Country French Furniture

Country French Furniture

The Origins of French Country Furniture
By Andrew L Hallinan - Ezinearticles

Insight into the history of French Country Furniture and its origins provides a greater understanding of the various styles that can be found within the genre. Originally, French country furniture was known as Provincial furniture. It was a rural adaptation of the more ornate styles found in Paris. Since the differences between the northern, more economically prosperous and southern, more Mediterranean areas of france were great, the styles that emanated from those areas were also greatly varied.

Eventually, the Provincial style melded with the rest of the rural, farmhouse styles throughout France, becoming known as French Country Style that we know today. Many people are confused about where French Country fits in the various eras of French Furniture, but most experts agree that the answer t this question is that is technically is not a period style at all, but rather an attitude. Within the French country look, one can find style elements from the Restoration period, Neoclassical period, and even the medieval periods of French design. These elements, however, have been blended together to form a unique stye common to the peasant farming lifestyles of the French people. Eventually, much of this style was also adopted by the middle class. Thus, imagine a piece of fine French furniture from virtually any historical period. Simplify the lines, create it out of study woods, and lighten the color palette, and you have a true French country look.

It is interesting to see how directly the philosophies that were developed in French studies and spread in the French salons influenced the styles of the French people. One of the reasons for the desire to mimic the look of the poor countryside and the styles of the peasants was the Romantic philosophy popularized by Rousseau. His ideas centered on removing the obstacles and stratified and heavily constricted societal rules and expectations. Thus, the life of the everyday French peasant was glorified and romanticized as being the most genuine. Many upper class French women attempted to recreate French peasant life in their own homes and lifestyles. Some went so far as to recreate rural towns and raise their own livestock! Marie Antoinette was one example of this, as she insisted on decorating part even of the ornate Versailles, with her own far more simple style.

French Country furniture evokes many feelings. First are the feelings of family and stability This is because the old look of the furniture makes one feel as if it has been in the family for generations. In addition, feelings of warmth and rustic relaxation come from the atmosphere created by the colors and woods used in each and every piece. French Country style is largely undefined. Many describe it as a mood or attitude rather than a strict approach to decorating. There are, however, some particular pieces that are signature to French Country decorating such as armoires, hutches, and kitchen tables. Due to the storage and seating needs of the large French families that populated the French landscape.

Country French Furniture