When it comes to design, the French seemingly have the monopoly on effortless style and timeless chic. Whether it’s fashion, interiors, architecture or even food, the French just seem to have a way of adding a touch of sophistication to things, making whatever they touch appear simultaneously effortless and achingly stylish.
Luckily however, there are a few easy ways of mimicking the French style that’s so adored worldwide. After years of travelling around France I’ve built up quite the collection of style tips, so if you’re looking for a touch of Europe in your interior design, sit back and enjoy these five easy tips to get that Parisian chic:
Undone touches
If you compare stylish Parisian homes to the opulence of Beverly Hills or Dubai, you’ll notice that the French interiors are never over-styled, and they’re rarely perfectly finished. There’s always an element of things being slightly unfinished or worn, and this is part of what makes their style appear so effortless. Whether it’s an unmade bed, wrinkled sheets or chipped paint on the walls, Parisian interiors always have something undone about them.
Make use of the armoire
Whereas the Americans and British prefer lavish, expansive wardrobes that are tidily covered by sliding or hinged doors, the French make use of an armoire – a freestanding storage unit that usually has a hanging rail and drawers. They hold far fewer items and display them proudly, again giving that ‘undone’ look and adding to the effortless style the French are so famous for.
Celebrate your architecture
Europe has a much richer history than newer countries like the US, and as a result it’s far more common for homes to feature historic architecture. The French are particularly keen on celebrating and featuring these architectural features in their home, and often decorate in ways that bring them out or make them the focal point of a room. So if you have wooden beams, carved detailing or beautiful herringbone floors, make a point of bringing attention to them for that Parisian feeling.
Make the bathtub a feature
The French are experts when it comes to relaxing, and there’s little as European as a freestanding porcelain bathtub. Make it a focal point of the bathroom and for that extra feeling of French style, decorate the room with natural tones and put up some framed black and white photographs (ideally of Paris!).
Make use of a subdued colour palette
The French don’t really go in for bold, bright colours and feature walls, instead usually opting for a more subdued colour palette. That doesn’t mean to say they don’t make use of colour, but it’s usually in accents (such as a deep red bedspread). Think along the lines of grey, white, black, linen, pale greens and sandy colours, with the odd splash of decorate colour accents and you’ll be well on your way to that stylish Parisian interior.
