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30 March, 2014

My Favorite Tips for Adding Country French Style

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT My Favorite Tips for Adding Country French StyleI am so excited today to join a group of my fellow francophiles who not only love France and all things French, but live it, too, by decorating their homes in Country French style! And I think you will find a little different twist on the notion of “Country French” in each home. I hope I qualify. I am no expert. But I have lived in France…and I did live in the country!

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Favorite Tips for Adding Country French StyleYes…as you may know, I actually moved to France and lived there for a year. As a French teacher, I loved being a part of that lifestyle and being surrounded by the history and the language of the country that I love. But I was drawn back home by the birth of my first grandchild and the need to be near my family. So I made a decision…to create my own little corner of France in my home, inspired by this wonderful farmhouse in Provence where I spent some time. (You can get a closer look here.) So I would like to share a few tips that I used as my guidelines along the way.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Favorite Tips for Adding Country French StyleChoose colors that you love and can live with. I love the sunny colors of Provence…the yellow of the sunflowers and the blue of the sky that can be found so often in Provençal table linens. These are the colors that make me happy so I knew that I would use them wherever possible in my home.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Favorite Tips for Adding Country French StyleAdd a rustic look by using wrought iron or aged and even rusting metals in your fixtures. I love this time-worn look…so comfortable and warm! You will find wrought iron in the chandelier and rooster sconces in my dining room…

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Favorite Tips for Adding Country French Style …and in my favorite rooster chandelier in the breakfast area. For me, it adds the simple, informal feel that I hope to convey in my home.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Dining Room Add lots of layers...especially on the table! If you are visiting in France and are lucky enough to be invited for dinner, you will always find a tablecloth and real cloth napkins on the table. And don’t be surprised to see a kitty or doggie under the table, even in restaurants! Don’t worry…they have good manners and will not beg. (Thank you, Baby Kitty, for playing the role of le chat français.)

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Favorite Tips for Adding Country French StyleCollect authentic French items if you can. For me, it’s plates above all else...like my vintage Quimper ware collection. (You can see more here.) Plates play an important role in France since you will find yourself changing with each course…so it’s good to have lots of them on hand! In fact, living in France is what made me a plate addict. If you like, you can read that story here.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Favorite Tips for Adding Country French StyleFrench linens are another popular collectible...especially those that have been monogrammed. But if you can’t find authentic vintage frenchiness to collect, create your own…like my DIY faux monogrammed tea towels that started out life as 79 cent IKEA dish towels! You can see how I did it, plus find links to more of my DIY French linens here.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT French Ticking Pillows Use Country French fabrics, such as ticking and toile, in your décor. In fact, I love toile so much that I have it in several places and in different colors in my home. You saw it in blue and white in my dining room drapes and, here, in black and white in my guest room. The French ticking pillows are decorated with transfers of authentic French Camembert labels. You can see how I made them here. Of course, there must be sunflowers and roosters…le coq gaulois…symbol of France!

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Favorite Tips for Adding Country French StyleThere is more toile…this time in a softer pink and green…in my master bedroom. You can get all the details here.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Frenchy Rooster Chalkboard Add French graphics and wording wherever you can. Having taught French for 34 years, I love to be surrounded by little bits of the language I love! Here, a rooster chalkboard to welcome my guests…

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT Favorite Tips for Adding Country French Style …and here, a labeled canister set to bring an element of frenchiness into the kitchen. Also notice the French wire egg holder, similar to the one I saw in Monet’s kitchen in Giverny…

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT DIY French Silverware Sleeve…and little bits of French in unexpected places, like my vintage French silverware sleeves! You can get all the details and find out how to make your own here.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT My Favorite Tips for Adding Country French Style And that includes artwork and posters…such as my favorite Steinlen poster in the Country French guest bath! Get a closer look at it here.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT My Favorite Tips for Adding Country French StyleAnd there you have it…my tips for adding that wonderful Country French feel to your home! It’s a warm and comfortable style that makes me happy…surrounded by my favorite things and the colors that I love! And best of all…I don’t have jet lag and can see my grandchildren any time I want! You can see even more ways to add that French feel to your home in my project gallery under the Frenchy Projects section here.

COUNTRY FRENCH DESIGN BUTTONNow I hope you will head on over to visit these wonderful blogs and discover their favorite ways to add that French feeling to their homes!






Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my favorite tips for adding Country French style! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party ,Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday,  Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays , The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays, French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday
See you next time! À la prochaine!
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28 comments:

  1. Debbie, you certainly have created a beauitful country French home and I love all the colors as you know.

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  2. Everything is so beautifully frenchie.. I couldnt decide which photo I loved most.. I admire your style.. wow, is all I know to say,, just WOW..

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  3. Debbie, you always offer such fabulous inspiration of helping us create a French Country feel in our homes...I love the the photo of your home in France....Great series...so happy that you all are doing this!!..

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  4. HI Debbie! I just love your beautiful home and how you've put your French touch all over it! I love each room but your dining room is my favorite. Love seeing your little fuzzy faces too.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  5. Your home is gorgeous ! I especially love your dining room !

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  6. Debbie, I've never been to France so I look to you for inspiration. Our last house had a lot of french country touches and we need to add more in this house. It's such a beautiful livable look. I appreciate your pretty and affordable ideas.

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  7. Your beautiful French Country home is always a pleasure to visit! Thanks for the tips!

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  8. Your home is so beautiful and it's all because you are one heck of a decorator and craftsman (women!!) all of your special touches add so much to it's charm....all your fabulous pillows....everywhere I looked was something you made...Bravo to my favorite DIY Blogger!

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  9. Debbie, there is no question that your home is filled with delightful touches of French Country. You are the master at finding authentic items when out thrifting, but are also without question a master at DIY projects. Smiles when I look at your pretty table, the hutch filled with blue and white, and the baker's rack holding your Quimper finds. Thanks for sharing the beauty.

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  10. Debbie, When I think of French Country design blogs I consider yours one of the best! Not only is your home beautiful but you have some amazing projects.
    xx,
    Sherry

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  11. Love love love your home and your style! Beautiful photos and tips! Happy to be touring with you!

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  12. Your diningroom says "French" as soon as you look at it...just beautiful! You have beautiful French touches thur out your rooms, so in love with your style!

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  13. Hi Debbie! What a great post! I´ve been following your blog for a long time and am convinced that if there is a true practical encyclopedia of how to achieve that "air français" in our homes -either with authentic French items or with DIY replacements-, it is undoubtedly here... You always inspire me, lady! Btw, I´ve recently made some tea towels in this style and mentioned specifically your projects as my main source of inspiration (if you want to take a look, please visit http://kassandrashabby.blogspot.com/2014/03/fase-4-repasadores-nuevos.html) And of course I´ll keep on following your tips to create a little piece of France in my home too... Thanks for your precious tips and pics, it´s delighting to come here once and again!
    Warmest hugs from Uruguay,
    K.

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  14. A beautiful post Debbie and a great reminder of how we can bring our travel "home" with us.

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  15. DEB! Oh how I love your warm and inviting home. I smile every single time I see it. I love yellow and blues and you have them displayed so beautifully. I don't know how I missed the vintage silverware sleeve, but I am in LOVE with that and your cannisters are something I have always admired. Thanks for the tour,
    xo Kathysue

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  16. Great tips, Debbie...I do love your decorating style! The master bedroom is my favorite...gorgeous.

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  17. hi Debbie, just finding you for the first time because of your link with the others. Love your home! I nearly died over the runner on your table with the ruffle. Just beautiful.

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  18. Je l'adore! You home is so inspirational. One day, when James Bond retires from the army (2-6 years!), and we finally get a permanent home, I'm going to go mad French country! I have small touches here and there, but I want more! Maybe I can just come live with you for a while! Oh, no, that wouldn't work. 1. Someone has to take care of my family 2. I'm wildly allergic to cats 3. I'd probably never leave Ah well, at least I can live vicariously through your blog. ;)

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  19. How pretty everything looks in your home Debbie, I just love your attention to detail
    best
    Sharon
    xx

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  20. I love every detail you shared! The roosters are fantastic and the Provencal colors - great tips!
    Kathy

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  21. Hi Debbie, I just got to reading this post and I enjoyed it very much. My favorite colors are green, rusty cranberry a muted yellow and dried lavender. Have to always have it everywhere. I am trying to slowly start collecting things I truly love for the new house. Many things I have in storage will work and I still love but we miss our stuff for sure. Haven't seen it in about 8 months.

    Cynthia

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  22. I enjoyed seeing all your French decor. My favorite is the French wire egg holder.

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  23. Delightful post. I love your style.

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  24. I like the blue & white canister set also the wire egg holder , I can see those in my blue & white kitchen. also how nice you got to live in France

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  25. Hi Debbie, it's great to see a group of gals focusing on FC decor. Wonderful idea. All your ideas are always spot on. I'm headed back to Paris and Provence in May and hope to find lots more neat treasures.

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  26. I love French country decor and your blog is always inspiring to me! Love what you showcase and am also a fellow cat lover! Thank you Debbie for sharing your passion!

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie