Defining one country’s overarching design style is, for the most part, a near impossible, and largely redundant task. But if there was one nation whose essence is near-universally admired and endlessly copied, it has to be the French. French style is famously desirable, yet not so easy to define. Undone, elevated and always elegant, there’s a reason the French pride themselves on their architecture, interiors and flair for the unexpected.
So if you’re looking to instil some Gallic-style into your home, or just keen for some fresh styling perspective, keep reading. Below, we share nine of the best design lessons to copy from the French.
1. Embrace entryways
Don’t forget about the humble hallway. The French excel at turning a simple entrance into a statement space that can really hold up on its own. Even if you don’t have the herringbone parquet floors of a Haussmannian apartment, you can still copy the French knack of making a great first impression. In this Parisian apartment, designer Sandra Benhamou wasn’t afraid to decorate the entry hallway with artwork, a striking light pendant and a small table stacked with coffee table books, a vase and a bowl.
2. Pay attention to flooring
Parquetry timber flooring is a staple in most Parisian apartments for good reason. Chic, timeless and practical, parquet floorboards add an element of texture to any style of home, and can always be made more interesting with the addition of a beautiful rug. And if you’re willing to get extra experimental, take inspiration from this Parisian pied-à-terre, which boasts floorboards arranged in a striking geometric pattern. “The floors were clearly meant to be seen,” says architect Alireza Razavi. “They have character and the craftsmanship indicates that this is not just any apartment.”
3. Start with neutrals
There’s no doubt about it, the French love a neutral base. But that’s not to say their interiors are boring. In fact, a largely pared-back palette can work to highlight specific design pieces or make a single colour pop, like the artwork in design aficionado Emmanuel de Bayser’s 19th century Paris apartment. In this sitting room, cream walls and curtains are coupled with white millwork and white-coloured furniture to create a cohesive base on which to layer interesting and eye-catching artworks.
4. But embrace colour
Don’t mistake a neutral palette for an aversion to colour. French houses are famously not one-note. Instead, they embrace unusual colour combinations and employ colour in more private areas, like in a bathroom or bedroom. In this bedroom, a serene shade of blue acts almost like another neutral, and pairs perfectly with the beige bed linen and upholstery, and timber floor.
5. Greenery is your friend
In Paris, the French may live largely in apartment buildings, but that doesn’t stop them from bringing in a slice of nature. You’d be hard pressed to find a French home without some sort of standalone indoor plant or vase of fresh flowers places somewhere. And this is because the French understand the power of greenery to bring character and life into a home.
6. The statement light
The French appreciate great design, but you know what their real secret is? Placing it in the right context. They revel in upending cliches and so-called ‘design rules’, and love to mix design styles and eras. The trick is having the confidence to know when and where to make a bold choice. On paper, this striking yellow light pendant shouldn’t really work above the dining table, yet somehow it does.
7. A casual approach
Art features heavily in every French home, whether it be contemporary photography or more traditional oil on canvas pieces. But the real art form? How you arrange it in your home. For a more interesting, laid-back approach, consider leaning an artwork against a wall or placing it on the floor. More dynamic than simply hanging it on the wall, it also means you can switch up your arrangements more often.
8. Every corner counts
Parisian apartments are famously pint sized, which means the French understand how to make the most of every space. From clever concealed storage solutions and custom bookshelves to unexpected uses of wallpaper in a hallway, the French know how to maximise even the most minimal square footage.
9. Challenge expectations
French houses may boast centuries-old architecture, but there’s an inherent dynamism in their interiors. Consider this 130 square-metre home in Paris’s 10th arrondissement. Originally designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, of that tower fame), Casiraghi was brought in to bring some international flavour to the space. Modelling the kitchen on a cigar room-meets-English gentlemen’s club vibe, he added green lacquered wood panels and a giant Noguchi pendant lamp in the space to bring a sense of intimacy to the space, which is often used for entertaining.
