Ah, the joys of designing a home. Getting ideas out on to mood board, deciding on an interior trend – French Country, Shabby Chic or Farmhouse? – spotting nooks and crannies to immerse in the surroundings you’ve eloquently put together. Painting the walls and experimenting with whimsical patterns. There are few better ways, at least for me, to spend my time. At times I feel like I could be preaching to the choir on the importance of having a house that feels like a home; especially now as we find ourselves spending more time than ever in our homes, cooping up preparing for the winter months.
Often it’s less to do about the aesthetics of it; instead for many, a home is a place to restore and find your ground after having a busy day. A place to sit back, put your feet up, tea in hand, and spend the evening binge-watching (there, I said it) a TV series of a genre that five years ago you probably never contemplated watching. Or perhaps you’re a night owl and while the rest of the world is shutting down getting ready for bed, you’re ticking off your to-do list one at a time. No distractions, just the glare of the moon.
Lately, I’ve been delving into the interior style of shabby chic on request from our lovely readers and what strikes me most is how versatile it is. What you’ll notice is that every home that embodies the shabby chic style is accompanied by something a little personal to whose home it is. Particularly if you go scouting out stores to find bits and pieces for your home, the rustic features and feminine accents never leave but how you personalise them always changes.
What makes it unique is the blend of influences, shabby chic is a combination of several styles coming together as one. I’ve been in awe of the creativity surrounding shabby chic and how some emphasise the eclectic nature of the style, whereas others lean more towards its humble cottage features. For this piece, we’re taking a tour inside a home that’s been inspired by shabby chic and enriched with french country accents.
It’s fair to say slipcovers were made famous by the visionary designer, Rachel Ashwell. Founder of Shabby Chic, the term as well as the global brand, Ashwell never settled on the idea of decorating and furnishing needing to be difficult; a home could be comfortable, beautiful, and functional at the same time.
Introducing slipcovers, the layered fabrics that add a country charm, require minimal effort to slip on and off, machine-washable and are often stain-resistant (need I say more?) Whether you prefer a relaxed loose type or tailored fit, slipcovers are a simple yet stylish way to enhance a room with country accents.
Needless to say, weaving gold accents bring a beautiful glow into a room that acts as a focal point for surrounding interiors. A good place to start would be by finding decorative features, such as this antique mirror with a gold rim placed amongst a gallery wall of vintage botanical painting. Its weathered look and large size bring a classical charm into the dining room that you’d expect to find in a historic Provencal home.
If there was ever a way to give a room a homely, cottage vibe it’s with rattan; the craft and design of rattan furniture certainly make a statement. Their natural aesthetic makes it easy to incorporate inside a home that, otherwise would have left rattan for the garden. The textures mixed them with shades of beiges and cream effortlessly adds a bit of sunshine into a dining room.
While I love absolutely love a minimal colour palette, when you’re wanting to add a French-esque look and feel in a room then difference textures are a must. Playing with a range of texture in a room can balance a neutral colour palette beautifully, adding an array of neutrals with a warm and authentic glow. Whether you decide on bamboo, ceramics, or weathered antiques french country welcomes creativity and gives you the perfect excuse to mix and match eclectic decor.
I debated on the word exaggerate, but often that is what a lot of French Country is about. It’s the grandiose pieces, whimsical fabrics, and aged wood that makes the style one that’s sought after. It’s unique and can to some extent be difficult to pull off but when it’s done good, it’s done beautifully. Elegance and charm is at the heart of style, and so when it comes to deciding whether or not to go with those draped curtains across your canopy bed I say a big, bold yes.
Now that you have statement pieces, the colour palette, materials in mind the next stop is decor. When it comes to choosing decor for your home, french country style, woven baskets, paired with natural flowers, and old botanical paintings are the essential pieces to bring elements of the outdoor in of which much of French Country in inspired by.
Photo credits: Camille Styles
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