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Yulia Yurieva
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The sophistication and romance of the south of France is fully conveyed in the design style called Provence. It gained wide popularity in the 19th century, uniquely combining simplicity with grace. Essentially Provence is a mixture of classic and rustic styles.
The bedroom is the most intimate room in the house, designed for relaxation after a hard day and a romantic pastime. Provence is great for decorating a bedroom. You will create a cozy corner of the French countryside, add sun, flower fields to the interior, and make the atmosphere dreamy and incredibly romantic.
Main characteristics of the style
The name comes from the region of the same name, located in the south of France and washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Translated, the term means “province”. Blooming nature, blue sea, lavender fields, vineyards giving a range of aromas under the gentle sun . All these natural beauties influenced the formation of the style.
The bedroom is the most intimate room in the house
Let's move on to its main features and consider the characteristics of Provence:
1 Abundance of light. Primarily due to the characteristics of the glazing, the houses of the Côte d'Azur are filled with light. Their floor-to-ceiling windows allow sunlight into every corner of the room, but in our country, in most houses or apartments it is not possible to install such windows. Decorative moldings save the day, with the help of which you can divide an ordinary window into several sections, approaching the French analogue.
2 Gamma . Proper finishing of walls, floors and ceilings will increase the illusion of light. Light colors scatter light, so choose cream, beige, white, milky and the like as your primary colors. Light shades of blue, turquoise, greenish, and lavender will also dilute the interior well.
3 Wall decoration . Textured plaster is a necessary attribute of the French Provence style. An alternative is often light-painted walls and wood paneling. The latter can either be painted in the desired tone or left natural. Variegated options with floral patterns are often chosen.
Sophistication and romance
4 Floor design . The naturalness of the decor and simple details are reflected in the design of the floors. There should be no laminate or carpet in the house, only natural wooden boards. They are also painted in light shades - gray, beige or white.
Terracotta slabs are often used for floors, but this is not very suitable for our climate.
5 Furniture . The main flavor inherent in Provence is created thanks to the correctly chosen furniture. Chipboard, glass, and chrome are not used for furniture materials; preference is given to products made from wood, cane, and rattan. It should be massive and at the same time very simple. Chips, cracks, and abrasions on its surface add grace. Our realities do not allow us to spend a lot of money and a lot of time searching for suitable antique furniture; then it is better to purchase it to order. A Provencal interior should have a lot of furniture - from a wardrobe and shelving to a coffee table and bedside tables.
6 Necessary little things . Decor is an important decision, it adds the finishing touches and makes the room feel cozier. Plain tulle, pillows with interesting patterns, flowers and paintings - such attention to detail helps to achieve French harmony.
Natural decor and simple details
Thus, in a Provencal interior you need to avoid bright colors and artificial decoration materials, add as much light as possible, and work on beautiful accessories.
Wall decoration
As mentioned above, the most important element for decorating walls is plastering them. The plaster itself must be applied unevenly so that various roughness and bulges remain. This will allow you to get as close to the original style as possible.
Cladding board is an interesting solution for one of the bedroom walls. It is painted with white, sand, light blue or light green paint, as if transporting the room to a southern climate.
Doors and window frames must be made of wood and painted white. They are often matched to match the furniture in the room. Be sure to decorate with floral paintings or artificially age it.
Advice: Choose windows with multi-section inserts. Doors can be decorated with frosted glass inserts to allow more light into the bedroom.
Light colors diffuse light
- Ceiling . Use only white to paint the ceiling, add texture with plaster. An interesting solution is facing beams made from light or dark types of wood. In addition to bright decor, they perform a load-bearing function in a private home. In addition, the beams look very impressive against a white background.
- Walls . For decoration, you can choose plaster, molding and, again, plaster. Style one of the walls as stone or brick, paint the others in pastel colors.
- Floors . Rough stone or terracotta ceramic tiles are the most popular flooring materials. They are easy to clean and pair with sophisticated plain rugs. Wood planks are another classic flooring option that can be painted a light tone or left natural. A popular choice is white oak. Remember that carpets should not attract attention to themselves. They should blend smoothly with the chosen coating and the rest of the room’s decor. They are placed in places where people often walk barefoot - for example, near the bed.
Use only white color when painting the ceiling
Advice: Walls and ceilings should not be smooth. Decorative plaster, stylized brickwork, and floral wallpaper are used as textures.
Lighting: selection of lamps and chandeliers
The bedroom is a place of privacy, so the basic lighting should be soft and diffused. Antique-style Provençal chandeliers have glass shades attached to a rectangular or round frame. The voluminous frames are decorated with openwork forging and climbing vines. In combination with wooden beams, the lamps emphasize the originality of Provence. Fabric lampshades and laconic trapezoidal porcelain caps create intimate twilight. Chandeliers, decorated with glass beads, crystal pendants and decorative candles, diffuse light and bring coziness. Small sconces and table lamps with forged elements provide directional illumination for reading. A floor lamp with a wide lampshade, decorated with floral designs, lace, and small ruffles, highlights the seating area near the chair.
Wallpaper
Add rustic motifs from the French countryside using original wallpaper. To ensure that the rolls you choose match your style, remember their main characteristics:
- they do not tolerate gold or silver inserts; any mother-of-pearl or shine is, in principle, unacceptable for this style;
- wallpaper should contain colors typical of Provence: cream, olive, white, turquoise, beige, light pink, and other shades;
- absence of geometric shapes or any three-dimensional patterns;
- presence of texture and ornament.
Use vinyl or non-woven wallpaper; you can also take a closer look at ready-made options with a paintable texture.
Rustic motifs of the French countryside
Traditionally, the French used exclusively paper wallpaper.
Textured plain wallpaper will look great in a small bedroom with massive furniture, serving as a neutral canvas. Wallpaper with flowers will add a good mood every morning when you wake up, a romantic mood every evening.
Another interesting motif is an exquisite pattern that is reproduced in a chaotic manner on the canvas. However, remember that Provence does not imply images of geometric shapes in the decor.
An unobtrusive floral pattern is best for the bedroom. You can combine it or play with sizes. For example, flowers around the perimeter of the room will be small, and at the head of the bed - large.
Curtains
Window decoration is an important component of Provençal design. Traditionally, windows in this region faced an enclosed garden, so there was no need for blackout curtains. They were decorated with light tulle in light shades, which properly let the sun's rays into the room.
To match the original style, we advise you to choose chintz or satin with an unobtrusive floral print, as well as airy tulle in cream shades. The rustic style of Provence is fully conveyed with the help of striped, checkered, floral fabrics, with voluminous embroidery and lace.
Curtains should not have unnecessary details or multiple layers. The simpler and more elegant, the better. Rustic design suggests some antiquity, “wornness”.
Do not choose overly luxurious curtains made from expensive materials.
Window decoration is an important component of Provencal design
Forget about fringe, drapery, tassels and voluminous folds. Each of these weighting elements does not fit with the atmosphere of the southern outback.
The fabric for sewing should be slightly faded. In this case, it will fully reflect all the simplicity and lightness of the style loved by millions. Remember that Provence is not at all synonymous with poverty. It is rooted in the provincial life of ordinary people, therefore it should be modest and at the same time homely, cozy.
Wooden cornices are given tenderness with the help of decorative elements - lace or pleated fabric.
Attention to detail is also important. Choose only wooden brackets. They do not need to be painted, just coated with clear varnish. Forget about plastic or chrome counterparts, they will interfere with the natural beauty of a natural bedroom.
Floral curtains
The fastening method is often eyelets, ties or loops. Hang curtains on both sides of the window to maintain symmetry. By the way, the French buy curtains not only for window decoration. A doorway is another interesting place to place them.
So, remember the following characteristics when choosing curtains for the bedroom:
- light natural fabrics;
- shades of warm tones;
- floral ornament;
- a cage of three colors (red, white, blue).
A monochromatic decorative element can be decorated with hand-made embroidery.
Beautiful, cozy room
Material that meets the requirements will be:
- cotton;
- linen;
- orange;
- batiste;
- chintz.
If desired, complement these natural fabrics with delicate tulle. The combination of natural shades will make the room sunny. The most popular options for curtains are shades of sea, lavender, and sunflower.
Remember that the purpose of the curtains in this case is to give the room atmosphere, comfort, and homely tranquility. Any decorative elements must comply with the principles of being gentle and airy.
Use natural fabrics
You can achieve organicity by using the same color scheme - choose curtains to match the tone of the walls.
Bed
The bed is the most important item that needs to be given the most attention. The material for production should be wood, and only wood. Its natural color must be preserved and covered with a layer of transparent varnish. To harmonize with the finish, you can paint the wood in one white, gray or cream tone.
Tip Opt for a simple rectangular shape. A headboard decorated with carvings and decorative elements is also welcome.
In addition to the wooden base, in the Provence style you can often find forged beds covered with bronze paint. Corners and lines should be slightly curved.
The bed is the most important item
A chic canopy will add a finished look to the bed. It is also customary to decorate it with a large number of pillows, each of which may differ in color and design.
Other furniture
Considerable attention is paid to the rest of the furniture in the room. Two main principles when choosing interior items:
- functionality;
- elegance.
Tip Look at light wood species such as oak, chestnut, walnut or ash. Combine wood, forged, wicker decorative elements. Modern materials may be less expensive, but they do not fit into the French interior at all.
Additional furniture in the bedroom can be:
- closet;
- dresser;
- carved chairs;
- armchairs.
A prerequisite is the presence of bedside tables made of the same material as the bed itself.
When choosing furniture, be guided by the severity of its forms and its elegance. Forget about modern models or mirror surfaces. Carved facades are what you were looking for.
Whether you're purchasing second-hand or want to remodel your own, give it an antique feel . To do this, create cracks, abrasions, and chips. You can choose furniture from completely different woods, which will be in harmony with the shapes and fit into the overall style.
Just find a paint that matches your walls and paint all your furniture the same shade. Additional comfort can be brought with the help of a wicker chair.
A cabinet in the Provence style is massive and tall; it is sure to be decorated with carved facades. Bedside tables and chests of drawers are usually wrought iron or completely wooden, standing on fancy legs.
Keyholes traditionally decorated wooden chests of drawers of the French in ancient times. You can pay tribute to history in the form of non-functioning locks on the drawers of a cabinet or chest of drawers.
Decorative elements
The finished look of French Provence can be achieved using accessories:
- The main decorative element is flowers in various vases, baskets and flowerpots. They will fill the bedroom with a pleasant aroma and freshness.
- Textile elements in the form of curtains, pillows, bedspreads and napkins, made using the patchwork technique.
- A hand-knitted blanket, a cover for an ottoman or a cover for an armchair will make the bedroom interior individual and unique;
- Porcelain figurines, photos in carved frames, antique wooden boxes and painted vases are an integral part of the Provence style.
Decorating the room
As we have already found out, good lighting is the key to your success in your future project. In addition to the ceiling lamp and natural light from the window, install sconces, floor lamps, and wall lamps that will add soft light to the bedroom in the evening.
Good lighting is the key to your success in your future project
Textiles are present on literally all surfaces. Decorative pillows, a beautiful blanket on the bed, napkins on the dressers, a rug on the floor. For textiles, choose dense and reliable materials:
- burlap;
- cotton;
- linen;
- satin
What ornaments should you choose? French Provence is a floral pattern, polka dots, checks and stripes. Homemade products, knitted or hand-embroidered, harmonize well with the interior .
The more decorative elements there are in the room, the better. Supplement it with things to your taste.
It could be:
- homemade wreath made from dried flowers;
- photographs in stylized wooden frames;
- panel;
- paintings.
Textiles are present on literally all surfaces
Advice When choosing textiles, remember that rugs, heavy carpets, and massive curtains are not suitable for Provencal style. Knitted homemade carpets, pastel linen in delicate shades, a bedspread with a floral print, matching tulle - these are the main highlights that will transform your home.
Using textiles to decorate a room
Basic requirements for textile products: no inscriptions, large drawings, bright patterns. Linen, thick cotton, muslin, wool, and tapestry fabrics match the style and look impressive against the backdrop of natural wall and floor decoration.
The window is decorated with light curtains of a simple cut. Small drapery, ruffles, frills, and cutwork embroidery are welcome. Curtains are attached to wooden or forged cornices using rings, loops, ties, and drawstrings. The curtain can be supplemented with tulle made of cotton voile or organza. A modern option for window decoration is Roman blinds. They regulate the penetration of light and are combined with tulle and flowing classic curtains.
Bedspreads made of tapestry and jacquard give the bed a massive look and are appropriate in spacious rooms. Openwork fabrics and handmade lace are in harmony with the carved decor of the headboard. You can knit a cozy wool blanket yourself. When choosing colors, you need to take into account the color scheme of the room. It is advisable to complement monochrome surfaces with bedspreads with lavender sprigs, pastoral scenes, roses, stripes, and checkered patterns.
Decorative pillows are decorated with flounces, lace, embroidery, bows, and buttons. Pillowcases are made from different fabrics, but they should be united by shades common to Provence and floral prints.
How to artificially age furniture?
Finished products in the Provence style will be too expensive. What should you do if you want to decorate your bedroom, but your budget is too tight? We offer you a simple and cheap way. All you need to do is select used furniture. Then, through your own efforts, bring it to perfection. You will need:
- light-colored paint;
- sandpaper;
- candle;
- sponge;
- varnish
Lay oilcloth or other protective material around the selected furniture. It could be:
- bed;
- dresser;
- table;
- closet.
Beautiful bedspread with flowers - bedroom decoration
Let's start the process:
- Remove old paint or varnish with sandpaper.
- Rub the entire surface of the paraffin candle.
- Paint the wooden piece with the chosen paint color (pastel tones). The brush can be replaced with an aerosol can, which will allow you to distribute the paint evenly. Keep the balloon at a distance of 30-50 centimeters from the surface.
- Treat the product with a kitchen sponge, vigorously performing vertical movements. Try not to overdo it; the stripes should remain aesthetically pleasing.
- Artists and craftswomen can complement the aged surface with multi-colored patterns, flowers, and intricate motifs.
- Coat the item with varnish, preferably two layers.
DIY ideas
It is not for nothing that the Provence style is popular when decorating a bedroom. A feeling of comfort, peace and coziness is necessary in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Bringing such an interior into reality does not require special design skills and expensive furniture, since when decorating a room you can use hand-made items.
For example, you can use textiles in a stylized way. We make pillows, bedspreads, and curtains in the same color palette.
We hang numerous paintings and photographs on the walls.
We arrange flowers in pots around the bedroom.
How to turn an old chair into a stylish piece of furniture?
Everyone in their dacha has a couple of old chairs that sit idle, not used in any way. Why not make them part of a new Provence style bedroom design?
A room filled with light
To do this, prepare:
- chair;
- upholstery fabric that will be in harmony with the rest of the elements; you can choose the same material from which you sewed the curtains;
- acrylic paint in the color of your choice; it should be light - white, gray, cream;
- gold paint;
- brushes of different sizes;
- matte varnish - it is advisable to find a water-based varnish so as not to tolerate a pungent odor or to ventilate the room for several days;
- paralon (as needed);
- knife;
- sandpaper.
French Provence is a floral pattern
Choose a comfortable workplace, preferably a yard or garage. We advise you to take a chair without a varnish coating, as it is almost impossible to remove.
Let's start finishing work:
- Remove the old paint from the chair using a spatula, knife or any convenient tool for this task. If you only have a varnished chair, you don’t have to try - you won’t be able to remove the old paint.
- Carefully remove the old upholstered seat. Usually on older models this happens without difficulty. Assess whether the filler needs to be changed or whether you can leave the old one. If it doesn't work, buy some foam.
- Try applying paint to a chair whose cover has not been removed. Do this in a small area. If the acrylic adheres well, continue painting. If problems still arise, try waiting an hour, then apply a second coat. When the result is again not pleasing, you don’t have to try any further - the paint won’t stick. You will have to buy coarse sandpaper and take a long time to remove the old layer of varnish.
- After you have applied two full layers of acrylic, wait for it to dry. Cover the chair with matte varnish.
- Now let's move on to the seat. Carefully and slowly remove the upholstery and paint all the wooden parts using a thin brush.
- Replace the upholstery (pre-cut to fit the chair) by nailing it down with a staple gun. Secure the updated seat to the chair.
- It's time to age the furniture. Take a flat brush and dip it in gold paint. Cover each edge of the chair with gold.
- When it dries, take a small abrasive sandpaper. Process all the painted fragments. Re-varnish the top of the chair. By the way, varnish can only be used in the final stage. The chair will have a more antique look.
If you want to update your bedroom interior, take a closer look at the Provençal interior style, which depletes the beauty of nature and sophisticated comfort.
Provence fans
The style will captivate a romantic young lady with its tenderness, French sophistication will appeal to middle-aged people, and Provence will captivate adults with its rustic simplicity. A bedroom in a provincial style will be desirable for those who are tired of the bustle of the city and want to fully relax in a gentle, calm environment. Couples with children will find the charms and advantages of this family style.
If you remove the openwork, create a practical interior with a high level of ergonomics, and think through the color scheme, this interior design will appeal to the male part of the population, who are accustomed to a comfortable environment.
The big advantage of choosing the Provence style will be the economic component - creating the interior will not require large financial costs. Instead of buying new furniture, you can tidy up old furniture found in the basement or attic, or bought at a sale.