What is French Country in Kitchen Design

Historical Overview:
    "French Country" is a name used  to describe a home in the provinces of France- therefore, we could call it French Provincial. (Professional designers typically do not use that term because  it is too often associated with overly detailed bedroom suites.) This style is reflective of homes dotting the French countryside, which were furnished by prosperous farmers with furnishings and room settings initially inspired by the Parisian Court's high style, but were simplified and made much less pretentious by regional workmen. However, French Country rooms are sophisticated and do include a great deal of detail.

These rooms- like many European country settings- have a sense of evolving. They are a collection of patterns, colors and materials that please the homemaker, having been gathered by the family over time. The rooms are relatively light in color and have a feminine sense, with curves lines dominating. Simple lines are acceptable in a Peasant French atmosphere, more complex arrangements work well in more refined rooms.

CABINETRY/MILLWORK: Walnut, pine, cherry and fruit woods in natural and light finishes with some aging, distressing or artistic enhancement. Colored surfaces are also appropriate in Country French. Mixing colors and wood finishes in an unfitted environment reflects the casual style of a provincial French home.

HARDWARE: May be bronze, copper, iron or pewter. Hammered surfaces are acceptable- but polished are more historically valid. Oversized hardware-long metal hinges, for example- and  fanciful hand-wrought details can be employed in these rooms.

COUNTERTOPS: Solid surface, quartz, natural or man-made marble, natural stone, ceramic tile or laminate countertops with detailed edges can all be effectively used. Solid surface counters may feature delicate tile inlays or gently sculptured edge treatments. Keep ceramic tile smooth in texture and match grout colors on counter or splash areas. Decorative laminate counters combine well with wood or faux wood faux edges and ceramic tile backsplash areas.

COLORS: Country French rooms oftentimes contrast warm and cool color groupings. For example, wood tones can be warm with cooler accessory colors or the reverse. Pastels are also appropriate in a French setting, as are the more vibrant colors and patterns seem in the French faience patterned fabric so famous from the south of France.

SURFACES:

• Floors- Heavy, rustic materials are appropriate. Brick, limestone, terra cotta quarry tiles. Hardware parquet or plank patterns in reproduction or natural products.
• Walls-Painted plaster walls or floral wallcovering with small patterns. Delicate crown moldings and beaded baseboards are effective in these spaces. Faux finished decorative treatments work well in Country French setting because they simulate aged wood finishes.
• Ceilings-Boxed beams finished to match or contract with cabinets or ceiling finish. Beaded in random plank ceilings reflect the rustic sense of a French Country setting.

ACCENTS: Metals, fine porcelain pieces called "French faience" curved mullion doors with beveled glass, delicately patterned fabrics associated with the South of France. Lace fabric on shelves inside cabinets with glass doors can add a special touch. Incorporate a mantel hood area or a fireplace. Large windows should be tall and narrow with rectangular hardware and a deep sill created in reality or as a visual effect.

When looking at accent furniture pieces, you can increase the formality of the room or support the rustic setting by recommending the "right" type of regional pieces. Provincial furniture was made by highly skilled chair and cabinetmakers from cities near Paris. French Country furniture - rustic pieces- were made for farmhouses in Normandy, hunting lodges in Burgundy and the modest cottages in the Ile-de-France. The forms of these pieces usually mirrored Parisian styles but were shorn of excess and ornamentation.

Example of French Faience