French Old Country Style Furniture
The French are well-known for their contributions to style over the years. French old country style furniture is another contribution supporting their reputation.
French Old Country Style Furniture
There is nothing quite like the style of furniture that is referred to as French Country. While there are many elements that contribute to this style, the end product is always rustic, quaint, and very welcoming. Whether you are living in a Chateaux or a country house, this casual style fits well into any home. French old country style furniture is made to reflect a more practical lifestyle with the understated elegance that you get with ornately carved pieces.
An important facet of this type of furniture is the material that is used to build it. French old country style furniture uses natural materials such as delicately carved woods, rusted metals, woven rich texture fabrics, wool, and cotton, just to name a few. A popular fabric in French country style is Toile. It is a traditional style usually done in white or cream background with brightly colored patterns which include farm animals, flowers, or stripes. Couches are usually done in one pattern while side chairs are done in another to lend to the eclectic look that usually accompanies French country style furniture.
Colors are also extremely important in this style of furniture. Fiery reds, burnt rust, sunny yellows, soft gold, dark hunter green, and cobalt blue are colors more associated with French country. Bright blacks and dull grays accentuate these colors to make a warmer piece of furniture. Although the furniture pieces themselves are done with a light stain or painted look, the fabrics are vibrant and made to look very lively.
Complex, but simple at the same time, the furniture carvings are also a main facet of the furniture style. The dining room tables are ornately carved and are rather large, with French open-air arm chairs, whereas the kitchen tables are simpler. Most French country furniture looks antique, even if it is new. They have a very distinct vintage European look to them and are identifiable by their mix of colors and soft carvings.
Authentic French country furniture can be found in estate sales, auction houses, or antique stores. Reproductions can be found from just about any major manufacturer, since it is such a popular look. Most lines feature the armoire, caned chairs, and romantic four poster beds that are the staple of any French country home. What the new pieces lack in history and charm of the older pieces, they make up for in the quality, as it is consistently some of the best furniture made.