Content
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1 Style features
- 1.1 General information and characteristics
- 1.2 Color spectrum
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2 Style guidelines
- 2.1 Acquaintance with finishing materials
- 2.2 Furniture selection
- 2.3 Lighting
- 3 Choosing a decor
Bringing the delightful atmosphere of French Provence to life in a small kitchen is much easier than you might think. It is enough just to adhere to some rules and recommendations for creating this style and know what accessories can be used for decoration. We will consider these issues in more detail in our material.
Small kitchens in Provence style cannot but conquer with their grace and charm
Style features
Talking about a particular style, you should reveal its main features. In this section, we have collected all the information that may be useful to you for decorating a small Provence style kitchen.
General information and characteristics
Provence is the name of a small region in southern France that inspired the great Dutch artist, Van Gogh. The main distinguishing features of the style of the same name are naturalness, country life and warm colors.
The style got its name in honor of the southern region of France
It should be noted that the simplicity of this interior is by no means devoid of sophistication. Each element of this decor is filled with its own unsurpassed style, which is inextricably linked with the French countryside. Thanks to this, Provence has spread far beyond France in recent decades.
Provence can be found not only in France, but also in a small kitchen in Khrushchev
If we talk about the characteristic elements of such kitchens, then the following come to the fore:
- decoration and furniture in soothing colors;
- high-quality lighting (not spot lighting);
- natural materials;
- a large number of textiles;
- decorative accessories in vintage style.
Modern technology cannot be combined with French country
If you decide to recreate all the beauty of this style with your own hands, then you should forget about ultramodern materials (see also article Provence style kitchen - design principles).
Color spectrum
If you look at the photo of kitchens decorated in this style, you can say that pastel shades prevail in them. They are perfect for a small kitchen and will make the room brighter and more spacious.
The color scheme of Provence is built on pastel, as if faded shades
In the process of decorating, you can use the following colors:
- turquoise;
- lavender:
- aquamarine;
- olive;
- cream;
- terracotta;
- straw;
- creamy;
- lactic;
- ivory.
Light colors will not only fit into the overall concept of the decor, but also fill the kitchen with light.
It is also worth noting that Provence suggests the presence of scuffs on pieces of furniture. This creates the effect of rural provincialism or antiquity. As a result, an atmosphere of home warmth and comfort is created.
Style guidelines
In fact, it is not too difficult to recreate French country in a modern kitchen, the main thing is to show a little ingenuity and imagination. The proposed instruction will help you choose the right materials for decoration, furniture and accessories.
Acquaintance with finishing materials
When decorating a small room in the French country style, finishing materials play a huge role. They set the tone for the entire interior.
When decorating a room, special attention should be paid to finishing
- Floor. In most cases, porcelain stoneware or matte tiles are used as flooring. You can also use aged wood paneling to help recreate the coziness of a country house. If their price does not suit you, opt for more budget options that involve the use of materials that imitate wood (laminate, linoleum, etc.)
If natural floorboards are not available to you, replace them with cheaper options with wood imitation
- Walls. To finish these surfaces, whitewash, textured plaster or embossed wallpaper for painting in pastel colors are mainly used. The work surface is faced with brickwork and its counterparts, or colored mosaics to match the furniture.
- Ceiling. When it comes to this surface, it is best to use the "highlight" of Provence - decorative dark beams against the background of a light ceiling. However, if the kitchen is small, then it is better to stay on a regular plastered ceiling.
Furniture selection
Provence is not the best place for glossy, perfectly manicured surfaces. Especially when it comes to furniture - a set and a dining group.
- Headset. It should be chosen from natural materials, simple and laconic forms. Facades with glass inserts, behind which kitchen utensils are visible, are welcome. In addition, such a solution will visually expand the space around.
Provencal furniture is characterized by aging effect
Another important feature of French Country is open shelves instead of top cabinets. From the point of view of practicality, this solution can hardly be called thoughtful, but the style requires it. It looks very original, and it is easier to get dishes from an open shelf than from a cabinet.
Open shelves allow you not to overload the space of a small kitchen
Lunch group. You should pay attention to tables and chairs with wrought iron legs. They fit perfectly into the Provencal atmosphere. Old but sturdy furniture can be used. It is enough to paint it and put soft pillows on top.
Folding wooden chairs or headsets with forged legs will bring comfort to the atmosphere
When it comes to home appliances, you have two options. You can either buy antique-styled appliances (their cost is very biting), or try to hide all the appliances behind the facades of the headset or in another room.
Read also the article about Provence style kitchen curtains.
Lighting
A small kitchen needs good lighting, and a Provence style kitchen needs it twice. We need to forget about various spot and LED lamps, since Provence does not imply the use of modern technologies.
It is better to hide household appliances behind the facades of the headset or buy antique-styled models
Chandeliers with a lampshade, lamps with matte shades, forged sconces, as well as vintage floor lamps are suitable as lighting fixtures. You can even resort to glass lamps, but make sure they are made of thick glass with a matte texture.
Choosing a decor
Now we should talk about the various accessories that should be filled in kitchens decorated in the French country style.
Provencal interior cannot be imagined without small and charming accessories.
To decorate your kitchen, you can use:
- Dishes. As decorative elements, various painted plates are often purchased, which are hung on the walls. You can also use copper dishes, porcelain cups, flower pots and much more for these purposes.
Porcelain dishes and fresh flowers will give the kitchen an unforgettable atmosphere
- Clock. For this style, round models are usually chosen with olive, lavender branches or even decorative cockerels painted on them. It is even better if you yourself can decorate them using decoupage technique.
- Paintings. Empty walls can be filled in with still lifes, pastoral paintings, seascapes or family photographs in black and white.
All accessories must be in the same style
- Small accessories. On open shelves and a windowsill, place wicker bread bins (baskets, boxes, fruit bowls, etc.), candelabra, figurines of animals, etc. The price of such items is low, which allows you to experiment without thinking about money costs.
- Flowers. Bouquets of fresh flowers on the table, hanging flowerpots in decorated pots or dried dried flowers in clay vases can become a real decoration of the kitchen. Plus, they will remind you of alpine meadows, creating a stunning indoor environment.
Fresh or dried flowers will become the center of attention at the dining table and brighten up your dinner
Look for more interesting ideas for decorating Provencal cuisine in the video.
Conclusion
So we looked at what design techniques can be used to recreate the amazing atmosphere of French Provence in a small kitchen. Follow these guidelines for the choice of finishes, furniture and accessories, and you will get an interior that will take your breath away.
Provence and Country style kitchens - see here.