Provence style chairs: features, colors, combination rules

Provence style is an interior formula of sophistication, simplicity, and tranquility. And although his homeland is the south of France, the aesthetics of style has become in demand and loved in various parts of the world. If you are also carried away by Provence, you probably want to recreate it to the smallest detail. So that nothing in the interior seems alien. One of the elements expressive for this style is upholstered furniture. And choosing an armchair is an interesting task, but not the easiest one either.

Pretentiousness is something that is definitely not in Provence. This style is about purity and naturalness, the choice of soft colors, shades, solutions. Furniture should look harmonious with the style objectives, first of all, defining the comfort of the home. It is worth recalling that in the 17th century, which became the parent of the style, many townspeople sought to escape from the pretentious urban classicism, hiding in the simplicity and natural beauty of rural life... And if you follow the style, then you probably share the opinion of its ancestors.

Provencal style chairs must meet a number of classic criteria.

• Natural materials. Wood, textiles - all this can be. But the style does not accept plastic.
• Naive romance. This is the mood of Provence, which loves both capes and ruffles, and emphasized decorativeness, layering. Laconic Provencal armchair is rare. Even if it is just like that in itself, it will be decorated with pillows and capes.
• Light, gentle tones. Calm and pastel shades are preferred. Bright colors do not take root in this style - yellow, red, blue, orange.
• Elegance. Charm is what separates this style from the rougher country. Both styles are rustic, but Provence has grace and sophistication. And the shape of the chair, its colors, ornament or patterns should convey this.
• The presence of vintage elements. Brushing and aging are all appropriate for style.
• Emphasized decorativeness. Forged items, hand-painted (including small ones), porcelain inserts are not excluded.

Chairs in this style can differ from each other in three directions - purpose, design, material of manufacture. Usually such furniture is the place in the living room, but it can stand in the bedroom, in the nursery, less often in the dining room or in the kitchen. It can also be located on the veranda or terrace. A classic Provencal armchair is:

• wooden base;
• soft fabric upholstery;
• 4 curved, sturdy legs.

There are not so many types of Provencal chairs.

• Soft. Soft armchairs with textile upholstery on a metal frame will be a durable acquisition. The surface of the curved legs may be patinated.

• Wicker. Such models are usually wider than classical ones, therefore they are not suitable for relaxation (unlike soft modifications). But for tea drinking, especially on the terrace or veranda, this is perhaps the best option.Such chairs are decorated with blankets and soft pillows. Some models of wicker chairs are stable, others are equipped with a swing mechanism.

• Suspended. They are usually made of vines or rattan, painted in light colors. This is a great option for a spacious living room. The furniture is fixed to the ceiling. On a large balcony, such an armchair is also very appropriate.

• Rocking chairs. Models made entirely of wood, often upholstered in fabric. You can feel a pleasant rustic simplicity in this furniture. In the bedroom, living room, nursery, you can put this cozy armchair, as if created for relaxation.

Only natural materials are allowed in the manufacture of Provencal style furniture. The most obvious option is wood. Usually these are hard rocks or rocks of medium hardness. Such raw materials lend themselves well to processing. These include oak, pine, birch, cherry, ash. All wooden elements are processed so that their appearance is whitewashed. They can be additionally coated with craquelure varnish. Use of other materials:

• wood-based panels - use is possible, but only in rare cases, and only those that belong to the highest grades;

• plywood - used for side panels and partitions;

• metal - applicable for the manufacture of outdoor furniture, garden models, in the home interior is less common, but this option is not excluded;

• crystal, tempered glass, porcelain - can be used as decorative inserts, but these are rare, exquisite options.

Velvet - a noble material, the French, the creators of Provence, are very supportive of it. But only it has a noticeable minus - it attracts dust. Jacquard is also suitable for creating original durable upholstery. True, this fabric also requires careful handling, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid small puffs. It is impossible not to remember about cotton - it allows air to pass freely, but shrinks after contact with water. Consider the option with natural dyed linen. This is a beautiful natural material with a special texture. Linen is non-allergenic, highly durable, and absorbs moisture well. Finally, armchairs with corduroy upholstery are also beautiful. Beautiful overflows, embossed scars make the material visually very attractive. But this fabric will also attract dust and debris.

It is important not only to choose a chair that is organic in style, but also to accurately and correctly fit it into the interior. And then other interior elements will come to the rescue, which create a pair with the chair or organize a kind of design call. Let's take a look at what it might be.

• An elegant coffee table. Thus, you will create a cozy and practical corner, where it is pleasant to drink coffee, chat, and relax. And to make the elements of this corner look friendly, you can lay on the table a napkin or a dining runner made of the same fabric (or similar) that is used in the upholstery of the chair.

• Dresser. A chest of drawers in Provence is not just furniture that is roomy and stores a lot of household items. This is an indispensable attribute of comfort, beauty, and a sense of home. The chest of drawers can contain frames with family photos or embroidery, vintage boxes, figurines and other decorative style-forming details. Next to a cozy armchair, a chest of drawers looks like his companion. Such a corner can become a favorite place for household members. And it also makes a good area for home photo shoots.

• Piano. It's great if it is in the house not just for beauty, but still fulfills its original role.But on its top cover there can be candlesticks, the same photo frames and boxes. Another beautiful corner in the house will turn out if you put an armchair next to the piano. By the way, candles decorated with decoupage from sheet music will also be appropriate in the decor of these items.

• Bookcase. Perhaps you put the chair exactly in order to arrange a reading corner in the house. Then a floor lamp will not hurt in this place. A pleasant area for privacy and immersion in the world of reading is created in such a simple way. Don't forget to put a vintage bear or ballerina Tilda on the shelf.

Modest and gentle, eye-catching and accent, cute and antique - armchairs in Provencal design can be different. AND the following list of photo examples confirms this.

• A cozy compact armchair without armrests next to a small cabinet - they seem to be made for each other. Wanted a mini reading corner - get it. Standing for such a set, as you can see from the example, is better at the window.

• Laconic version of Provence. If you are a little tired of floral motifs or other patterns (or maybe there are enough of them in the interior), single-color armchairs in delicate shades will be a compromise solution.

• Classic floral armchair - if you also like interiors with a white background, just such furniture will help to dilute it. Flowers on the table are very appropriate in this case - they create the necessary roll-over with the chair print.

• A very modest yet charming armchair. Such a Provence breaks the stereotypes that this style is all "hung" with ruffles and endless flowers. Style doesn't need variegation to be expressive. A cozy corner for a bedroom - you can make a floor lamp and a shelf yourself.

• Such a chair is not entirely familiar to Provence, but it is quite compatible with its postulates. If you are used to drinking your morning coffee at a separate table, you need a comfortable chair. If you lay out papers, photos on this table, are engaged in creativity, such a chair will also become a comfortable purchase.

• Wicker chairs in the living room are not so common, but here's an example of what it might look like. An interesting solution that visually makes the space lighter and more airy.

• An almost white armchair with a floral cushion is a self-sufficient interior element. It will look organic next to a rack or sideboard.

• And here is the rocking chair. Not the most familiar look, but still interesting, distinctive, stylish. Any color can be used.

• An example of a design roll: curtains and upholstery are made from the same fabric. The main thing is not to add a third subject to this idyll - it will be overkill.

• And this is an example of including an armchair in a furniture group in a kitchen or dining room. A very simple and sweet solution.

For information on how to choose the right Provence style chair, see the next video.