French Country House Plans | Modern, Luxury, Rustic, SmallFor centuries, France was a kingdom of many provinces, resulting in varying types of architecture, most of which now fall under.... Read More
French Country House Plans | Modern, Luxury, Rustic, SmallFor centuries, France was a kingdom of many provinces, resulting in varying types of architecture, most of which now fall under the all-encompassing umbrella of French Country design. Rooted in the rural landscape of Europe, these homes can incorporate a wide range of styles, from modest Farmhouses and country Cottage designs to magnificent villas and chateaus. Many of today's French Country house plans contain similar characteristics, including medieval English design features such as turrets, quoins, and keystones. Often, a porte cochere is incorporated into the architecture of French Country house plans; popular during the Renaissance, this was initially designed as an entrance or gateway allowing a coach or carriage to be driven through it while providing shelter for the occupants during inclement weather. Many of today's homes that feature this design element continue to use it as a shelter point. Still, occasionally, they are attached to large outdoor spaces to entertain family and friends. Not all French Country homes are highlighted with such unique styling and distinctive characteristics; many are simple designs that offer warm, rustic design elements featuring comfortable and humble roots for the homeowner's pleasure.
Single and Two Storied House Plans
The French Country style combines the best of Old World elegance with comfortable interiors. While the large majority features two stories of family-style living, plenty of single-story homes exist. These storybook homes typically offer large, well-appointed rooms for entertaining, perhaps a keeping or hearth room directly located off the kitchen, spacious sleeping quarters, and outdoor space for entertaining large gatherings of family and friends. One-story French Country plans may incorporate an open floor plan with a split bedroom plan, while two-story homes may feature main-level living space and second-story bedrooms. The floor plan may include a study, library, or overhead bonus space for easily accessible conversion space designed for relaxing or intimate entertaining.
Porches
Outdoor space has always been reflected in the French Country house style, whether a courtyard entry, often large square forecourts, or some porch. UToday'snlike their previous counterparts, which were essentially free of front porches and contained little ornamentation, today's French Country homes can now boast front-covered porches and rear porches or patios that provide casual romantic elegance when entertaining. A well-designed house plan extends and blends the indoor and outdoor living space, and the classic French door is often the focal point for this design concept. Elegantly and stately, with a hint of sophistication, this can be just the inspiration to incorporate artistic flair into the home's interior and exterior.
Luxury, Small, and Narrow Lots
Suitable for both city and Country living, French Country homes can be found in nearly every genre of lifestyle housing markets, from the gentle, rolling hills of the countryside to manor homes situated in suburbia and even urban, in-town living. This home style incorporates an endless supply of what homeowners value in housing and lifestyle choices. America's Best House Plans has committed to offering a compelling and diversified collection of French Country homes. We have a nice assortment of magnificent homes that top 15,000 square feet of living space to humble homes with just over 1,000 square feet of space, so living this lifestyle does not necessarily require an enormous plot of rural land; even city dwellers who are committed to this lifestyle are readily able to indulge their dreams.
Side Loading and Detached Garages
While many French Country plans feature porte-cochere and front courtyard entry garages, quite a few are highlighted with side loading and detached garages. Breezeways are often included in the plans as a means to connect the detached garage and offer shelter from the weather. In addition to the often front-covered entry, a smaller side-covered porch may connect the garage with the home; this is ideal for maintaining a tidy home environment while slogging off muddy shoes and clothing before entering the house. These garages are designed to match modern life in all its complexity while quickly storing your vehicles, assorted lawn equipment, and other storage items while traveling between the garage and house.
French Country homes are among the housing market's oldest and most beloved architectural design representations. They convey a sense of timeless luxury without being pretentious or flashy, just a classic and timeless sense of art revered by many for their natural Old World charm and character.
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FAQs
Weathered finishes, exposed and painted wood, wrought iron, and plush upholstery. Ornate furniture shapes juxtaposed with simple wall paneling. Textile details like ruffles and lace, patterns including pinstripes and toile, and tufted upholstery.
What is a French country house called? ›
Most French châteaux are "palaces" or fine "country houses" rather than "castles", and for these, the word "château" is appropriate in English. Sometimes the word "palace" is more appropriate.
What is a French farmhouse style architecture? ›
Steep Hipped Roofs
Highly sloped roofs are one of the most common features of a French country home. Roofs are typically hipped with four steeply sloping sides and topped with slate, clay, or stone overlapping shingles. You may also spot dormer windows, copper trim, and an occasional round tower.
What is the architecture of the French countryside? ›
Elements of French provincial architecture include narrow tall windows with shutters, slate roof, copper gutters and symmetrically placed chimneys. The homes usually feature a rectangular floor plan. Exterior is usually brick or stucco with symmetrically placed exterior components.
How to mix French country with modern? ›
Stick to a simple colour palette of one or two colours and paint both the ceiling and walls in the same hue. The reason the French Country and Modern works so well comes down to conflict and contrast. Where French Country is soft and rustic, Modern is fresh and sleek. Where French Country is warm, Modern is cool.
Is French country still in style in 2024? ›
It's no surprise then to see interior design styles such as French country and Wabi-sabi unite, emphasizing the prominence to come in 2024 of a laid-back and comfortable way of decorating our homes.
What's the difference between French country and farmhouse style? ›
While these two decor styles are very similar they are definitely not the same. They both encompass neutral colors, antiques, and natural materials. Farmhouse is more casual and French country is more elegant.
What colors are French country? ›
French country homes bring to mind a color palette of pale yellows and pinks, shades of off-white, and just enough refined elegance and je ne sais quoi to any space.
Why are chateaus so cheap in France? ›
Renovation. They are listed at bargain prices because these châteaux, built and designed in the traditional aesthetic, have renovation charges, which cost an arm and a leg. Constant maintenance is necessary to ensure the property is livable and still as aesthetically pleasing as originally intended.
How to get the French farmhouse look? ›
One of the hallmarks of French country interiors is the use of natural materials like wood, stone, and brick. Incorporate these materials into your space by exposing any brick walls or stone fireplaces, add wooden ceiling beams or incorporate reclaimed wood furniture pieces, like a coffee table or a bookshelf.
French Country Cottage Style
Patterns and pretty details- gilding, carved raw wood, linens, velvets, brocades, worn paint and oversized mirrors. With simple style furniture like farm tables and built in cupboards, simple cottons and pretty floral fabrics. And fresh flowers of course.
What is the modern farmhouse style? ›
(Think steel-frame windows, clean-lined light fixtures, and contemporary art.) You'll also find that the modern farmhouse look tends to favor neutrals (white paint, pine finishes, nubby linens) which allows for more rustic architectural accents—barn doors, reclaimed mantels, and exposed beams—to stand out.
What does a French country house look like? ›
Exposed wood beams: One of the hallmarks of French countryside architecture is exposed wood trusses and beams. Many homes also have wood ceilings, often painted white to blend in the walls. Plaster walls: You'll typically find plaster walls, often white, which give the home a smooth and rustic finish.
What are French country houses called? ›
French country homes feature luxurious yet effortless stylings, natural stone facades, and chic rustic interiors. Otherwise known as Provencal homes, they have inspired homebuilders and decorators for centuries.
What makes French country decor? ›
Antique furnishings, weathered finishes, natural materials, and warm neutrals are a few of the characteristics you'll often find in rooms with French country decorating. The overall effect is meant to appear welcoming and casual yet effortlessly elegant.
What are the characteristics of a French colonial house? ›
General characteristics of a French Colonial dwelling included a raised basem*nt which would support the floor of the home's primary living quarters. Exterior stairs were another common element; the stairs would often climb up to a distinctive, full-length veranda or "gallery", on a home's façade.
What is the difference between shabby chic and French country? ›
“The shabby chic trend is a sister aesthetic to classic French country — but it's a bit more bohemian and laidback, as opposed to the formality sometimes associated with French country,” she says.
What are the colors of French country houses? ›
Neutral Colors
It's a mix of white, beige, taupe, and gray. These timeless and peaceful colors create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere in your home. Generally, the walls are in white, light gray or beige, as well as the main furnishings (sofa, bed…).
