Originating in France in the 18th century, the French provincial style emerged from the styles that were popular in Paris at the time; however, it is less ornate and features simply carved pieces of furniture with few decorations. This is probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear 'French provincial' and 'furniture style' in the same sentence. However, the term is much more comprehensive and spans over a longer period of time, bringing together a wide range of trends which combined in different ways in different parts of the country to create what today stands for one of the most desired furniture styles in the world by those who are fond of the simplicity and elegance that the French created several centuries ago in their lovely country.
The characteristics of the French provincial furniture can be summed up in the use of different kinds of solid wood, depending on the region (oak, walnut, elm, apple, pear, cherry and sometimes mahogany). The simple design and carved decorations that these long-lasting pieces of furniture were endowed with contrasted with the intricacy of the Parisian style, making them more suitable for the simple homes and daily life of the farmers, hence the less polished finishes and the more functional meaning of the design.
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The discreet ornamentations peculiar to the French provincial furniture style had a lot to do with the daily life of the rural family. You can notice several symbols engraved on these pieces, according to which part of life was more representative for the family. Shells stood for fertility, while flowers and fruit symbolized divine grace. Prosperity was represented by wheat, grapes or coins, while the artistic endeavours were indicated by the presence of musical instruments. Let us not forget about love, which appeared in the shape of a heart, a dove or an arrow.
For esthetical purposes, many contemporary house owners have chosen to return to the natural materials that furniture has been made of for many centuries and decorate at least part of their homes with French provincial items of furniture and objects. They are quite in fashion and will bring a special kind of elegance to any room. Just as a few centuries ago there lived dedicated craftsmen who built high quality French provincial furniture, there are now designers and manufacturers of provincial style furniture in many parts of the world. They are in charge of bringing the special French country air into the modern home and will do a very good job too.
French Provincial Style in Home Decor Explained!
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