Provence is a sunny region in the south-east of France, which gave its name to a whole trend in the art of interior design. This style does not lose relevance over the years and easily competes with other popular genres, so you do not have to worry that the home furnishings will become outdated and unfashionable. The Provence-style bedroom is distinguished by graceful silhouettes, simple textures, natural materials and sophisticated lightness. Such an interior helps to take a break from the hustle and bustle, forget about the pathos, plunge into the cozy and slightly naive atmosphere of the French province. To recreate this style and make the space coherent, harmonious, you need to follow a few rules.
Key style features
A Provence-style bedroom must meet certain requirements. It is recommended to use discreet colors, not too contrasting combinations, and avoid aggressive textures. The fundamental principle of Provence is moderation, neutrality and harmony. Need to excludeall materials made artificially: plastic, plexiglass, nylon, polyester, because in the French countryside there can be no such products. A prerequisite for a Provence-style bedroom is the presence of large windows and high-quality lighting in the evening hours. It is important to provide the main light source, several additional ones, as well as decorative ones. Decorations in the form of vases and figurines are a must, as these details perfectly convey the unique and distinctive character of the Provencal interior.
Wall, floor, ceiling decoration
Provence-style bedroom decoration should be extremely natural, ideal materials are wood, stone, ceramics. Products made from them are quite expensive, but designers allow the possibility of replacing the originals with more affordable counterparts, because you only need to recreate the style, and not build a completely authentic home. The most suitable flooring is wooden boards or large parquet, and high-quality laminate imitating natural wood is also suitable. Ideal options are light oak, pine, ash, maple, aspen, but exotic tree species should be immediately excluded.
Classic, authentic Provence is characterized by rough plaster through which brickwork is visible. However, in a modern apartment there is no need to act so radically. It is recommended to paste over the walls with light embossed wallpaper with a neat, elegant, non-contrasting pattern, or plaster and then cover with water-based paint. Notthe surface should be made too smooth, a slightly rough texture most accurately emphasizes the natural side of the design. The ceiling should also have a simple, slightly uneven structure, so glossy stretch surfaces and multi-level drywall constructions are excluded.
Materials
To understand the essence of the Provence style, you need to imagine the fertile and sunny provincial landscape of the French south, full of not only pristine rustic charm, but also delightful Parisian charm. Natural, roughly processed wood will help to recreate this image: cover the floor with a plank flooring or laminate that imitates the natural structure of a tree; use wooden beams as ceiling decor; furniture should be only wooden; you can apply decorative wood panels on the walls.
For curtains and furniture upholstery, natural textiles are suitable, pleasant to the touch: linen, cotton, wool. Stone and ceramic tiles are also important style attributes, but for the bedroom these materials are too cold and can only be used for decoration.
Colours
Provence bedroom design involves the use of a warm pastel palette. The atmosphere of the room should at first sight convey comfort, measuredness and tranquility. To decorate the walls, choose beige-golden, sand or milky shades, a pale yellow color is also allowed, but not lemon, but warm, sunny. White is ideal for the ceiling, but notdazzling, and somewhat softened - the shade of an eggshell. The floor covering should also be light: gray, brown, beige. Upholstery for furniture and window textiles for the Provence style bedroom are designed to emphasize the light and calm character of the room. Light shades of blue and violet, light green and wheat tones will harmoniously fit in here.
Characteristic patterns
Provence furnishings are characterized by floral patterns, mostly floral, always calm, restrained, non-contrasting. Imitation of the natural structure of wood, brick and masonry is also welcome. It is necessary to exclude drawings with bright, exotic plants, geometric ornaments, photo prints, any contrasting images. The atmosphere should symbolize calmness, comfort and rustic silence, so there is no place for flashy patterns in the interior.
Furniture
The Provence-style bedroom is furnished with elegant furniture, with thin ornate legs, made of natural wood and equipped with sophisticated forging. The silhouette of the furniture elements is distinguished by simple, smooth lines. Cabinet doors are decorated with panels and neat metal or wooden handles. All items, including cabinets, if they are designed, should be raised on legs to achieve the effect of lightness and airiness.
Furniture is covered with a transparent matte varnish or painted in light colors. Toto give the setting a touch of luxurious vintage, the effect of aging is often used: the paint is deliberately scraped off in some places, and the surface of the details is covered with a layer of decorative patina.
The central object of the bedroom is the bed. The Provence style is characterized by a bed with a high and elegant carved headboard, and all other furniture is placed around it. Mandatory elements are bedside tables, made complete with a bed, as well as a spacious chest of drawers with a similar texture. Women's bedroom in Provence style can be equipped with a dressing table with a mirror and several drawers.
Lighting
A distinctive feature of the Provence style is the lightness of space and all interior elements. This is partly due to light colors that visually expand the room, partly thanks to elegant furniture with legs, but the right lighting plays a major role in creating the right atmosphere. A ceiling chandelier made in a traditional manner is used as the main light source. The silhouette is dominated by smooth, gracefully curved shapes, and the shades are made of textiles or frosted glass. Chandeliers are often stylized as metal medieval candlesticks. If the ceiling height allows, the luminaire is hung on a chain, which can be functional or carry only a decorative load.
Table lamps mounted on bedside tables are one of the main attributes of proper bedroom lighting. If there are other furniture groups in the room, for example, a set of chairs and a coffee tabletable, then they should be illuminated separately with a sconce or floor lamp. The light in the Provence bedroom should not be too bright, but it is important that each zone is well lit.
Curtains
Curtains for a room furnished in the spirit of the French province should be as light and airy as everything else. The photo of the Provence-style bedroom interior shows translucent curtains made of natural fabrics: cotton, cambric, linen or chintz. If the location of the dwelling allows, the windows can be left without curtains at all, this technique opens up maximum access to the sun's rays.
However, if the dwelling is located in a busy place and the room needs to be hidden from prying eyes, Roman blinds can be used. Classic curtains for the Provence style bedroom are also allowed, but they must be light in color, plain or with a slight floral pattern.
Decor
Décor gives character to a room, without intricate knick-knacks the bedroom will seem empty, boring and uninhabited. Decorations should harmoniously complement the existing interior, look moderate and not irritate the eye. Textile accessories - this is the area where you can give free rein to your imagination. Use vegetal-patterned bedspreads and throws, pillowcases with flounces and satin embroidery, and stylish unbleached linen covers for armchairs.
Lighting fixtures, in addition to the main function, serve as a stylish addition to the room. In the design photoProvence-style bedrooms are decorated with wooden lamps with an elegant carved leg and a fabric lampshade. Also, lamps can be forged, however, such parts must have a pair, for example, in the form of metal handles on pieces of furniture.
Ceramic vases, fireplaces or their imitation, faience figurines, as well as candlesticks - this is something without which it is impossible to imagine the atmosphere in the style of the French province.
Photos of Provence-style bedrooms are the epitome of comfort, impeccable style and Parisian elegance. This environment calls for rules to be followed, but implementing them is easy enough.
