Interior design is a sophisticated business which calls for creativity and professionalism. To excel well in this business, you must have the capability to accept errors and learn from them. Despite the French being named as the most advanced in interior design, they too accept that making mistakes is part of learning.

To remodel a whole house to suit a French country style, you can do the following:

v Blend the styles

The concept operates under the principles that call for using current and old techniques at the same time. Do not stick to westernized designs only. The old formats trigger curiosity and take the eyes away from a single item in the room to a situation whereby the eyes are always moving. For example using a beautiful frame which is very current on an old painting will mix the styling very well. Alternatively, you can use a woven seat with an elegant glass table.

v Keep the walls white

White is a color that contrasts with the majority of the colors, and thus it is the best color to use on the wall as it will expose other decorations put on the wall. It also helps in bringing out the carvings on the walls as well as the window designs. The color also helps to preserve light by reflecting a majority of it that gets in through the windows or the doors. It is the best color to use on the walls while remodeling your house.

v The doors and windows

French style windows and doors have almost the same design and the difference being only the size. They are both designed to open on either side but with much preference with inward opening swings. They are mostly two sides and close at the center. Majorities have a wooden finish, but since the window pieces are small, they are prone to warping and contraction. Due to this, you can use u-PVC frames which are resistant to both expansion and contraction caused by changes in temperatures. The top parts of the doors or windows should have shutters and arches.

v Furniture

These should be made from raw wood or woven rush, more so the chairs and beds. The dining table should be rounded or rectangular with a waxed finish. The legs should be curved and carved; a clear finish should be applied to bring out the designs. The desks should be spacious and with storage spaces. A corner desk with shelves helps to free space in the rooms. The armoire should always be present to store utensils or clothes depending on its location.

v Decorating fabrics and colors

The materials used for decorations as well as for curtains should not be thick but rather smooth in texture. They should be spotted or with thin shining lines or stripes. The thinness in the fabric allows light and the sunshine to pass through the window as well as enable the cloth to flow down smoothly.

Any color used for aesthetic reason should fit well with the areas it is supposed to fit. For example, bright, bold colors bring energy; paint them in the living and dining room. Use neutral, gray, and brown colors in the bedroom. White is also a great color to use.

v The rooms

You can add a French feeling in the rooms by for example using hooks to hang your utensils and pots as well as using hand labeled wall stickers. You can use a garden bench as a bedroom chair. Use wrought iron racks or vintage bowls to put the towels. To conserve water, you can also fix a bathtub in the bathroom. The ceilings should be made from wood. Have curio items to attract curiosities.

v  Rather than having concrete floors; put a herringbone floor or wooden floors and paint it with a bright color. These floor colors will offer a high contrast from the walls and mix the element of diversity by having a wooden floor on a stone walled house.

French Style Country Rules of Thumb

If you want to achieve a French style in either interior or exterior design, you have to follow some principles. The first and foremost thing is to try and use natural materials rather than buying from the stores. After having the product use a bright or white finish or else apply contrasting colors.

Only replace broken things and give the old ones a retouch, French style is magnificent due to the use of old fashion items and bringing out the beauty in them. Don’t clutter many things in the rooms but rather always leave free spaces. Place eye-catching objects or pieces of jewelry in those empty spaces or in an area where it will attract most curiosity.

You can even make the roof hipped.