8 French Farmhouse Dining Rooms Worth Lingering In
Airily romantic or casual and cozy, these French farmhouse–style spaces encourage the art of leisurely dining
The French love high-quality dining — but the quality doesn't start and finish just with the food; it's about the whole dining experience. Long, leisurely meals are designed for spending time over good food and wine with family, friends and their children. My mother's side of the family is French, and my parents tell stories of meals in France of eight or 10 small courses over a span of five hours or so.
You may or may not buy into the more leisurely eating pace of the French, but you can't resist the informal charm of the French farmhouse dining room style. Lovely rustic farmhouse dining tables and linens, pretty wild flowers gathered from the garden and informal mismatched plates and bowls have a wonderfully casual and romantic feel.
Take a look at these French farmhouse–style dining areas to inspire your own delicious new dining experience at home — maybe you'll want to linger a little longer.
You may or may not buy into the more leisurely eating pace of the French, but you can't resist the informal charm of the French farmhouse dining room style. Lovely rustic farmhouse dining tables and linens, pretty wild flowers gathered from the garden and informal mismatched plates and bowls have a wonderfully casual and romantic feel.
Take a look at these French farmhouse–style dining areas to inspire your own delicious new dining experience at home — maybe you'll want to linger a little longer.
Bright and airy with antique-style accessories. French style often includes an antique or two, or more affordable Provençal-style chairs like these. Paint them fresh white for a classic look or have fun and use a more modern color. A simple, delicate crystal and iron chandelier always adds a touch of glamour to a rustic space. This weathered grandfather clock (although more Swedish than French in style) adds to the rustic charm.
I love this simple table setting that uses coffee cups as little vases. Purple is very typical in French florals — try mixing lavender with yellow daffodils.
To keep everything bright and airy, paint the walls white. Flood the room with natural light by using simple white sheers and prop up an oversize mirror to help bounce light around the room.
I love this simple table setting that uses coffee cups as little vases. Purple is very typical in French florals — try mixing lavender with yellow daffodils.
To keep everything bright and airy, paint the walls white. Flood the room with natural light by using simple white sheers and prop up an oversize mirror to help bounce light around the room.
Warm, earthy tones. For a more sophisticated feel, use a palette of warm, earthy tones. This room just wants to hug you.
Banquettes are a great way to mix up dining seating, and they can help you squeeze in just one more aunt or uncle at the table.
Simple linen seat covers in muddy colors add texture. Add some organic patterned throw pillows for a more comfortable seat and freshen the space with some unfussy green flower arrangements in terra-cotta pots.
Banquettes are a great way to mix up dining seating, and they can help you squeeze in just one more aunt or uncle at the table.
Simple linen seat covers in muddy colors add texture. Add some organic patterned throw pillows for a more comfortable seat and freshen the space with some unfussy green flower arrangements in terra-cotta pots.
Fresh and eclectic. Try a mismatched flea market style for something collected and relaxed. Paint the walls a soft gray and keep the trim clean and white. Paint wooden chairs in a washed-out color (such as this distressed sage green) and display collected trinkets and flea market finds around the room. Display pretty vintage seltzer bottles in colored glass with drinking glasses on a simple tray, ready for an informal afternoon drink.
If you have soft furnishings, help them blend into your scheme by covering them in white sheets, and throw in a burlap accent pillow or two.
If you have soft furnishings, help them blend into your scheme by covering them in white sheets, and throw in a burlap accent pillow or two.
Use soft shades of lavender. Create your own purple haze of Provence lavender fields by placing simple purple flower stems in antique lavender glass bottles. Take it a step further by infusing sparkling water (Perrier of course!) with rich purple berries, such as blueberries or blackberries.
Keep it simple and unfussy. This room is simple and unfussy — the epitome of French farmhouse style. Re-create this look by using a palette of white and biscuit, then stick to the basics.
Keep materials down to a minimum — try a table setting with white crockery and linens, white candlesticks in pewter candelabra or single candlesticks and a galvanized jug to hold simple white flowers
Keep materials down to a minimum — try a table setting with white crockery and linens, white candlesticks in pewter candelabra or single candlesticks and a galvanized jug to hold simple white flowers
Red and white gingham checks. With natural green walls, red and white gingham can create a very typical French café look. This is a nice, cozy color scheme for a relaxing evening meal.
Aim for a palette of red and white checkered fabrics for your curtains or blinds, natural pine country-style tables and chairs, and seat covers in striped red, green and cream fabric. I love these French-style cockerel pillows, too.
Look for paintings or pictures of fruit — like these red apples — and a classic black and white clock. A bowl of real fruit is also very welcoming. Last but not least, add a vase of bright yellow flowers, such as sunflowers, as a final bright touch.
Aim for a palette of red and white checkered fabrics for your curtains or blinds, natural pine country-style tables and chairs, and seat covers in striped red, green and cream fabric. I love these French-style cockerel pillows, too.
Look for paintings or pictures of fruit — like these red apples — and a classic black and white clock. A bowl of real fruit is also very welcoming. Last but not least, add a vase of bright yellow flowers, such as sunflowers, as a final bright touch.
Layer white on white on white. Lots of white on white really brightens up any space. Start by whitewashing all your walls and furniture. Then layer white textiles, plates, linens and seat covers. Display a collection of white crockery in open cabinets and soft-color flowers — like these pale pink hydrangeas — in a white enamel jug for a rustic finishing touch.
More:
8 Elements of a Farmhouse Kitchen
More:
8 Elements of a Farmhouse Kitchen
Continue the shades of blue around the room with blue and white floral drapery, cabinets in soft shades of blue and artwork using blues. Add some warmth with natural woods.
Add nice finishing touches to your table with metal chasers under plates, simple pieces of fruit and a jar of mixed wildflowers.