French interiors revealed

French interior style is very popular in the U.K and in the U.S. It's one of my most followed boards on Pinterest and there are hundreds of others out there. When you mention French interior style there are three main camps. There is a a traditional look, often with rooms festooned with acres of toile de Juoy, a fabric which when used sparingly can look lovely particularly when combined with stripes or checks, but is often married with matching wallpaper, bed linen and drapes.

A room in www.chateaudelabarre.com

Toile de Juoy looks best, in my opinion, when used selectively. This is a traditionally designed room but with a beautiful toile bed.

via Pinterest

Then there is the Provencal style, typified with rich ochres, terracotta and an intense cobalt blue. Tiles feature heavily and walls are often painted with these strong colours. It's a style that we long to have in northern Europe as it reminds us of the warmth of the Mediterranean and lazy afternoons on holiday. Unfortunately we don't have the right light at our latitudes to make these colours sing, although the tiles are very popular in kitchens. We have to make do with a piece or two of ceramics to conjure up our vacation dreams.

Atelier Yvan Vedel

Or use fabrics from Souleiado, inspired by Indian patterns from the 18th & 19th centuries they make great table linen or as here for a summer bedroom.

Source: lamarmotte.be

But there is a look that has outstripped the first two and that appears everywhere, the French Chateau with a leaning towards the shabby chic. Creams, stones and greys abound. Wood is washed with paint and there are layers of linen.

Via Pinterest

 

Via Pinterest

  
 Furniture is old, mirrors are foxed, chandeliers sparkle and table displays are everywhere. Woe betide you if you can't artfully arrange blooms (freshly plucked from the garden and sparkling with dew) in your wonderful brocante find.

Via Pinterest

Done right it can be a beautiful and relaxed style with colours that really work with the light in northern Europe and Scandinavia. But I often wonder how realistic is it? Or have we taken this style and run with it in an attempt to imbue our own homes with elusive French style.

So, I decided to do some 'maison-stalking' and have a look at some interiors in real French houses that are currently for sale. I confess I kept to a realistic budget but I did make sure that they were homes that were currently inhabited. There were certain trends, some of which I'd seen in gites and hotels we've stayed in over the years. Ceilings with floral wallpaper, often a different pattern to that on the walls.

At least it's the same on the ceiling & walls

Maybe they just had a few rolls left over?

 Wood cladding, used as insulation, on walls & ceilings.

Scandi-sauna style

 
 Strong colours are not relegated to a feature wall. Oh no, they can be anywhere and everywhere. But I think that I do admire their individuality. Not that I wouldn't itch to go through the whole house with white emulsion, but it does show a nation comfortable with their own style. There's no compulsion to re-decorate just because duck egg blue or mulberry or whatever is the latest trend.

Paint details everywhere

A touch of Provence maybe...

So what do you think? What's your favourite French style?