting technique that resembles plaster. This painting technique, which requires layering several paint colors, is both less expensive and easier to maintain than plaster. Wooden beams along the ceiling are common, as are heavy wood carving in banisters and cabinets. Natural stone floors and countertops are ideal and are available in a number of color and texture options. In the living room, a stone fireplace is usually the centerpiece, complete with a heavy beam for a mantle and hearth made from clay or brick. Finish off the kitchen with copper pots and iron accessories.

Fabrics

• Fabrics are used for almost every aspect of a French style room and are an important part of polishing the look. Most often, fabrics are mid-weight, which means no sheer or lightweight products. Stick with linens and cottons in either solids or prints, with either bold or subtle colors. Mixing and matching patterns is ideal — stripes, plaids, florals and solids are all part of the finished look. For a thoroughly traditional feel, try choosing colors that contrast each other; pair yellow tones with shades of red, green and blue, for example.

Furniture

• There are two main types of furniture that fit with French chic style. The first, for a more traditional look, is heavy wood. Think rustic finishes with gray, white or a soft green; natural wood finishes in medium or light tones; and oversized pieces, usually completed with intricate wood work. All of this is meant to have a well used look to it, which means scrapes and scratches in paint and other characteristic flaws are fine. The second option is a more modern idea that utilizes some heavy wood pieces, but combines them with wrought iron and wicker. This option is better for smaller spaces, as the pieces will be less overwhelming while still fitting with the theme. The benefit of either style is that just about any old furniture pieces can be made over to fit the look. Old pieces from garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores make for excellent additions to a French chic room.