Provence is an imitation of a traditional house French province. This design direction emerged as a subset of country style, along with Swiss chalet and Mediterranean style. Provence borrows features of the artistic image village house and brings them into modern realities. The result is an expressive and cozy interior, characterized by the use of natural materials, restrained colors, lack of pretentiousness, abundance of textiles and lightness.
What should be the design of curtains in Provence style?
So, textiles, as already written above, are an important part of this style, its main decoration. This also applies to curtains. What should they be like to emphasize discreet beauty and home warmth, characteristic of this style? Let's figure it out.
Material selection
First, think about what material is best to take. Heavy and expensive options are not suitable in this situation. They are too pretentious for the style of a country house. But cotton, unbleached linen, chintz will fit perfectly into artistic image premises.
In addition to them, you can also use organza and chiffon. Although these fabrics are difficult to classify as traditional, they have a lightness and transparency that perfectly matches the spirit of Provence.
Specifics of the color solution
Then, you should think about colors. Bright colors will not fit into this kind of interior, which does not like flashy contrasts. But pastel shades, plain or patterned, would be appropriate.
Provence, unlike other country movements, traditionally loves delicate, cool tones, such as lavender, pink or blue. However, beige is also quite appropriate. Very often used White color.
In this case, a combination of several colors will look great. It is better to avoid flashy contrasts, but close tones that work well together can decorate a room and make its space more interesting and rich. There is also no need to be afraid of ornaments: Provence is well complemented by small floral patterns, stripes or checks.
Main types of cut
Finally has great importance cut the curtains. In this case, you should choose simple models. The most common options are classic, Roman or French blinds.
The first ones are probably familiar to you: these are simply two rectangular pieces of fabric that move apart to the sides. Roman ones open vertically, presenting a single smooth canvas. French curtains are similar in principle to Roman curtains, but unlike them, they are assembled into wavy folds. At the same time, no matter what cut you choose, it will always be appropriate to supplement it with some decor: bows, tassels or frills. Hand embroidery is almost always a great addition for this style.
Kitchen decoration
When choosing curtains in the Provence style for the kitchen, a number of points are important. First, you need to remember that cooking is associated with an increased appearance of dirt, grease and strong odors. All these unpleasant things can settle on fabrics and be absorbed into them. Therefore, the curtains here should be made of fabric that is easy to wash. It is desirable that they are not very voluminous. Better fit Roman or French version.
Secondly, monochromatic light finishes are more often used in the kitchen. Curtains are a chance to add a little lightness and brightness to the appearance of a room. A small one will look impressive here floral ornament. Or maybe a discreet cage.
Finally, other textile elements, if present in the kitchen, should be combined with the curtains. It is preferable if the tablecloth, chair covers and curtains are made of the same fabric or similar ones.
Curtains for the living room in Provence style
The design of a place for receiving guests in many styles is solved using an abundance of textiles. Curtains, traditional for any room, are complemented here with pillows, bedspreads and carpets. This is typical even for colder and more laconic destinations than Provence. For him, the abundance of textiles is doubly important.
Therefore, it is worth hanging long and lush curtains in the living room. It is acceptable to combine them with decorative details such as bows, ruffles or lace around the edge. In short, here we can deviate somewhat from the principle of maximum restraint. Even the colors allow certain liberties in this type of room.
Larger and multi-colored patterns, contrasting combinations of several shades. Of course, within reasonable limits. The interior should not lose the softness and harmony characteristic of this style.
Delicate bedroom design in Provence style
A Provence style bedroom is a space devoid of sharp contrasts. The place to sleep should look calm. Soft nuanced shades are required to create the most delicate image. Therefore, curtains made of plain fabric without a pattern will fit best into a Provence-style bedroom. Or with a small and dim pattern that is readable only in certain lighting.
The choice of cut in this case depends only on your preferences. Any variety will work here. Even a more elaborate option can fit well into the bedroom space. Trust your taste.
Fittings: little things matter
The right choice in this situation is a round wrought iron cornice. Modern materials will look out of place here. Their use is possible only if they are stylized as antique, reliably imitating the same forging. Or if they are somehow hidden from view without interfering with the space of the room.
The importance of correctly selected curtains for the interior
A memorable, attractive interior is always a combination of many components. Great value has decoration, lighting, furniture. The selection of accessories, at first glance, compared to everything else, seems to be the easiest part. However, this apparent ease is deceptive. The absence of curtains or their inconsistency with the overall style will immediately catch the eye.
Therefore, study photos of curtains in the Provence style, look for interesting ideas, choose fabric, shade and cut. And then, after some effort, you will get a finished harmonious result that pleases the eye. A space in which you will feel comfortable living and receiving guests.
Photos of curtains in Provence style
It's impossible to imagine without beautiful design windows In this material we presented 10 best ideas curtains in the Provence style, formulated several tips on choosing fabrics, and also compiled a selection of inspiring photo examples.
10 ideas for decorating a window with curtains in the Provence style
Idea 1. Classic white curtains
Let's start, perhaps, with the very universal method window decoration - white curtains made of cotton or bleached linen. Such curtains fit into any interior, and they are especially good in small and dark kitchens, as they do not hide natural light during the day and reflect artificial lighting in the evening and do not overload the space. True, light-colored fabrics should be washed more often and not hung near the stove or dining table.
- To avoid plain white curtains from seeming too boring, choose models with interesting details, such as bow loops, lace inserts or ruffles.
Idea 2. Roman blinds, gathered with ribbons
They are good in any form, but in a Provence-style kitchen their country version will look most organic, when the length of the canvas is adjusted not by a lifting mechanism, but manually using ribbons.
- Most big choice We found inexpensive Roman blinds in Provence style on the website bonprix catalog. There you can choose a fabric made from natural cotton or mixed fabric, the right size, density and design, for example, with contrasting ribbons as in the photo below.
Idea 3. Blue and white checkered curtains
Tartan and Vichy are traditional prints for curtains in the Provence style, especially in white and blue or white and blue. By the way, thanks to the cage, your kitchen curtains will get less dirty.
- Blue and dark blue curtains are more suitable for well-lit kitchens with windows facing south or southwest. For dark “northern” kitchens, such cold colors are not the best solution.
Idea 4. Cafe curtains
- these are short curtains that used to decorate kitchen windows. Most often they are combined with a lambrequin, but if desired, they can be used solo, paired with curtains, soft Roman or roller blinds. The “cafe” is hung on a special telescopic cornice directly on the window sash.
- These subtle cafe-style curtains can be made in 5 minutes... using cute kitchen napkins. In this case, the cornice can be an ordinary fishing line, and the hooks can be clothespins, as shown in the following photos.
Idea 5. Linen curtains
Linen curtains are a win-win option for a Provence style kitchen not only because of its natural beauty, but also practicality. Linen tolerates frequent washing and ironing well, is very durable and wear-resistant. Give preference to textiles not made from 100% linen, but with the addition of synthetics. The mixed material will not only shrink less after washing and be easier to iron, but will also drape better.
- We found a large selection of linen curtains in the Provence style in Ikea. Here you can find curtains made from 100% or cotton-blend linen in different densities, dyed or undyed, with or without patterns. Thick curtains are patterned Rocenttrave, plain Ingert, striped Arnfried and floral Malert curtains. Light curtains can be found under the names Arya, Aina and Mariatistel. More practical curtains made from a mixture of linen and polyester are presented in just one Gulzinnia model.
Idea 6. Soft lambrequin
Soft lambrequin simple cut will be able to add rustic chic to any curtains and at the same time cover the cornice and the top of the window opening if they have any flaws. However, it can also be used as an independent curtain, this is especially true if there is not enough natural light in the kitchen, but you don’t want to leave the window completely undecorated.
- Since sewing a lambrequin is not expensive and simple, you can make several products at once different colors to update the interior according to your mood.
Idea 7. Stained glass curtains
Hourglass stained glass curtains are good for their compactness and elegant appearance; they are convenient to open and assemble. If the stove is located close to the window, then with stained glass curtains you will not be afraid of the winds, because the fabric is fixed both at the top and bottom.
- Stained glass curtains are “dressed” on a telescopic mini-curtain and attached to the window sashes.
Idea 8. Soft roller blinds with tiebacks
Standard (cassette) ones look too strict for a “country” kitchen, but soft “rolls” will fit into the interior with a bang. Since these curtains have a simple style, you can easily sew them with your own hands.
- Roller blinds can be made more interesting by sewing their back and front sides from different fabrics.
Idea 9. Knitted curtains
If you know how to crochet, then you can, at a minimum, knit lace inserts to decorate curtains (example in the photo below), and, at a maximum, full-fledged curtains.
Idea 10. Curtains with ruffles and frills
Curtains with ruffles and ruffles will add texture to simple curtains and create a romantic mood in your kitchen. They look especially good next to rough, massive or aged furniture.
- Remember that the smaller the room, the fewer frills there should be on the canvas. In order not to overload the interior, it is advisable that the fabric of such curtains be plain.
- Don't forget to pay attention. It must be wooden or metal, for example, forged. Traditional tips for the barbell are suitable - in the form of balls, cones or arrows.
- Linen and cotton are ideal fabrics for curtains in the Provence style. But for kitchen curtains, mixtures of cotton/linen with synthetics, such as polyester, are more suitable. Curtains made from such fabrics are more durable, elastic, hold their shape better, are easier to wash and iron, do not shrink and fade less from sunlight.
- Curtains in the Provence style should have a simple cut, but the pattern of the fabrics can be colorful. Fabrics with flowers, stripes, with cockerels, pastoral “engravings” or marine motifs are suitable.
- It is better to choose light short curtains: Roman, roller, stained glass, “cafe” or classic curtains with moderate gathering. It is important that the pattern on the fabric is small or medium; large prints visually reduce the space.
- Universal colors for curtains in Provence style: white, beige and gray. In general, when choosing the color of the material, you need to focus on the textiles already available in the kitchen (chair upholstery, tablecloth, pillows, towels, etc.), the shade of the walls or furniture. Don't forget to take into account the orientation of the kitchen to the cardinal points. Curtains in cold shades are more suitable for “southern” kitchens, and warm shades for dark “northern” ones.
An important element in the interior of any room are window accessories. Therefore, curtains in the Provence style will become a special decoration for the living room, the photo of which conveys the atmosphere of south-eastern France.
Curtains for the living room in the Provence style combine the spirit of rustic simplicity and at the same time “palace” sophistication. Thanks to this decoration, the room seems to be filled with home comfort, silence, tranquility and sunshine.
How to choose curtains for a living room in an extraordinary and unique Provence style? This article will reveal the characteristic features of this style and the design features of window decorations.
The history of the development of the Provencal style begins back in the 17th century, when small representatives of the bourgeoisie “escaped” from the bustle of the city to small French villages. By the way, the name of the Provence style is associated with the region of southeastern France, where it began to emerge.
The spirit of Provence fills with natural harmony and tranquility. Several centuries ago, industrialists, artisans and doctors began to move to the French provinces. They did not have enough money to furnish their home elegantly and pretentiously, as in the capital. However, they didn’t want to live at all “like a village.”
Provence combines unobtrusive naturalness, natural lightness and unlimited space. A house made in this style is ideal for creating your own family nest. It attracts with its charm and attractiveness, leaving no one indifferent. The Provencal style remains very popular due to its following characteristics:
- Practicality and functionality. To decorate your room in Provence style, you don’t need too much financial investments. Its characteristic features are simple fittings, antique curtains and linen tablecloths. For intricate needlewomen it will not be special labor arrange housing in provencal style.
- Romanticism and flight of creative imagination. Returning to the origins of this style, it should be noted that it began to penetrate into the homes of not only small, but also large bourgeois. A striking example of the Provençal style are the works of Matisse and Van Gogh, filling anyone's heart with the beauty and tranquility of the French countryside.
Nowadays you can find different trends in room design. However, many of them only evoke cold, for example, high-tech. Provence, on the contrary, helps to create spacious room, filled with warmth, comfort and love. It is characterized by the following features:
- use of eco-materials for flooring and furniture;
- soft pastel colors of paint or wallpaper, as well as embossed plaster;
- using various items to decorate the room - tablecloths, pillows, curtains, rugs or napkins.
Despite the simplicity of the design, the interior of the room in the Provencal style looks quite fashionable, giving it a special charm.
Curtains for the living room in Provence style
At first glance, it seems that it is very simple to arrange a living room in the Provence style. In fact, to properly decorate window decorations, you need to take into account some nuances.
Firstly, choose curtains with an elegant, simple cut. They must be made from natural materials.
Attention! Secondly, when choosing a color scheme, you should stick to pastel shades.
Curtains are also decorated with floral, floral patterns or prints. These could be poppies, roses, herbs or lavender. In the Provencal style, the use of vertical stripes, as well as red-white or blue-white checks is allowed.
When arranging a room “in Provençal style,” it is important to achieve a clear and bright environment. For this, airy curtains with thick drapes would be an excellent combination.
To choose curtains that match the interior of the room, you can choose almost any type, because the Provencal style does not limit the flight of your imagination. These can be Roman, classic, English or eyelet curtains. You can also use window accessories with hinges, drawstrings or ties. To give your interior modernity and functionality, you should avoid roller models and pleated curtains. The most important thing is to create a feeling of airiness, avoiding unnecessary draperies and heavy structures.
To add originality, housewives often decorate window accessories. additional items– fringe, frills, bows, lambrequins, ruffles and tassels. The highlight will be accessories made with your own hands. As a rule, the decor is done in a brighter color scheme.
As you can see, this style provides great opportunities for flights of fancy. By following the basic rules for decorating curtains and adding your own touch to them, you can create a unique and charming living room interior.
Choice of fabrics, colors and cornices
In order for the curtains in the hall to look truly “Provencal”, you need to take seriously the choice of material for sewing them.
Floral pattern is the most favorite Provencal style print
Available in a single color or with a themed pattern. Curtains with a picture of a village will look charming, because they will fully reflect the spirit of southeastern France. Curtains with delicate patterns of lavender and flower bouquets. When decorating a stylish window decoration for the living room, only environmentally friendly materials are acceptable, namely:
- cotton;
- calico;
- rough cloth;
On a note! If possible, the interior of the room is decorated with embroidered materials or crocheted openwork lace. This will create a special atmosphere of home and comfort.
To fully achieve a harmonious living room interior, you need to choose the right color palette for window accessories. The spirit of provincial France is conveyed by both delicate and bright colors. And their combination creates a unique Provencal style, filling with joy, warmth and family comfort.
It is best to choose milky, cream, mint, sky blue, creamy, beige or light gray shades. Such gentle colors will be an excellent basis for colorful and bright shades of terracotta, ocher or coffee.
Tiebacks that can be used to frame a window will look good. To do this, use a couple of strips of fabric on hooks. In this case, it is better to use the same fabric that was used for sewing the curtains themselves.
If we talk about cornices, they should also be made of natural material. Wood is most often used. To decorate your living room windows, you don’t have to stop at intricate patterns and shapes. A simple cornice shape is suitable for this style.
As a rule, the cornice for Provencal curtains is made in the form of a rod, using wood or metal as the material. However, forged metal will not work in this case, because it will in no way reflect the style of the French province.
By understanding what shade, material and cornice to choose for window decoration, you can fully create an atmosphere of ease and serenity in the room.
Combination of curtains and living room interior
The design of the room and window accessories should, of course, be combined with each other. The living room can be decorated in the same style or close to Provence. This is very important, because the wrong combination of decoration, furniture and accessories can create the impression of complete bad taste.
Antique or artificially aged furniture will fit organically into the Provencal style
Most often, the walls of the living room are painted in light, delicate shades; the use of wallpaper is also allowed. Regarding furniture, it should be made in an antique style. These are wooden fittings without any fancy decorations. It doesn’t matter if the paint or varnish on some pieces of furniture is cracked, this will further enhance the effect of antiquity. When choosing its color, you should give preference to light shades.
The doors of cabinets and chests of drawers are usually decorated with paintings and floral patterns.
On a note! Great option is the use of forged elements - candlesticks, lampshades or metal flowers climbing along the shelves.
Wicker furniture looks very nice, for example, bookcases, chairs or coffee tables. They give the room simplicity and comfort, in which the whole family and guests will eagerly gather.
A special role is given to accessories that emphasize the Provençal style. It can be soft pillows on the sofa and armchairs, embroidered or knitted napkins, flowers in pots or vases, colorful landscapes or still lifes. A win-win option would be jewelry made with your own hands. All this, together with window decorations, will create a “little France” in the guest room.
Correctly selected accessories can bring together the interior of a room.
Curtains made in Provencal style will become a wonderful decoration not only for the hall, but also for other rooms. This style is suitable for both a small apartment and a large country house. You will want to return there again and again, tasting the feeling of joy, warmth and tranquility. By choosing the right shade, pattern and curtain rod, you can create a magnificent Provencal style living room that will charm not only all the residents of the house, but also their guests. The main thing is to take into account all the main nuances when choosing window decorations. If you're inspired by the spirit of provincial France, why not try creating it in your guest room?
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The interior style “Provence” is named after the province of the same name, located in the southeast of France, right at the foot of the Alps, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. All these factors could not but affect the external design of urban and rural buildings and the interiors of their rooms. Provence is a region famous for its numerous fields of lavender, which has also found its rightful place in this style, and not only in the form of the plants themselves, but also in the use of unique blue-violet shades in the design.
If you want to decorate a balcony in the Provence style, then you need to at least delve a little into the information about its characteristics and history. Only in this case can you truly grasp the mood that the room for which this direction has been chosen should have.
History of the style
This style originated in the 17th century, simultaneously with urban classicism, but, one might say, rather as an alternative to it, since “Provence” in translation means “province” and reproduces the interior of a provincial house. “Provence” is a peculiar desire to dissociate oneself from the city noise and bustle of megacities, an expression of the latent desire to relax in the open spaces of the countryside, in harmony with nature. It is these moods that permeate this warm and airy provincial style, in which light sunny tones predominate, and the priority decoration is such a special art as floristry.
This famous region of France has always attracted artists who were inspired by the endless lavender fields and the play of their lilac shades, the richness of yellow color wheat fields and spots of flaming poppies flashing in them.
We can say that the style, named after the name of this province, was created by practical and hardworking people living in it, who are accustomed to taking care of household items made with their own hands. They built and decorated their houses, assembled simple furniture, and practiced weaving and embroidery - these items became an integral part in the formation of this style.
In addition, “Provence” was greatly influenced by surrounding people nature, in which there is an abundance of air and freedom of space.
It cannot be said that this “rustic” French style arose in one or two years - it was formed over decades, thanks to the meticulous attitude of local residents to the arrangement of their homes over many generations.
Many of those who found themselves in the atmosphere of this style fell in love with it forever, taking pleasant memories with them from the trip. Well, then, already at home, it became quite logical to strive to recreate a small corner of France, for example, on your balcony, or to remodel the interior of one or more rooms, using elements of this direction.
Distinctive stylistic features of “Provence”
"Provence", as a design style, has its own individual characteristics, which are characteristic only of him, and, one might say, are his “calling card”.
First of all, its characteristics were determined by the occupancy of rustic-style interiors. All items used in it, made from natural materials, are distinguished by quality and reliability, designed for long-term use.
Laconicism and simplicity of design is manifested in all areas of design - this is the color scheme, calm lines of furniture, as well as their rational arrangement in the room.
In the Provence style, pastel soft shades are used - cream, pink, soft purple, blue, light green, creamy and the like. In contrast, darker colors are sometimes used, such as juicy purple, dark brown, dark blue and others, however, they should in no case dominate or outweigh the light airy shades that are basic to this style.
Flowers are an integral part of this design trend, and, in fact, they are its main decor.
It should be noted that with the spread of “Provence” to other countries, some changes were, of course, made to it that are characteristic of other cultures. But still, be that as it may, the main line has always remained airiness and naturalness, which continues to attract more and more fans of this style of decorating their homes.
Pay attention to the article, you may also be interested in the balcony design options being considered.
Basic techniques for decorating a balcony in the Provence style
An interior made in this style contains, basically, all the items necessary for life, but it is not without decorative elements that enliven the room and give it the appropriate mood.
To understand in more detail how to use this style on a balcony, it is worth considering what the main elements of the room should look like and what accessories can be used to decorate it.
- Walls . For finishing vertical surfaces, it is most often used to imitate brush strokes.
However, this is not a dogma at all, and in addition to plaster, the walls can be covered with natural boards, with the natural shade of wood preserved, or painted white. A small fragment of exposed brickwork will also be organic in such an interior.
It may well be applied to plastered surfaces. art painting using plant motifs.
The presence of modern materials greatly facilitates the finishing process, since today construction stores offer a large assortment of wallpapers that imitate plastered surfaces in pure form or with floral painting applied to them. Therefore, it is always possible to choose one or more types of wallpaper that will create the required style mood on the balcony.
A combined finishing option is also possible, when the panels are made of wooden lining, and the main part of the wall is covered with canvases of light and pastel colors with floral patterns.
It must be said that in classic “Provence” the brickwork on the walls is often left in its usual form, covered with whitewash or light paint on water based. Therefore, if you are attracted to this finishing option, then it is quite possible to purchase ceramic tiles(preferably clinker), imitating brickwork.
Provence cabinet
- Floors . The ideal floor covering for this style is a board painted in light colors. Cream, light gray, “baked milk” and similar colors work well.
In addition, a “classic of the genre” is the floor laid out stone tiles. In a balcony setting, you can use imitation stone instead, for example, finishing the floor ceramic coating or even linoleum with a corresponding pattern. An integral attribute“Provence” are homespun rugs and paths, as well as woven straw mats, also in light shades. They will look great on light-colored balcony floor surfaces.
- Ceiling in this style it should be made of boards that are covered with whitewash or water-based paint. Moreover, this is exactly the case when there is no need to achieve evenness of coloring - if there are raised stains from the pile on the lining paint brush, then such tinted ones, on the contrary, will be as close as possible to the canonical one.
Quite often, to accentuate the style, massive beams with a rough finish are fixed to a light plank ceiling. They may be dark brown or light pastel color, which will differ from the background of the ceiling by several tones. In a balcony environment, they can be fixed to the ceiling and plastic options beams that reliably imitate natural ones - such finishing details can also be found in hardware stores.
Instead of boards, on modern balcony or loggias, plastic is often used to decorate the ceiling, which can be an excellent imitation of natural wood.
- Window. In the canonical “Provence”, the windows have many lintels, and the frames are almost always painted white. Window openings are not covered with curtains - many of them are closed using wooden lattice shutters.
On the balcony, shutters can be replaced with blinds or colored curtains, since in this room it is quite difficult to do without them, especially if the windows face the south side building.
In some cases, in order to match the style, plastic false lintels are even glued to the glass of metal-plastic balcony windows, imitating the natural division of the frame. If it is possible to order and install shutters, then this will be a significant plus - they will not only be able to support the “Provence” style, but also perfectly.
- Furniture. The color of the furniture can be light or dark, but it must be painted with a brush, the bristles of which leave characteristic marks on its surfaces.
Any piece of furniture used in the interior is always functional and has a simple, laconic form. Often cabinets and chairs are equipped with legs with a slight bend and simple carvings - it is mainly done along the edge of one of the elements.
Massif Provence
In addition, you can often see a painting on the surface of chests of drawers or cabinets in the Provence style; the theme for it is always plants. Furniture facades are decorated with forged corners, handles and grilles, which are not only decorative details, but are also designed to preserve the item from chipping and damage for as long as possible.
Chairs, sofas, armchairs and tables can be made using the weaving technique. Entire sets are often made from them - they harmonize well with homespun rugs, elegant shutters or with the same wicker curtains on the windows. Together, all these elements emphasize that the interior belongs to a certain style.
Since household things are provincial cities and villages were traditionally kept and preserved for a very long time, and passed on from generation to generation, this could not but affect the style. To maintain the general mood of “Provence,” the surfaces of furniture pieces are often artificially aged and given a worn effect. This process is carried out deliberately using special techniques, as well as by removing individual small fragments of paint or creating cracks on the surface of objects. Pastel colors used to decorate furniture, when combined correctly, will look as if they have faded over a long period of faithful service to their owners.
To decorate a balcony in the Provence style, you don’t need a lot of furniture - a couple of armchairs or elegant chairs will be enough, and if the space allows, then it’s also possible to put a sofa.
Cabinets used in Provence interiors can be open, like a shelf, or closed. The former are most often intended for flowerpots and books. Well, if doors are installed on them, then they are sheathed horizontally or vertically with clapboard, which is painted in a light shade.
If lattice shutters are installed on the windows, then it is advisable to make the cabinet doors using the same technique.
Simple but elegant shelves will be a good addition to the “Provence”
They should also be designed in the same style as massive pieces of furniture. If you want to hang it on your balcony wall, we recommend taking a look at the special article on our portal, which presents many interesting options.
- Lighting on the balcony
Classic “Provence” involves simple lamps, without complex intricate decor, decorated in calm, natural colors, such as olive, lavender, beige, milky, blue and the like, which will serve as the background for various paintings that convey the mood of this style.
Lamps should be made from natural materials - porcelain, wood, textiles, metal and their combination. If lighting fixture metal, it is usually decorated with unobtrusive elements artistic forging. To maintain the spirit of the era, sometimes the coating is aged, lightened, and treated with special compounds, after which cracks and chips appear on the paint.
To maintain style, do not make the lighting too bright. The best option there will be dim light that can be created desk lamp, floor lamps, small wall or ceiling lamps with lampshades made of different materials.
It is calm, dim lighting that is necessary to create the stylistic mood of “Provence” summer evenings when the coolness sets in. and it’s time for rest and relaxation.
- Textile. Upholstered furniture or pillows for wicker chairs and sofas should be covered with natural materials with simple patterns, since “Provence” is still a “rustic” style. The color scheme of fabrics can be different, but always calm and discreet. Fabric with multi-colored stripes, small or large floral patterns, as well as medium-sized two-color checks are often used.
For pillows, pillowcases are sewn in patchwork style with ruffles and buttons. Curtains can also be trimmed with various decorative braids, frills and cords. In addition, to give the textiles a “homey, rustic” design, they are usually embroidered with floral elements, but this decoration should also be done in soft pastel colors.
If chairs are used in the interior, it is advisable that they be covered with covers specially made for them. For such covering, light natural fabric with a plant or floral pattern is used - it can be cotton, calico or linen with coarse weave threads.
It should be noted that in our time, some designers, in order to express the interior, made in soft colors, sometimes add bright fabric accents, which are chosen for one of the accessories. However, in this case, the color used should be in good harmony with the rest of the objects in the room.
Provence sofa
- Decor. The interior of the Provence style contains not only functional objects, but also those that serve to decorate or accentuate it - these are paintings or vases, forged candlesticks or figurines, flowerpots with indoor flowers or bunches of dried plants.
A fireplace will fit perfectly into this style, but it is impossible to install it on the balcony, therefore, if desired, you can reproduce its imitation, for example, a cabinet made in the form of a fireplace. This piece of furniture should have a look that matches the overall design of the room.
If you choose the Provence style for a balcony or loggia, then you can’t do without living plants in flowerpots.
For landscaping the room, climbing plants can be used, which are fixed to the wall using decorative lattice, creating a kind of “ hedge" You can do it another way, by building special wooden “stairs” or stands in the form of a bedside table with pulled out drawers.
Of the climbing plants, ivy is perfect for a balcony - it is unpretentious, can withstand winter frosts down to -20 degrees, so with proper care, over time it can wrap around the entire wall. If the balcony is heated, the plant will feel quite comfortable all year round.
It is good to plant lavender and heather in flowerpots, which, when flowering, will fill the balcony with a tart aroma. For the winter they will have to be brought indoors, and this is not difficult to do, since their bushes do not grow too large.
Tall plants planted in tubs, such as ficus or cypress, are also an excellent choice. However, they are also afraid of the cold, so winter period they need to be kept warm.
In addition to fresh flowers in flowerpots, sometimes bunches of dried lavender are hung on the walls, which can permeate not only the room with its aroma, but also all the textiles located on it.
Walls are often decorated with embroidery or paintings installed in, but they should not be of significant size - the most optimal would be 250÷300 mm on the larger side.
IN modern interiors“Provence” many include other elements that match the color scheme, pattern and shape. For example, more modern lamps or furniture made from artificial materials.
Recently, quite often, “Provence” is combined with another, similar style, “shabby chic,” which differs from the first in the abundance of rich decor. It must be said that this combination is most often successful. However, we mean that such a “symbiosis” is no longer country style small French houses, and luxurious interiors, abundant soft sofas and chic wrought iron chandeliers that require large areas. It’s hardly wise to conduct such an “experiment” on the balcony - it will obviously turn out to be some kind of nonsense.
Balcony interiors in Provence style
In order to make a choice design design balcony in the Provence style, it is recommended to definitely consider several ready-made options.
First option
Most standard balconies in modern apartments are not distinguished by their spaciousness, so when making the room as functional as possible, you have to choose compact furniture and use every centimeter of space.
Perfect for a small balcony classic style"Provence", since it does not require large halls. In this project, the designer made the most of each of the walls of the room, arranging cabinets and niches on them. For example, the fencing of a loggia, which many homeowners do not take into account at all, leaving it without functional “loads,” is fully involved in this case.
Near window frame There is a wide window sill, which is an excellent stand for flowerpots, which you cannot do without in Provence. Under the window sill there are shallow cabinets - their doors are designed to match the paneling. In addition, a folding semicircular table is mounted under the window, which, if not needed, can be put away in a niche prepared for it. Its tabletop is made of narrow boards left unpainted, which corresponds to the Provence style, since previously wood, in order to preserve it for as long as possible, was not only painted, but also covered with natural beeswax, which is an excellent protection for wooden surfaces .
A wicker lampshade used in the interior will make the light soft and subdued, which will contribute to a relaxing holiday. The curtains on the windows and the upholstery of the chairs are decorated with floral patterns - this is exactly how textiles in the Provence style should be.
The chairs are small and light, so if you need to free up the balcony completely, you can simply bring them into the apartment. Folding chairs are also perfect for this interior - they are easy to make yourself, just as the inhabitants of provincial Provence did.
Try making your own chairs!
If you want to make furniture for your balcony yourself and save quite a decent amount of money on it, then everything is in your hands! We advise you to refer to the article, which presents several options for these pieces of furniture, suitable for various styles of room decoration.
Second option
This balcony is designed to create a small work area where it is convenient to do, for example, handicrafts or drawing. In the presented interior, the walls of the room are covered with traditional “Provence” wooden clapboard made of light wood, or it can be painted in a soothing pastel color. These tones were not chosen by chance, as they provide rest for the eye, and they promote performance during creative activities.
A lamp with a light shade is installed on the desktop. The seat of the chair is equipped with a pillow of the same color, but there are no curtains on the windows - all these points are completely consistent with the French style. There is also a flowerpot with a climbing plant on the balcony, which is designed to enliven the interior, bringing it closer to the chosen design direction. The wall above the table is most often decorated with embroidery self-made, placed in a frame, or family photographs. Both one and the other option are organic for the chosen style.
In total, such an interior may well be called “Provence” using modern element, which today probably not a single well-insulated balcony can do without is metal-plastic window. However, this addition does not spoil the design idea at all.
Third option
This summer option decoration in the Provence style is ideal for those who are interested in growing indoor plants, since on such a balcony everything is created the necessary conditions for such an activity. An appropriately decorated room invites you to relax in solitude with a good book or knitting, and for this there is a comfortable place from which you can admire the indoor flowers placed on the shelves and window sills.
The window leading out of the apartment is framed by climbing plants, and, looking through it at the balcony, one gets the impression that it opens into a blooming garden, which is something that residents of concrete high-rise buildings miss so much, especially those who do not have a country house or dacha.
The furniture made for the presented interior is almost all functional. So, under a small sofa located along end wall balcony, installed sliding wardrobes, painted in traditional white and equipped with metal handles. All the wall shelves, plus those installed along the walls, as well as the chair, are painted in light colors, which, together with flowering plants, create a summer mood on the “French veranda”. A bright spot that adds expression to the pastel shades of the interior is the purple covers on the sofa cushions. They seem to dilute the calm mood, and at the same time, their shade echoes some of the flowers of plants.
Fourth option
The balcony shown in the illustration below, made in lavender tones, is not saturated with many colors, and does not have light cladding on the walls. However, despite this, “Provence” is visible not only in its color scheme, but also in selected decorative elements. The walls, although not lined with clapboard, as is customary in this style, are covered with wallpaper imitating plank trim, painted in the colors traditional for the style.
Textiles for sofa cushions ideally harmonizes with all other accessories placed on the balcony, and also supports the direction chosen by the designer.
The floors have a plank covering, painted in a color similar to the finish of the vertical surfaces.
The interior, in addition, is decorated with forged elements - made using this technique wall shelf, a cornice above the window and an improvised hanging stand for a lamp. sofa frames and low table also made of metal.
The windows are covered with blinds reminiscent of French wooden lattice shutters. A blooming bush complements the “Provencal” design of the room. lilac flowers, reminiscent of French lavender.
Fifth option
This balcony design can be called “modern Provence”, using new materials. However, despite their use, in all elements of the interior one can see the designer’s desire to bring it to this summer and light style.
First of all, the overall color of the room is traditional for the chosen direction. Big windows with frequent lintels and a lattice painted white, it is very reminiscent of a glazed veranda of a house overlooking the sea. Wicker furniture the same shade is furnished with pastel-colored pillows, with bright orange stripes, also reminiscent of the sun and summer.
The open, shallow one, like an indispensable piece of Provence furniture, is quite spacious and therefore functional. Nevertheless, it fit compactly against the wall, against the backdrop of white-painted brickwork.
And, of course, a mandatory indoor plant for this design direction, which makes the interior more lively and closer to nature.
This balcony is designed only for relaxation. It’s a good place to retire with an interesting book or just sit, looking out the window, away from the worries of the day, since the whole atmosphere is conducive to relaxation.
The simplicity of the “Provence” style discussed in the article, which has long become popular around the world, makes it easy to reproduce it in any room, including on a balcony or loggia. Arrangement of premises will not require special costs, exceeding those necessary for any quality repairs. Moreover, you can cheat and use modern materials that imitate natural ones well.
Well, at the end of the publication, for the most meticulous readers who love to understand all the intricacies, we offer an interesting film about the secrets of this wonderful interior style - “Provence”.
Video: what lies behind the intriguing name of the Provence style