It’s easy to focus on design styles that surround you everyday, but sometimes it’s important to escape the norm and check out something new. So when my husband and I traveled to France for our honeymoon last month, I came back totally inspired. Here are 15 of my favorite interiors (and a few exteriors) that highlight the trends I noticed along the way.
1. Rattan – These giant pendants hung from the ceiling of the restaurant at Carrieres de Lumieres, an interactive art show displayed on the walls of a cave (Yes, it was as crazy as it sounds!). During our travels I noticed rattan used for everything from light fixtures to chairs to storage containers.
2. Repetition – Especially in odd numbers, repetition is pleasing to the eye – it provides a bold display that feels orderly and comfortable. I noticed it everywhere with hanging light fixtures, but there were a lot of repetitive objects too like this artificial taxidermy in the hallway of our AirBNB.
3. Mid-century modern – These chairs are similar to the iconic Eames Wire Chairs, lending a funky feel to the interior of Republique of Coffee in Paris’ 3rd arrondissement. That classic 1950’s feel was present in lots of different areas of France.
4. Pops of color, especially orange – Small pops of this muted orange could be found all over the place at Hotel Les Roches Rouges, a resort in the small coastal town of San Raphäel. We saw it throughout many other areas too, in brighter shades. Which brings me to my next image….
5. Color blocking – This garden space on the exterior of The Royal Antibes Hotel shows a lovely wall of bright orange combined with a white cement wall and wooden structural elements – which together created a fun color blocked look.
6. Reclaimed wood – Sure, this is popular here too… but doesn’t it make you feel good when your favorite trend is also happening in Paris? Oni Coffee Shop used it on the front of their counter, and we also saw it on accent walls and on ceilings.
7. Muted, natural elements – Wild, natural bouquets and worn surfaces were popular, bringing the outdoors inside, in a way. This pretty little table was in the lounge area of the restaurant at Les Roches Rouges.
8. Eye-catching floor tiles – Colorful floor tile gave Maison Geney in Marseille a playful vibe (not to mention the whimsical marquee arrow… so cute). There were tons of cool floor tiles in many of the bathrooms I visited as well 🙂
9. Hexagons – Hexagons were totally in style in France – on tile (see previous image), in wallpaper, in furniture design, etc. It has a geometric feel, but also a but organic like a beehive.
10. Detailed ceilings – Don’t forget to look up everywhere you go! This seems to be true in Europe in general. This particular one was at the ornately decorated Fontainebleau palace, but contemporary France has continued the tradition of paying attention to the ceiling (as you can see in the next image!).
11. Whimsical light fixtures – Bold light fixtures are a common sight, especially in Paris. These giant scalloped pendants draw you right inside. Smaller pendants in a similar shape echo the larger ones. Those French, they think of everything!
12. Interesting wallpaper – The bedroom in our AirBNB in Paris made the best of the small space by making it totally memorable with this unique wallpaper. These not-so-subtle accent walls or rooms were popular everywhere.
13. Mosaic tiles – Mosaics have been popular in France for centuries, and they’re still going strong. The floor of Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie was no exception. I also loved the deep blue green of the cushions which seemed to be popping up everywhere.
14. Impeccable exteriors – Many buildings throughout the country had these beautiful script signs on the exterior, along with well-maintained doors and interested door knockers.
15. Rounded furniture – The lobby of Les Roches Rouges had a beautiful combination of furniture with calming, rounded lines and muted colors, giving it a mid-century modern feel.
Have you been to France lately? Feel free to share any decor trends you noticed in the comments section below!
No offense, but these ideas (mcm, color blocking, wallpaper, etc.) are the same as every other curbly post. That’s fine but it’s misleading to label as something “new” discovered in Paris.
Leave it to the french to ride that line between understated and over the top. I wonder which of these trends will make their way over to the states!