French Country Style at Greystone
"French Country Style is built on firmly entrenched local traditions and on cherished objects handed down through generations. Simple and sincere yet effortlessly elegant, it satisfies the soul as much as the eye. Style Secret: Clear, Warm Colors Whether they're bright, deep or pastel, French country colors have a gentleness about them that translates to instant comfort. Whites are warm, not stark; think cream, ecru, ivory. Other colors pull directly from the landscape: dusty sages and lavenders, sunny yellows and sky blues, peony pinks and brick reds. "
Style Secret: Accents With Purpose Rarely will accessories in a French country room be purely decorative. They usually have an undertone of usefulness: wall-hung plates that can be pulled down for service, jugs and jars that house kitchen staples, baskets that corral plump produce from the garden. Open shelving is a natural partner for this look — everyday items enjoy pride of place rather than languishing behind cabinet doors.
In keeping with the collected look, stay away from matchy-matchy furniture sets. Instead, mix wood pieces in a variety of natural finishes with metal ones that show a little age.
Style Secret: Gentle Weathering In a style that's intended to reflect longevity and tradition, spanking-new furnishings and accents stick out. Instead, French country calls for a little rust and dust. Painted pieces should feel distressed, as if they've withstood years of wear and use. Bypass shiny metals in favor of wrought iron, burnished bronze or pewter, preferably with a few dings and scuffs. You can even get away with a slightly frayed coverlet or a threadbare spot on a pillow.
"Blurring the boundaries between inside and out is a cornerstone of life in France's rural regions (indeed, throughout the nation). Thus, no French country interior is complete without flowers, whether they're clustered in a pottery vase, blooming on linen upholstery or carved into a wooden mirror frame. Fresh blossoms and foliage should look as though they could have come from a garden just outside the door, arranged casually and without affectation. Choose flowers that thrive in the regions where the style arose: sunflowers, irises, poppies."
Style Secret: Textural Surfaces 'French country surfaces call for visual depth and wear their imperfections proudly. Cloak the walls in plaster, stucco, stone, or a blend of all three throughout the house. When it's applied with a practiced hand, a thick layer of drywall mud can be a less expensive solution to these pricier materials. If you choose simply to paint the walls, consider a glaze or other treatment that will keep them from feeling flat. For the floors, slate and limestone, natural wood and tumbled earthen tile all strike the right notes.' For More on French Country Style visit: