French Country Living Room

Creating the Look

• Furniture for the French Country living room is usually carefully chosen and gently worn antiques are mixed with modern pieces. Example would be an occasional upholsered antique chair or two mixed with a large and comfy sofa. The chair frames could be polished wood, stained or painted. There may not be many pieces of furniture, but most often there will be at least one very large piece like an armoire, either polished, stained or painted. Perhaps also a bookcase, bureau or buffet, and at least one table with a straight back chair to sit at. Completing the furniture would be a low table or ottoman for refreshments and magazines.
• Soft Funishings in the form of a boutis or quilt to partly drape, or even cover the sofa. Squashy cushions which can be kneaded into shape for comfort and beckon one to sit.
• Wall decor would not have geometric groupings of pictures, but rather one large picture, or maybe a pair, making a subtle statement and normally hung close to a piece of furniture making a group of the whole.
• Mirrors on the other hand are not so subtle and can be placed anywhere in the room, in any size or shape, ornate or plain, gilded or with painted frames, reflecting the outside light into the room.
• Lighting in the form of simple table or standing lamps and probably a wrought iron chandelier or candelabra, either black in color or a warm shade of antique white.
• Accessories would be one or two items which have lost their usefulness but can be admired as decorative objects, as well as books, pottery, candles, flowers, either potted or cut, and interesting objects made from natural materials.