Provence in the interior – femininity in details

Recommendation points

• The history of the Provence style and its difference from country and shabby chic
• Color solution
• Surfaces: ceiling, walls, floor
• Textile
• Decor: accessories and decorations
• How to create a provence with your own hands
• About aging techniques

Country, shabby chic and Provencal styles are considered “feminine” due to their lightness and airiness, how they differ – you will learn from this article. In addition, we will give advice and recommendations on how to create a Provence-style corner of France in your apartment with your own hands..

The history of the Provence style and its difference from country and shabby chic

Country, Provence and Shabby Chic – these three styles flow from each other. The first one originated in the English province as a rural flavor, which does not differ in any national and ethnic characteristics..

Provence is the same country, but already with an imitation of France, and it is the southeast of the country.

Chebbi-chic became the successor of Provence, its peculiarity lies in the name – “shabby chic” (exact translation), where the main stylistic emphasis is on very antique furniture in luxurious Baroque and Rococo styles from wood, purchased at the “flea market”. This style is also called “the classic for the poor”, it also has no strict rules.

It is interesting:fashionable now “vintage” is a stage embodiment of the combination of these styles.

How to distinguish French Provence from English country traditions and shabby chic in the choice of interior details?

Color solution

The color scheme hides the main differences between the styles.

Provence

In the Provence style, there are many cool tones dictated by the very nature of the southeast of France (Provence), the attraction of which are vineyards, lavender fields, the sea with its salt everywhere, fragrant spices and sun-burnt earth, flowers and fruits. Tired paint, burnt out shades and white sea salt all over.

Country

Country colors are warm and homely, these are associations of warmth, fire in the oven, aroma of homemade baked goods, symbolizing the comfort of a village house.

Shabby chic

Shabby chic is an abundance of roses, pink-doll rococo and “baroque”. Lots of white in beading, imitation pearls, hand-woven and embroidery. This is the comfort of a pseudo-aristocracy.

Surfaces: ceiling, walls, floor

In Provence, even elements of brickwork, wood, cracking plaster on the walls, tiled or stone floors look like they have a non-colored and burnt-out effect. This is very important for Provence.!

In country – everything is bright, reliable and soundly.

Shabby chic – chic and vintage worn. If you have a tree, then paint it in whitish shades, the color should not look snow-white, but yellowed in the sun. Beamed ceilings also painted white or ivory.

Walls

In Provence, lavender, lilac, mint and blue are used for the walls, so that it looks like an old paint. Use paints not in one layer, but with overlap, as if it had peeled off in places, clean up the traces, as if from time, and paint again. You can use wallpaper, they should not be flashy, better striped.

In country, the wallpaper is solid, the wood is stained, not painted, as if “eaten” by a tree bug or roughly planed.

Floors

The floors in all three styles are not very different: they are wooden surfaces in terracotta shades. For country and Provence, the main thing is practicality, but in shabby chic use only parquet, solid wood or parquet board, and the styling should also be exquisite: “herringbone”, ornament or a clearly defined wood structure with vintage accents, very fashionable in modern interior trends.

In utility rooms and in the kitchen, it is permissible to use tiled tiles with a pattern in the chosen style, with the same scuffs, cracks, chips on the corners. Moms and grandmothers may not understand this, but this vintage is a conscious step. Feel free to use old interior items and do not worry if something breaks off from old age – this is the most chic!

Textile

It is textiles that make the main stylistic accent. In our conditions, this is the biggest problem, since old fabrics have not survived, and finding new ones so that they look faded from time to time, but at the same time are of good quality is problematic.

The fabrics are used only natural pale, muted and faded shades. In provence and shabby, a faded strip, a pale cage, translucent roses, in bouquets and individual buds are characteristic. From these fabrics make cushions (satin and silk), curtains, bedspreads. Curtains are needed with lambrequins, brushes and cascades.

For shabby chic, lace is good, which is superfluous in provence. A huge variety of floral motifs are suitable for country, but best of all are polka dots, checks and stripes. Ideal – patchwork element.

Decor: accessories and decorations

At first glance, the decor of the shabby chic style is similar to Provence: there are also a large number of small shabby figures, among which there may be both genuine and fake ones. But in shabby chic, frankly kitsch options are used: gilded frames and crystal, porcelain dolls, caskets and boxes, and most importantly – angels. In Provence, the main accessories are flowers, birds and cockerels (imitating a French village), greenery and pots for them are important.

In country, good quality and rustic simplicity are welcomed: wicker baskets, faience instead of porcelain, wooden toys for children: cockerels, chickens, geese, lambs, cows and other rural animals. You can use mushrooms, berries, a variety of fruits and vegetables (with the exception of grapes, which should not be in country). Use sunflowers well.

How to create a provence with your own hands

Let us consider below how, using the knowledge gained, to design an interior in the Provence style with your own hands. So, tuning into the French province.

Colors.A hot summer morning picture: pure white, cream, ivory, lavender and purple. Use all shades of cornflower blue, olive, lemon, cold herbal shades of green. Good sea wave and egg-orange shades in a burnt state.

The basis.A winning option is wood with a rough texture, painted in the colors of the style. Surely you already have wooden objects with forged or steel elements. Use any forged and metal decor items, just paint them in the color of the interior, do not leave them black. Galvanized buckets are an excellent solution for planting flowers. Glass (bottles and glasses) can be used, but very little. Do not use plastic and MDF under any circumstances.

Textile.Take everything that you found in grandmother’s chests, just not the cage. Under this theme, you can buy something new in stores, the main thing is the natural composition and whiteness in color. Better silk and linen, wool and synthetics are not used.

Details.Wine and grapes with vines, olives, faded poppies and small sunflowers. Provence style cockerels. You can use marine motives (seagulls, shells, spatial landscapes, etc.). It will be ideal – lavender and landscapes with lavender fields, floral motifs in the Provencal color scheme. You can make a wall-to-wall wallpaper with the appropriate look.

About aging techniques

It is for Provence that deep aging of the wood used is important (brushing, stains and imitation of woodworm traces), uneven staining and watery glazes, abrasions, one-step crackle, treatment with Antique mediums and patina. Spray can be used, but much less often, and be careful not to look like country.

Decorating for Provence is a fairly simple task. The main thing is that it warms the soul like a woman and reveals creative potential. Accurate application of techniques and correct coloring are only conditions for conveying mood and creating your own individual associations. Let the whole interior and knick-knacks, which, by the way, can be done with children, create a festive and spring atmosphere in your room.