What is French Country Design About ?
Most home styles are rooted in trends in the past and present in different geographical locations around the world. It is wonderful to have such a variety of choices for your home.
French Country designs reflect an area of France known as Provence. It differs from a European castle style home in that it is more country rustic in appearance. In keeping with its natural setting, you will commonly find interior beamed ceilings, stone fireplaces and planked floors. All of which can be distressed for a feeling of coziness.
On the exterior, there may be a mixture of rustic stone, stucco and wide windows. The windows may have vintage shutters on either side. Windows and doors may be arch topped. There may be high Romeo and Juliet black wrought iron balconies on some upper windows and french style exterior doors. Large chimneys are built along with high dark colored sharp roof lines. The upper story roof lines may impinge on the upper story windows, causing those windows to partly or fully dormer into the roof. Windows and doors may be accented with Mahogany wood details.
Landscaping may include wide courtyards. Walks may have more subtle curves and be composed of stone instead of hard angles of concrete.
Gary Miller
Principal and Architectural Designer,
Timbertree and Stonecastle Designs, LLC