Color It Right

Choosing the right colors for your spaces is extremely important in the Modern French style. You can even guess it without a single piece of furniture. The dominant color in most cases is a bright white –which is usually the color of the walls- along with pastel colors such as beige, light gray, light blue, and light pink. Although the style is highly associated with light colors, you will find some darker designs as well. They are chic and will work for you if you’re a lover of the darks. You might use a little bit of a pop-color in some artworks or pieces of furniture, to give the place an energetic and friendly atmosphere.

And here are some more specific colors tips:

Gold In French Design

The Gold color takes us back to the classic French styles especially the ”Baroque ” style. It was characterized by being Luxurious and extravagant, with heavily decorated ornaments. And because the modern French design is about simplicity, we still use some touches of gold in it to add elegance to the overall design. We can use it in a Gilded Mirror, lighting fixtures, accessories, or in contemporary furniture as well.

Red In French Design

Remember when we talked about adding a pop color? One of the most used colors in Parisian style is red, especially the darker shades of it like Bordeaux, or velvet red. This gives you the pop color you need, while at the same time, it keeps the classy vibe in the space. You can use it in furniture materials, or accessories. It can be used also as wall paint but not much of it. Choose a single wall you want to focus on and give it the pop color.

Black and White Pattern

This even goes back to the Gothic period. The black and white checkers flooring was very common back then. It continued to exist in the later French designs as well. As for the modern French design, the designers -being loyal to the past- usually use black and white colors but in different patterns and in specific objects. You can find it on a flooring, rug, a pillow, or in a piece of furniture. But because of the strong contrast in the pattern, it needs delicate use so it won’t be overdone.

The Furniture

When we come to furniture, this is where it gets tricky, creative, and fun all at once. Being an eclectic style, we can mix some contemporary, modern, or minimalist pieces, with classic ones. But concerning the classic furniture try to look for redesigned ones that look contemporary as well, with colors that fit your pallet. White painted wood pieces fit in easily. A “Sette” or “Burgere” chair with leather, velvet, cotton, or linen but without strong patterns –maybe some toile- are all welcomed. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t use antique pieces, just be delicate when using them. These mixes along with contemporary ones, if done right, will certainly result in a masterpiece! But do not use too much. It is quality, not quantity.