Is there a difference between French country decor and French provincial decor or even French country decor? We’ll see.
In the past, the general style of rural France was known as French provincial; the name was associated with Provence, where rural life had remained relatively unchanged with its rustic textures, rich colors and almost primitive furnishings, all inspired by the beautiful countryside. By association all of rural France was called Provincial.
But there is more to the French countryside than rural Provence. France is a huge country and further north the summers are mild and the winters are cold, unlike the hot southern region of Provence.
The landscape and the play of natural light are also very different between north and south (and between east and west). Traveling north you’ll find paler colors that echo northern skies, in stark contrast to the strong, vibrant colors of the sunny south. These natural differences influence color and style between regions. Additionally, historical and regional influences vary throughout the country.
In addition to regional influences, country society also had its influence: classifying houses as manor, gentleman’s house, or middle-class house, with the status of these houses far above that of simple farmhouse or country house. A mansion might belong to an aspiring merchant, or it might be an owner’s rural retreat far from the city.
It was only natural that Chateau-style living seeped into these houses. Here the basic furnishings of the peasant would meet the refined trappings of the castle; therefore, the interior of these farmhouses would be quite different from the interior of a nearby working farm.
French Country refers to the style and colors of all the rural regions of France, from vibrant and sunny Provence in the south, to calm and cool Nord-Pas-de-Calais in the north. From country house to country house. An informal style with a subtle crossover, where the beauty and simplicity of rustic France meet the refined life of the French chateau.
Although the regions differ in style, color and texture, they all have the same traditional values that bind them as one. It is not just a style but a lifestyle. Here are some examples:
- Love and respect for traditional traditions and crafts.
- Authentic love for the countryside and its natural materials.
- Reinvent instead of discard
- sophisticated simplicity
- Harmony, scale and balance
In conclusion, today the name French Country is a catch-all decorating term for everybody the rural regions of France, incorporating both the rustic farmhouse and the more refined manor style, including the term Provincial French or Country French.
