The veranda is considered an integral part of any country house. It allows you to perfectly relax in unity with nature, while providing the necessary comfort and coziness. However, when it was erected, not many people think about the strict stylistic design of such a structure. The article discusses in detail all the advantages of a gazebo in styling, and also lists the main principles of its arrangement.

The main features of the Provence style

Provence is considered one of the most famous and common styles in modern gardening art, as well as design. Today it is used everywhere and is considered an ideal option for decorating country cottages and houses.

The style is aimed at combining pomp, luxury and romanticism, while ensuring rustic comfort with elements of country style. This trend was formed under the influence of the traditions of the south of France, which are designed to provide a person with coziness, comfort, as well as complete harmony and unity with the environment. At the same time, rely on stylistic solutions traditional for the Provence region that cannot be imagined without abundantly blooming gardens, the endless sea and lavender plantings.

That is why when arranging the veranda, furniture and other interior details are used only from natural materials, as well as prints with flowers and green plants, complemented by a variety of "antique" decor elements. For decoration use only wood (solid wood), brick, ceramics, copper, brass parts and natural fabrics.

Did you know? Provence as a style in design and art arose in the 17th century, on the territory of the region of the same name, located in the southeast of France. Its wide distribution around the world began around the beginning of the 19th century.

Registration of the closed and open type of verandas

The veranda, made in strict accordance with the basic concepts of French Provence, can be either closed or open. In this case, the erection and design of the structure in one and the other case has its own characteristics. And on this in the end result depends on the combination of various materials, as well as color schemes.

In almost any suburban area, open verandas are most advantageous to build from massive wooden beams. They will ideally fit into any landscape and interior, and will also present designs of special decorativeness. To decorate the beams, a variety of climbing plants or planters are used, planted with bright annual and perennial flowers. Comfort of this design will add light-colored furniture, as well as translucent tulle and curtains.

The design of closed structures is carried out according to the same principle as open, but with a small feature. Such structures are often closed from the natural environment using windows. The most advantageous in this case looks the widest possible glazing, with windows on the floor. At the same time, the doors can be deaf or have several glass inserts. To reduce the cost of construction, continuous glazing is alternated with inserts-limiters (moldings).

Important! Window and door hardware must be made in the antique style, while the most impressive look elements with imitation of vintage scuffs.

DIY interior decoration

Proper decoration is the main condition for creating a veranda in a strict stylistic direction. The procedure involves the use of a whole range of various techniques and interior details, which can make an exquisite French interior out of a completely standard structure. For this, when creating a project, it is necessary to take into account the design of not only the walls, but also the choice of appropriate furniture and other elements.

Wall decoration

Most often, Provence-style walls are decorated with natural wood or brick. In this case, it is permissible to use false panels imitating a wood structure, masonry or brickwork. If the surface is not perfectly smooth, you can finish the walls with plaster, which should then be coated with light tones. In addition, the direction does not provide for a clear predominance of a particular coating, so it is quite possible to use all sorts of options for combining wood, brick, stone and plaster.

Flooring

The ideal floor covering for such a gazebo would be a natural floorboard, artificially aged. Such surfaces are coated with special varnishes or decorative impregnation. It is possible to replace a tree with a concrete coating decorated with ceramic tiles. At the same time, it is recommended to choose calm and soft tones of products. The best option for this is beige or cream tile, decorated with prints of flowers or green plants.

Did you know? The oldest examples of ceramic tiles were found in the interfluve of the Euphrates and the Tigris (II-III millennium BC). It was a small mosaic, which, according to scientists, was used to decorate the temples and palaces of the nobility.

Ceiling

The easiest solution in decorating the ceiling is wood. Boards gently knock down the ceiling, preserving its structure. The plastered ceiling, which does not hide the natural irregularities and bends of the structure, also showed itself well. In this case, the plaster is painted in light cream or white tones, and decorated with stucco on top. However, the ideal option is a combination of plaster and wooden beams, while the latter is used for decorative purposes, to simulate load-bearing structures over the entire surface of the ceiling.

Furniture and Textiles

The furniture most successfully looks on the veranda in the Provence style, made in the classic French style. It should be painted in light and unsaturated colors, and its main task, first of all, is to decorate the space. To do this, use carved furniture made of natural wood, with a variety of elements forged steel, copper, bronze or brass.

Textiles play one of the most important roles in interior decoration, it creates the necessary mood and emphasizes other details of the decor. To decorate a cozy veranda, only natural fabrics are used: silk, cotton, chintz, linen, wool, etc. The main condition for an ideal combination of textiles is strict seasoning. All elements must be made in one color and decorated with a single ornament. Hand embroidery (small plants or flowers) is best suited for this.

Colors and lighting

In the color scheme of the interior, Provence is trying to achieve harmony between a variety of natural shades. Most preferred are light and non-saturated tones that contribute to relaxation and peace. In addition, it is recommended to make a bright contrasting emphasis on individual elements of the interior and decor.

Important! The lighting of the veranda should be saturated, but not intense. In this case, light with a slight yellowish tint will look most harmoniously.

The stylistic direction pays attention to shades of such colors as:

• blue;
• green;
• turquoise;
• lavender;
• sand;
• beige;
• lactic;
• cream;
• white;
• indigo;
• terracotta.

Chandeliers, pendant or pendant lights, table lamps and sconces should be responsible for lighting on the veranda. Be sure to adhere to the concept of "rustic chic". To achieve this, it is necessary to install lighting on the veranda made of natural forged materials, with a variety of elements made in the classic French style or "antique". As an alternative, you can use plastic models stylized as brass copper or iron.

Other decorative elements

A true symbol of Provence is a flowering field of perennials and annuals. Therefore, flowering plants, and especially lavender, are considered the main element of the decor. They are planted in separate flowerpots or hanging flowerpots located near window openings, inside or outside the structure. Also one of the most recognizable attributes of style is a rooster, which is often found in provence in the form of a variety of porcelain figurines.

In addition, for decorating walls, as well as horizontal surfaces, use:

• mirrors;
• metal cage for animals "antique";
• landscape paintings or empty wooden frames;
• candle holders, vases, fruit bowls and figurines in antique style;
• snow-white painted dishes, with an ornament of flowers and plants;

• all kinds of household items in the countryside (bucket, wooden spinning machine, etc.).

Provence is a combination of pomposity, romanticism and coziness, so the veranda in this style will be distinguished by special comfort, and relaxing in it will be the best end to a difficult day. To sustain this style is not easy, for this you will need to properly design the walls, floor and ceiling, and harmoniously combine all kinds of decor elements in the classic French style. However, with a strict approach, you can create a truly unique zone for relaxation, ideally complementing the entire territory of the site.