Features of Provence style shelves

The Provence style is very recognizable. Furniture made in the style of French country is notable for its versatility. Such products are not only functional, they have a decorative function. Shelves play a huge role in interior decoration. They can be made of different materials, have different shapes and designs.

A feature of Provencal-style furniture is that it should look a little shabby, as if it has been used by more than one generation. For this, the products are specially aged.

The features of French country include:

• the use of natural materials;
• the presence of rough beams under the ceiling, their imitation;
• the presence of floral patterns and floral prints in textiles.

Provence style shelves play a prominent role in interior design. Traces of abrasion, scratches or chips can often be seen on their surface. The interior usually contains wooden and wicker products, a characteristic feature is the presence of forged parts.

To combine pieces of furniture, you can paint them in one color and then age them. The decoupage technique, which ideally suits the Provence style, will allow you to achieve a similar effect. Craquelure is often used for products in the Provencal style. This paint with a cracking effect will make your furniture look worn.

One of the main items in any Provence-style room is the shelves. They serve to place and store things, in addition, they also perform a decorative function.

You can give new or homemade products an aged look using:

• coloring the product;
• using various techniques like decoupage and craquelure;
• painting.

The shelf can be:

• hinged, wall or floor;
• closed and open;
• wide or narrow;
• with stands or with hooks;
• with drawers or doors.

Shelves in the French country style will competently emphasize their belonging to the chosen style, bring an element of luxury and elegance to the atmosphere.

There are many small decorative items in the furnishings of the rustic-style rooms. Usually they are put on public display. Antique candlesticks, graceful porcelain figurines, faded framed photos, as well as flower bouquets in fragile vases are used as decor. All these trinkets fill the room with coziness, charm and personality.

Open shelves have a number of advantages:

• all products are small;
• considering that such models do not have swing doors, they significantly save time on opening them, do not hide the space;
• the necessary items are always in sight.

Open shelves often have a decorative function. They are used as a kind of showcase for displaying souvenirs, beautiful dishes and other knickknacks. The disadvantage of open models is that dust collects on them and needs to be cleaned regularly.

Closed structures are also used for rustic-style rooms, especially if the products are rough and massive. Their advantage is spaciousness and convenience. The impressive size of such structures will take up the area, so they are more suitable for owners of spacious rooms. In a small room, such a large closed shelf, wardrobe or chest of drawers will look out of place.

In contrast to open shelves, closed models have the advantage that they do not require frequent wet cleaning. In addition, with the doors closed, there is less chance of breaking any fragile thing, which is important in homes where there are small children or animals. Also, in closed structures, you can put objects that you would not like to show off.

Provencal style shelves are easy to manufacture. They look cozy and cute, home-like. Natural materials are usually used for them.

Most often, such products are made from natural wood or materials that imitate wood. Models made from natural oak, pine, chestnut or cherry are usually quite expensive. They can be replaced by products made of MDF, which are professionally "aged" by skilled craftsmen. Lacquered models in light walnut, oak or chestnut will look great in French-style rooms.

The Provencal style wood shelf is usually aged. This is done by sanding the material with sandpaper or painting the product using the craquelure technique, patting. Thanks to special technologies and techniques, it is possible to create chips, scratches and roughness on furniture, giving the products a worn look.

Also popular are Provence-style forged metal models that add a bright accent to the interior of any room. Usually, such models are placed in small numbers, otherwise they will overload the room.

Forged shelves:

• outwardly they look light, creating the effect of airiness;
• they have a long service life;
• products are highly resistant to negative natural factors;
• look rich and luxurious.

Rustic interior design often contains notes of the scorching French sun, azure sky, meadow grass. Bright colors are not inherent in this style.

Designers recommend giving preference to the following colors:

• beige;
• yellow;
• sandy;
• coffee.

More colorful shades will emphasize these calm tones. Allowed:

• citric;
• green;
• lavender;
• Orange;
• aquamarine.

When choosing shelves that would ideally fit into a Provencal-style interior, you should pay attention to some points.

• Be sure to take into account the plan of the room, the size of the room.
• It is important to give priority to artificially aged surfaces.
• It is desirable that natural materials are used in the manufacture of furniture.
• Comfort is one of the main criteria when choosing models. It is important that the room is not cluttered, there should be a lot of free space in it.
• It is better to give preference to shelves that look rough in appearance. Designers recommend choosing products in light shades. The color palette should be muted.

The shelves in the room should be located in the right places, organically fit into the interior. Hanging shelves are ideal for placing them in the kitchen. They are used by:

• for storing spices;
• for decorative plates;
• for kitchen utensils.

A bookshelf will come in handy in the bedroom.It can be hung on the wall near the bed and used for books, magazines and other things.

For small premises, it is better to choose multifunctional hanging products with hooks and stands. Models can be angular, allowing you to hang them in a small room, which is especially important if the area of ​​the room is small. Such products are perfect for the bathroom.

When decorating rooms in a Provencal or other style, it is worth considering successful photos.

• Open shelves are a great place to place knickknacks. Often, such models are decorated with lace openwork napkins.

• Such carved shelves serve as a kind of showcase for beautiful dishes, family photos, flowerpots with decorative flowers, wicker baskets.

• White models look great in rooms decorated in French country style.

• Cute and original Provence style wall shelves.

• Furniture made using decoupage technique looks very impressive.

• Painting facades and frames in light pastel colors with additional artistic painting will help make the shelves more interesting and original.

• Airy wrought iron shelves give the room a special charm.

For information on how to make a decoupage of a Provence style shelf, see the next video.