French Country Style

Grand Country Kitchen

Glass-fronted cabinets and a pale green colour palette create a bright and airy atmosphere.

In this farmhouse-style kitchen, ceilings are a soaring 16' high. A large table in the center of the room can seat up to six, or be used as an island for additional workspace. Painted floors and painted wood furniture lend a light, fresh feeling. Glass-fronted cabinets and a pale green colour palette create a bright and airy atmosphere.

Spacious Blue Kitchen

A Swedish grey-blue shade is the perfect colour to complement warm wood tones.

Walls are covered in beadboard panelling for a classic rural look. The original spruce floor is stained ebony and finished in glossy lacquer to create contrast.

White & Weathered Kitchen

An old antler trophy and a row of porcelain glove models reveal a sense of humour.

Cabinets crafted from salvaged clapboard are appropriately rough-hewn in this country space. Vintage-style appliances and accessories add nostalgic appeal.

Provence-Inspired Study

Patterns, furniture and paint colour come together in a quintessentially French space.

A single decorative theme unites every corner of this cosy guest bedroom: the walls are upholstered in an Egyptian-motif toile designed in the first Empire and the desk is a period Empire secrétaire. Mirrored French doors adjacent to the window reflect light throughout the room.

Stately Dining Room

Panelling, high ceilings and a collection of antiques inject a sense of history into this space.

The painted wood table and chairs enhance the lightness of this dining room, while classic gingham seat upholstery lends a casual note. The table expands to seat up to 20 guests, creating the perfect space for grand dinner parties.

Grand Farmhouse Kitchen

This warm and inviting cooking area beckons with a casual aesthetic and time-worn materials.

Old is new again in this rustic kitchen, which offers a great backdrop for salvaged architectural items. Here, reclaimed hexagonal terracotta floor tiles from France create a striking backsplash with texture and patina.

Serene Blue Dining Room

A muted monochromatic palette allows the food to take centre stage.

In this country-style dining area, pretty white flora mimics the delicate pattern in the wallpaper. A weathered wood cabinet with louvered doors and mismatched chairs add character while keeping the space casual.

Authentic Country Dining Room

A splash of red adds a pretty pop of colour in this rustic space.

Gingham-upholstered chairs with nailhead trim add a youthful touch to this country space. A pared-down iron chandelier sits over a large, unadorned dining table, while exposed wood beams and weathered floors offer old world appeal.

Old World Charm

Accessories give this space a timeworn and well-loved look.

A vintage-looking French La Cornue stove is at the heart of this grand kitchen. Custom oak cabinets, a marble countertop and a pressed-metal ceiling complete the design, resembling a busy chateau.

Rustic French Kitchen Decor

Custom cabinetry and antique finds restore this kitchen to its 19th-century glory.

The homeowners were able to add square footage to this space by removing false walls and ceilings, uncovering the original stone wall and wooden ceiling in the process. Leaving a space between the tops of the cabinets and the coffered ceiling creates the illusion of extra height, a feeling that is furthered by mounting the island on feet instead of on the floor. The practical wood-look ceramic floor tiles complement the dark wood, and feel authentically French. Antique windows from a neighbouring town enhance the historical feeling.

Classic Parisian Look

Play up warm wood tones with a light ceiling, neutral paint or wallpaper and soft lighting.

Don't cover up classic hardwood if you want to channel a traditional and formal style — herringbone is far too beautiful to lay a rug over.

Toile Guest Bedroom

Luxurious curtains, wall-to-wall carpet and a bouquet of fresh flowers add warmth.

Honey-toned toile de Jouy on the walls, dental moulding, patterned bedding, and vintage furniture add a touch of French class in this cosy guest bedroom in Luce Gayrard's North Hatley weekend retreat.

Traditional Dining Room

Pedigreed furniture mixes with personal touches.

An oversized crystal chandelier and ceiling medallion set a traditional tone in this light and airy dining room. Dining chairs covered in honey-coloured velvet and a matelassé coverlet, used as a tablecloth, add to the luxe vibe.

Parisian Salon Style

In this grand room, the palette and structure shine.

Soft creams and blue-greens set the stage for a two-sided fireplace — an architectural focal point in the already stately room. Completing the mood are formal accessories, like the urns on the mantel, gold Chippendale mirror and formal silk drapes.

Decorative Sitting Room

Romantic floral fabrics, ornate mirrors and French doors contrast with a bold Picasso painting.

"This is the quintessential country in the city expression — a dream really," says Nicky Haslam, principal and founder of NH Design. "The wall colour is particularly good, it’s a bit old white, a bit lavender, a bit griege — one of those hard to describe metamorphic paint colours that don’t dominate, but are uplifting.