French Country Chic Living Room

Hello again! Mom (CD) asked if I would do a guest post to help her out, so here I am.

As I stated in a previous post, my husband and I bought a townhouse several years ago. Though our new home had many 'contemporary' features I loved (granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and modern fixtures, it was basically a blank canvas.

That would normally be a 'good' thing, except that I really didn't know what my design style was.  I  knew that I wanted our home to be warm and welcoming, but I also wanted it to be classic, even chic, without being stuffy.

I liked the idea of incorporating a bit of rustic country (I grew up with that design style), but I also wanted to add a mix of modern, as well as contemporary style.

The next couple of years were all about trial and error.  We purchased the basic furniture pieces. Painted the white walls with warm colors, and began to accessorize each room with an eclectic assortment of colors and textures.

But, even though our home was starting to take shape, and we enjoyed the compliments of our friends and family when we entertained, something was missing.  Our home didn't feel like 'our' home.

Then one day, I mentioned to a co-worker that I was looking for a new media center.  I told him I wanted something different.  Something unique-unlike our current one, which was a black monstrosity that took up far too much space, making our already small living space, look even smaller.

My co-worker suggested I go to a web site that he had purchased several items from.  I took his advice, and immediately went back to my desk and typed in the site- Tattered Lantern- a blog devoted to re- purposing  furniture.  I quickly began scrolling down the page.  My co-worker had been right.  This furniture was unique.  The author of the blog had taken items that had been thrown away because they were broken or damaged, and turned them into unique and beautiful pieces. I was half way down the page-when I fell in love.  This piece was exactly what I had been looking for.  A mix of old and new.  (The bottom of the dresser is original-the new piece of wood on the top was added, and aged to match the bottom.)

Photo provided by Tattered Lantern

I immediately called my husband and told him I had found our new media center.  That weekend we went to pick up it.  The dimensions were perfect, and all it needed was a few 'minor' interior adjustments for all the equipment to fit.

This piece became more than just a new media center though.  It became the inspiration for my decorating style.  This 'rustic' country piece was what I used to start building our home's design on.

Although our next purchase was quite the opposite of rustic, it felt right.  A perfect blend between country and chic.  A classic white piece with a tufted back and nail head trim. I remember Mom being skeptical about this couch.  Especially since my husband and I have two cats and a dog.  But with scotch guard fabric it was very easy to maintain.

The next change in the room was the paint color.  Previously this wall was covered in a dark burgundy.  I switched it out to this bright, yet warm, teal. With this simple change-the room was slowly starting to come together.  Originally, I had the wall above the couch filled with black framed photo's-but switched those out for something simple-and once again-rustic country.  The frame was perfect-(after I painted and distressed it to match the media center. )
 

From there I began to add accessories and other, smaller pieces of furniture.  The chair (a piece I already had) matched perfectly with the couch.  I  also added a throw and chic pillow-to provide the warm, cozy feeling I was looking for.  The tiered side table may appear modern with it's metal trim, but paired with a bouquet of flowers and antique bottles on the bottom tier-and it became both chic and country.

Previously the floor in our living room was covered with beige carpet.  Our decision to change it was mostly due to having pet's.  We are so glad we did- because the warm tones of the wood-fit perfectly with our design style.  The rug was one of our most expensive purchases, but I just couldn't pass it up

.  The blue-grey/white tone combines the two design styles and really brings the room together. 

I also chose two glass tables as our coffee table in front of the couch. These are also trimmed in metal-but I think darker tone blends well with the other wood tones in the room, and provides a more 'rustic' feel.

Another glass table (same style as the coffee tables)-sits in front of the bay window.

 A few pictures and accessories and there you have it.  Our French Country Chic living room!

  I realized, quite by accident, that this was my design style-after  seeing pictures on Pinterest describing French country/chic.French country design is inspired by the colors of nature-like soft blues, greens and gold. The combination of distressed wood and rustic metal are key factors in this design style. Chic design is simple, yet elegant.  It is both minimalistic and classic.  Thanks to that one piece of furniture- we have combined the two styles and our home finally feels like 'our' home.

I look forward to sharing more of my design style in up and coming guest posts.  Please check out my page on Mom (CD's) blog, whenever you stop by.

*** A special thanks to Rachael from the blog, Tattered Lantern.  She was so great to work with and I will definitely be purchasing other pieces from her in the future.  I encourage you to check out her blog-though she has been busy with her move to southern Utah, she promises to have more 'unique' and beautiful pieces available in the Spring!