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Living roomInterior in Provence style
Novozhenina Anna
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Provence style in interior design is the most striking expression of the so-called “French Country”. It has gained worldwide fame thanks to the extraordinary lightness and comfort that radiate from the premises, decorated according to the rules of provincial France. The striking features of the style are rustic naivety, comfort and peculiar simplicity. It is often chosen by people who are tired of ostentatious luxury and want grace.
This is a rather complex style and you will have to carefully consider thousands of details. Today, you and I are focusing on the inner warmth and romance of the rustic lifestyle of this warm and cozy corner.
Style Features
Provence is distinguished by its special delicacy of design, achieved by the use of natural materials, the lightness of the colors used, the abundance of unusual decor, and the elegance of the furniture.
It is intended for large rooms, but a small Provence style living room can also become a surprisingly cozy gathering place for all family members.
The luxury of classic design, seasoned with notes of minimalism, and the feeling of free space, comfortably flavored with cute things and flowers, are perfectly combined here.
Only in Provence will the faded shades of decoration find their place and will seem subdued by the sun's rays of the hot south and the aroma of the endless sea. And the living room itself will become a cozy island of relaxation from plastic and eternal running in circles.
A little history
Provence is a region in the southeast of France, the ancestor of the French Country style. The French bourgeoisie settled here in the 17th century to be away from the city noise of the capital, to enjoy the silence, serenity, and picturesque landscapes that surround this place on all sides. They began to build houses for themselves with their inherent, purely French elegance, which absorbed all the best - natural lightness, naturalness, and the charm of the Old World. All these features are still reflected in authentic French country, and in this sense, Provence is its quintessence.
Provence is a region in southeastern France
The Bohemian public immediately noticed and embraced this style. It very quickly became popular, first among artists, poets and writers, and then among the wider public . By the 19th century, Provence became known throughout Europe. And today we are inspired by its special energy and atmosphere, which is conducive to calm and contemplation.
If you like simplicity and originality, then this style will suit you. It will look great in country houses. The atmosphere of lightness and relaxation under the canopy of nature is a feature of Provence.
Atmosphere of lightness and relaxation
Color spectrum
The design of the Provence living room is based on the use of soft shades.
The best solution would be to use attractive shades of white (but not cold snow-white), soft sand, light cream, warm beige, elegant silver tones. And, of course, you can’t do without inserts of exquisite pink and simple lavender shades.
Additional colors will also include turquoise, olive, pistachio, mint, cornflower blue, violet, and sunny tones, but they should also give the impression of muted and time-worn colors.
Design and accessories
The perfect combination of handmade little things will be a monogram created using a crochet hook.
Family heirlooms not only pay tribute to the past, but also create decor. An elegant birdcage and live plants, unique vases, and an old shoe will be an excellent addition to the decor.
Ceiling decoration
The finishing of the ceiling, as well as all other floors, is made from natural materials. The ceiling slab is painted with light paint, whitewashed, plastered, and covered with light wallpaper.
For large and high rooms, the ceiling is decorated with wooden beams. To create a bright accent, they are additionally impregnated with a dark stain, which exquisitely echoes the “antique” frames and window sills. Sometimes the gaps between the beams are filled with light-colored lining.
Floor decoration
The most ordinary solid board is perfect for the floor; sometimes it is additionally coated with light paint.
Parquet laid staggered will add additional luxury.
Laminate would be a good option, but it should also give the impression of natural wood; specially drawn scratches, abrasions, chips, and knots will look great on it.
A combined living room in the Provence style, which continues the kitchen, can be decorated with terracotta tiles with imitation “stone” or with a floral pattern.
Living room combined with kitchen
The Provence style in the living room interior in the photo always pleases with its size.
The rooms can be complemented by a style identity, for example with a large table. It should be round and match the color scheme of the furniture.
Don’t forget about chairs, which should be covered with a natural cover or fabric. An integral attribute of each table is a tablecloth, best when it is embroidered by hand.
As a rule, Provencal owners have a lot of tablecloths, so they change the interior with their help almost every day. You need to place a beautiful bouquet in the middle of the table.
Lots of furniture and space are the most important features. This kitchen will resemble something in between, rather than a living room with a dining room.
Wall decoration
The interior of the Provence living room will be perfectly combined with wallpaper in small flowers, paint or plaster. Moreover, both of the latter options may have traces of brushes, scuffs or cracks.
One wall can be decorated with wood panels or light brickwork.
The doors are selected from light wood or additionally coated with a layer of paint; it is possible to use glass or light stained glass inserts. To give simple canvases additional luxury, they are often decorated with decoupage napkins of a suitable theme.
Window frames are chosen to be light, except when dark ceiling beams are used, and the openings themselves, if possible, are made large, decorated with light curtains.
Window drapery
Textiles are the hallmark of the Provençal style. Therefore, the choice should be treated with special care. It is the curtains that will help combine all the elements of the interior into a single whole, bringing a bit of comfort and harmony to the room.
Toile de Jouy
Curtains made of natural cotton fabric with a printed pattern look good in the living room. Textiles are usually designed in white and blue, but variations are possible. The use of pastoral and neoclassical subjects is typical.
Draped curtains have a classic, recognizable look
Linen curtains
French style involves the use of natural fabrics such as linen. Raw linen with a rough texture can be “softened” with braid located around the perimeter of the curtain or small pom-poms in pastel shades.
The color of linen curtains should be repeated in tablecloths or upholstery
Tulle
If you do not want to focus on the window in the living room, use curtains made of flowing and light fabrics. They can be white, beige, milky, lavender and soft yellow.
Light airy tulle curtains over the kitchen sink
Patchwork
An excellent option for those who prefer non-trivial interior solutions. The patchwork style curtain is made from scraps of fabric with floral motifs. This curtain looks great within the Provence and country styles.
Patchwork curtains are often sewn by housewives themselves from remnants of colorfully colored fabrics
White curtains
Immortal classic. They are found everywhere in France and are considered a summer option. They visually expand the room and do not block light. Suitable for decorating a living room, bedroom and hall.
White curtains made of translucent fabric can be combined with Roman blinds made of thicker material
Wooden shutters
They perfectly protect from the scorching midday sun and look appropriate not only in the living room, but also in the kitchen. The distance between the slats should be from 2 to 4 centimeters. Paint the shutters in a light shade or decorate them with a floral design.
Wooden shutters can be located both outside and indoors
See alsoBedroom and living room in one room? There is a solution!
Lighting
There is never too much light, especially in the south of France. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a good lighting system. The ideal solution is large windows through which sunlight will enter. But it is clearly not enough for the dark realities of Russia.
The basis of artificial lighting will be a ceiling chandelier with the lights of stylized candles, a forged base, and a waterfall of crystal. The diffused light should reliably illuminate the entire room without leaving dark corners.
Intimate twilight will be created by cute floor lamps with fabric lampshades decorated with fringe, or wall sconces of antique shapes.
Furniture
The coziness of the antique furnishings is emphasized by objects made of light wood. But purchasing modern headsets is not recommended. Provence is more characterized by bent legs, decorated facades, a refined but not obtrusively luxurious appearance, and the presence of patina and scratches.
The best purchase would be a Provence modular living room, made up of chests of drawers, a sideboard and a coffee table, certainly round in shape.
In general, the furniture should give the impression that it was recently taken out of the dusty attic of a noble nest, washed, polished and slightly refined. Very simple items are also not suitable for decoration: each item should be chic and elegant in its own way.
Modern walls can be additionally painted with light or cream paint, painted or decorated using the decoupage technique.
Handles with porcelain inserts will add additional luxury.
Upholstered furniture usually becomes the center of the room; it is also distinguished by some wear and tear, which contrasts well with the elegance of wooden forms and the delicate floral pattern of natural fabrics.
The traditional set of chests of drawers, cabinets and pencil cases will be complemented by an open bookcase, rocking chair, wicker chairs or baskets.
Zone distribution options
When delimiting space, it is necessary to separate the kitchen and living room areas, but so that together they represent a single, holistic composition. For zoning, you can use one of the following ideas.
Arch
This option is only suitable for rooms with high ceilings.
Various flooring and wall finishes
Walls painted in different colors visually create the effect of two rooms. You can separate the kitchen and living room using a combination of two types of flooring, for example, tiles and wooden planks.
Fireplace
An interesting way of functional zoning is a fireplace, the façade of which is located in the living room. Dividers such as an aquarium or a hedge are also used.
Furniture
Zoning elements can be armchairs, a sofa, a shelving unit, a bar counter, or a dining table.
Sliding partition
The design of this piece of furniture should aesthetically fit into the overall appearance of the room.
Textiles and decor
Provence is considered the only style that loves an abundance of decor.
The curtains beautifully frame the window, delighting with their light folds and charming tiebacks. Delicate organza and transparent tulle can be set off by thicker curtains. Charming Austrian and Italian curtains will become an elegant design.
The floor will be decorated with a dim carpet with a light floral pattern.
Sofas and armchairs will be decorated with a checkered blanket and decorative pillows with monograms, roses, fleur-de-lis or more formal stripes and checks.
The table and cabinets will benefit from the presence of knitted or embroidered napkins.
A fireplace with tiled tiles will be a beautiful addition to the rustic decor. And on the mantelpiece, porcelain figurines, cute dolls, elegant candlesticks, and pictures with pastoral scenes will gracefully be placed.
Antique plates, completely unnecessary gravy boats and huge tureens are placed in the sideboard.
You can hang pictures on the walls, put wicker baskets with fruits and vegetables, and tall vases with flowers on the floor. Plants decorate cabinets, special stands, and window sills.
Most items can be made independently without much difficulty, and small flaws will only emphasize the beauty of the design.
Photos of a living room in the Provence style will help you better experience this light and sophisticated option for creating the most comfortable room for receiving guests and relaxing with your family.
Provence style decor
Decor is something without which it is impossible to imagine real French country, since it is what gives the feeling of a lived-in space. A special role in the Provençal living room is played by paintings, in particular landscapes in oil or watercolor - they help blur the boundaries between the home environment and nature. Flowers perform the same function - roses in elegant vases, herbs in bouquets or clay pots, and of course, lavender.
Connoisseurs of Provence choose elegant bird cages for living room decor, which can serve as flower pots. A special gentle mood is created by porcelain figurines, boxes, decanters made of colored glass, antique watches and vintage photographs. Mirrors are decorated with picturesque carved frames.
Photo of the Provence living room
Category: Living room
