The French Provincial Interior is New and Improved

The French Provincial interior has come a long way. In fact, I reckon it’s been such a journey that even the most diehard haters of the French Provincial style will be won over by its new vibe.

If you’ve picked up a copy of the latest Inspiring Choices Magazine (you can do that here) you’ll have seen my tips on rocking a French Provincial look. The magazine this year from Choices Flooring is bigger and better than ever, actually. It’s not only packed with my style tips, but loads of other experts appear in it too. Think Andrew Winter, Amity Dry and a whole host of other industry insiders – all sharing their pearls of wisdom on achieving sublime style at home.

What I also love about this year’s mag is the ‘One Space, Two Ways’ spreads that feature throughout. See a room with carpet on one side, for example, and then with the flip of a page you can see the exact same space with timber flooring instead. It’s such a genius idea and makes choosing the right floor for your home so much easier!

But back to my tips on rocking the new French Provincial Interior…

1. Start from the Floor Up

Flooring is so important in any room, because it takes up so much visual real estate. But when you’re trying to channel a particular look it becomes even more vital to get the foundation right.

The modern French Provincial interior is less rustic and loads warmer than its previous incarnation. So with this in mind, it’s out with the whitewashed timbers and in with the warm wood tones. Plantino Laminate – which you can see in the imagery here – is a great way to get the timber look, and it makes the room feel so much cosier. It comes in four designs which you can find out more about here.

If carpet is your thing, opt for a warm and plush option like Crossley Twist in White Duck. It’s a solution dyed nylon and I just had it installed in my own home. It’s an absolute dream underfoot. I’ll show you some shots of it soon on the blog – so stay tuned!

2. Then Bring in your other elements

Once you have the flooring sorted – and have the walls looking wonderfully subdued, too, it’s time to bring in all of the furniture and decor.

Here’s some things to consider when you’re going to rock the modern version of the French Provincial interior:

• Fluid Furniture: Look to pieces that feel feminine, with curved edges and fluid lines.
• Sumptuous Fabrics: Velvet is a no brainer, and linens are a gorgeous idea too.
• Not so Rustic: Less white-washing, less sand-papered pieces. This look is more polished.
• Base Tones: Keep the flooring in a warm tone, then bring in furniture in whites, creams and beiges
• Accents: Adorn the space with sky blues, dusty pinks, lavender and turquoise tones.
• Patterns: Intricate but soft. Think floral motifs and other whimsical designs.

Click here to pick up your copy of Inspiring Choices 2017.

What do you think of the modern French Provincial interior? Are you a fan? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

This post was produced in partnership with Choices Flooring.