Table of Content
- What’s the Difference between French Country and Farmhouse Style?
- The Charm of a French Country Kitchen
- III. The best French country paint colors for furniture & decor
- Stone French Country-Style Home
- I. French country color palette
- Cove Light Ideas (Types & Ceiling Lighting Designs)
- Remodeling the Exterior of a Tudor Style House
Chalk paint is the perfect choice for someone who doesn’t know anything about painting (like me!), or who wants to renovate their furniture quickly and well. There are now several paint techniques that allow furniture to be repainted while retaining its authenticity and patina. Here in France, we like to have old pieces of furniture. Here is our dining room furniture before and after chalk paint.

Traditional French architectural hallmarks, such as a stucco exterior, tall arched windows, and a Juliet balcony, further the historic illusion. The exterior of this French country home was fashioned from plaster mixed with pale sienna pigment, while the roof tiles were made by hand and shaped over the craftsman's thigh. The tiles were placed in the same angular way they are in France. They were left unglazed to allow moss to grow, another detail that adds to the overall pastoral look.
What’s the Difference between French Country and Farmhouse Style?
Use shades inspired by nature such as earth, wood and stone. The shades are colorful, with sunny yellow, golds, terracotta red, lavender, bright and dark greens and, of course, French blue with accents of black and gray. You may prefer to turn this theory on its head and use bright colors as accents and stick to muted yellow and beige shades for the majority of the exterior. French country style is well known for its casual yet elegant aesthetic, where old meets new.

I'm into subtle….if you have a bright color…then pillows…etc need to show some I think…and down the road it'll need another color. Love the lighter colors, though coral too , soooooooo gorgeous! Bright blues certainly stand out and make a statement- and love them with the blue and white pottery. And if you need more help choosing your color palette, check my French Country Design e-book.
The Charm of a French Country Kitchen
When shopping for furniture, choose the ones that are slightly distressed or weathered out. French Country features soft, delicate, feminine, and delicate elements whereas Farmhouse adheres to a much cleaner look, crisp and sleek edges, simplicity, and more casual outlook. Unlike the clean and crisp lines of the modern style, French adheres to a softer, curvy, and comfortable setting that is meant to be cozy, simple, and plush. Thus, they clad the facades with natural exposed stone or brick. Meanwhile, some of the French Country homes can be also be seen in Stucco. Ranging in size from compact humble cottages to enormous chateau, these homes have continued to inspire the delicate Shabby Chic and whimsical Modern Farmhouse style.
Sets of French doors across the front are painted in a soft blue-gray, which is set off beautifully by the antique brick porch floor. Landscaping with trees, shrubs, grass and flowering plants can enhance a home's French country exterior. Fill window boxes with greenery, colorful flowers and cascading vines.
III. The best French country paint colors for furniture & decor
These pastel greens have always been my favorites and look so pretty with all the foliage and flowers. There are french doors, back doors, porch doors, pet doors. Neutrals are timeless and allow your furniture and decor to stand out.
Now, here are the paint colors I recommend for a French country home. French Country colors are traditionally a mix of neutrals, and soft & subtle tones. They were inviting, solid and offered shelter and protection from the outside world. Warm, earthy colors such as dull grey, burnt orange, soft gold, deep browns and fiery reds are blended with differing textures of stone and wood type. Categorized as a muted terra-cotta or burnt peach, this home's exterior color changes with the sun and the rain, much as a Provencal sunset would. The color was chosen to give the petite French country chateau a gentle patina to disguise its newness.
Stone French Country-Style Home
But other people like to add a bit of color - always soft and muted - like light green, red ocher, french blue, pale pink or yellow ocher. But if you want to add a touch of color to your room, choose a light green, pale pink, french blue, lavender… Anything soft and subtle. The objective of the homeowners was to create a contemporary Italian retreat. The old style exterior with rustic stone and peaked rooflines blends seamlessly with old trees and lush greenery of the neighbourhood, while the interior offers a striking juxtaposition. Clean lines, uncluttered spaces and strong pops of colour define the contemporary interior design. Built in Federal style in the 19th century, this early American home was heavily influenced by French architecture.

As you now know, a French country home is mostly made of neutral colors. Furniture that fits the French Country style has light and muted colors. In creating a beige for example, if the color formula has a little more green in it, then it will have a green undertone.
Brilliantly combining rustic and refined, French country homes bring classic European architecture into the present day. They range from quaint farmhouses to impressive chateaus, but all exude a sense of history and charm. Find inspiration from these French country-style houses to create your own stately retreat. Infuse the spirit of Provençal living into your space with paint colors inspired by French country decor. For exterior design, French house exterior often match bold colors next to earthy tones.
Simply explained, undertones are the colors lurking beneath your paint color. Located in California, this home could easily be mistaken for one situated in the French countryside. Like a typical French country house, it exudes village warmth without giving up any city sophistication. Surrounded by plants and edged in rocks, the pool takes on the look of a free-form pond. A stately cypress tree introduces quintessential European charm. Bring the bucolic charm of French country decorating into your home with this breezy, rustic palette.
Wood or natural stone is highly appreciated in French Country Style homes. Natural wood flooring laid in a parquet or herringbone pattern is a classic example. Meanwhile, limestone is another specification that the French loved. There is something so magical about the French Country style that cannot be replicated easily. The rustic and natural feel keeps one tucked away in the French Village, with its creative moldings and classical fabric, floral, tapestries and motifs highlighted.

With the right colors, textures, landscaping and architectural elements, you can decorate almost any home's exterior to make it look like French country. Set a decorating budget you can live with before embarking on your home's transformation. The material specifications too might vary at certain points. I am fortunate in that I have a white house with black and dark grey trim so I can go any color pretty much on my front door.
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