This style got its name from one of the southern provinces of France. Using the direction of Provence in the interior means creating an environment in the premises of a house or apartment that leaves a feeling of comfort and quiet provincial life.
Characteristic style features
This sunny region of France is associated by all people with the beauty of lavender fields, fragrant aromas of spices and herbs, sea wind and bright light. The main features of the Provence style in the interior are the creation of a certain atmosphere in the room, recreating the ancient traditions and way of life of the French province of the 19th century. It is distinguished by simplicity, closeness to nature, soft "burnt out" colors in the design. All this helps to add romance and charm that came from past centuries.
Main characteristics of the style:
- exquisite antique furniture;
- light pastel shades in decor;
- original, almost fabulous patterns, ruffles and embroidery;
- light curtains or curtains, cushions on sofas;
- the presence of living plants in the form of bouquets or planted in pots;
- an abundance of accessories: varioustrinkets, sculpture, crockery and textiles.
Colours
When using the Provence style in the interior of the apartment, only light, soothing tones are used in the complete absence of bright colors. Pastel shades give the impression of sun-bleached surfaces of walls, things and decor.
The accent color is often white, which can be used in the design of a kitchen or bathroom. However, it is not snow-white cold that is chosen, but its warm shades: baked milk, egg white, vanilla.
The most popular soothing tones: wheat, beige, cream, light blue, lavender, lemon, olive, aqua, sky, greenery, dry clay, etc. It is recommended to use elements of artificial aging of furniture and things.
Wall, floor and ceiling decoration
A distinctive feature of the Provence-style interior is the use of only natural materials in the design of walls and ceilings and the complete absence of wallpaper. The latter are allowed only as an exception and are selected in solid colors or with a stylized pattern.
Preference is given to textured plaster or surface paint. Moreover, small bumps, streaks or bald spots in the coating will look more original. Often used brick or decorative stone, which is then painted in light colors.
For a living room, the ideal material for the floor is raw board, painted invarious brown or terracotta shades. Sometimes it is allowed to use a laminate, the pattern of which imitates a wooden coating. For the kitchen, it is recommended to choose tiles in pastel colors or terracotta shades.
The ceiling is necessarily light, it is also possible to decorate it with dark-colored wooden beams, hewn by hand. Such a contrast is one of the features of the Provence style in the interior of the house. Moreover, beam systems can be used in the interiors of various premises: living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc.
Decoration of windows and doors
The ideal option for decorating windows in a Provence style interior (photo below) would be high “French” openings starting from the floor to the ceiling, you can also add a crate, divide it into sections or bindings. It is better to choose frames from natural material, but metal-plastic, which is made to match the color and pattern of wood, is also acceptable.
High windows look perfect for a private house, and in a city apartment it is possible to use similar motifs in interior items: cupboard doors, partitions or interior doors.
Curtains or curtains are necessarily hung on the windows, the fabric for which is selected light, airy from natural linen or cotton. Very popular flower arrangements for textiles in the form of small flowers. Moreover, the floral theme is also used on furniture upholstery, curtains, sofa cushions, napkins, etc. You can hang curtains made of glass beads. However, you should not get carried away with this, it is better to observe the measure - a large number of prints can becomeredundant.
Interior doors are recommended to be painted white, and the surface to be patinated, which will give the room country features. Such "aged" doors can be painted on top.
Zoning and decor
Zoning a room in the interior of a Provence-style house is done by using various materials for the floor, creating partitions from shelving, forged metal gratings, and installing large decorative flowerpots with plants.
The provincial style of southern France is characterized by an abundance of decorative items, especially handmade ones. To emphasize the features of Provence in the interior of the apartment will help:
- embroidered doilies and lace;
- dried and fresh flowers and their arrangements;
- decorative pillows;
- paintings and baguettes, mirrors;
- pottery for kitchen;
- forged elements (headboard, lamps) painted in black and white with openwork patterns;
- porcelain figurines on the theme of Provence, caskets, etc.
Furniture
The provincial features of the Provence style are also reflected in the selection of pieces of furniture that should fulfill not only their functional purpose, but also be emphatically decorating. In no case should you install modern wardrobes. Instead, old painted wardrobes and sideboards, chests of drawers and cabinets, armchairs and chairs with slightly worn legs, ancient chests, vintage photo frames are ideal.
Furnitureit is advisable to select from light varieties: oak, ash, walnut or chestnut. To create the effect of wear on the front sides, a special “aging” is done. The best option would be to use family heirlooms in the interior of Provence that have lived for more than a dozen years: old clocks, grandmother's textiles and utensils, an ancient chest of drawers that has lost its former color. Another option is wicker or rattan furniture.
As a rule, a massive round table is set in the middle of the living room, covered with a tablecloth with a light ornament or stripes on top. Similarly, furniture is selected for the kitchen and other rooms in the house.
Hallway decoration
When designing an interior in the Provence style for a room that immediately gets all the people who come into the house, all of the above techniques are used. For the selection of furniture and decorative details, you can use the photos below. This will help you feel the philosophy and understand the characteristic features of the provincial style.
The walls and ceiling in light colors, stylized ceramic tiles on the floor, aged furniture will help create the atmosphere. A great and necessary addition will be a large mirror in an old baguette and a lot of frames with photographs or drawings. In upholstery fabrics, it is better to use floral ornaments, as well as when decorating cabinets with doors.
The chandelier is hung only in a large space of the hallway, when choosing it, they adhere to classical forms and additions in the form of fabric shades, metal, bronze or wood details. All decor elements should create an overall picture.harmony and comfort.
Living room
The purpose of this room is a place for a family evening or receiving guests. Therefore, the Provence style in the interior of the living room should emphasize the comfort and homely atmosphere in the house.
The center of such a room, located in a country house, can be a fireplace, which is located between large French windows. This will allow all family members to enjoy a beautiful view of the garden or the surrounding landscape. It can be installed either near the wall, and in order to emphasize the emphasis on it, other furniture is placed around it. For the conditions of a city apartment, an option with a decorative fireplace is suitable.
Color solutions are selected in light shades, using them in textiles with floral patterns and upholstery of upholstered furniture. The central place is given to the sofa, on which decorative pillows are placed.
Washed rattan items can be used as chairs. For decoration, they put baskets made of vines, flower arrangements, plants in clay or ceramic pots, elegant vases.
Bedroom
Provencal style in the interior of any room embodies the elegance and charm of old provincial France. This is especially significant in the room for rest and sleep. The Provence bedroom interior should create a feeling of comfort, peace and serenity, which is so lacking in an apartment located in the middle of a big city.
The center of the composition of the room is a large comfortable bed, which is desirable to complementa canopy made of light translucent fabrics. It is made of wood, decorated with carved patterns or metal forging. Bed linen is chosen in one color: white or light colors, floral prints are acceptable in a small amount on the bedspread, pillows or upholstery of upholstered furniture. As can be seen from the presented photos, in the interior of Provence, a large number of textile elements perfectly creates an atmosphere of home comfort.
1-2 bedside tables are obligatory nearby, which are traditional for the provincial country style. Various cabinets, tables or chests of drawers are selected in an elegant shape, based on thin curved legs. Antique furniture with the effect of "obsolescence" is ideal. For women, they also put a dressing table.
To store things and accessories, you can put cabinets, racks or showcases, internal surfaces for styling are pasted over with wallpaper or decorated differently.
To visually increase the bedroom space, a mirror in a gilded frame is ideal, which is a must-have accessory for women.
When lighting, it is recommended to install small sources of diffused light: wall lamps, table lamps with a floral or plain fabric shade, candelabra imitating antiquity.
A small bedside rug in discreet tones is used to cover the floor. For wall decor, paintings with delicate landscape motifs are used, which will create harmony with other interior elements.
Kitchen
Finishing the kitchen room has some features. Color spectrumis selected to provide the maximum amount of natural light, so only light colors are used. They help create a sense of calm and harmony inherent in the Provence style in the interior of the kitchen.
Walls are often made of natural stone, tiles imitating brickwork, wood paneling. Around the sink or hob, you can lay out a wall with multi-colored small mosaics or ceramic tiles.
Decorating the ceiling with beams is performed only with a sufficient height of the room, with low - plaster is used. Tiles are used to decorate the floor; linoleum is suitable as a budget option.
As can be seen from the presented photos, the Provence kitchen interior will be beautifully decorated with fresh flowers on the windowsill and hanging bunches of herbs, which will help create a rustic look. Built-in modern appliances in the kitchen should be hidden behind the facade or closing decorative doors. To associate with the provincial old life on the ceiling, you can apply the effect of soot.
Kitchen furniture is selected wooden, in a rough style, made "antique". A large number of shelves and drawers are welcome. The highlight of the Provencal style can be open cabinets for dishes, in which old plates, pots, and a samovar are placed. To block the access of dust, glazed doors are used. The French features of this style are emphasized by dried herbs and spices, without which the preparation of national dishes is impossible.
Bathroom and WC
Provence style in the interior of a house or apartment is characterized not by ostentatious luxury, but by simplicity, accessibility and provincial intelligence. After all, this French region is known throughout the world for its blue sea, bright sun and colorful landscapes.
Decoration of walls and furniture should be simple and harmonious: walls painted in light shades, towels a little faded from washing, plumbing in the old style, and flowers in a vase. Everything is illuminated with bright light through a large window.
Typical tones and combinations: light yellow and pale blue, pleasant greenery and lavender, which is a symbol of the flowering meadows of the French province. The ceiling and floor are preferably white, the walls are painted in pastel colors, furniture and plumbing are allowed in brighter shades.
Wooden panels can also be used for walls, but they must be treated with a water-repellent and antibacterial composition, and then painted. Lacquer is not recommended. Place them vertically or horizontally.
Ceramic tiles do not fit into the provincial style, but they can be used in the bathroom and in the bathroom. When choosing, you need to choose the right color and texture:
- drawing that imitates wood flooring in light colors, bleached wood will look optimal;
- matte light tiles are plain, grouting is done in the same color;
- the surface of the tile must be rough for the safety of people and to reduce the risk of injury.
An original solution for a Provence-style bathroom in the interior of a house, private or country, can be the installation of a window-door through which you can go outside. In apartments, it is recommended to make a small window, divided into cells. Frames - only wooden, glass - square or rectangular, you can make a rounding at the top.
Provence in the interior of a small apartment
You can use the provincial style when creating an interior in a limited area, taking into account the summation of all its distinctive features, combining them and creating a harmonious space in a small room.
When designing a one-room apartment, it is important to feel the balance between the number of details, because large elements can clutter up the room. It is recommended to make large plain planes of only light colors, which will visually expand the space. A large number of small details will look of poor quality and clutter up the room.
Instead of a large chandelier, it is better to make lighting with spotlights located between the ceiling light beams. When choosing furniture, you should pay attention to the use of the “aging” effect of even the most modern details, but the absence of fresh varnish and shine is essential.
Regardless of the amount of financial resources invested in the design and design of a Provence-style room, an interesting and rich space can be designed in the interior of an apartment of any size. The people who will be in itlive, will be able to fully experience the flavor and mood of the southern province of France.
