French Country House Plans & Floor Plans

Table Of Content

• Ultimate French Country House Tour
• Decorate with Subdued Colors
• Three-Bedroom Modern Farmhouse with Open Living Space and Front Porch (Floor Plan)
• The History of French Provincial Architecture
• French-Country House Exterior
• History of French Country Architecture
• Your Complete Guide to French Interior Design, Straight From the Pros

There’s not a thing I don’t love about this space, with it’s sleek and spacious architecture featuring both arches and reclaimed beams, along with the ideal mix of decor. The bed is sheer perfection, pairing feminine curves and tufting with rugged deconstructed detailing. The organic serving pieces, both behind the doors and on the counters, deliver the perfect finishing touch. I love that this dining room offers the gentle rusticity of the raw wood china cabinet and trestle farm table, yet dresses it up with sleek linen parsons chairs and white pottery.

Ultimate French Country House Tour

Hailing from the French countryside, French Provincial architecture is a term used to describe the massive manor houses and chateaux homes built by French aristocrats beginning in the 1600s. Many French Provincial homes were built during the reign of King Louis XIV and were actually inspired by the grand stylings and furnishings of Versailles—on a much simpler, more rustic scale, of course. If you find yourself swooning over French-style homes but wonder if you'll ever be able to make your own house look remotely as elegant as the spaces you admire online, the answer is yes. Although you'll find many manors and massive chateaux houses in the French countryside, French country homes tend to be more relaxed with an Old-Word feel. These days, you don't have to venture across the Atlantic to see (or even live in) French-style homes for yourself. French-inspired homes share many notable characteristics with Mediterranean-style houses.

French chateau-style house among 17 winners of Ann Arbor historic awards - MLive.com

French chateau-style house among 17 winners of Ann Arbor historic awards.

Posted: Mon, 03 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Decorate with Subdued Colors

A French-style home, also called a French provincial home, is a stone, brick, or stucco house with a steep rooftop and large windows. Often featuring courtyard gardens, iron gates, and gravel pathways, French-style homes are known for their rustic appeal. The French country-style interiors are as charming and delightful as the exteriors.

Three-Bedroom Modern Farmhouse with Open Living Space and Front Porch (Floor Plan)

Many French country homes feature two chimneys—one on each side of the house for symmetry. Many styles of French homes feature extremely tall, sloping roofs that are hipped—meaning all four corners of the roof point toward the ground. French country roofs are tiled with clay, barrel-shaped tiles that are overlapped to create a tiered effect, and they come in red, brown, or beige. All house plans and images on The House Designers® websites are protected under Federal and International Copyright Law.

This stunning bedroom was designed by Brittany Jones, whose many projects I have featured before. Everything celebrates the beauty of patina and Euro-style, while delivering a room that’s as updated as can be. If I had to pick a room that represents the quintessence of my direction in decor, it would be this bedroom. I personally have not yet achieved this level of rustic chic in my own home, but this is a pretty good summary of my goal.

French-Country House Exterior

Unlike Spanish Colonial architecture, French Colonial hasn't had a major resurgence among homebuilders in the United States. Typically, architectural styles are informed by the environment, surroundings, and tools and materials available for building. Early Spanish Colonial style, for example, utilized adobe (made from clay and straw) and clay roof tiles because the materials were readily available across the southeastern and southwestern United States. When French colonists arrived in the Louisiana Territory, however, their surroundings did not inform their building styles, nor did it inform the materials they used. Rather, early French settlers built homes that were more suitable for temperate climates—not the hot, humid conditions found in the southeast.

History of French Country Architecture

The grounds are overflowing with espaliered apple trees, olive groves, and drifts of lavender. The exterior's low and rambling roofline is capped with 100-year-old red clay tiles. The gate and finials are 18th-century French antiques, but the French limestone pillars are new.

For example, midcentury modern pieces can make a nice contrast from the ornate original details in a space. Trendy statement lights tend to have a short shelf life, and the French often embrace interior design trends through accessories like art rather than fixtures. So, if you're considering replacing an overhead light fixture in your home, give the space a French flair with a restored crystal chandelier. French country interior design is a nice balance of well-worn, simple, and pretty accents, according to Darden. You'll see lots of weathered finishes, exposed and lightly painted wood, wrought iron, and plush cozy upholstery.

Your Complete Guide to French Interior Design, Straight From the Pros

Given the variety of homes found in France, there’s no single definitive French-style house. Rooted in the rural French countryside, the French Country style includes both modest farmhouse designs as well as estate-like chateaus. Inside, you’ll find wood beams, plaster walls and stone floors as common thematic features.

Windows on the first and second floors are typically perfectly aligned and often decorated with arches or wooden shutters. Because symmetry is a key element in many French styles—from French-style gardens to French Colonial style—the facade is usually flat. Stone is cleverly used as an accent to add distinction to this French country home's interesting architectural features.

Of course, not all French-style homes are the same, given the variety of homes found in France. The French-style home you probably picture is known as a French provincial home, which generally has some key exterior and interior features—all of which contribute to the style. Here’s what you need to know about French-style homes, their history, and their main characteristics, according to an architect and interior designer. French country architecture and decor have experienced many surges in popularity, and they continue to inspire homebuilders and interior decorators today.

In the kitchens, you'll find herringbone patterned floors, painted cabinets, and worn worktables that bring to mind a well-used family space. Throughout French country homes are much-loved antiques, natural fabrics, and usually at least a few touches of toile du jouy. These sturdy, long-lasting siding materials offer a refined appearance and a sense of timelessness. The windows of French country houses often feature multiple panes and are sometimes accented by iron balconies.

"I fell in love with the French architecture—the high ceilings, the wall moldings, textiles, and gilded mirrors drew me in," she recalls. "I knew I wanted to recreate some of these beautiful features in my own home, and this is where the idea for my design firm began." Valerie Darden, designer and owner of Brexton Cole Interiors, has a penchant for French interiors. Much like French fashion, French interiors show off a juxtaposition of laid-back yet sophisticated details.

Stately white columns add prominence below a hip roof broken up by three dormers. French doors across the front are painted soft blue-gray, set off beautifully by the antique brick porch floor.

Embrace the act of adding to a work table's patina, let your copper sit on display, and don't worry about sanding and re-staining old wood. Charlotte Reiss's kitchen in the heart of Provence is a casually elegant space that would put any home cook at ease. "French" is a broad term in the interior design world, but it boils down to regional influences. Valerie Darden is the lead designer and owner of Brexton Cole Interiors, which specializes in blending traditional and modern styles. The outdoor space has the same stone as the kitchen, and features a marble-topped bar for eating and relaxing.