Effortless elegance is so very French. Whether the French people are dressing up themselves or decorating their houses, the French have an innate ability to make an intoxicating mix of finesse and flamboyance without difficulty.
French interior design styles deftly combine the old with the new, remain true to established décor principles and add a strong dose of the homeowner's style into space. French design is bold, classy, and chic. But it is also quirky and personal. No two French houses you see will look or feel similar. A bold design idea is vital to pulling off such an original flair.
At first glance, it might appear there are no rules when it comes to using French interior design ideas. That is true. There are several dos and don'ts. For instance:
- Do use pure, natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and cheesecloth.
- Do not go overboard with ruffles, tassels, fringes, frills, and floral materials.
- Do leave a wall nude if you're able to.
- Do not enclose that gorgeous Louis XV chair with a lot of the same. Make it stand out by pairing it with something entirely contrasting, such as a contemporary or minimalist piece of furniture.
- Do be bold and unique. Set baroque curves with sharp, contemporary lines.
- Do not shy away from adding one striking factor like an extravagantly painted object dart, a large-scale work of art on a wall or an oversized item of furniture to up the wow factor.
- Do look upwards. Bear in mind the ceiling and intend to make it even more exciting — the French move beyond only flat white paint on the roof.
- Do not hold yourself back when decorating the bedroom. A French interior design room goes for a classy escape that's a joy to retire to at the end of a stressful day.
- Do insert something gilded or glistening to the décor.