Provence (la Provence) is an interior style,born in the rural expanses of sunny Southern France. It remains invariably popular due to the combination of unpretentiousness and elegance, charming simplicity and light sophistication. It is very similar to the country style, but differs from it in the famous French charm. Therefore, Provence-style kitchens look cozy and warm, light and homely at the same time, while maintaining the charm of rural pastoral and refined French style. Provence is ideal for the design of a kitchen in a country house or cottage, but this light French style is also in demand, feasible and appropriate in a city apartment. What distinguishes la Provence from other interior styles? What are its signs? What do Provence-style kitchens look like? Let's find out.
Signs of the style of la Provence
In general, any interior in the Provence style(including the kitchen) looks very typical. This is a room where pastel colors and floral patterns on the walls, textiles, and furniture prevail. It is filled with elegant light furniture. The windows are covered with light curtains, the floors are painted in a light color. There are many fresh flowers, porcelain and ceramic trinkets on the windowsills, cabinets, and shelves. Ruffles, Richelieu embroidery, and sewing are used in the decorative design. This is approximately how a la Provence kitchen should look. Now let's take a closer look at individual elements of the style and design techniques for decorating a kitchen interior in this style.
Decorating in the style of la Provence
Let's start (traditionally) with finishing materialsfor the floor, walls and ceiling. Firstly, they should be natural: wood, ceramics, natural stone. It is also acceptable to use artificial materials that imitate natural analogues. What can be used to finish a la Provence kitchen? Solid wood boards, glazed bricks, mosaics, painted ceramic tiles, decorative plasters, non-woven wallpaper with a textured surface, porcelain stoneware. Keep in mind that the predominant colors of finishing materials for walls, ceilings and floors should be white, beige, cream, sand, gray, light brown. The predominant texture is roughness and relief. In a word, a Provence-style kitchen should create a feeling of closeness to nature. But not to the wild and exotic, but to the cultivated and domesticated nature of the French province. All other elements of this style should contribute to the emergence of such a feeling.
Furnished in la Provence style
In the modern sense, the kitchen is a singlea piece of furniture that includes not only tables, cabinets and shelves, but also a sink, stove and kitchen appliances. And the Provence style was formed in accordance with the lifestyle of farmers in old France, when sideboards, cabinets, chests of drawers, chests of drawers and display cases were in use. And no one had even heard of household appliances back then. Therefore, a la Provence kitchen should have furniture made of natural wood (or similar to it) and built-in (hidden) household appliances. For stylistic authenticity, Provence-style furniture can have small scuffs and cracks (better to imitate them), as well as painting with floral patterns. In addition, the vintage note of your kitchen can be enhanced by a scattered layout - free-standing sideboards, chests of drawers and open cupboards.
Window in the style of la Provence
The Provence style is a rural style of the SouthFrance, which involves an open window facing a sunny courtyard or a green garden. Therefore, blinds or thick curtains in a Provence-style kitchen are unacceptable. Light transparent curtains or thick, but very light curtains of cream, cream, pastel blue color are appropriate here. If you choose curtains with a pattern, it should be a small pastoral flower or a cage. By the way, an indispensable element of a Provence-style window is indoor flowers on the windowsill (preferably blooming: violets, fuchsias, cyclamens, geraniums).
Tableware in the style of la Provence
Open kitchen utensils are another characteristicelement of this style. After all, it originated and developed in the small spaces of rural houses. Therefore, a Provence-style kitchen is distinguished by a multitude of household items placed on open shelves and hung on special boards. This technique gives a special charm to the kitchen space and is even willingly used in modern spacious apartments. Thus, the dishes become an element of decor in a la Provence kitchen.
Decor in the style of la Provence
Additional decorative elements of the la styleProvence - embroidered and knitted napkins, vases with flowers, porcelain figurines, ceramics, glass bottles and other various trinkets. They should be in harmony with the main decorative elements: the motifs of painting (decoupage) of furniture and the pattern on the window curtains. A brass or copper lamp under the ceiling can act as a bright decorative element of the la Provence kitchen. As you can see, the Provence style makes it possible to make the kitchen truly cozy with affordable means. For example, it is not necessary to buy ready-made furniture in the Provence style. It can be decorated and stylized by yourself. Inexpensive finishing materials imitating natural wood or stone are also quite common today. And many elements of the Provence style will not require any financial costs at all (well, maybe just a little). And this style is in fashion now - the charm of France has never left anyone indifferent. Can't your kitchen be trendy, stylish and charming at the same time? We recommend reading:
