10 Tips for a Soothing French Country Nursery
Joyous but restful, soft French country style is a natural choice for baby's bedroom
When you think of French style, the relaxed look of French country often springs to mind: soft, romantic, comfortable and inviting. The look has bohemian undertones; the furniture tends to be antique or reflect older styles. It is characterized by light, airy colors and a mixture of soft, natural, breathable fabrics. This calming palette of soft colors and materials has become popular for nurseries, particularly for its ability to be gender neutral. Take a look at the delicate spaces below and use the ideas to re-create this look for your little one.
1. Mix in French linens. Add some texture by upholstering a French country Louis XV–style armchair with neutral linen, with a contrasting white framework. Create a gender-neutral space by mirroring the same beige neutrals in other decorative elements around the room — such as rugs, paint, bedding and artwork.
2. Use a vintage changing table. A vintage or antique dresser can be a place to change baby's diaper on as well as give you much-needed storage. Make sure the height feels right for both you and your partner. You don't want a bad back from bending too low, and something too high means you won't have control of that wiggly baby! Also make sure you have enough space for a changing pad and for wipes and creams within easy reach.
Paint the dresser white or soft gray to keep the scheme fresh and neutral.
Paint the dresser white or soft gray to keep the scheme fresh and neutral.
3. Find an antique-style crib. See if you can hunt down an antique-style crib. Although it's tempting to search for a secondhand crib or use a family heirloom, it's probably safer for baby to buy a new reproduction. However, feel free to select antiques for other pieces of furniture, such as dressers, bookcases and rocking chairs.
4. Hang a billowing canopy. These sweet canopies look so very French and have a soft, delicate feel. Use a sheer fabric and make sure you take the canopy all the way to the ceiling to create height.
5. Add a little French vocabulary to your walls. Using decals or paint, create a personal and touching message in French on your nursery's walls. When your little one grows older and asks what it says, he or she will feel the love.
6. Include a chandelier and bell jars. A pretty white chandelier makes a great finishing touch in any French-style room. This one feels particularly appropriate for a nursery, with its small white birds.
Simple glass bell jars are pretty on their own, or you can display something meaningful under them. These ones are high up, safely out of baby's way.
Simple glass bell jars are pretty on their own, or you can display something meaningful under them. These ones are high up, safely out of baby's way.
7. Hang a vintage-style mirror. Buy a new one or spend a little time hunting for something original at a flea market. I love antique glass mirrors that have a worn, aged patina. If you can't find a true vintage one, try something from a company that specializes in reproductions.
8. Consider an iron four-poster crib. This four-poster iron crib adds a regal touch to the nursery. You can stick to dark iron like this, or something painted white would work just as well. Restoration Hardware carries iron cribs in more distressed finishes. Match the ironwork to light fixtures to pull the look together.
9. Add pretty decorative touches. Display delicate floral pictures, a feminine lamp, a decorative mirror, vintage photographs or an antique doll on a dresser or shelf.
10. Use a traditional rug in a modern color. Hunt down a traditional Persian-style rug in a modern neutral color, like this chalky gray. The pale colors soften the overall look, but the rug still has a traditional finish.
Use the colors and shades from the rug to build the color palette for the rest of the room. This gray rug would work with any washed-out pastel colors, from blues and pinks to lemons and lilacs. For something more gender neutral, stick with grays or beige tones.
Use the colors and shades from the rug to build the color palette for the rest of the room. This gray rug would work with any washed-out pastel colors, from blues and pinks to lemons and lilacs. For something more gender neutral, stick with grays or beige tones.