I love garage sales. Interior design has this reputation of being quite posh and stuffy. However, some of my best finds have come from scouring garage sales and antique markets. Recently, I went to the Settlement Home Garage Sale and found a pair of French Provincial side chairs. They instantly brought me back to the cozy comforts of my ’80s childhood home, so I had to scoop them up! The drive back got me thinking about French Provincial interior design and why the style still feels so utterly comfortable and appealing. 

 

Many of our “American” interior design styles pull inspiration from (or copy) those from older European countries. After all, they’ve had many more centuries to develop their iconic aesthetics! The “not so” American French Provincial style has had many iterations here in the States, and its timeless appeal is once again being recognized. But what makes the look so cozy? I’m defining French Provincial design, its history, and features of the style. 

To Me, French Provincial Style Feels Like Home 

My introduction to the French Provincial style was in the early ‘80s when my mother, who was always redecorating and upgrading our home furnishings, decided to get a new furniture suite for our “formal” living and dining rooms.

 

Like me, my mother was much more enamored with antique furniture than new. She loved the thrill of finding the perfect piece oozing with charming character and getting a great deal to boot! So, instead of hitting the furniture showroom, she studied the newspaper classifieds for furniture listings and upcoming garage sales. 

 

After weeks of searching, she found a furniture set being sold in our South Austin neighborhood and took my sister and me (ages 11 and 9, respectively) to check it out. We arrived, and my jaw dropped at the sight of it. This furniture set was the fanciest thing I had ever seen in person! The seller said, “It’s French Provincial furniture.” 

 

The French Provincial style was all the rage then in our ‘80s Austin community. As far as I was concerned, this was the height of luxury. The set included a dining table with leaves, chairs, and a buffet, all finished in faux antique paint, as well as a sofa, pair of side chairs, and side tables. 

Viola! We had a newly furnished home, and my mother was thrilled (as was I). My sister and I even got to choose the new fabric for the sofa at the upholstery workshop. This particular furniture find was my mother’s pride and joy, and it remained in our home until her death in 2016. 

 

Looking back, I took for granted how incredibly comfortable this furniture was. It made my friends’ homes feel extremely uncomfortable in comparison. While elegant, French Provincial furniture is built around the idea of comfort, effortlessly combining aesthetics with practicality for a wholesome, welcoming feel. Now, years later, I have taken the time to better understand the history, forms, and continued interest in the French Provincial style. 

 

What is French Provincial Interior Design? 

French Provincial interior design, also known as French country decor, began in rural France in the 1600s in areas like Normandy. The style drew inspiration from the elegant stylings of Versailles but adopted these ornate flourishes for a more relaxed country lifestyle. French Provincial furnishings embrace the lines of “fancy” Parisian antiques but are often finished in much softer paint colors and upholstery prints like gingham and florals. Repurposed period pieces are paired with more rustic elements like exposed wood beams, wood plank farmer’s tables, wrought iron, and flower bouquets picked from the garden. The French Provincial style is the perfect blend of elegant and effortless, refined and rustic.    

A Brief History of the French Provincial Style 

French Provincial architecture started to dot the French countryside as early as the 1600s. These manors took the form of impressive estates designed with symmetry, high-pitched rooflines, and mansard windows. However, the application consisted of contrasting rustic finishes like natural cut stone, exposed beams, and floral patterns reminiscent of country life. The style finally made its way to America after WWI with the returning troops who fell in love with the beauty of the area. It fell out of favor by the 1930s with the rise of Art Deco and then made a small resurgence again in the ‘60s. The shabby chic movement repackaged the French Provincial style in the ‘80s and ‘90s, which you can see in the decor of Meg Ryan’s apartment in You’ve Got Mail, from her crackle paint dresser to Laura Ashley bedding. Today, I am seeing a resurgence of the style as more and more folks embrace antiquing and opt for more personalized, cozy textiles and finishings. 

 

Features of French Provincial Design 

French country style is a blend of many contrasting features, like a Louis XV chair upholstered in white and blue gingham. But there are a few key elements that define French Provincial design. 

Mix of High and Low

The most interesting interiors have a mix of high and low decor. For the French Provincial style, this means painting the antique armoire a pastel Robin’s egg, hanging a wrought iron chandelier over a farmer’s dining table, or pairing delicate Louis XV armchairs alongside an overstuffed sofa. 

Vintage Charm 

Out with the new, in with the old. French Provincial design is rooted in vintage charm. Half the fun of the style is rooting through antique stores to find chaise lounges, armoires, and cabriole leg chairs. Amplify the vintage appeal with classic textile patterns like chinoiserie and toile for the curtains. 

Rustic Comforts

Rustic finishes make the French country style approachable, feeling lived in and welcoming. Embrace imperfections with rough exposed beams, reclaimed wood floors, and antique rugs underfoot. 

Effortlessly Chic

Together, all of these elements make for an effortlessly chic interior. The final product should feel as if you spend the weekends in Paris shopping for antiques (or South Austin garage sales) and return home to the country to tend to the garden. My favorite part of the effortless aesthetic is that it looks just as good when your home is a mess. 

French Provincial’s Timeless Appeal Lies in Its Rustic Comfort

While I do not often decorate in the French Provincial style, it holds a special place in my childhood memories, and I continue to be fascinated by its timeless beauty. There is something egalitarian about the style that takes credit for its appeal. While it mimics the lines of Louis XV furnishings, it is decidedly unpretentious—favoring comfort and relaxation over garish detail. And it is all so welcoming. 

How could you not enjoy the feeling of the French countryside?