The interior design is created by the details. It is difficult to imagine a romantic and cozy Provence style without soft, diffused light that fills the space of the whole room. And a special highlight in the decor of such a room will certainly be a chandelier - forged, stained glass, textile, decorated with delicate flowers or ruffles. There certainly is a place for fantasy to roam, you just need to take into account a few subtleties and nuances when choosing it.
Features of the
The style originated in the southeast of France, where people tired of the city bustle and prim classics began to decorate their homes with charming simplicity and naturalness, inspired by the measured rural life and picturesque nature. The Provencal interior reflects well the spirit of an old French village. Immediately appear endless lavender fields, fertile olive plantations, green expanses of meadows, blue rivers and warm sun.
Nowadays, this style has retained its relevance and is readily preferred by connoisseurs of natural simplicity, tranquility and provincial flavor.
Distinctive features of Provence design:
- The use of natural materials.
- Calm pastel colors.
- Floral ornaments.
- An abundance of light.
- Vintage and antique details.
- Decor elements made by hand.
- Typical textiles and textile decorations (bedspreads, tablecloths, curtains with lace, ruffles, embroidery, frills).
- Open shelves and racks.
- The presence of ikebanas, bouquets, houseplants in the interior.
Modern "Provence" in the interior is similar to the styles of "country" and "Tiffany" and is successfully combined with them. The main thing is to preserve simplicity and provincial traditions. When choosing a chandelier, it is important to remember that luxury and pomp are inappropriate here.
Views
Chandeliers in the Provencal style, like any others, are divided into two types: pendant and ceiling. Suspended ones consist of one or more shades attached to a special hook installed in the ceiling using a chain, cord or string. The length of the cord can be adjusted at will, and the place where the wires are connected is hidden by a decorative plate. The suspended type of structure is usually used in large rooms with high ceilings.
In rooms with low ceilings, ceiling chandeliers are often installed. They are mounted directly to the ceiling, with the help of a strip fixed to them. Typically, ceiling chandeliers are glass, fabric, metal or plastic shades. The brightness of the lighting directly depends on the transparency of the plafond. Such a compact option would be an excellent solution for small spaces.
Wall, floor and table lamps are also used as additional light sources in the interior. They must be visually in harmony with the main chandelier.
Materials (edit)
Ceiling lamps combine several types of materials. For example, metal base, lace lampshade and crystal pendants. Chandelier bases in Provence style are usually made massive, a little rough.
In this case, a wide variety of materials can be used:
- Wood.
- Ceramics.
- Brass.
- Bronze.
- Forged and bent metal.
For the manufacture of the lamps and plafonds themselves use:
- The cloth.
- Stained glass.
- Porcelain.
- Ceramics.
A classic Provencal style chandelier - a forged metal frame, fabric shades with lace and ruffles, candle lamps, decor with floral motives. A stained glass chandelier can become the main color accent of a room, fill it with colors and set the mood for the entire interior.
Textile chandeliers bring special comfort and tenderness to the interior. Plafonds and lampshades for them are easy to make with your own hands. It can be hand-woven lace, embroidered or painted fabric, even ruffles simply sewn to the lampshade on their own. Such a decorative detail will carry a special warmth and, most importantly, it will definitely be in a single copy.
Dimensions (edit)
Choosing the size of the chandelier, of course, you need to rely on the characteristics and dimensions of the room. First of all, you need to take into account the height of the ceilings, the purpose of the room and the presence of additional light sources. The distance from the floor to the chandelier must be at least two meters.
The key is not the size of the chandelier, but the amount of light it gives. In spacious rooms, divided into different zones, two chandeliers are installed so that the lighting is uniform everywhere. You should not buy large multi-tiered chandeliers for small spaces. They will look bulky and visually reduce the room even more.
The best option would be to install a compact ceiling chandelier and several lamps in the work areas.
Colors
The traditional colors of Provence include lavender, olive, pale blue, lemon, straw, milky, powdery pink. A chandelier of muted natural shades will set the right mood and tone for the interior of the entire room. When choosing a chandelier, it is important to consider the color scheme of the entire room. The interior will be stylish only if all its details are harmoniously combined, all shades and bright accents complement each other.
The most common color scheme for Provencal-style chandeliers is a combination of neutral base shades with brighter ones.
Successful color combinations for Provence style chandeliers:
- White + pink.
- Black + olive.
- Milk + blue.
- Beige + lilac.
- White + green.
In various rooms
Each room in the house has its own characteristics, based on which lighting devices are selected:
In the kitchen every day the whole family gathers for a meal, it must certainly be filled with warming light and comfort. Above the dining table, you can place a solid wrought iron chandelier decorated with an aging effect. Candle-shaped bulbs will add even more warmth to the family hearth, and the decor in the form of a vine or olive branches in the kitchen will look very harmonious and appropriate. A chandelier in the form of a street lamp will also look original. Deliberate negligence, rough metal and wooden parts, chains are permissible here
For bedroom it is worth considering softer, romantic options for chandeliers and lamps. For example, a light chandelier decorated with delicate flowers made of pink or lavender porcelain. All kinds of textile lampshades embroidered with fringe, ruffles and frills will be appropriate here
In the living room, if space permits, you can hang a large chandelier with several arms. Numerous crystal pendants and forged leaves can be used as decor. If the living room is divided into different zones, you can use floor lamps, wall sconces and table lamps in the Provence style
Children's room can be decorated with a stained glass chandelier, it will look bright and unusual. Chandeliers in the form of a bird cage decorated with flowering branches will look very interesting
How to choose?
Key parameters to consider when choosing a chandelier:
- Style. When buying a chandelier for a particular room, you need to take into account its style orientation (in our case, it is the French "Provence"), color scheme, combination with other interior items.
- The size. As a rule, the dimensions of the purchased chandelier directly depend on the area of the room. Estimate the dimensions of the room and, depending on them, choose a classic or ceiling chandelier.
- Power and specifications. Calculate what is the approximate distance the chandelier will have to illuminate, whether it is worth choosing it for several lamps or using additional lamps. It will be useful to pay attention to energy consumption (give preference to more economical models) and the type of lamps used (incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, LED).
- Room dependence. Consider how convenient it will be to use a particular model in a particular room. For example, a wrought-iron chandelier is perfect for a kitchen, because it is very easy to wipe off dust or wash it. Textile shades and unusual lampshades in the kitchen will quickly get dirty, and it is much more difficult to care for them. The choice of a chandelier for the bathroom should also be given special attention, not every model can withstand high humidity.
How to paint?
There are situations when a chandelier suitable in style and design is already available, but it does not at all fit into the color scheme of the room. With the right painting, you can give the chandelier new life and enjoy the stylish handcrafted interior details.
For self-painting the chandelier, you must prepare:
- Gloves and respirator.
- Acrylic paints of the desired colors (it is most convenient to use those in aerosol cans).
- Colorless acrylic varnish.
- Primer.
- Degreasing agent (solvent, alcohol, kerosene, etc.).
- Masking tape.
- Screwdrivers.
Prepare your work area in advance, ideally outdoors. Cover the floor with foil or paper, stretch the rope so that you can hang the chandelier while working.
Operating procedure:
- Unscrew the bulbs, use screwdrivers to remove all removable parts. Cover parts that do not need to be painted with masking tape.
- Clean the chandelier from dust and dirt, treat with a degreaser.
- Treat the surface with a primer.
- Paint from an aerosol can, from top to bottom, in 2-3 coats. Each layer must be allowed to dry before applying the next one.
- Apply clear varnish over the dried paint. This will preserve its original color for a long time, add shine and protect it from scratches.
- After making sure that the paint and varnish are completely dry, remove the tape from the closed parts, attach the removed parts of the bulb. The chandelier in the new color is now ready for installation.
Interior options
Chandeliers-lanterns harmoniously fit into the provincial style of a log country house with a solid solid wood kitchen and noble shades of olive. It would seem that they are rude and intended for the street, but here it looks very appropriate. Their soft light above the dining area fills the entire room with coziness and symbolizes the warmth of the hearth.
A classic Provencal-style living room - spacious, light, with large windows, vases with fresh bouquets of flowers and traditional floral patterns on textiles. In the center of this room is a stunning multi-tiered chandelier in milky color. Delicate candle lamps and iridescent crystal pendants fill the space with the spirit of French romanticism.
The highlight of such a fashionable living room is a beautiful textile lampshade in a delicate pistachio color. This chandelier is decorated with a laconic metal weave in the color of antique gold. Dine under the light of such a chandelier, for sure you experience a special pleasure!
For more information on Provence lighting, see the next video.