Provençe Panache: Décor Tips for Embracing Southern French Style

1. The essence of southern French style

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Postcard-perfect villages, fertile vineyards, fields of scented lavender and verdant, rolling hills bring an undeniably romantic quality to the southern French countryside – which echoes through Provençal décor. Typified by rustic elegance, a warm, inviting palette and a focus on natural materials, southern French style honours the beauty of the surrounding landscapes through subtly synonymous interior details. 

Step inside our latest Provençal home – part of the August Signature Collection – and you will find an ode to warm sun, flower-filled fields and classical French romanticism. Read on, and discover how to capture the mood in your own home. 

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2. A Provençal palette

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Inspired by the mellow Mediterranean climate, our Rivieran home is bathed in soft, sun-bleached hues, from the walls and flooring to the textiles. Recreate the atmosphere in your own home by amplifying natural light and creating a sense of bright spaciousness with crisp-white walls. Then, add accents of ecru, oatmeal and sage, subtly punctuated with faded florals, to nod to the captivating vistas of the Côte d’Azur. 

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3. The perfect French antiques

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Quintessential vintage pieces lend authenticity to Provençal-inspired interiors. Less is often more, however. Step into the master suite of our sublime home, Les Virettes, and – aside from the breathtaking view – your eye is captured by a beautiful antique French wardrobe, hand-carved with a floral motif. Making your way into the spacious living room, a generous antique dining table in rustic, dark wood invites entertainment, while vintage gold wire pendant lights infuse the space with a warm ambience.      

We carefully source our French antiques from a trusted dealer in northern France, complementing them with vintage-inspired and contemporary pieces for comfort and balance. A few statement pieces to sit alongside modern furnishings will effortlessly enhance your Provençal décor. ‍

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4. Sumptuous southern French textiles

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Linen and cotton are a mainstay of Provençal décor – their tactility and lightness accentuating the rustic charm embodied by southern French style. Throughout Les Virettes, we have dressed the spaces with textural pastel and floral Toile de Jouy fabrics, to echo the romance of the landscape and invite homeowners to nestle. Rustic woollen rugs and coarse seagrass carpets reference the natural beauty of the setting, while cushions embroidered with dainty botanicals nod to the famous flower fields of Tourrettes-sur-Loup.  

Embrace French country style in your own home with tactile, natural fabrics and pretty pastel accents illustrated with blooms.  

5. The mood of lighting 

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Provençal décor centres warmth and light – a sonnet to the southern French sun. Blessed with floor-to-ceiling windows and a south-westerly orientation, our French Riviera home is awash with light for most of the day, emphasised by clean, white walls and natural flooring. If you have a less light-abundant space, illuminate it with diaphanous curtains and a crisp palette that capture every drop of sunlight.    

As evening draws in, channel a soft, romantic mood with warm lighting that echoes the golden sunsets of the Côte d’Azur.

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6. A coalescence between interior and exterior

Al fresco evenings hosted against a backdrop of heart-stopping views are a virtue of Provençal life and an asset of many of our homes. Les Virettes commands one of the most breathtaking vistas of any August abode, which we celebrated through clever, harmonious design.

A continuation of natural tiled flooring creates a seamless coalescence between the spacious interiors and sprawling terraces of the villa, while mirrored indoor and outdoor dining areas merge the two worlds – inviting the landscape in and drawing cosiness and comfort out. The finishing touch, archetypal southern French-style shuttered windows, were updated with a gentle green hue to reflect the pastoral palette without distracting from the view beyond.

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There is an undeniable allure to southern French style that makes it an enduring source of home décor inspiration. Capture the classical romanticism of the Provençal interior in your own home. Or, better still, discover an August Collection, and immerse yourself in the idyllic French country lifestyle and much more. 

Own a Signature, Premium or Prime Collection and unlock the European dream, with beautifully renovated homes in the Côte d’Azur, the French Alps, Tuscany, Mallorca and the Cotswolds. You have never been closer to immersing yourself in some of Europe’s most enviable lifestyles. Schedule a call with an August Advisor today and take the first step in your multi-homeownership journey.

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