Style in interior design Provence

Provence (from the French province ) - 19th century French provincial style, named after one of the southeastern regions of this country, can also be called French country music. Provence style embodies the spirit of France, so different in the north and south, and so united in its quest for simplicity and lightness.

General characteristics of Provence style

Provence is a region in the south of France, which is famous for its magnificent landscapes, cuisine using a variety of fragrant spices, aromatic coffee, unusually blue sea and bright sunshine. It is from these components that the Provencal style of the interior is formed. Its colors, like faded, in the sun, interspersed with bright colors, create coziness and lift the mood.

Provence is one of the most organic and authentic styles. That is, such an interior looks good in its homeland, without separation from the national soil. The basis of the Provencal style is slightly worn surfaces, old furniture, uneven plastered walls, faded fabrics, that is, a general feeling of poverty and inconspicuousness. The Provencal interior does not tolerate anything "too much" and nothing pretentious, the effect is achieved due to a pair of regular objects - a wicker chair or a wrought-iron candlestick against the background of a bright wall. Provence style is good especially in a country house, because it requires space and roughly plastered walls.

Provence style in the interior, photo

The main elements of Provence style:

• beauty, inconspicuous, old-world charm;
• bright colors: whitewashed or pale yellow walls with brick or masonry exposed here and there as a kind of decor;
• under the ceiling - dark wooden beams;
• furniture is wooden or wrought simple, without a frustration, aged;
• forged decorative elements;
• homemade woolen carpets, sofas and armchairs with linen covers and necessarily a fireplace.

History of Provence

Provence style was born in the XIX century in the eponymous province of France, picturesquely spread out on the Mediterranean coast.

Fans of Provence were famous poets and artists. The charm of this region is depicted on the canvases of Matisse and Picasso, Paul Cezanne found his original creative style in Provence. Van Gogh, in love with Provence, wrote: "nature here is such that you begin to feel what color is."

The period of formation of Provence style is considered to be 15-17 centuries. Already at that time France was as if “contradicting itself” - extremely different in the north and south. Nevertheless, the love of elegant lightness and airiness in everything remained a common feature of its regions, and the Provence style in the interior took over this feature forever.

Lightness is, as it were, a synonym for any achievements of this country: it penetrated into music, visual arts, and then into the interior of Provence.

Features of Provence style

The blinding sun, magnificent landscapes, the magical blue Mediterranean Sea and small hospitable houses woven over with ivy and grapes - this is Provence.

Provence style in the interior, photo

The simplicity of country life and the bright contrast of nature are reflected in the interior: in wooden, stained or painted furniture, worn commodes and cracked bedside tables, carved, patina patina, beds and bedside cabinets with heavy wrought iron handles. Thick-walled ceramic tableware, white, beige, dairy, terracotta or sunflower-yellow linen tablecloths and towels, sky blue, like faded curtains and homespun paths on a simple wooden floor - it seems that nothing could be simpler and more convenient. In the provincial style naturalness, continuity, bordering on antiquity is appreciated.

Provence style in the interior, photo

The Provencal style of the house determines, above all, the interior decoration of the room, furniture and, of course, paint. The interior of Provence is characterized by a pastel gamut with bright color accents, a rough plaster with brick or masonry bare here and there.

Provence style in the interior, photo

In the Provence style, any pastel colors are ideal for decorating rooms, especially since the pale walls perfectly stand out tapestries and paintings, as well as upholstery fabrics. Faded, pastel colors, white, milky, beige, lavender, sea waves, ocher, sunflower, terracotta. For Provence, a combination of pastel-blue and pale yellow flowers, symbolizing the flowering meadows of Provence.

Provence style in the interior, photo

Furniture is wooden or wrought simple, without frustration. Its value lies in the fact that it is not serial, and made to order. Provence-style furniture is necessarily old or aged, always painted, the furniture should have the look that it faithfully served more than one generation. These are chairs with carved, but peeling legs, milky shades, chest of drawers and cupboards for dishes. For furniture in the Provencal style fit the fronts of light colors from natural oak, chestnut, walnut. Colored fronts should look slightly “worn”. To impart authenticity to the interior, the wood surfaces are artificially aged, imitating worn and chipped, traces of wormholes. Painted or unprocessed boards or tiles on the floor. Natural wood wardrobe or chest of drawers in Provence style is coated with wax or painted in terracotta, green or blue colors, creating bright spots on the background of light walls.

Provence style in the interior, photo

For lighting in the Provence style, a wrought-iron chandelier is best suited, which can be successfully combined with furniture fittings. The presence of forged parts - one of the hallmarks of Provence style. Herbal motifs are actively used in the interior decoration, be it curtain fabrics, bedspreads or paintings. Provencal textiles are bleached linen and cotton with floral patterns or striped stripes. The most popular is the floral pattern: small and large flowers “bloom” on summer cotton print curtains and a winter quilt. In addition, Provence loves the cage, red-white or white-blue. On the chairs can be linen covers, and on the floor - homespun wool rugs (most often striped). Do not forget to collect a collection of rustic ceramics, linen napkins.

Provence style in the interior, photo

Provence in the interior is natural wood and natural stone, the dull shine of metal and the warm roughness of terracotta. Provence style is important to emphasize expressive texture. For example, to finish a part of a wall with decorative brickwork, natural stone or its good imitation. A mosaic, a brick covered with colored glaze, and ceramic tile for decorative painting will successfully fit into such an interior.

Provence style in the interior, photo

The wall decoration in the Provence style is distinguished by a deliberately rough texture - uneven plaster or embossed wallpaper is appropriate here. The floor is made of ceramic tiles under the tree, tiles or porcelain, imitating natural stone, or wooden boards. The highlight of this interior is dark massive wooden beams on the ceiling or their imitation.

Provence style in the interior, photo

Provence style organically fit into the interior of a country house. A fireplace with a wooden or stone facade, ceilings darkened from time to time, rough, rough plaster with brick or masonry exposed here and there, are obligatory. Wooden shelves in niches. And on all - the stamp of antiquity. Create a traditional Provencal courtyard will help cypresses, green walls, twined with wild grapes and ivy, pots with heather and lavender. And do not forget about the wooden table and chairs.

Provence style in the interior, photo

Modern interior perfectly accepts this direction: popular kitchen, dining room, children's Provence style. Moreover, an apartment in Provence style is not necessarily a dwelling with a high ceiling and huge windows. The spirit of the French village and create a standard premises.

Conclusion

Provence is a very laconic style, it achieves a spectacular result with a minimum of funds, and, nevertheless, it is extremely diverse.

Provence style allows you to live in “warm” comfort, creating an individual interior, adapting it to your taste - from modest to luxurious.