In contrast, the neo-classical design of Napoleon’s bedroom at the Château de Malmaison in Paris is simplicity itself. It looks modern but was designed about 50 years after the rococo rooms at Versailles. Symmetry and formality are the main elements. The most popular French design style today is a combination of flowing rococo and classical structure.
elements of French style
To help explain the wealth of decorative styles that France has given us, I have divided the history of French interior design by period and region, whether urban or rural. While this might be a little arbitrary—there is obviously a lot of crossover between the different areas—it is a good way to begin to understand the essential ingredients of French design styles, including colors and fabrics. Each of the photographs on the following pages includes more or less the same components for château, country, Provençal, and Parisian styles. This makes it easier to see the unique combination of colors, fabrics, and materials that are used to create a particular look.
Historically, two main design movements originated in France. The extravagant rococo and the austere neo-classical styles developed either side of the extraordinary intellectual, political, and artistic upheaval that surrounded the French Revolution. Both were extremely influential across Europe, and feature everywhere from the French farmhouse to Parisian apartment.
The following style photographs also reflect the way in which French country society was highly stratified with houses ranked as manoir, maison gentilhomme, maison de maître, and maison bourgeois over and above the simple farmhouse and cottage. The manoir might be an owner’s country retreat for the summer or the home of an aspiring merchant, so the style would be quite different from a working farmhouse interior.
The French urban look has come to mean the chic and bohemian sophistication of the capital city. Paris is still a city of culture and design, but its boom time was in the first half of the 20th century. Although there is a lot of crossover, Parisian style can be broadly divided into the cultivated and refined haute couture look and the hip, even a little racy, bohemian interior.
The Council Chamber at Versailles was designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel under the direction of Louis XV. Enormous crystal chandeliers, huge mirrors, and soft white-painted paneling with gilded asymmetrical garlands, shell-like motifs, and molding epitomize the delicate rococo style that continues to influence interior design nearly 300 years later.
Weather has also played an important role in the development of French interior design styles. France is a huge country and the climate in the north is quite different from that in the south. North of the Loire there are no vineyards because the winters are cold and the summers, though long, are mild rather than hot. This calls for more indoor living, with warm fabrics and furniture influenced by Paris and the château. As you head south towards the Riviera the weather becomes increasingly warm. Here outdoor living has led to a more exotic style, influenced by colorful and intricate fabrics, ironwork and wood carving from Spain and North Africa, accessible via Marseilles.
1Château – Rococo
Pretty and sparkling
CHANDELIER – A crystal chandelier is the essence of this style, giving both a magnificent focus to a room as well as sparkle and delicacy. There are a lot of chandeliers available today from vintage to brand new.
EMBROIDERED LINEN SHEET AND LACE – Linen sheets and pillowcases were once part of every French girl’s trousseau. They would be lovingly initialled in embroidery, all ready for the marriage bed. Tablecloths with lace edges and ladder work were also part of the dowry. Continue to use them today as bed sheets or turn them into curtains, pillows or lampshades.
TOILE DE JOUY – This fabric design is uniquely French. Use it as a wall covering, for upholstery or curtains. The designs often have literary and mythological references and are now usually printed in a single color on off-white cotton. Originally they could have been multi-colored and perhaps have Chinese or Indian designs.
SILKS AND PLAIN-COLORED LINENS – The château would have silks and fine brocades as well as tapestries. Today it is often preferable to replace busy tapestries with simple linens.
BRAID – Search flea markets for fine vintage passementerie, in the form of tassels, braids, and ropes to add to the edges of curtain, pillows, and upholstery. Many new braids are also available to add that finishing touch.
PAINTWORK – Woodwork was very often painted. Old White and Paris Grey are the best colors to choose to recreate the look. After painting furniture, doors, and other woodwork, distress lightly and add a little gold in some places.
MIRRORS – Like chandeliers, mirrors add light and sparkle, so use as many as possible in as large a size as you can, preferably with a decorative scroll-like design.
GILDING – A touch of gold on mirrors and on the molding of painted doors and furniture enhances elegance.
THE EAGLE MIRROR – Decorative symbols, including animals, that signify power and strength are key to the neo-classical look. Lions and eagles were popular motifs, used on mirrors, furniture, and table and chair legs. The bee, symbol of industry, was common, as were stars and laurel leaves. Mirrors make a grand statement as do other classical elements, such as urns, obelisks, and columns. Favored furniture includes bateau lits and canopy daybeds as well as secretaires and campaign-style chairs.
COLORS – Search out bold and rich colors for walls and fabrics. Use Antibes Green, Riviera Blue or Burgundian Red paint or fabric on the walls. Combine these strong colors with lots of white—flowing white curtains, the only soft line in this style, are very effective—black, and gold.
FABRICS – Use transparent voiles for windows and striped fabrics to drape tent-like over beds, or hang over four posters. Upholster furniture with damasks and checkered fabrics as well as rich, heavy silks.
MATERIALS – Gold-colored metals, marble, and woods predominate. Military symbols of spears and shields and metal studs decorate wall-mounted candelabra.
LIMOGES PLATE –The deep green border of laurel leaves is a typically symmetrical design. Look out for white porcelain with a gold border.
3Country – Manoir
Delicate and stylish
CHANDELIERS AND WALL-MOUNTED LIGHTING – These are most likely to be made of wood and painted. Paris Grey, used here, with touches of gold is characteristic. They can be left as decorative candle holders or wired for electric lights with translucent candle-shaped lamps.
TOILE DE JOUY – Some toile de Jouy is very grand but later designs include nostalgic country scenes, such as Victorian children playing by the sea, as shown here.
QUILTED BED COVERS – Called a boutis when sewn with scalloped edges, these are made from flowery fabrics as well as toiles with pastoral scenes. Such fabrics can be used in the living room as well as the bedroom, depending on the color scheme and design. For curtains and pillows in keeping with the look, find both coarse and fine linens in antique markets or brocantes.
FRENCH PORCELAIN – Examples decorated with flowers, garlands, and just a touch of gold work well with the floral boutis and toile de Jouy.
COLOR – Whites, very pale ochers, County Cream and putty grays form the base note, and you can add interest to cupboard interiors or small walls with simple stenciling.
SIMPLICITY – With so many patterns, keep the look uncluttered by painting furniture white, then distressing it. Think of a painted country armoire filled with lovely linens or china.
4Country – Rural
Simple and homey
GINGHAM FABRIC – Red and blue gingham fabric, with large or small squares, is a good way to begin this style. Use it to make gathered curtains or pillows.
WHITE LINEN – Use white linen without elaborate embroidery for bed sheets or bedroom curtains. Faded stripes work well but try not to use too much pattern. White lace borders on armoires look very pretty.
KITCHEN DETAILS – The kitchen is the main living area in rural houses. Old kitchen pieces, such as blue and white china with simple stenciled or hand-painted designs, can be found in markets across France. Also search out enamelware coffee pitchers, old coffee grinders, and baskets. Vintage French dish towels are a must to use for their original purpose, or to make pillows or lampshades, or to upholster chairs.
PINE – Wash plain pine furniture with a light gray or Old White paint so that the wood is given a patinated look while the grain is still apparent. Very distressed paintwork, with the paint rubbed away to reveal a lot of wood, is also effective.
COLORS – Whites of all sorts are essential for this look, from a pale whitewashed effect to thick creamy paintwork. Blues and reds are a must but also consider chocolate browns and other warm colors.
FABRIC DETAILS – Interesting braids and edgings, such as a rope design or vintage blue and white border, are the finishing touches needed for this simple and generally patternless style.
STONE SURFACES – Keep textures matt with terra-cotta tiles and roughly hewn stone floors.
5Provence – Luberon
Bright, airy and fresh
LAVENDER – This is an ever-present leitmotif in the home, the yard, and the countryside. Think of pots of lavender in the house and yard, a lavender motif on fabrics, lavender colored accessories and lavender bags for their beautiful scent. The soft green gray of olive trees is another reminder of the smoky colors of Provence.
OCHER – After lavender, earthy yellow ochers are probably the most significant hues seen in this part of France. This color can be seen on walls inside and out, as well as on pottery. Earthy terra cotta reds are also popular throughout the region.
POTTERY – The traditional pottery of the area is decorated with the yellow and green glazes seen on this vase. Find antique pieces, as well as terra cotta, for both the garden and your interiors.
TERRA COTTA AND STONE – Allow your interiors to merge with the outdoors in a seamless way. Terra cotta or stone floors spread from the house to the garden, bringing the two together ready for a warm summer.
FABRICS – Ensure fabric colors are soft and in keeping with those of the countryside. Whites work especially well—floor-length voile curtains over open windows, plain linens, and simple floral patterns. There are also traditional Indian-inspired cotton fabrics from Provence decorated with small flowers and paisley patterns.
THE CICADA – Also known as the cigale, the cicada is the symbol of Provence perhaps because it so clearly evokes the feeling of summer when it is heard. Find the motif on fabrics and pottery.
COLORS – Due to the predominance of ocher and terra cotta, other colors are generally kept quite soft and undemanding. A small accent of turquoise or bright green helps to keep a room from being too quiet.
PAINTWORK – Colors for paintwork include whites as well as grays, and Faded Violet or blue. Give paint a rustic texture by softly distressing it to allow a background color to show through. Add Faded Violet and Luberon Yellow furniture and accessories to help give the style a natural look.
6Provence – Riviera
Vibrant and fresh
VEGETATION – The pronounced shape of leafy palm-tree fronds as well as dotty yellow mimosa, purple and pink bougainvillea, and other colorful plants are the backdrop to both the region and the design style. This means that the style features lots of greens, as well as other natural colors, and strong architectural shapes. These need to be integrated into interiors, so don’t be shy of colors or shapes with big impact.
LINENS – The proximity of the Italian border ensures that colorful linens, decorated with stripes or in solid herringbone weaves, add a smart touch to the design style—perfect for the casino life. Mix them with modern cotton fabrics decorated with bold flowers or the French rooster and the look is clean and contemporary.
POTTERY – The Riviera is a mix of the arty and the sophisticated so decide whether you want to emphasize the natural tones and textures of the contemporary pottery pitcher or the colorful, slight sheen of the china bowl. Try mixing styles, adding contemporary furniture.
PAINTWORK – Summer blue skies, azure seas, and clear light hint at the colors needed for Riviera-style interiors. Be inspired by the Impressionists’ use of bright, powerful blues toned with grays and whites. Barcelona Orange also looks terrific and punchy as long as there is plenty of white. Match with cool, summery deep lime and Riviera Blue for china, curtains and tablecloths.
MOSAICS – Tiles in shades of blue or terra cotta can be used for kitchens, bathrooms, and pools, with stone and marble tiles for floors and walls.
7Paris – Bohemian
Artistic and eclectic
FABRICS – Be adventurous and unconventional and use fabrics such as this one, which combines a 1960s style print with South Seas Island colors. Boldly colored stripes could also work.
COLOR – Bohemian colors are vigorous but always controlled. The two main tones are blue and brown. Accents are provided by shades ranging from purple through moody pinks and red to orange—the complementary hue to blue. Blacks, whites, and neutral earthy browns help to steady the palette.
POTTERY – The purple pitcher is a resolute statement, not only in color but also in shape.
ARTIFACTS – African items, Javanese dolls or Chinese parasols give a worldly, arty look as long as they are in the right colors. Here we have a comb from Ghana and a beaded bowl from South Africa.
PICTURES – Find prints by favorite artists, such as this one by Gauguin. The black frame is neat and has a sheen. The look is mainly matt but it can combine sheen as long as the color is right.
PAINTWORK – Use anything and everything—the distressed Duck Egg Blue over Scandinavian Pink is ideal. Find old pieces of furniture as basic or refined as you want and paint them.
8Paris – Coco Haute Couture
Fine design and fin de siecle
FABRICS – Fine voiles and cottons for floor-length curtains in white to soften the light are essential. Fabrics for upholstery are discreetly patterned, either incorporating small motifs or a minimal amount of a bold Chinoiserie or paisley design. Matelot-style stripes have a touch of gentle whimsy that works well.
COLORS – Base a scheme around black or navy and white but with powerful accents such as red. The style can be as grand as you want to make it, so add gold details too.
LIGHTING – The gold-colored chandelier has the wheatsheaf design so beloved of Coco Chanel. Look out for reproductions of this type of design along with similar styles, such as those using palm tree motifs.
PAINTS – Imitate Chinese lacquer on console tables or bureaux. Red Beret and Graphite Black, waxed and distressed, create the perfect look.
DETAILS – Using large and interesting buttons, ribbons and braid on pillows, curtains, lampshades, and upholstery is essential for this look. Also find a place for pearls, perhaps as a braid.
ARTIFACTS – A fin de siecle bust has the right romance and élan for an haute couture mantelpiece. Search for new and reproduction busts, especially large, eye-catching pieces, in garden centers and markets.
PHOTOGRAPHS – Black and white photographs look stylish in simple black frames. Search through old albums or find a poster from the 1940s or ’50s to achieve the right look.
