Even if you aren’t a fan of classic French-inspired interiors, it’s not hard to see their appeal. Harkening back to a more glamourous time with a mix of timeless décor as well as design features like opulent mirrors, ornate light fixtures, and of course, plenty of panelling, homes done up in this traditional style can be said to be elegance given life.
Want to create a pièce de résistance out of your own home, but not sure how or where to start? Here’s what you can do to shed its basic shell for something a little more luxurious, just like the effortlessly chic examples we have listed below.
1. Commonly associated with purity and elegance, white is probably the best colour to start off your French-style makeover with. However, things can (and most probably will) end up feeling sterile if your home’s colour scheme comprises solely of this hue.
The solution – as this otherwise austere condominium home proves – is to introduce complementary blocks of colour, whether it’s shades of wooden brown or a touch of pale pastel blue.
Interior Designer: The Local INN.terior
2. Mattering just as much as your home’s paint scheme in conveying the look and feel of a French-style interior are the things that you put in it. Like with any other décor theme, furniture, accessories, and design features are useful for reinforcing the look that you have in mind.
In this case, it may be helpful to go for pieces with ‘antique’ features like rolled arms, classic floral motifs as well as inlaid decorations. And don’t forget to include wall and/or ceiling cornices too!
Interior Designer: Fuse Concept
3. Since French-style homes are all about being grand, having a statement-making feature as part their design makes perfect sense. In this 4-room condominium home that Weiken.com created, this was achieved by building in unique overhead lighting solutions both in the living room and master bedroom.
In the former, a rarely-seen, oval cove light box not only ensures that the surroundings are kept well-lit, but also helps to draw the eye upwards. As for the latter, a simpler, but no-less interesting U-shaped lighting feature plays a similar role.
Interior Designer: Weiken.com
4. Mention luxury and what will probably come to most people’s mind is gold. It’s no wonder then that the owners of this French-inspired home chose to introduce small touches of this classic metal in almost every corner of their dwelling. And doing so was certainly the right decision as it helps to add a warm and sophisticated touch to the surroundings, without going over the top.
Interior Designer: Urban Habitat Design
5. Most folks aren’t wrong when they think of traditional interiors as a maximalist’s dream brought to life, but the opposite is just as true. In a contemporary setting, it’s possible to bring together the fancier aspects of classic French-style décor, yet retain the clean, minimalist elements that we all know and love.
One successful example is this 3-room condominium home designed by Summerhaus D’zign that works in all the familiar features of French-style interiors, while making full-use of modern-day design elements, such as clean lines, light-filed spaces, and uncomplicated (but no less elegant) decorative accents.
Interior Designer: Summerhaus D’zign
6. Last but not least, don’t be afraid to put your own spin on this classic style! While the French-way of decorating is steeped in history, that doesn’t mean you’re prohibited from making your home truly yours by including elements from other sources (read: cultures).
Rather than cramping up your style, doing so will greatly enhance the character of your dwelling, regardless of whether it involves decorating with chinoiserie chic accents, or hanging up a South Asian painting for a more eclectic look. In any case, always remember that your dream (French-style) home can be realised in more ways than one!
Interior Designer: Fifth Avenue Interior