Simple French Country Dining Room
A formal French country dining room embodies a charm and rustic elegance with neutrals, wood tones, and a peony centerpiece.
I always have visions of summer being the simplest season: no school, less commitments, a little vacation… but the reality with four kids and 100 degree heat doesn’t always fit that ideal. 😉
I’m excited to join my friend Krista from The Happy Housie for Seasonal Simplicity again, though, and hopefully to inspire you all with some sweet summer ideas and inspiration.
Simple Summer Decorating
Declutter
This room doubles as our schoolroom and the dining table as our desk. So it needed a serious clean out to mark the end of the year. Getting rid of the clutter leaves the space feeling so open and fresh! And a tip: sideboards make wonderful hidden storage. Our china cabinet and hutch holds dishes and decorative elements above for visual interest. While the drawers and cabinets below store our table linens and homeschool materials.
Shop the room
I usually shop the house, but I had so many pieces accumulated on my bar cart/buffet for some reason, that I managed to rearrange accents in our french dining room without even leaving the room. Definitely a time saver. 😉
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GET THE LOOK:
Add fresh flowers
I’ve actually never bought peonies before, but I spotted these at the grocery store and I’m SO glad I grabbed them! They’ve only grown more beautiful even since I photographed them for you. Even in just a simple Homegoods vase, I think they’re a showstopper.
French Country Style
As you probably know, French style holds a special place in my heart… but I have been especially inspired lately by my sweet friend’s new book. You can read all about it here if you love vintage French style, as well. And just for fun, I thought I’d break down the simple French country look in our dining space today, too. If you have rustic wooden beams and crystal chandeliers and stone walls and a large fireplace, then you’re set. But what if you don’t? How can you create a beautiful french country dining room?
French furniture
French country dining room furniture. This is an obvious one (and I inherited this set from my great grandmother and gave it a makeover, so I was set on that). But I replaced our antique dining chairs (which were rather delicate) with these casual cafe style chairs… And we love them! They’re perfect for our dining area.
Baskets
Create depth with texture, texture, texture. French country decor is pretty and functional! And the baskets can even double as artwork.
Simple accents
The “country” part of French country design is best embodied with simple accents: linen fabrics, a demijohn, a white pitcher, a basket as wall art… Natural materials of the French countryside. A few soft, subtle focal points.
Neutrals
This isn’t necessarily a feature of French country, but it’s my style of French country. And I think that’s equally important to any design: make it your own! Many color schemes can work with this cottage style.
But whatever you have going on this summer, I hope you’re able to embrace a little beauty.
As is often the case in my home, my dining room is a mixture of antiques, DIY projects, and new purchases.
vintage/antiques: dining room table (makeover tutorial here), bench with distressed finish, milk can
diy projects: white “boot box” in entry, Paris map wall art
I’ve linked the new purchases as well as many similar, shoppable items from the entire space below!
SHOP THE LOOK!
Absolutely gorgeous, as usual, Rachel! And I am totally dying over your little sweetie girl making a cameo appearance! She is darling! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Thank you, Abby! You, too!
You know what a fan I am of French country Rachel and your home is simple and so lovely! I’m a fan of your little one too, and she’s getting so big! xo
Thank you! I think she fits right in with her sweet neutral romper.
Beautiful, Rachel! I can imagine it feels great to clear out your dining room once the school year is “over” for summer! Such a beautiful, calm, character-full room. So glad you could join me on this tour series!
Thank you so much for having me, Krista!
Your dining room is just perfection! And that little model is so precious! 😉
Thank you, Laura! She loves to crash the photos. I couldn’t resist.
Stunning as always, Rachel and I loved your little lady making an appearance!! xo
Thank you! She’s quite a ham.
Decluttering is one of my favorite ways to refresh! Love your light and bright dining room Rachel! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now but did not know that you lived in Paris, so neat 🙂
We did and Paris very much influences our home. So glad you liked it!
Such a gorgeous room and I love all of your simple French touches. Of course, your little girl is the cutest decor of all!
Thank you! I happen to agree. 😉
Wonderful tips on getting the French Country look 😉 Look at your sweet girl! So adorable xx
Thank you, Danielle!
Rachel, the dining room looks so pretty! You know I love your perfect French Country style – it is SO up my alley, and you do it so well:)
Happy Summer to you and your family!
Sheila
xo
Thank you, Sheila! I loved your summer home too.
Your style and design is so inspirational. I so love the dining room floor color. What color is it? We’re about to get our floors stained Monday and I havent chosen a color. Can’t decide what color enhances the dark kitchen cabinets.
Thank you! You can read more about the flooring and color here, if that helps: https://aiweb9ygdry.cmersite.com/wide-plank-oak-floors/
Hi Rachel,
My favorite furniture is French Provincial and slowly I am finding pieces to fill my home. Your dining room is lovely and reminds me of my dining room. I, however, painted my table a teal blue. Painted professionally, the table provides a real punch.
The piece de resistance is the happy cherub. Precious!
Mother of another Rachel too!
You are so right– paint really makes a dramatic change! Thanks for your comment.
Love receiving your emails and love your decorating style. Granddaughter is oh so precious. I am in love with the wood floors in your dining room. Can you please share the info on wood type, company, etc?
Thanks a bunch and God Bless,
GB
Sure! You can more details about the flooring here: https://aiweb9ygdry.cmersite.com/wide-plank-oak-floors/
Your dining room is so relaxed and comfortable looking, really pretty. And made especially cute with that little one posing for the camera. Love those Turkish towels too.
Pat
Ha! Thank you for your kind words, Pat!
Your daughter is adorable! I just want to hug her! The dining room is superb!
Thank you, MaryJean! She’s a sweetie!
Absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing your beautiful space!
Thank you, Laura!
Hi Rachael,
My daughter recently bought a house and I showed her your blog. She likes the wall color in your dining room and was wondering if you would share what it was. Thanks
Thank you! It’s Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams. And she can find more on our paint colors and other details in our home here. I hope this helps!
Lovely family space, so light and welcoming. Love the white french country dining table with the polished wood top. It draws you in and makes you want to have a big family meal there. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Belle!