French chic interiors and lamps - bet on nonchalant elegance.

French townhouse style lamps - style straight from Paris

How to create a French style in the interior and how to achieve a feeling of nonchalant elegance?

Decorating interiors in the French fashion and french chic style lamps have been growing in popularity for years. Hardly surprising. After all, the French Chic style is unforced elegance, lots of free space and a pinch of artistry, which make interiors arranged in this style delightful, relaxing and inspiring! What is difficult to grasp, and what constitutes the timeless charm of these arrangements, is undoubtedly a sense of a certain nonchalance and apparent carelessness, which, however, should not be confused with carelessness. How to create an interior straight out of a Parisian townhouse, what to keep in mind and what lamps to choose to decorate an apartment "in the French style"? We suggest!

You know those stills from French movies where French women run in stilettos along the Seine River? They are wearing ordinary jeans, a simple jacket, a classic bob on their head, to which they give the impression of not caring about anything, and... they look like a million dollars? If you were to ask them what their secret is and what they do to look so elegant, most of them would answer: " je ne sais quoi", which in free translation would be "I don't know what it is", but it is precisely "that something" that not only the residents of Paris, but also classic, elegant French interiors have in them.

If you want to recreate the spirit of a French townhouse in your interior, you need to keep in mind some very important points.

• First, the French chic style has a strong historical element. Buildings of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, where this interior style was born and developed, were characterized by large windows, spacious and high interiors, rich stucco, etc. So remember the elements that will refer to the historical and architectural roots of this style. A decorative ceiling rosette, high ceiling moldings, a lion's foot bathtub, or a gold, richly decorated picture frame will work well as messengers from a bygone era.
• Secondly, the final appearance of the Paris apartments was shaped over the years, and their designers were - none other than their residents. They were the ones who collected accessories and furniture, constantly adding "something from themselves" to the interiors - a figurine from their travels, a painting from friends, china from their grandmother. When arranging an interior in a Parisian climate, it is worth being tempted by a kind of eclecticism. A few elements that do not match the others will give the interior a natural look and give the impression that it was created not for months, but for years.
• It is in this perverse approach, which departs from perfectionism and gives freedom of choice, that lies the secret of French nonchalance. Don't try too hard. Not everything has to be perfect, even, not all accessories have to match the main tone. Indulge in spontaneous shopping at the antique market or on vacation. If you have arranged your apartment according to the basic principles of style, such accessories, will perfectly highlight the personality and originality of your home.

However, before you move on to buying decorative elements, you need to build a solid base that will make your apartment acquire all the characteristics typical of interiors native to a French townhouse! What elements will "make" a French interior?

French Chic - a style guide

• wooden floors (old oak parquet laid in a herringbone or interesting pattern will be ideal),
• spacious, high and bright rooms with large windows and long curtains of high-quality fabrics,
• white or cream walls and ceilings (decorated with stucco), all-white look break up with colorful accessories, which will be a great bridge between history and modernity!
• a subtle white or beige base can also be varied with gold, navy blue or sea green accessories,
• furnish the space with a few carefully selected pieces of furniture, and avoid "cluttering" the rooms with too many accessories,
• introduce something shiny into the interior - metallic photo frames, mirror frames, shiny frames of sconces or lamps,
• a comfortable couch and personal touches will create a homey, cozy atmosphere,
• a large mirror left "carelessly" leaning against the wall will be a hit,
• think artistic accessories and some strong modern touches

If you have decided on a classic French style in the interior, you must also remember to choose the right french chic style lamp. After all, it will be the culmination of the whole project and will best emphasize its luxurious, elegant character.

What lamps are best suited to French Chic style interiors?

Interiors decorated in classic French style are primarily light and elegant. For this reason, lamps that perfectly match them will be:

• all kinds of hanging lamps with spherical glass shades - and both those made of transparent and milky glass. Single sphere lamps or whole groups of lamps on a strip or ceiling plate (take a peek at the Alur collection of bullet lamps), will work well in both the dining room and the living room.
• if, instead of a pendant lamp, you prefer a ceiling lamp, you can also choose among lamps with gold-plated frames on which several smaller spherical lampshades have been fixed. These lamps can resemble classic chandeliers, or have a slightly more modern form - we recommend ceiling lamps from the Cumulus collection.
• the obligatory lightness will also be added to French interiors by other lamps whose shades are made of transparent glass. Avia pendant lamps, available in several classic colors and characterized by organic shapes with unevenly distributed indentations, will give French Chic style interiors that much desired avant-garde and artistic touch,
• a great idea for interior lighting native to Paris, will also be any other lamps with a glossy gold finish. Glossy elements will add elegance and luxury to the arrangements, which is essential to achieve the desired effect. Gold lamp frames and accessories such as shiny lamp shades or visible, stylized bulb holders will be just what you need.
• if you are looking for something more distinctive, you can also think about raffia lamps, which will go perfectly with wooden floors and light-colored walls, or the
• stylish chandelier with crystals in the Ludwik style. However, when deciding on the latter option, remember that the rest of the furnishings should not be too decorative. French chic doesn't like exaggeration!
• complete the lighting arrangement with stylish wall lamps and table lamps with character or artistic, modern standing lamp, which will inflict chic to the entire interior and will be a perfect complement to the whole

We hope you already know how to decorate your apartment in the style of a Parisian townhouse. When choosing furniture, lamps and accessories, don't forget to match them to your lifestyle and how you spend your day. This will provide a naturalness that cannot be arranged, which the French value above all else.

Zasyou are considering what style to decorate your house or apartment and are not sure if the French townhouse style is what you are looking for? Check out our guide "How to choose a lamp to match the style of the interior?", in which you will find characteristics of different interior styles and in which we will suggest how to choose lamps for each of them.