Michele Keith

Mention Country French, and most people envision a stone house with beamed ceilings and rooms filled with richly carved armoires, cozy sofas upholstered in toile de Jouy. One or two of those little iron chairs seen in Parisian public gardens might be pulled up to the hearth holding a stack of books or an armload of sunflowers.

Country French is all that and more. What makes its many interpretations, so livable, and why Country French continues to be among the most popular interior design motifs in America, is that it never forgets its past even while charging ahead into the future. And perhaps of even greater significance, homes created in this manner always reflect the occupants’ personalities, which makes each house unique. A brilliant combination of the rustic with the refined, Country French is as correct for a cottage as it is for a château.

Like all things related to French style, Country French had its beginning in the late 1600s, when Louis XIV began his campaign to turn France into the capital of good taste. According to Joan DeJean, author of The Essence of Style, the first step, letting loose hundreds of swans onto the Seine to add a decorative note to the river, developed into dozens of programs to set people talking about the elegance of Paris and all that originated there. An extraordinary dandy—he wore diamonds as casually as we wear sneakers, even decorating his shoes with them—the Sun King legislated everything from the way stores sold merchandise to the refreshments served in cafés to the clothing people wore.

Most important to the king was the decoration of the official residence, the palace of Versailles. Louis and his ministers worked closely with scores of craftspeople. Whether glassblower, mirror maker or rug weaver, those artisans whose mission was to beautify the huge rooms were given aid of every sort to help them produce the most glorious and upscale products. And the king made sure that there were markets for their goods not only in France, but throughout Europe. By the early 18th century the French had acquired a monopoly on style and luxurious living.

While evolving over time to meet the needs of the middle class and their much simpler homes, the basics of Country French decorating—proportion, balance and fine craftsmanship—have never wavered. Add to this the importance the French put on the family, and you end up with a style that is above all pleasing to the eye and comfortable to live with.

In this book you’ll see the entire gamut of Country French designs realized in a variety of individual and interesting ways. Enjoy them all and become inspired to add a little Country French to your life and surroundings.

Charming, regardless of how opulent or spare, Country French is characterized by certain elements:

COLOR is key. Perennial favorites include the French flag’s blue, white and red; the bold yellows and earthy browns found in Provençe; the blues of the ocean, sky and flowers on the Côte d’Azur; the mossy greens, pinks and creams of country farms and meadows.

PATTERNS that dominate include toile de Jouy, which are single-color pictorial scenes, especially in blue, red or green on an ivory background; ginghams, oversize checks or plaids often used together; wide awning stripes and narrow ticking; and tiny bouquets and Asian-inspired boughs laden with blossoms. Animal prints and the bee motif used by Napoleon are often seen as accents.

FABRICS heavily influence the level of grandeur in a space. For elegant draperies and upholstery there are damask, silk, satin and taffeta. A more homespun feel results from cotton, chintz and muslin. In between, linen, voile and tapestries can go either way. Key to the Country French look is the layering of colors, patterns and textures, which provides a depth and warmth unobtainable by other means.

FURNITURE runs the gamut from the gilded to the nicked and chipped. Armoires can be simple wooden affairs or lavish with marquetry. Chairs may be nail-headed bergéres cloaked in suede, or ladderbacks with rush seats. Tables range from those with marble tops and iron bases once used for rolling pastry dough to inlaid mahogany designs worth their weight in gold. Mixing and matching is encouraged.

FLOORS are wide-planked wood (either plain or painted), terra-cotta or brick to suit informal spaces. Parquet, tiles arranged in herringbone patterns and marble in black-and-white checkerboard configurations are popular for grander homes. Timeworn Orientals work well in both fancy and humble dwellings, while sisal adds a casual feel. Small needlepoint area rugs warm the hearth or the floor beside a bed.

ACCESSORIES are the final touch that can turn a nearly Country French look into the real thing. Chandeliers and sconces are wonderful whether ornate and dripping with crystals or composed of a few iron branches decked with stubby candles. Tôle lampshades and cachepots add a genuine Gallic nuance. Pillows covered with fragments of tapestry and embellished with passementerie or slipcovered in plain cotton ramp up the comfort quotient. Collections amassed over the years add a delightful personal touch, whether they are easy-to-find Limoges boxes or rare majolica earthenware. Mirrors, paintings, photography and sculpture always play a role in this style.