Provincial

The provincial style of home design originated in the French provinces of Normandy, Brittany, and Provence in the 1600s. These regional areas were known for their aristocratic style of country homes, which were characterized by their brick and stone facades, steeply pitched roofs, and arched windows. Over time, the Australian French Provincial style has evolved to incorporate the best features of these traditional design elements, resulting in beautiful street-scapes and interior design.

To create a provincial-style home, it is important to blend modern and rustic elements cohesively. This can be achieved through the use of natural materials such as wood and stone, as well as traditional architectural elements like exposed beams and intricate woodworking. By embracing the history and traditions of the provincial style, you can create a warm and inviting space that is both modern and timeless.

The Top 12 Design Elements in a French Provincial Home

Rendered Walls

Typically in grey tones, rendered (plastered) walls to the exterior provide clean textures that allow the architectural features to be even more pronounced.

Corbels and Mouldings

Often found under the eaves line skirting the entire home and surrounding windows and door frames, corbels and mouldings become design highlights.

Dark Roof Tiles

Capping on each home are dark roof tiles, often with flat profiles that also enhance a minimalist roof line. The dark tiles complement the light grey render and white corbel architecture.

Wrought Iron

Ranging from plain square styles to ornate curved balustrades on Juliette balconies, the black wrought iron balustrades are commonly included on the facade (though not always), however almost always internally on the stairwell and void areas with a capped timber handrail.

Roof Gables

It's common for brick gables to extend above the eaves line, either in a square or curved fashion making an entry portico even more grand and inviting. Gables often give a country style to the design.

Rustic Wood

Timber flooring throughout the main living room zones adds to the flavour of a French provincial style. Often in warmer tones using straight, wider boards or parquetry design. The flooring is also often complimented throughout the home with wooden rustic and antique furniture.

Natural Colour Tones

Simple contrasting colour schemes are most common, without any splashes of unnecessary colour. Whites, greys and blacks make for clean styles but creams can also be utilised instead of grey. Gold highlights on picture frames, mirrors and decorative art fit beautifully with the earthen tones throughout the home.

Carved Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is often the hub of the home so it's important to carry a French Provincial interior design style here too. This is often described as country style or farmhouse and is popular in country homes. Typically most will include carved cabinet doors, stone benchtops and an island bench that is often on legs or with corner columns. Don't be afraid to include timber elements here too as a timber benchtop on the island bench works very nicely.

2PAC Paint

If you're not restricted by budget, a 2PAC (two-pack) paint finish on the French provincial kitchen cabinets and doors provides a premium finish that is easily differentiated from vinyl or laminate. This is a popular choice in both Hamptons style and French Provincial.

Stone Flooring

A feature that is often seen is a section of stone flooring in the kitchen area, replacing the timber floors. This can create a design outline for the kitchen zone and will often match the colour and texture of the stone benchtops. 

Pendant lighting

Black or gold pendant lighting in central positions of living rooms or above the island benchtop in the kitchen adds to the French Provincial flavour and provides as much aesthetic as function use. Downlights are still used throughout the home, with the pendant light fittings being a feature.

Doors & Windows

It almost goes without saying, but French provincial doors are a must and often used externally and internally with either 8 or 10 panels of glass. Glazing bars on external windows can be fully timber or stuck on aluminium.

The Floor Plan

A French Provincial floor plan typically features a large, open-concept living space with high ceilings and exposed wooden beams. The kitchen is often located at the heart of the home and may include a large island for entertaining. The bedrooms are typically spacious and may include en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets. Some French Provincial floor plans may also include formal dining and living rooms, as well as a home office or library

A bold, elegant, Provincial home. Discover the Ascot.

While the traditional French Provincial aesthetic evolved from 17th and 18th century farmhouses, our Ascot home has a ‘Modern Provincial’ feel.

“Pattern timber flooring is a key feature of a Provincial home, as are a statement kitchen and kitchen island,” says Nick Rawson, one of Hall & Hart Founders and Directors. “While that’s brought to life in the Ascot through features such as blonde oak flooring laid in herringbone, the design is updated by modern features such as square-set ceiling junctions and Bankston Berlin door furnishings.”

Coffered or exposed beam ceilings add the French Provincial feel, as do wrought iron balustrades and the colonial bar windows. The look is completed by natural stone and timber finishes, for a spectacular home.

Discover the Ascot.