5 Reno Ideas to Steal From the French
Explore some common renovating tricks loved by the Gallic race, and see how you could make them work at home
I’m a French native living in Australia and find it endlessly fascinating to put my two countries side by side to compare them – neither stands head and shoulders above the other and I love them both but there is much each could learn from the other. Today I explore five things the French often do when they renovate – you might like to consider some of them for your next renovation!
If you think you are going to stay in your home for a few years, why not lean away from the neutrals-everywhere scheme and embrace colour? If you are unsure, maybe only commit to reversible items – things that you could change at a reasonable cost such as paint, wallpaper or a splashback.
There’s no need to limit yourself to living areas. Strong colours can work in any room, even in wet rooms where white often rules. Just make sure your room gets lots of natural light or it could look gloomy.
If you don’t feel too daring but are still tempted to embrace bold colours, why not start with a small enclosed room, such as a walk-in robe or toilet? Such spaces are often given little thought, but jazzing them up could really boost your mood – and your colour confidence.
How to be truly confident with colour
If you don’t feel too daring but are still tempted to embrace bold colours, why not start with a small enclosed room, such as a walk-in robe or toilet? Such spaces are often given little thought, but jazzing them up could really boost your mood – and your colour confidence.
How to be truly confident with colour
2. Adopt an open-yet-not-open-plan living approach
Open-plan living has been ruling the world of interiors for a few years, yet it doesn’t work for everyone. Not everyone enjoys sharing the same living space as kitchen appliances. Not everyone enjoys kitchen smells – and noise – while trying to practice the piano, watch TV or simply have a chat with guests on the nearby sofa. Not everyone enjoys not being able to comfortably cool down or heat up their living space without breaking the bank (and our planet).
Open-plan living has been ruling the world of interiors for a few years, yet it doesn’t work for everyone. Not everyone enjoys sharing the same living space as kitchen appliances. Not everyone enjoys kitchen smells – and noise – while trying to practice the piano, watch TV or simply have a chat with guests on the nearby sofa. Not everyone enjoys not being able to comfortably cool down or heat up their living space without breaking the bank (and our planet).
For the last few years, the French have been crazy about ‘verrieres’ – glass partitions that create a sense of open space and allow light to go through, but which also provide the possibility of closing off some areas when necessary.
It is not a new concept – in fact, verrieres were very popular in industrial settings of the early 20th century, and they can be found in countless public and private buildings throughout Paris and France.
It is not a new concept – in fact, verrieres were very popular in industrial settings of the early 20th century, and they can be found in countless public and private buildings throughout Paris and France.
Today, they are loved for their practicality as much as their cosmetic value – and indeed can create an interesting architectural focal point in an otherwise generic room.
Verrieres are also a great option when dealing with a load-bearing wall. Because they don’t require the entire wall to be taken down, they can be more cost effective than a full wall removal.
Verrieres are also a great option when dealing with a load-bearing wall. Because they don’t require the entire wall to be taken down, they can be more cost effective than a full wall removal.
3. Love your nooks and crannies
Limited (and often awkward) spaces in old French interiors call for resourcefulness. Many older Australian homes have a serious lack of storage too, as well as uneven walls, unlevelled floors and other quirks that make standard storage solutions a bit of a challenge.
Limited (and often awkward) spaces in old French interiors call for resourcefulness. Many older Australian homes have a serious lack of storage too, as well as uneven walls, unlevelled floors and other quirks that make standard storage solutions a bit of a challenge.
Take a good honest look around your home. Can you spot any unused area where a few shelves could fit? Or maybe some shallow kitchen cabinets could fit in that space under your window? What about adding a small bookcase under your kitchen island?
If it looks a little too wonky and you are after a minimalist style, you might want to choose a finish that is similar to your wall colour, so the storage blends in better. However, for a quirkier appeal, don’t hesitate to embrace the not-quite-right. Using a different colour to outline its irregularity is a perfect way to achieve this.
11 creative storage solutions
If it looks a little too wonky and you are after a minimalist style, you might want to choose a finish that is similar to your wall colour, so the storage blends in better. However, for a quirkier appeal, don’t hesitate to embrace the not-quite-right. Using a different colour to outline its irregularity is a perfect way to achieve this.
11 creative storage solutions
4. Let there be light
Natural light can be a bit of a rare occurrence, depending on the French region. Yet Frenchies are crazy for natural light, and for all the right reasons. It boosts mood and metabolism, and it makes any space look larger, cleaner, healthier and more beautiful too. But what do you do when you have a dark house and can’t create a new window because of council regulations or sharing a wall with the neighbour? Look up!
Natural light can be a bit of a rare occurrence, depending on the French region. Yet Frenchies are crazy for natural light, and for all the right reasons. It boosts mood and metabolism, and it makes any space look larger, cleaner, healthier and more beautiful too. But what do you do when you have a dark house and can’t create a new window because of council regulations or sharing a wall with the neighbour? Look up!
Skylights and roof windows have been popular in France for more than 50 years. As the French started converting their attics to create additional living/sleeping space or individual apartments, the need for roof windows has increased exponentially. Today, skylights and roof windows are present in a variety of dwelling types and come with many options: double or triple glazing for insulation, fitted roller shutter or block-out curtains, electric, manual, solar-powered or fixed panels.
The glorious benefits of skylights
The glorious benefits of skylights
Two-storey home? Glass floors may be an option for you (check with a good builder). This way you get some of the light from your upper storey and an impression of a larger space too.
When artificial light is required, the French love using dramatic fixtures that will add some oomph to their space, like this amazing pendant by Petite Friture.
5. Better call soul
When it comes to renovating –especially when it comes to old buildings – the French love mixing character features with contemporary lines and materials. To them, that’s what gives a home its uniqueness, its soul.
When it comes to renovating –especially when it comes to old buildings – the French love mixing character features with contemporary lines and materials. To them, that’s what gives a home its uniqueness, its soul.
In this kitchen, as an example, the rustic stone wall works beautifully with the minimalist oak cabinets, the white render and the matt concrete floors.
You don’t have to have a very old house to enhance its natural beauty. Sometimes, you can add some character and authenticity by revealing (or not hiding) some of its structural aspects.
Here, a brick wall has been left exposed. The whitewashing allows for it to integrate well within the room (reducing what could have been visual clutter), but the texture and subtle pattern of the bricks add interest and charm.
Here, a brick wall has been left exposed. The whitewashing allows for it to integrate well within the room (reducing what could have been visual clutter), but the texture and subtle pattern of the bricks add interest and charm.
Alternatively, you can opt for materials, finishes or techniques that do create an imperfect look.
Although fairly new to Australia and still not well known, lime paints, polished plaster, and tadelakt (Moroccan lime plaster) have been used for centuries around the world and are very popular in France. They are wonderful options for an organic look that works equally well in traditional and contemporary homes.
TELL US
What do you think of these French renovating trends; would they work well in Aussie homes?Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Although fairly new to Australia and still not well known, lime paints, polished plaster, and tadelakt (Moroccan lime plaster) have been used for centuries around the world and are very popular in France. They are wonderful options for an organic look that works equally well in traditional and contemporary homes.
TELL US
What do you think of these French renovating trends; would they work well in Aussie homes?Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
French Houzz: Explore a Superb Medieval Cottage in Aquitaine
French Houzz: A Garden Fit for a 15th-Century Normandy Manor
French Houzz: Tour a Bright and Beautiful Converted Rectory Retreat
Flipping houses is not really a French thing. When we buy a property, it’s often with a long-term view, and we see renovating as a way to put our stamp on the property, to make it our home. As a result, we don’t renovate and decorate with a ‘market’ approach – we want to make ourselves happy and we don’t really care about a potential buyer. Not surprisingly, this often translates into more individual spaces where strong colours are applied generously.