How to Recreate French Style In Your Home

French interior design is known for being effortlessly chic and grand with comfortable luxury, an air of relaxation and easy living is shown through that famous French style. From patinas to parquet, we will show you a few ways to bring a little of Parisian paradise into your home.

It’s easy to perceive the French style as unachievable and tricky to pull off but it’s likely you’ve seen such styles only in an expansive Chateau in your latest issue of Period Living. However, it is quite the opposite; the style is a constant juxtaposition between the old and the new, highlighting distressed woodwork and rough and raw materials amongst feminine curves, elegant silk drapes and pretty but elegant trimmings.

Whether or not you’re familiar with parquet flooring, it’s worth getting to know if you’re envisioning that French essence coming to life. Parquetry dates back centuries, the French term meaning ‘small compartment’, coined perfectly for a compact yet rich design of flooring. It is known to have been first used in the Palace of Versailles with Louis XIV royally installing such remarkable designs and so set the wave for this universal trend to set sail.

Pair parquet flooring with a voluptuous sofa of your choice, look out for traditional styles and beautiful textures to enhance the French ideal. Use decadent silk drapes that fall graciously to the floor to further elevate the rooms grandeur and create the illusion of bigger windows. Stick to a neutral palette, it won’t look sterile or cold if you have a warm flooring like our parquet Adalene™ tile; available in three different shades, there will be a tone just for you.

Continue incorporating accents of wood without consideration for consistency as this is the way the French would style it up! You can continue the parquet into other rooms throughout the house, the diagonal panelling makes a room look wider and with Adalene’s innovative glaze, it’s got a high slip resistance and can be used anywhere in the house. Also, because it’s porcelain it works perfectly with underfloor heating (something the Palace of Versailles would have benefitted from!)

Want something a little more luxurious? Take inspiration from Versailles and pair parquet with bold marbles, antique glass and intricately patterned fabrics.

As we continue the parquet into the dining room, you can get a little more creative and start experimenting with different types of furniture. Aim for a dining room table with Queen Anne legs, an English design favoured by the French because of its curves. Place a beautiful long mirror with a golden or brass frame to, like the drapes, elongate your walls while adding opulence. Mix in contemporary furniture as well as these antique pieces to fashion the French style and add some character to the interior; the eclectic mix feels as though the room was not planned but assembled over time. This is a huge part of French style, following the conventions while adding a touch of warmth and personality. Don’t shy away from introducing your own take on the typical French style.