Here’s how to master the casual, timeless elegance of French interior design.
Each piece in a French home, whether big or small, has a purpose.
Incorporate Wrought Iron
Kindra Clineff
Wrought-iron balconiesare a common feature of Parisian homes.
Credit: David Land
Purchase a set of wrought iron patio furniture to mimic the feeling of a French balcony.
Dress up the table with a tablecloth and a bouquet of fresh flowers to finish the look.
Place amarble tray on your coffee table, or use marble contact paper to cover your countertops or desk.
Credit:Emily Followill
To achieve this look,juxtapose flea market findswith contemporary pieces or European antiques withmidcentury modern furnishings.
Keep the look cohesive instead of chaotic byrepeating a few key colors throughout the spaceto connect the assorted elements.
Layer in small doses of black through hardware or light fixtures to ground the look.
Credit:Kindra Clineff
Go for Gilded
John Granen
Ornate gilded mirrorsare a staple above the fireplaces in French homes.
Consider one for your living room, entryway, or bathroom to instantly elevate a room.
Look for gold mirrors at thrift stores or antique stores, or usegold leaf to gild a mirroryourself.
Credit:Jay Wilde
These compact dining sets save space for a light and airy look.
For classic French style, consider a table with a metal base and marble top.
If you’re remodeling, consider placing wood floor planks in a diagonal design.
Credit: Brie Williams
Or simply keep wood floors visible for a nod to French-style homes.
Plus, it’s easier than it seems.
Purchasepeel-and-stick trimpanels online, space them out accordingly, and stick them to your walls.
Credit: John Bessler
Layer Rugs
Laurey Glenn
Antique rugs add warmth and texture to an otherwise cold space.
Add a Touch of Glamour
Every French-style room needs an element of glamour.
you could instantly elevate a space with humble bones byhanging a delicate crystal chandelier.
Credit:John Granen
Choose just one or two glitzy accessories to introduce an air of luxury without going all-out glam.
Embrace the Beauty of Aging
In French-style interiors, beautiful doesn’t mean perfect.
The French welcome the character of aged wood,chipped paint, and burnished metal.
Credit:Annie Schlechter
Create a Lived-In Space
One hallmark of French interiors is that they never look too perfect.
To imitate thislaissez-faireapproach, don’t worry too much about decorating around a specific style.
French-style interiors reflect a pared-down aesthetic that doesn’t feel cluttered or overcrowded.
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Credit:Laurey Glenn
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Credit: Brie Williams
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