topic Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE in Home

FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

Oznell — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 18:49:51 GMT

I was perusing the "Vivi et Margot" French housewares site, and admiring the cottage of owner Charlotte Reiss.

In the master, love her cottage-style bed, and the curvy French fruitwood-colored night table. Even the wallpaper, never my favorite treatment, has a subtle, tone-on-tone quality.

The cottage seems to breathe ease, and sunny days ahead.

END OF CHARLOTTE REISS'S COTTAGE

Of all the straight "traditional" decorating styles, French is probably my favorite. I love traditional English country style equally, but it veers a little more frilly. There's often a little more "spare" or "curated" quality in French rooms, even the verging-on-maximalist ones, that appeals. I also like the earthiness of stone, raw wood, pottery and iron in combination.

Found an article on French living room ideas. A pastiche of a few rooms, either actually in France, or simply imbued with French verve:

They show their eclecticism-- their affinity for Oriental rugs, personalized color, old things mixed with new, luxe comfort, all manner of paintings and antique mirrors, natural elements, and exotic pottery.

Pretty vintage chair/ chaise.

While true that they've always relied a lot on neutral, linen-colored, cream-colored and white backgrounds......

I really enjoy also their bold use of chalky color--

Comfort, light and the outdoors...

There must be art, often in the simplest setting--

Even when they do more pattern-mixing than I'm personally fond of, it's done knowingly and with quirky flair. The back of an armchair is always an opportunity for a contrasting fabric accent...

The heavy French mantel, beams and brick floor give such character.

Like the greeney-blue walls. A typically casual, yet stunning arrangement of fresh flowers.... Who cares if the chair is English in origin?! It's the easy mix in French rooms that is so beguiling.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

spiderw — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:08:44 GMT

The cottage feeling is comfortable, warm and inviting. I think the wallpaper is a lovely pattern and color.

As far as the other photos go, there are many nice looks and decor. I love the chaise lounge, that would be my reading place!!! The color and fringe so lovely! I am drawn to the furnishings, pinkish color walls, decor, paintings which always enhance a room. All in all I agree about the French look. I always have loved the formal French furniture, especially displayed in the royal palaces!!!

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

SaveTheTurtles — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:22:26 GMT

Very rustic and charming. Beautiful pictures.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

on the bay — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:22:29 GMT

@Oznell

I really like all of Charlotte Reiss's cottage and only some of the next.

Some just have to much going on and not any flow or just too many different things and colors and fabrics stuck here and there or something! I like the chaise lounge picture and some of the more soothing ones.

The first set though is just right

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

cheriere — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:37:44 GMT

@Oznell Everything is just LOVELY! What a treat it would be to get to stay somewhere like that😊

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

kindred cats — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:44:21 GMT

Really enjoyed seeing the cottage. I think I'd be very happy in a sparce environment.

The lower photos did not draw me in like the cottage did.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

Enufstuff — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:55:36 GMT

@Oznell I really like most of these pictures. My favorite is the one with the green chaise longue and the beautiful white fireplace.

I also like the headboard with the caning. Back in the 70's when Mediterranean style was popular, I had a headboard with similar caning. It was a darker wood.

My bedroom furniture now is French Provincial fruitwood and my bed is white iron and brass. I do like French decor, but only have it in the bedroom.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

On It — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 22:01:58 GMT

The Charlotte Reiss cottage is by far my favorite. I would love to tour it in person. As they would say on House Hunters International, "It has French Charm."

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

GingerHead — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 22:23:01 GMT

@Oznell

Love all of these! I love French Cottage/Country.

Love the stone work, old weathered wood and earthiness against the romantic white linens and florals...so dreamy and romantic! Beautiful!

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

wilma — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 22:24:31 GMT

Even though I'm not a rustic cottage person, I like the feeling this home gives me. The first photo with the open window, shutters, and bicycle makes me sigh. I'm no expert, but that scene says "old European charm" to me and draws me in. Makes me want to be there.

I like several of the rooms too. I love the ones with the Christmas greenery best. The kitchen, dining, living areas, and bedroom are nice. My least favorite spaces are the chalky pink room and the quirky mixed pattern room.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

QVCisFun — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 11:56:06 GMT

Picturesque French cottage on the outside with the sky and clouds, and nice interior. Like the stonework, and the [limestone?] fireplace and dining room floor. Also like the arched doorways and windows (and the dark window frames look okay there).

Like the simple, practical, sturdy wood tables shown in many of the photos. Love the sleeping kitty on the green vintage chair/chaise.

Like the plaid on the back of the nice armchair.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

Oznell — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 13:57:45 GMT

Yeah, @QVCisFun it's little touches like, upholstering the back of a chair in a different-- but coordinating-- fabric, is a sure signal to me that someone is paying attention to those little details that can really "make" a room. And, I'm not even that enchanted with that plaid-- but, it's the 'idea' of the thing, ha.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

faeriemoon — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 13:59:46 GMT

Love the cottage; I'll take one, please.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

Patriot3 — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 14:06:42 GMT

Love it!!

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

JudyL — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 16:20:04 GMT

I love all of it. Especially the green kitchen cabinets. Have been thinking of having my kitchen cabinets painted in blue but the more I see green cabinets, the more I like them. Has to be the right shade of green, of course.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

DREAMON — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 21:17:18 GMT

WEE WEE...if I could afford a French Cottage this is what I would love to have.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

stevieb — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 17:43:02 GMT

This is all lovely. The French do it so effortlessly, it seems. I enjoy French decor, both the less and more formal, except when French designers go modern, but then I don't like most modern, regardless. I have to admit, though, that I sometimes seem to prefer upscale American interpretations of country French more than the real deal. As far as more 'primitive' decor, I seem to lean toward American pieces, though I enjoy almost all iterations.

American primitive stepback cupboard:

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

QVCisFun — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:55:13 GMT

@Oznell wrote:

Any idea what the cement/stone shelf jutting from the wall on the right side of the photo is? Could it be a shallow sink or basin or ? Wasn't able to find any information on it. Looks like it might be an arched niche or pass-through in the common wall between the kitchen and the room with the Christmas-decorated fireplace. Thanks.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

shoptilyadropagain — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 14:54:11 GMT

The Charlotte Reiss cottage is so rustic and charming. I love it and the architectural details such as all the ceiling beams and the arched doorways and that beautiful arched window in the dining room. I'm not so fond of most of the furnishings. I'm also not crazy about the furnishings in the other rooms pictured after the Charlotte Reiss cottage.

Re: FRENCH COTTAGE STYLE

Catiele — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:58:34 GMT

Love this cottage. The first photo says it all.