French country design often incorporates ruffles, distressed woodwork, mixed patterns, and both vibrant and subdued hues. 

While many people are under the impression this type of design is too gaudy to fit with today’s tastes, I think that could not be further from the truth. French country design showcases elegant simplicity at its finest — and, if given a chance, could become the next twist on rustic design.

The easiest way to achieve the goal of French Country is through your color palette. While the dominant shade in each room should still be fairly neutral, French country’s dependence on subdued hues means you can stretch that definition a little bit further than usual. Focus on colors that are inherently warm and subtle — such as tans, creams, and soft yellows — to fill this role.

Choose Subtle and Warm Colors – 

Where your accent colors are concerned, you’ll want to choose shades that tune into French country’s traditional roots. Choose colors such as rust and antique white, which will infuse the room with a subconsciously historical feel.

Look For Furniture with Flowing Lines – 

With this in mind, you want to follow many of the same rules as you would when putting together a traditional rustic look. Concentrate on incorporating plenty of natural materials. The shape of these pieces. However, is where this aesthetic sets itself apart. French country furniture boasts a variety of sophisticated, flowing lines to add plenty of visual interest in addition to function and purpose.

Embrace Your Weathered Textures – 

One way to do that is through your finishes. Rather than having design elements that look as though they’ve come straight from the store, you want the impression that your rooms have seen a bit of history! When it comes to selecting flooring, furniture or even architectural elements like decorative wooden beams, choose finishes that are a bit distressed, or imperfect and rough around the edges.

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