You love the French Country look in home decor and design. Originating in the sunny vineyards and fields of southeastern France, French Country decor has become popular worldwide. With many elements contributing to the French Country style of decorating, the resulting look is casual and inviting, the charm lies in the rustic feel of the furniture, the accessories and the easy, cheerful combination of colors. French countryside decorating has few design boundaries and includes the design of a French country farm house as well as a grand French country chateau.

Color is important in any interior design plan you have, and this is especially true of Country French style. The colors associated with Country French come from the full spectrum of the color wheel. They are soft, foamy greens, bright sunny yellows and soft gold’s,  burnt rust, red, and splashes of cobalt blues, pinks, and lavender purple. These colors create a bright and cheery environment allowing the natural rustic wood associated with Country French furniture to shine through. It is common within this style to see mixing and matching of colors and prints.Wrought iron and distressed metal are also an important part to the Country French. Look for wrought iron distressed lamps, tables, and clocks.

The French Country style of decorating, with its warm and casual feel will fit beautifully into your home as well.  Decorating a French Country design home is about decorating for the relaxed way you like to live.

Photo by: The Romantic Vineyard

Country Dining Rooms – dining rooms are once again popular. A country dining room can be part of a breakfast nook.  It can also help take the formal out of formal dining room. It’s the hub of the country house. A country dining room design creates a space where your family can gather for home cooked meals.  It’s durable enough that you’ll be able to enjoy the conversation instead of worrying about protecting expensive china or the finish of the chairs.

Country dining room furniture is sturdy and comfortable. You can mix and match pieces like bringing in a painted, low dresser to use as a sideboard or buffet to display some of you collectibles. You can paint an old china cabinet a sage green to update it, save money and make it the focal point of the room. A country dining room table should be oversized.  The table should be a farmhouse style rectangular in shape made from natural wood such as oak, pine, walnut or mahogany with wooden chairs or old benches that are similar in style and material. You can paint the legs and chairs a different color if you want to update your dining rooms. For a more modern approach just decorate the table with a country runner so your table is still decorating even when it isn’t dinner time.

When choosing colors for a country dining room a modern country design focuses on cool colors like green, blue and cream, but these colors can be unappetizing. Or you may choose more of a French Country feel and bring in rich mustards and terra cottas. If you do use the cooler colors then go with sunflower accents to bring in the richer tones. Then use a gray or chocolate brown on the walls and bring in bright yellow and orange accessories.

Anyone who really feels that home is where the heart is may want to think about a country dining room theme. It gives you a casual feeling so you’ll be more likely to use the room; it won’t just be for holiday’s.  A country dining room is a space that you enjoy with friends or family.

Country Dining Room photo by: cosmic_spanner

Country Furniture photo by: Cottage Home Furniture

If you want to lend a warm, pleasant and inviting feeling to your kitchen, then decorating it in the Country Style will be the perfect theme for your new kitchen. A country style kitchen is a perfect blend of old world charm and modern comfort based on the concept of simplicity. More an more people are resorting to country style kitchen design, mainly because it keeps comfort and casual living in mind.

Color is the first thing that should be considered the walls as well as the ceiling. Since, country kitchen decoration is all about warmth, warm colors throughout the area are a must. Pastel shades like butterscotch yellow, beige, cream, light peach complement the bold furniture and other decorations. Earthy shades like terracotta, light brown also go well with the country kitchen décor. Or you may also consider patterned wallpaper, with a country print, and solid colors, with a country themed wallpaper border to create that personal touch.

The floor should be easy to care for.  For this reason  if you are installing a new floor think carefully about your cooking habits and the type of traffic that will be in the kitchen. The best option would be natural wood, flagstone, or terracotta tiles in hexagonal shape. A good way to get wood flooring is to check with the architectural salvage yards and e-bay, there may be some old flooring available from old buildings that are going to be torn down.  It will give you the scuffs, scratches and nicks that are characteristic of old floors. But if you have some other type of flooring and cannot afford to change it, then adding country style area rugs or old fashioned braided rugs is a good option. If possible, get themed country rugs, adorned by sunflowers or roosters.

There are certain types of furniture that are associated with a country style kitchen.  You can get antiques and vintage items to give your kitchen an authentic look or you can use furniture created in an antique style.  A country kitchen is incomplete without a large wooden table and chairs. The chairs need not match the table, which is often in darker shades of brown; wood and wrought iron are the favorite materials. A metal baker’s rack and a cabinet with metal mesh doors are pieces of furniture you may find in a country kitchen. Matching the furniture items is not an issue when using a country style decor as the furniture is often passed from one generation to other, with newer items being added to the existing collection.

With a country Decor accessories go a long way in adding to the charm of a room.  In your country style kitchen, use lots of accessories, each of which reflects your personal taste and identity. Large earthen or ceramic vases in varying sizes can be either left empty or filled with fresh flower arrangements. A wrought iron candle holder and plate holder are items every country kitchen has.  A throw rug also adds to the beauty of country kitchen. Wooden spoons, spatulas complete the look of the table. Porcelain teapots and cookware are often displayed in open cabinets. Or for a personal touch hang family pictures in wooden frames.

Creating the kitchen of your dreams does not have to be expensive or difficult.  With a one or two new items, a coat of paint and a few changes you can create the County Kitchen you have always wanted.

Photo By:  http://kitchen-cabinets-designs.blogspot.com/2009/08/country-kitchen-decorations-remodel.html