So what exactly is the right kind of artwork for a Farmhouse French or even a Country French house? This is Farmhouse French Friday where we take just one design element and focus on that.
Today we’re talking about Farmhouse French artwork. What goes with it, and what doesn’t? I don’t think you are going to want anything too contemporary for this look. You want colors that are going to work with your room.
Here we have a piece of religious art that looks aged. It works great.
This oil painting of the two girls is gorgeous and perfect.
Sometimes you don’t need art at all. Below, I used bread boards and an old gesso frame in place of artwork.
Above this bed instead of art I used candle sconces and a mirror, so sometimes you can use those instead of art as well.
Below I have a copy of a Monet. This is perfect also.
Below I used antique tin ceiling tile for art. Then layered it with a mirror, a botanical print, a landscape painting, and an old clock face that was handpainted.
Above our bed, we used a wall plaque that is not a painting, but is a type of artwork.
Above our sofa/daybed, we used large botanical prints. I love botanicals.
In our bedroom, we have a watercolor of my husband’s family homestead in Virginia.
The painting below is my favorite. It’s a very delicate oil painting. It’s a lovely copy of the painting SEWING by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, a French painter from the 1800’s.
This painting below is another one of my favorites. It’s very large and very striking.
I don’t have these antlers over my fireplace any more, but they also can be used as artwork.
Then there is this pastoral sheep painting that is so peaceful.
This little print is full of personality and color.
More flowers, although I think I gave this one away.
You can also use an architectural piece as artwork.
And really you probably need a painting of lavender fields somewhere in your home.
Lastly you can use a chalkboard or a door or both as I have done below. Note the pear painting on the right.
I hope this gave you some ideas for your home. What’s your favorite piece of artwork?
I’ve also fallen in love with your painting SEWING by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. It is so delicate and full of life – a perfect moment frozen in time. I will definitely be on the lookout for it.
A lot of great ideas.,
Love all your ideas, and I love the Framhouse side board stacked with cutting and bread boards and the accent of the naked frame.
Always leav in awww to all your touches.
Xx
Dore
Thank you for sharing your tips. Sometimes we need help thinking outside the box.
Have a beautiful weekend.❤️
I love your ideas, thank you for sharing!
I have been a fan of Monet since the 80’s and have three prints on my walls. I can’t imagine thinking French decorating and not thinking of including a Monet or two!
The sheep painting is my favorite! And the large plaque in the master bedroom. BUT most of all, the layering of art pieces. Texture, texture, texture! Love your blog!
The Sheers & wood valance surround the baby claw tub & picture so prettily. One of my favorities!
Good Morning, I am a self taught artist and I personally love French Country so I really enjoyed your blog about the art. I want to paint more that will attract French Country lovers and you have given me some great examples. I think some of my work would go with the decor. I have a lady feeding her chickens and just recently did a rabbit in which I am framing in the ornate gold frame. Thanks again! Linda
Original art in a beautiful frame does wonders for any room, even if it’s a very small piece and a small investment. People tend to gaze thoughtfully at them when they see the brushstrokes and the way the painting was done. Part of what makes a home have a European feel is real art. We just love it.
Love the architectural elements and using other types of things as wall decor. Lots of good ideas here. Thanks for sharing these.
I love all your great artwork ideas for decorating. I especially love the Monet and Bouguereau though. Always on the lookout for those kinds of art.
l love the sheep painting and the girl sewing,
I rarely comment but I love looking at pictures of your home. I was born and raised in VA, so I’m curious where your husband’s family lived. My favorite is the Sewing picture.
I really like the painting above your tub, it adds a lot of character to that room. My favorite is of the SEWING by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. This photo has so much history and tells more than one story. Thank you for sharing.
Love that delicate oil painting; that is my favorite of your artwork along with the architectural features. I recently found a hand-carved and painted Angel about 3′ long with hangs above my bed — it’s my favorite piece (right now) — but always on the lookout for such treasures. I also like using my various birdcages as wall art too. Many thanks for the great ideas. Keep them coming, please!
The old wood above the bathtube framed with lovely curtains really pops the picture . Dream time in the tube !
Yes the hanging dress , love it !
I’m looking forward to being able to choose what to hang on my walls in our new home. I have so many things that I love, I think it is going to be a hard decision!
I’m anxious to start hanging pictures! Wonderful ideas!! Thank you!
Anita,
Another wonderful blog posting, as usual. I am wondering if you would be willing to share the name of the art/artist of the museum wrap painting over the bed in the master bedroom? I’d like to obtain a print if possible. Thank you.
I love all of your ideas and your style. Wish you could hypnotize me with all your knowledge!
Anita,
I love all the examples you have incorporated into your room settings. I think using various items as wall art adds a lot of interest to a room, especially those unique, one-of-a-kind special finds. One such find for me is an old French basket that was used for harvesting jasmine blossoms. I remember using just such a basket as a child on my aunt’s flower farm in the south of France. It looks great on the wall filled with dried flowers next to the fireplace.
Until recently I thought that your picture of the two young girls in the garden was Elise and Evie Camille. I love that picture.
What lovely examples to remind us that art can be many things – I especially love your bread boards and an old gesso frame which add warmth to the space. I also like the way you combined the clock face with the botanical print, cloches & mirror – thanks for reminding us to keep the things we love on show …
Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas.
I believe I have truly found my soulmate regarding your Country French home and great idea. I have a few items in my home very similar to your framed art , almost all of mine have children in the pictures and I am in the process of redecorating my dining room . My chandelier is just like yours. I am so excited to keep looking at your decor as we have the same taste with country french!
October 10 , 2016
HJ. NY
I have a beautiful large very old picture frame hung on a wall over my fireplace. When I bought it, the picture itself was damaged beyond repair so I removed the picture, hung the frame and now I hang seasonal wreaths in the center of the frame. Lovely.
They’re all gorgeous. My favorite would have to be the trumeau(?) mirror and sconces above the bed. I just love those mirrors!
Wonderful ideas for decorating with pics and other objects.l
I really enjoy reading your posts !
Being French , I am a bit surprised to find so many prints or displays you assume could be found in French homes . I was not aware of such a craze for French antiques and I am thrilled for I am always on the look-out for vintage items myself . I can understand why you recommend using them and I obviously side with you! …there are indeed lots of charming places but at the same time , over here I must admit that many young couples keep dreaming of modern, American – looking homes and they often equate that with a sense of space and over-sized sofas! As a consequence , the grass is always greener …elsewhere!
Martine, I am not assuming these could be found in French homes. Not at all. I am saying that all of this artwork goes with my style that I call Farmhouse French. I describe farmhouse French as a mix of farmhouse with a bit of French. That is why I do not call my style Country French. I’ve been to France, and I know much of what I like it not found in French homes. Yes there are many of us Americans that love French antiques although I know many young French people do not appreciate what they have. I really try to show what a few antiques, vintage items and a few things from France can do to brighten up a home. Thank you for commenting!
Love the girl sewing. No one paints children being children anymore…
I love all the examples of the artwork here. I always have a difficult time finding beautiful artwork to enhance my rooms. I’m always looking for the perfect picture!
So inspiring… you share something to take from each suggestion to beautify the home. Thank you.
Just beautiful!
I always look forward to my Cedar Hill Farm dose of ideas. Inspiration and sharing of decor to start my day with a cup of coffee is a great way to lift one’s spirits. I often wonder how you get you day started. I’ll leave that to my imagination.
Great ideas to use on my bare walls. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love all of your pictures and decorating ideas. I would love to win a copy of your book, however, I do wish that you could email the winners, as I don’t get on facebook much, and when I do, it is for my business, so I don’t have a lot of time to visit other FB pages! Thank you for your continuing education on decorating with lovely pictures!
Peggy, I announce it on my FB page, but I ALWAYS email the winner!
I love your oil paintings…I believe I have too many pictures and not enough feature pieces.