What Drives the Timeless Appeal of Country or Provincial Furniture Style?
Faith Led Interior Design Show | Episode 11
Our homes should encourage us to live our divine destiny and our best lives.
Today’s episode is the sixth of a 12-part Interior Design Furniture Styles Series called, “What Is My Furniture Style?”. The furniture style I will talk about is the Country or Provincial Furniture Style. This style reminds me of all things homemade and rustic.
So if you love nostalgia and simpler things from days gone by, keep listening, perhaps this is one of your favorites!
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What Drives the Timeless Appeal of Country or Provincial Furniture Style?
I pray this verse over you to have a peace-filled day and may your hearts rest today as you go about your busy day!
Be Blessed Verse:
Hebrews: 13:2
“And show hospitality to strangers, for they may be angels from God showing up as your guests.”
This verse is so cool for all of the Traditional Styles because the people who love these traditional styles are full of hospitality. Who knows, perhaps they have entertained Angels unbeknownst to them!
The Country Furniture Style is a more simple style of furniture that gives a casual aesthetic. It is warm, inviting, and timeless.
While the country or provincial style tends to reflect the aesthetics of rural architecture, it also can embrace modern comforts combined with the transitional style, see episode 6, creating a look that feels both cozy and stylish.
Long ago people oftentimes made furniture that was rudimentary, basic furnishings.
There is a trend these days of incorporating the old, country furnishings, with the modern furniture of today. This old furniture is often passed down from parents and grandparents and can have sentimental value.
Great Grandpa Furniture
I remember a vanity dressing table that my great grandfather made for me. It had swing arms that I could open and store items behind the gathered soft violet flowers of drapery fabric attached to the outside of it. Of course, I had a pretty mirror above it to admire myself. It was girly and pretty and I loved that piece. So sweet of my Great Grandpa Thomas Hord for making me a beautiful furniture piece that was made with love!
The Country Style is Folksy. Think Folk art, community, and family!
The Personality Style of a Person Loving The Country or Provincial Furniture Style
To write about these people, I just have to think of my great grandparents, grandmother and great aunts, and uncles in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County. They were all country people and farmers way before the area became vineyards.
Casual, and many times like DIY - Do it yourself
Very friendly, caring, and likes nature
Likes comfortable rooms that have everything you need to function
Wants a haven from the outside world
Very hospitable, loving, and loves entertaining
Genuinely care about home and nature
Usually do not want to be the center of attention
Hard-working and industrious
Usually loves entertaining family and wants to have a long dining table that sits many people
May be introspective, creative, and wants time alone
Enjoys nature. Many times are cooks and gardeners
Furnishings are usually casual, sturdy, and informal
Furnishings may have a simple homemade feel or actually can be handmade
Accessories can range from a few to many and are often handmade too
Country people are enterprising, innovative, patient, and natural leaders
Family reunions BBQs and Sunday dinners are planned so all can sit around, enjoy each other, catch up and converse comfortably
Functional simple lighting plays a large role in these interiors
Rustic open bulbed chandeliers, candles, and lighting with flickering bulbs fit this style
Can be fun-loving and likes to play games
Fashion is casual to very casual jeans and nice quality materials, simple style.
Dress casually even if they are very rich (it is hard to tell whether they have money)
This person is nostalgic and likes vintage items that are reminiscent of days gone by
Styling Ideas for The Country or Provincial Furniture Style
Inviting, beautiful country hand-knotted or hooked area rugs, rag rugs, or woven rugs on wood floors.
Cowhide area rugs fit well with this style
For a less busy look, incorporate the Classic Transitional sofas and chairs as a base (episode 6)
Natural, neutral texture or linen with clean silhouettes and sleek lines blend well with the country accents
The Country or Provincial furnishings have simplicity and fewer curves
Vintage farm accessories work well with this furniture style, preferably the “authentic” ones
Rustic wood and open shelving are common in this style
Burlap and more textured woven fabrics, contrasted by lace are common in this style
Wood Framed Windows go with this style as well
White or Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Fireclay (more durable than porcelain) Farmhouse Sinks are a must with their cool “apron fronts”
Wood Beamed Ceilings add to the country charm - remember wood is a color and should go with your color scheme
If mixed with Transitional or Modern styling, this country style can incorporate the modern comforts such as stainless steel appliances that form a beautiful contrast
Simple round wood and exposed bulb chandeliers fit this style perfectly
Flowers, wildflowers, and herbs in textured natural baskets can be design elements that complement this style
Antique Brass, Bronze, or Black metals on drawer hardware compliment this Country style
Wood shutters can be elegant and functional at the same time
Add market pillows with words printed on them are great rustic touches (think potato sack material)
Candlesticks and candles of all kinds can be quite subtle and pretty
Fireplaces and beautiful rustic fireplace surrounds are beautiful additions to the esthetics of this style
Large simple rustic framed mirrors fit in this interior
Opulent down bedding with lots and lots of pillows that you can sink into create a cozy comfy feel
Floral scents, natural scents, and rich spices scents excite the senses
Medium to light natural woods look gorgeous in this style
Soft or country music sets the mood for these homes (or any style of music you like)
Livestock, horses, cows, countryside, and still life art fit this style
Nature, landscapes, and especially floral art can be soft and pretty with this style
These people are very family-oriented. Gallery walls highlighting the much-loved family are usually essential
Antique lighting fixtures or fixtures with wood beads fit here
Never forget lace fabrics in this feminine-leaning style. This can be used on tablecloths, pillows and so much more, usually sparingly in the country style
Lots of texture is used to create the casual feel
Color Scheme
Warm white, beige, greys, and greige (grey with beige) neutral paint colors are ideal for your Country or Provincial -style home. Any neutral you love and earth tones will be best because they create a natural outdoor in the country base.
These natural colors also make rooms appear brighter, larger, and more inviting. Go with shades of beige, tan, brown, and white. If you need accent colors, opt for light blues, yellows, and greens.
Wood cabinets create a warmth that the country style can handle.
Natural Wood, Black or white cabinets are always beautiful with this country scheme.
Be creative. You may throw in a dark or black piece to add drama and contrast for effect, or as an accent here and there. Perhaps kitchen and bath hardware.
Wood plays a large role in the Country or Provincial style. Wide plank wood flooring and live edge wood tables in a rich woodgrain waxed finish add elegance and beauty.
Humor can be used in this style because these people often work hard and play hard. This interior design style brings a bit of nostalgia. My grandma had word plaques that I loved; it was sooo her!
“Friends and Family Gather Here”
“Home Sweet Farmhouse”
“Hold On, I need to overthink this…”
“In the south, we don’t hide the CRAZY, we sit it on the front porch and give it sweet tea”
These sayings sooo remind me of my Grandma. She had them on the wall and she would say them. They always cracked me up! Fond memories!
So, if there is a fabulous view of the countryside, mountains, or the wonderful rolling hills in the distance, be sure to highlight that. Perhaps the view is the focal point of the room.
It is possible to have this calm, relaxed feeling of beauty, and the natural feeling indoors and out, even if you live in the city or the suburbs.
Designer Pro Tip
For the Country Style, sometimes it is necessary to find wonderful old pieces that can be refinished to match your color scheme and style. These pieces are one of a kind, so, if you love them, pick them up when you see them.
Lighting is a biggie in the Country or Provincial style can have large wood beams with metal, exposed hanging light bulbs, or lamps. I love the dimmed lighting with flickering candle look bulbs to create that cozy wonderful feeling.
Flowers, flowers, and more florals. Whether they be real, great silks (do a mixture of both and keep them guessing), or perhaps subtle floral prints. Some like a lot of this.
Floral print wallpapers can be pretty in this style. Some people like it a lot and others only like the florals to be as accents on a neutral background.
Either way, make your soul sing with what you love…
Lace draperies may be perfect for some and too much for others…
There is a move to have “real” country or rustic provincial pieces for accessories for a classier, more authentic design. Accessories can keep it simple, natural, and elegant for the most beautiful, classic, and lasting style.
Done well this style is very classic and will not have to be updated for years to come.
What Is Your Design Personality Style?
If you have not taken the Design Personality Style Quiz, go to Episode #3 to take it.
It is important to determine both your Design Personality Style and your Furniture Style.
The personality quiz is designed to work along with your furniture style. It is important to establish your interior design personality style first because it helps to determine your interior design furniture style.
Once you determine both your Interior Design Personality and your Furniture Style, it makes shopping so much easier and less stressful. The reason is that you now shop only for your personality and furniture styles. It eliminates all the other personality types and furniture styles that really are not yours.
Determine your personality style and furniture style or styles first and then continue with your interior design plan.
What’s Next For You?
Next week, you will learn another category of furniture style, which is the CONTEMPORARY STYLES.
The 3 CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE STYLES are
Executive Efficient (Episode 12)
Industrial (Episode 13)
Mid Century Modern (Episode 14)
Hmmm, will one of the Contemporary styles be one of your styles?
Know that you and your family are loved and I pray blessings over you this week! Until next time!
Examples of the Country or Provincial Furniture Style
To see many examples of the Country or Provincial furnishings, flooring, lighting, and accessories, visit Sheree’s Shop at my website and scroll down to the Country or Farmhouse Furniture Style.
You are welcome to browse and enjoy and hopefully get some great pieces and ideas for your home and design.
Resource
Get a free copy of the 2022 Interior Design Trends report and the 2022 RESA - Home Staging Report.
Take the quiz here to determine your Interior Design Personality.
Browse samples of the furnishings that can go with your style here.
