The Provencal style, which came to interior and furniture design from France, has been one of the most popular for many years. It combines luxury and rustic simplicity, so it finds fans among people of different income levels. The basis of the interior of a room is not only the interior decoration, but also the furniture; Provence is the style in which everything should be in perfect harmony with each other. An incorrectly chosen sofa or table can ruin all your efforts. Along with the color and shape of the products, one should take into account the materials of manufacture, decorative options, and features of the combination of different furnishings.
Origin and characteristics of the style
The Provence style originates in the 19th century in the region of the same name in southeastern France. The reason for its appearance was the desire of the nobles to escape the busy bustle of the city to natural harmony. The main distinctive features: lightness and simplicity. You can recognize this style in the interior by the following features:
- Colors. Blue, lilac, white, beige, olive and all their light shades.
- Flooring. As a rule, natural boards or other materials that look like wood are used.
- Curtains, drapes, tulles. Such functional and decorative elements should be weightless, airy, plain or with a small floral print.
- Walls. They can be painted, whitewashed, plastered, or use special panels or materials resembling wood. Wallpaper is least suitable for this style.
- Decor elements. Everything that reflects the French provincial style is used here: linen tablecloths, ceramic plates, porcelain figurines, embroidery, lace.
Warm Provence is considered the absolute opposite of cold high-tech. It combines with other styles that also use natural materials. French differs from English, Mediterranean, and Russian country music in lighter, softer tones and special grace of lines.
Distinctive features
Provence is characterized by a special atmosphere. The style was influenced by rustic motifs, beautiful landscapes, bright sun and blue sea. The houses do not look like rough rural ones. One gets the feeling that intelligent people who understand art and strive to be closer to nature live here.
Distinctive features and features of the Provence style:
- Color scheme – the style is characterized by light pastel colors. The most commonly used colors are white, beige, olive, blue, and lilac;
- Curtains, tulles, curtains - since the Provencal style has a feeling of lightness, simplicity and comfort, curtains are chosen in weightless, airy, light shades. There may be a floral pattern on the curtains, tulle;
- Flooring – most often, ordinary boards are used for covering. Their color is natural or white, gray, beige. Coverings such as parquet, laminate, and tiles are less common. The color range of materials is light;
- The walls are usually whitewashed and plaster is applied. Textured plaster looks beautiful. The most common colors: white, cream, sand, as well as lavender, blue, turquoise and green. Some simply paint the surface in light colors. The use of wall panels is acceptable. Select finishing material with imitation wood. Walls are rarely covered with wallpaper, but there are still people who prefer this material. Plain wallpaper is practically not used; instead, wallpaper with small patterns and floral patterns is chosen;
- Decor – in a Provence style room you can see a huge number of all kinds of objects. They complement the image and create a unique cozy atmosphere. Decorating the room is achieved by using various porcelain figurines, ceramic plates, glass vases;
- Textiles are usually light shades: milky, lilac, gray, light blue, olive. You can also see many handmade elements. This can be embroidery, ruffles, lace, bows.
Furniture in the Provence style brings great aesthetic pleasure. It looks aged, which gives it a special elegance. Real antique interior items are not cheap, so special surface treatments are often used. To decorate furniture in the Provence style, special means and technologies are used to create an artificial effect of scuffs, chips, and roughness. Interior items are made from solid wood or forged metal. Various tables and chairs contain elements of figured carving. Forged furniture does not look heavy or bulky. Simple lines, plant or animal motifs are used for decoration. The love for antiquity can also be seen when arranging wicker furniture. Such chairs, armchairs, tables also often decorate the room.
Particular attention is paid to various details. These can be antique paintings, pillows, tablecloths, bedspreads. Natural materials are used: linen, cotton. Floral patterns, stripes, and checkered designs are typical. On the tables you can see the most beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers or dried flowers. The most common flowers are roses and lavender. The use of forged decorative elements for the Provence style is popular. Various shelves, frames for photographs, paintings, clothes hangers.
Manufacturing materials
Furniture made in Provencal style brings aesthetic pleasure. It is simple and elegant at the same time, looks expensive, but homely. In its manufacture the following are mainly used:
- natural wood;
- forged metal.
Wood is usually aged naturally or artificially. Special technologies make it possible to create seemingly real roughness, chips, and abrasions. The most commonly used are chemical and mechanical patination methods. Scratches, faded color, and peeling paint look good on furniture in the Provence style. Wooden interior items also often contain elements of figured carving. Wicker is used to make wicker furniture.
Features and characteristics of German furniture, popular manufacturers
Forged products, despite the specific properties of the material, do not look bulky. A Provençal table often combines a metal base with floral motifs and a wooden top. In this case, simple lines, smooth transitions, and small details are used. Metal is also great for all kinds of shelves, clothes hangers, and frames.
When creating a Provencal style, you should choose furniture of the same type. For example, you should not combine a forged table and wicker chairs.
For upholstery of upholstered furniture the following are used:
- linen;
- jacquard;
- tapestry.
Provencal style is associated with environmental friendliness, so it is better to put synthetics aside. Cotton is often used for pillows, tablecloths, and bedspreads. Silk and wool are not considered appropriate in this case.
Tree
Metal
Linen
Tapestry
Cotton
Jacquard
Hallway in Provence style
The entrance area in Provence style will welcome guests with soft couches or ottomans, a large mirror, and floor vases. Photos of Provence style in the interior will help you better understand this amazing design option and find the most suitable details for yourself.
Interior equipment
The interior of a room directly depends on its purpose. The equipment of different rooms may vary significantly. However, at least the living room and the bathroom should be a clear reflection of the sunny and light Provence.
Living room
When decorating a living room, it is better to give preference to the simplest possible designs without elaborate, complex decorative elements. Gloss, glass, plastic, and chrome parts are not allowed here. Suitable furniture items:
- a massive sideboard with signs of wear;
- aged round tables;
- cabinets without doors;
- chests of drawers with peeling finishes;
- tables, chairs with figured carvings;
- wicker chairs, sofas.
On the upholstery of upholstered furniture, curtains or tablecloths, patterns in the form of plant patterns and cages are allowed. You should not place products along the walls; they should be correctly grouped. The ideal solution for small apartments would be modular furniture.
Bedrooms
According to the Provencal style, a wooden or metal bed with a wrought-iron headboard is suitable for the bedroom. A patinated cabinet should be complemented with a large mirror. A light chest of drawers, an easy chair or carved chairs, and bedside tables will refresh the interior.
A special chest installed under the window. The main thing is that the selected furniture does not seem new and modern. When creating an interior, you should also pay attention to the choice of curtains; they should be made of light, airy materials.
Children's
White and very light products of simple geometric shapes with rounded edges are ideal for a children's room. Moldings, carvings, and paintings would be appropriate on the facades. Required furniture items:
- bed;
- wardrobe;
- table and chair;
- rack or cabinet for books, toys.
If the room area is small, the furniture set should be minimal.
For a girl, a dressing table will be an indispensable piece of furniture. A product with long, curved legs will look especially harmonious.
Kitchens
The dining table is a key element of the kitchen. It should be strict and massive in a large, spacious room. Owners of a small apartment should pay attention to transforming models. Chairs are made of wood or metal with forged elements, always with soft seats.
Rustic simplicity of country style furniture, design features
The set should be matte. The furniture decor consists of stained glass and glass inserts with plant motifs. You should choose a sink among the options made of ceramics, artificial, and natural stone. The design will be effectively complemented by an aged sideboard with beautiful dishes, as well as built-in and wall shelves without doors.
Hallway
A wardrobe for outerwear, a shoe rack, a chest of drawers, wicker baskets, and a hanger perform not only an aesthetic, but also a practical function in the hallway. A mandatory element is a mirror, which will not only expand the space, but also add some mystery to it. Moreover, it should be in a metal or wooden patinated frame. If you have space in the hallway, you can place a soft pouf there. Don’t forget about small details made in Provence style - hooks, lamps, key holder, door handles.
Shapes and design
If you compare Provence style furniture from different manufacturers, the similarity of shapes and design will become obvious. Significant differences will only be in the quality of materials and the final cost of products. Otherwise, everything is traditional - the most common categories of furniture are:
- Cabinets. The variety of types is represented by large, small, cabinet, built-in, hinged, sliding models. Artistic painting, modeling, as well as carved and forged elements look great on furniture.
- Tables. There are round, oval, rectangular. The latter are considered the most practical. The base has curved wooden or forged legs, and the tabletop is usually made of natural wood.
- Chairs and stools. They always combine simplicity and elegance. They are characterized by smooth lines, carved elements, and twisted patterns. The back can be high, low or absent altogether. A Provencal stool is often complemented by refined curves or has strict lines, depending on the chosen design.
- Sofas. Most models are equipped with high backs that smoothly merge into armrests. However, corner and standard options are no less in demand. Their sizes do not have strict restrictions.
- Armchairs. Along with the classic options, rocking chairs and models that transform into beds are in high demand. The first ones are ideal for a living room or bedroom, where other Provence furniture is selected in the same style. French charm should be emphasized by capes with lace, pillows of a characteristic color, and other decorative elements.
Upholstered furniture is divided into traditional, wicker and even hanging. The last option is the least common in the Provencal style, since it is difficult to make it an integral part of the interior. It is important to take into account all the elements of a particular room and select harmonious products for its further arrangement.
An aging effect should be applied to any type of furniture in the Provence style.
Kinds
Furniture in the Provence style is not only functional, it is also intended to decorate the room. There are various interior items of this style that are used nowadays.
Dining and kitchen tables
Dining tables are available in rectangular, round and oval shapes. Rectangular ones are considered the most practical. They can be installed directly against the wall, which will significantly save space. Round tables are also popular. They are usually placed in the middle of the room, with chairs placed around them. Often these tables are sliding. Thanks to this, a large number of people can gather behind them.
The tables are strong and durable as they are made from real wood. They can be natural or painted in light colors. They are decorated with elegant carved legs. Forged tables look the most airy and weightless. Numerous figured elements are used to decorate forged interior items.
Chairs
Only natural materials are used in the manufacture of chairs. Plastic interior items are not allowed. The chairs look simple and very elegant. The color scheme consists of natural pastel shades. The chairs are made from solid natural wood.
When decorating chairs, smooth lines, carved elements, and twisted patterns are used. They often have a soft seat installed. The upholstery is also selected from natural fabrics, calm colors with floral patterns. The surface of the chairs may have abrasions, scratches, and chips.
Armchairs, rocking chairs, chair beds
The chairs differ in shape and size. They are decorated with lace, capes with tassels, and pillows. This chair is ideal for relaxing, you can read a book on it, it is very comfortable.
A great option is a rocking chair. It will fit perfectly into the interior of the living room and bedroom. It can be placed on the terrace. Armchair beds will be an excellent solution for a bedroom or children's room. They are usually chosen for rooms with a small area.
Sofas
Provence style sofas should:
- Be comfortable;
- To decorate room;
- Complement the overall picture of the room.
They come in different sizes, but compact products are more popular.
Types of sofas:
- Wooden;
- Forged;
- Wicker.
Often, interior items are complemented with soft pillows, which additionally creates comfort and a homely atmosphere in the room. They usually have a high back that flows smoothly into the armrests. Such products have a folding mechanism and can be used as a bed. An excellent solution to install an elegant sofa bed in a girl’s bedroom. Wicker sofas are often placed outdoors, where it is pleasant to relax after a hard day at work. The best option for the living room would be a corner soft sofa. Italian furniture in Provence style will create the atmosphere of the colorful South of Europe.
Wardrobes, chests of drawers
Provence style furniture sets the tone for the entire room. The cabinets have the following features:
- The surface of the products is artificially aged;
- Carved and forged elements and modeling are used as decoration;
- Hand painted facades.
The material for making furniture is wood. Massive products with artistic painting. The images on the furniture look amazing. In addition, the cabinets are very functional. The internal filling may contain shelves, drawers and other compartments for storing clothes, bed linen, and various small items.
Original bookshelves are provided for storing the library. Cabinets with simple front designs are easier to fit into any other interior style.
Beds
Provence furniture for the bedroom is a real highlight of the room. Beds can be made of wood or wrought iron. Massive products with an antique effect look great. Particular importance is given to the design of the headboard. The legs of the beds are also elegantly decorated: they are elegant and carved.
Forged products do not look bulky. They are made of iron, bronze, brass. These beds will last a long time. The French atmosphere of simplicity and grace is emphasized by weightless curls. A great way to create a special atmosphere is to install luxury furniture manufactured in Italy. The legs and headboard can be forged. Such beds take up little space, so they are purchased for small rooms. The bed will find a place in the bedroom of both girls and boys. High headboards are decorated with carvings and hand painting. A bed with a weightless canopy made of translucent fabric looks impressive.
Color and decor options
Provence style is not characterized by bright or very dark colors. To decorate rooms, it is optimal to use:
- white;
- blue;
- turquoise;
- lavender;
- beige;
- sand;
- cream;
- lactic;
- olive.
The use of antique furniture in a modern interior, subtleties and tips
When using wooden elements, it is advisable to preserve their natural color. If this is not provided for by the selected design, any surface can be easily painted. Forged products can also be presented in any color scheme. Textiles are characterized by all pastel colors with small, unobtrusive floral patterns, stripes, and checkered designs.
The decoration of furniture and the room as a whole plays an important role. All kinds of figurines, vases, lamps in the Provencal style will not just complement the interior, but will make it more comfortable and elegant. Of all the possible types of finishing of furniture facades, the leading positions are occupied by patination and carving.
The best manufacturers
Various furniture factories are engaged in the production of interior items in the category under discussion, but companies from Italy traditionally hold the palm. Trusted manufacturers of the best Italian furniture in the Provence style are collected in the table.
| Manufacturer | Types of furniture | Advantages |
| Brunello | Beds, armchairs, sofas, banquettes, wardrobes, cupboards, chests of drawers | The materials used are valuable wood species, leather and textiles from global manufacturers, special acrylic and polyurethane varnishes |
| Zancanella Renzo | All types of products for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, children's rooms | The company produces furniture from scratch: from processing primary raw materials to assembling finished structures |
| Del Curto | Kitchen furniture: sets, tables, chairs | The final processing of products is always carried out manually. First-class wood is used as raw material |
| Zappalorto | Kitchen sets | The brand is characterized by individual design, a high degree of safety of the materials used, and excellent quality of finished furniture. |
| Dialma Brown | Extendable tables, many types of chairs, sofas, sideboards, sideboards, beds, a wide selection of accessories | The factory specializes in creating furniture in Provence and loft styles. In addition to wood, metal is actively used in production |
Provence is a universal style that is used both in large, spacious country houses and small apartments, where every centimeter counts. It is suitable for those who want to feel lightness and airiness, who value home comfort and do not accept provocative colors in the interior. If you take into account all the subtleties of French country when choosing furniture, you will be able to create a unique design.
Brunello
Zancanella Renzo
Del Curto
Zappalorto
Dialma Brown
Living room in Provence style
The Provence style in the living room interior will create a soft corner and fireplace, shelves and chests of drawers. A fluffy carpet or burlap rug will look stylish on the floor. Flowers in vases or living plants will decorate the guest room.
