What is Farmhouse French? That’s what I call my style; throw in something chippy, rusty, casual, and French, and voila, you’ve got Farmhouse French. I know a lot of people who want the look, but don’t know where to start.
I originally did the graphic below until a kind reader told me it was misspelled. That’s what I get for not using the right glasses. Now this has been pinned so many times I hate to remove the image because I am not sure the pins will work if I remove the image. So I’m leaving it here and exposing my shame. #DefinitelyNotPerfect
And most are on a budget and can’t redo their entire house. So how do you add the look without breaking the bank?
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| French chair from auction, $40 |
The good news is that it’s easy to add some small touches here and there that really make a difference. I remember when I first began adding these accents to my home. I just had a very few things here and there, but they somehow took center stage. I was so surprised to hear friend describe my style as French, when I only had a few pieces of French furniture.
So what I found out is that if you have a few well-placed accent pieces, that is what guests will notice, rather than the so-so leather sofa in my study. I used to think that French meant lots of Fleur de Lis, or roosters, but there’s much more to it than that. I think I would describe a Farmhouse French style as one that incorporates lots of natural elements and textures, with a little rust and chippy paint thrown in, curvy furniture, with some elegant items like silver and crystals. Yes, I think I just described the house on Green Acres, and had never thought of it before, but perhaps Lisa Douglas was the original Shabby chic lady, don’t tell Rachel Ashwell.
I’m no Lisa Douglas, but here are my 8 Tips for adding Farmhouse French to your home.
1. Add rustic elements like wood bowls or trays or totes.
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| Silver from eBay and thrift store |
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| Tote box was a gift, thanks Peggy! |
2. Buy some items with French graphics or make your own.
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| French tote boxes, set for $32 Antique Farmhouse |
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| Burlap memo board from Decor Steals $9.75! |
3. Add some silver.
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| Silver trophies from auction $30 something each, greenhouse $20 World Market, French drying rack Decor Steals |
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| Silver tray and pitcher from thrift store |
4. Add textured fabric to the room, like burlap, linen, grain sacks, or drop cloth fabric.
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| Linen slipcovers, I made them, fabric from Interior Fabrics |
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| Linen slipcvoers, I made them, fabric from NY Fashion Center Fabrics |
5. Add ironstone to the room
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| Ironstone from The Farmhouse Porch |
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| Ironstone soup tureen, inherited |
6. Add baskets, especially vintage big ones.
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| Extra large basket $100 Hobby Lobby |
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| Large vintage basket about $75 at auction |
7. Find something with peeling/chippy paint to the room. I”m not sure it even matters what it is.
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| Very large antique gesso and wood framed mirror, $50 Craigslist |
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| French enamelware pitcher about $50 eBay |
8. Add French furniture, one piece per room adds an amazing amount of Frenchiness. Yes most French pieces are more expensive than non-French furniture, but if you can find something at an auction, estate sale, consignment store, thrift store, or yard sale, you can usually find it for a reasonable price. For example, I found the table ($25) and the chair ($40) below at auction. French furniture for less than $100 what’s not to love!! I adore going to the auction, but I know some people have auction-phobia. If you have a fear of auctions, check out my post on how to attend an auction like a pro.
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| French chair $40 from the auction |
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| Large basket $50 Hobby Lobby |
I’ll be sharing my top 15 French bargains that you can buy on the internet in an upcoming post. All of the items will be less than $500, and 7 of them are less than $100.
How do you add Farmhouse French to your house?
Great inspiration! Love your style, and I love the slipcovers on the furniture!
oooo I love your house!!!! Great ideas and beautiful choices. Thanks for sharing!
Fabulous post, Anita! I love your tips…and your frenchy style! :-)…hugs…Debbie
great post! I love all your french and farmhouse touches. I also love using tapestries, or tapestry pillows, with a bit of fringe on them to ‘fancy’ them up. I love this paired in a room that also has the more rustic farmhouse elements. It’s that mix of rough and refined that I love =)
Beautiful Anita! I too have bits and pieces of furniture and accessories in my home.I love the charm.I am not sure what my style is.I guess it would be romantic,French,country,farmhouse,
cottage.I think that about covers it!
xx
Anne
Great post Anita, I love the charits and the totes. Very romantic touches.
Cynthia
Wonderful post and tips Anita. You know I luv your style 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Gee
Great tips Anita! I sure hope my Hobby Lobby sells those large wicker trunks because I want one (or two) their gorgeous!!
Anita, you are a master! But when I look at your house I see all kinds of inspiration so you could probably title this post just about anything!
In my world, auctions are just the best!
I just love your beautiful French Farmhouse Home. It looks so inviting with all your gorgeous vignettes. I have no clue what my style is, if I was guessing it was traditional more than anything else.
I love all the beautiful French homes I see around blogland. But traditional is about as feminine as my hubby would agree to.
This style is growing on me…. still fighting the formal furniture.
Great post!!!
Thanks for sharing your ideas with us, my problem is I don’t know what style I love, I love them all!
I have alot of white furniture that I painted but lost interest in the Shabby Chic look! I started a board on Pinterest named “Farmhouse Style” and of course added your pics:)
Have a great day!
Did I overlook them or are #8 & #9 missing?
I need all the help I can get 🙂
Thanks for sharing such beautiful ideas and inspiration, I love that look. Have a great day.
Rebecca, thanks for the catch!! Yes there are just 8, so I changed the title from 10 to 8! You rock.
Great posts! I just picked up a French drying rack on clearance from PB last week to start on my Frenchy look!
HI Anita! Oh, what lovely snaps and could advice! I love everything you do.
be a sweetie,
shelia 😉
You do Texas farmhouse french soooooo beautifully, Anita!
What great furniture you find at Auctions!!!! I too, love auctions… but I have not had enough time in my day to go to one in awhile!
Your photography is stunning… as always!
Wonderful resource post!
You’ve got some really wonderful pieces, Anita! You’ve described your style so well and shown some great examples of it, too. I love that chair in the first picture. I try and keep my eyes peeled for things at the thrift store and the local antique mart. Sometimes they need a little help, but if the price is right that’s okay by me.
Everything is beautiful. Great tips for adding that look. I wish I knew how to sew like you. I would whip up slips. Which color of fabric did you order? I just looked at their site.
What a great post Anita!! I love your style, everything looks beautiful!
I love everything in your home 😉 Great ideas!
great tips and ideas!! love your look. great finds! definitely it would be really easy to build some wooden boxes and add some french labels.
Excellent post, Anita. I admire your style and your talent at sewing those wonderful slips. I think the love seats are my favorites. 😉 Look forward to reading more.
I just loved this post. And it reminded me that I have a tool tote that I bought at the thrift store a few months ago that I had totally forgot about. I need to dig it out and give it a paint job and some french words.
Anita,
You have put together a wonderful post to help others out when it comes to decorating with the charming FRENCH/FARMHOUSE sryle.
Blessings,
Linda
Great tips, Anita! Now if we could only put it together like you do! LOL!
Lots of great hints and inspiration photos, Anita! I love this style!
Anita,
Oh, dear friend, what an amazing post!!!
Farmhouse French…hm~m~m…I guess I need to look around the house a bit closer before I can answer that one!
I adore all the vintage and new pieces you are adding and gathering for your new home! You have truly begun a transformation. The slipcovers and fabric choices are elegant!!!
I have a few “must do’s” in 2013 and an Auction is one of those things on my list. Hope I manage to find some great buys there!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Hey, Anita! So many wonderful ideas. I love your style. Especially your slipcovers and those large baskets. So very pretty and cozy.
Anita, All of your French touches are beautiful! I want to tell you again (for the 100th time) how fabulous your slipcovers are. Thanks for linking to the Open House party.
xx, Sherry
I was already following you (LE CHEMIN DU BONHEUR) and I’m so pleased you visited my French blog. I’m living in PARIS, and I love the way you speak of the French touch. I think also that Rachel Ashwell gave a name to something we already did in France due to our love to vintage things with a soul.
✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻✿✿✿*`*.¸xoxo from PARIS *✻✿✿✿*`*.¸.
Great tips! This is such a livable but beautiful look. I like it. 🙂
Fantastic post Anita!!
Anita, back to say that I picked up an issue of the latest Romantic Homes yesterday. What a wonderful surprise to see you featured. Congratulations! It’s a lovely article.
Great post, Anita. I have the same large basket from Hobby Lobby! You definitely share my love of Country French.
I love your look – I’m seriously wanting that rug!
Great tips, I love the Country French, your photos are a joy to look at, a lot of things there that I just love, thanks for sharing
I love this post Anita 🙂
XO
Kristin
Beautiful inspiration!!! Love it all!!!
Blessings,
Cindy
My wife will surely love your blog. She loves doing makeovers in our home (and she’s really good at what she does) and she gets inspiration from different sites and magazines. –Lawrence
Anita, I love your style! You have an incredible eye for design! Your vignettes are stunning! I adore the ironstone soup tureen with vintage items! Your slipcovers have been one of my favorite additions to your home- you’re one talented gal!
I love the rugs – both in your office and in the one bedroom……did you make these? If you bought them – where? and if you made them – how?
Belinda Decor Steals.