Provence style has a continuous popularity since years all over the world. Maybe it captures people with its calming effect.
It contains the essence of French country style. Houses were commonly built of freestone, they became the integral part of nature with their unplastered walls. There are shutters on windows, since the interiors have to be protected from strong sunshine. This makes the heavy curtains unnecessary, commonly only cotton voile curtains are on the windows. Frequently French doors are on the ground floor instead of windows. The patio has an outdoor room function. Since the weather is nicely warm, most of the meals are kept here also. The table is placed in the shadow of a pergola or a bigger tree.
The thick walls protect the house from extreme warming-up. Doors and windows are remained open, this way the cool breeze can blow through the inner rooms also. Walls have light painting. The floor is terracotta or stone paved in the community spaces and bathrooms, there are old wooden floor in the bedrooms. The mood is given by the shabby elegance of wooden furniture and old household objects. It is an important fact, that all of these are original pieces which served generations, so they weren’t made by paint-and-wear technique. They descend in the family or are flee market finds. They can be put on their place after a careful cleaning. Wrought iron accessories and small furniture are common also. These are frequently light colored (off-white, cream, green). The most significant furniture items in the kitchen are the sideboard cabinet, the huge solid wood table and the stone fireplace. Everything was made by hand all over the house from natural local materials. The domination of neutral colors is broken by muted shades (blues, greens, pinks and purples). Nature shows itself in the decoration also. Lavender is the first in the row of flowers, but wildflowers are beloved decorating elements as well.
Ask for help of an interior designer for creating Provence mood in your home.