Halls in the Provence style always look easy, poetic and invariably bring a touch of real French charm and romanticism into the atmosphere of the living room. This choice is optimal for a small apartment or an old private house, in addition, the interior will certainly be appreciated by those who do not like to part with old things. It is noteworthy that Provencal style can be created even with minimal financial costs - you will not need expensive facing materials and design elements of decor.
Style features
First, a little theory. The style of Provence originated in the French province at the beginning of the XIX century. This style embodies the ideas of open space, its airiness and naturalness. Despite the presence of woody notes in the interior and its apparent simplicity, Provence harmoniously looks not only in rural houses, but also in urban apartments. This design contrasts favorably with public and austere office interiors, allows you to create a feeling of warmth and tranquility at home - This setting is just perfect for relaxing after a hard day.
Provence is easily recognizable due to its distinctive features. This style is characterized by:
- artificial aging of surfaces - it can be chipped and scuffed, uneven strokes of enamel and paint;
- use of natural materials - wood, linen, fresh and dried flowers;
- forged parts - they are necessarily covered with white paint;
- use of a light color palette - All shades of white are allowed, as well as nude colors;
- decorative plastermasonry;
- woody ceiling beams.
Provence does not accept any synthetic materials, gloss, mirror surfaces, as well as gloss and stylish futuristic elements are not allowed here.
Bright shades can be used, but only as accents in a limited number, metal elements are made of tin, brass, bronze or their high-quality imitation.
We pay special attention to the fact that the hall in the Provence style must set the tone for the whole home environment. You do not need to decorate it in a rustic style if you plan to furnish the rest of the rooms in a modern decor (hi-tech, minimalism) or Baroque, Provence does not combine with rich classics - the rustic modesty of the style, even separated from other rooms by walls, will be inappropriate and absurd . You can combine Provence with the directions of boho or shabby chic.
Material selection
The entrance hall performs a large functional load - they remove dirty shoes, open wet umbrellas, put bags, as well as bicycles and strollers, because the room quickly gets dirty and requires frequent cleaning. This makes certain requirements for the selection of finishing materials - they should not only fall into style, but also be as practical as possible.
For wall decoration it is best to use textured plaster. - the composition is applied with careless, deliberately sloppy strokes, it is better to give preference to milk, cream and white-gray colors. At the same time, blue, lavender, pink and mint tones will be very appropriate.
Keep in mind that plaster requires the preparation of walls and knowledge of the coating technique, but it has undeniable advantages over other types of materials used - it is environmentally friendly, durable and easy to clean.
Another option for wall cladding is cladding with lining or boards with a finish tinting with white enamels and the mandatory aging effect. This option will cost a tidy amount, and in addition, it will significantly narrow the passage - such finishing options are suitable only for spacious halls and therefore are harmonious in country cottages, where the entire decoration of the room is made of wood. Significant savings can be achieved by using a combination of aged wood with plaster.
The use of wallpaper in decoration is also allowed.However, only with a certain print - in Provence the cell, small flower, peas or small monograms harmoniously look. Very impressive wallpaper that imitates matting or linen texture, the patterns should look like they burned out under the sun.
A distinctive feature of Provence is a room flooded with light. Unfortunately, in most typical apartments this is not possible, since hallways do not have windows. As an option, you can install a fake window with thin curtains, or take care of good lighting.
Provence flooring can be made in two versions. It is often used either ordinary unpainted boards with the effect of scuffing or laminate, which follows the pattern of real wood. The second coating option is slabs, usually of a light terracotta hue. Such a finish can be achieved by imitating a stone surface. The floor looks stylish, but the surface of the granite is very cold, and it is not very comfortable when entering the room from the street. Only the “warm floor” system can solve the problem, and this will entail considerable expenses.
In the direction of Provence, do not use carpet, as well as bulk floors and linoleum. Alternatively, you can lay a small rug with a discreet print.
To finish the ceilings using textured plaster. An inexpensive but effective option would be whitewashing or covered with lime, while the ceiling should look as if it had been painted many times.A similar effect can be achieved with the most ordinary paint brush.
If room permits, wooden beams will be a very stylish addition to the interior. But this element can only be used if the height of the ceilings in the hallway is 3 m or more. This solution looks best in country houses with an attic roof.
Multilevel and stretch ceilings for Provence are not used, and elaborate elements (stucco molding, patina and golden ornaments) do not look here.
Furniture selection
The entrance hall in the apartment is an active zone, so you need to take care not only of beauty, but also of the functionality of the space. In the hallway should be a cabinet, shelves for shoes, handbags and umbrellas. Provence does not impose strict geometry requirements - all pieces of furniture can be arranged in any order, even chaotically.
Furniture for Provence is used only wooden, preferably light with traces of scuffs and artificial aging.Traces of chips and cracking of paint are allowed.
The style and small panels are optimally combined with hooks for clothes, it is better to match the doors in shade and texture.
If you have a large entrance hall, then a cabinet with swing wings will look spectacular. All modules should be low, because the structures under the ceiling visually clutter up the space. At a height, it is advisable to hang a couple of shelves, and put vases with flowers on them.
In small rooms it is better to stay on dressers - they will make a stylish tandem with a vintage floor hanger.
Belonging to Provence can be emphasized with a wooden bench with soft pillows. Reed or rattan chairs are allowed. The atmosphere of antiquity will be strengthened by small cupboards and consoles.
Modern sliding wardrobes are not used in Provence, if you need a place to store things, it is better to give preference to light modules with matte surfaces.
There should be large mirrors on the walls - preferably round or oval, certainly with wooden frames. If room facilities allow, you can install a large mirror - it is leaned against the wall opposite the window, in this case the sun's rays will be reflected, illuminating the darkest corners of the hallway.
In order to furnish a room, it is not necessary to go to antique shops — all furniture can be artificially aged using the cracking technique. In this case, a special enamel is applied to the surface, which creates a burnout effect on the sun and small cracks.
Color palette
To get into the style of Provence as accurate as possible, you should choose the right color palette. The colors used are preferably light. White and beige shades are best suited. - they will be optimal for creating the general background of the interior, make the room sophisticated and delicate. Such options are especially good for small rooms, as they visually expand the space, make it deeper and lighter.
Unobtrusive accents can be set with purple, mint or olive color, shades of green look harmoniously - this is the color of nature, which brings a sense of femininity and comfort to the atmosphere of the hallway.
Peach, orange and yellow shades. make the room more comfortable, but you should not overdo it with these tones - otherwise the room will turn out to be too gloomy, usually they are used as an addition to white and beige shades.
Interesting accessories
Provence is unthinkable without an abundance of stylish trinkets that will bind the whole space together, give a feeling of comfort and warmth. Typically, such halls are decorated with objects made of wood and clay, fresh or dried flowers also look good.
In the hallway, decorated in accordance with the main features of Provence, you can not do without textiles, therefore here you can often see cushions, rugs, sofa cushions, and also curtains with ruffles. Cloths must be necessarily natural - cotton or linen, colors are allowed only light. Harmoniously complement provence lace and embroidery.
In Provence chests, bird cages and candle holders are welcome, it will be useful to place photographs in vintage frames and figurines on the chest of drawers, and straw panels can be hung on the walls.
There are no restrictions on the type of decorative elements, the only condition here is the use of natural materials of the most discreet shades.
Design Recommendations
Usually hallways in modern apartments and typical houses do not have spacious bright rooms, so Provence becomes the optimal solution for them. You can achieve authenticity with the help of light design techniques that will not require significant financial costs from you. In the design of the premises adhere to several principles:
- all surfaces used in the design of the Provence style must certainly be worn and aged;
- the simpler the interior - the more spectacular;
- only light colors in the decoration are allowed;
- contrasts should be avoided;
- there should be a lot of light in the room;
- use the decoration of interior items in white-pink, lavender or terracotta colors;
- forged details harmoniously look in an interior - it can be corners, hangers or metal handles;
- stucco looks impressive on surfaces with exposure of fragments of masonry;
- the floor should be either wooden or imitate the texture of wood;
- in old houses, ceiling beams are allowed.
Beautiful examples
Provence style harmoniously looks to design a narrow and small hallway, as well as in a room with a long corridor. Using basic design techniques allows you to create a feeling of lightness, airiness and rural romance.
Accessories harmoniously look - vintage modular blocks, wall corner hangers.
There are no ready-made solutions for decorating Provence - a wide variety of little things are allowed here: vases, beautiful textiles, paintings, panels, baskets, sofa cushions and many other elements that make getting into style as accurate as possible.
About what is characterized by the style of Provence in the interior, see the next video.