Country French Casual Elegance

The concept of a great room made its way into American home design in the latter half of the 20th century, but the combination of a living room, dining area, and kitchen has long been a staple of European tradition. That's evident from the way that Country French decorating style gives casual elegance to a contemporary great room.

Many homeowners opt for a casual contemporary look that meshes well with today's lifestyles. However, Country French offers more of a connection to the past and a touch more intrigue, since it incorporates antiques and heirlooms in ways that can elicit family stories as well as lively conversation for entertaining.

Since every room needs a focal point, a stone fireplace or an accent wall built or covered in stone is a great place to start a Country French design. Architecturally this theme can extend throughout the great room with the addition of built-in bookcases, or shelves and niches done in dark wood to complement wood ceiling beams, mantels or paneling. Working surfaces and storage spaces abound in the forms of armoires, cupboards and tables often in hand-carved wood placed throughout the living, dining and kitchen spaces.

Flooring is the perfect way to tie the room together and yet allow for spaces to be defined for specific uses. Wide plank hardwood flooring, parquet, stone or tile all make excellent finishing options. With continuous flooring, the designer can then define various living spaces using area rugs. For example, colored flokati rugs can anchor a conversation grouping in the living room, while floral rugs would work well as the basis for a dining area. Wool flokati rugs also can serve well in both spaces, but be sure to have one rug larger than the other so that the room doesn't look chopped up.

The traditional colors of Country French décor reflect the richness of a rural setting, with cornflower blue, mustard, terracotta and soft greens dominating. Walls are often plastered and given an antique whitewash to resemble rustic French farmhouses.

Country French also has a distinct air of antiquity, a sense of generations being rooted to the land. Consequently family heirlooms, vintage pieces and even genuine antiques spark the room's accessories. Ladder-back chairs with rush seats around a sturdy pine table give a more rustic mood, although English, Italian and even Asian furnishings can work surprisingly well in this décor because Country French embraces eclectic combinations. For example, a set of interesting mismatched chairs found at flea markets can be painted the same color and upholstered with fabric in patterns of fleur-de-lis, stripes, florals or toile, the classic cloth with its patterns of French countryside scenes.

Artwork should reflect the classics of the style, such as still lifes, French landscapes, botanical prints, and cafe scenes. Any surface can be used to display artwork: walls, mantelpieces, shelves and tables. Gilded frames for large or small works add a touch of formality to the mix. Large art can serve as focal points, while smaller pieces make fascinating groups, especially if stacked vertically on walls a la Parisian salons.

The finishing touches of Country French style come in its accessories. Woven or wire baskets, pitchers, ceramic pottery, copper pots, vases and cachepots filled with herbs are frequently used. Popular design motifs for these accessories include grapes, sunflowers, roosters, and olives. A vase filled with fresh flowers will add the final spark of authenticity for a Country French great room.