F R E N C H D E S I G N
on Friday
~ Architecture ~
Vintage Village Roof
How do we know what IS French design? When selecting furnishings, lighting, accessories, and architectural elements for our homes how do we decide what to use to replicate French style?
If you wish to have an authentic touch of French style, then you are in the right place. Each Friday Botanic Bleu goes to the source for French design through snapshots of French architecture, houses, textiles, metal work, food, woodwork, landscapes... and discovers inspiration for creating
a French-inspired garden and home.
What does a French country roof look like? There is more than one answer depending upon the time period, the location, and the affluence of the French builder. One roofing material used for centuries is
S L A T E
When designing our DIY garden shed for our back yard, I wanted a French-inspired style. Slate tiles for the roof were not in the budget. Not to mention that a blue slate garden shed roof would be more elegant than our house roof.
The garden shed has been built over several years, going on ten years now. This photo shows the budget-friendly asphalt shingle roof in 2014 when the white cut stones were being added to the exterior walls.
We bought the shingles from a local roofing company. I wanted a blue shingle roof that resembled blue slate roofs in France. We decided to use two colors of shingles, blue and pale green-gray, for three reasons.
- Multiple shades give the roof some depth.
- The roofing company did not have enough bundles of the blue shingles for the entire roof. We either had to use another color for the entire roof or mix colors on the roof.
- The green-gray shingles give an illusion of moss which sometimes grows on older roofs. I like the mix of the two colors more as time passes, partly because the colors of the shingles have faded making them blend together more.
Creating a French-inspired design does not require strict interpretation or replication. Study photos from magazines, blogs, catalogs, travel brochures, and Pinterest for ideas about what appeals to you about French design, like a blue slate roof.
Then use materials readily available to interpret that look for your home.
Use the exact materials if your budget allows, but with a little creativity and planning, alternative materials may also give you the French design you like.
Good design does not require expensive materials.
Good design does require quality materials.
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F R E N C H D E S I G N
on Friday
Come back each Friday for another post in a design series that shows 1] a photo taken in France that illustrates French design and 2] how that design translates into our homes, even on a budget.
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What tips can you give for using budget-friendly alternative materials to create French style?
Read more about the garden shed.
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A New Podcast for Decorating
Want to learn more Decorating Tips and Tricks? Three of my good blogging friends, Yvonne of Stone Gable, Anita of Cedarhill Farmhouse, and Kelly of My Soulful Home, are superstars of decorating, and they have launched a new podcast beginning February 1, 2017.
They discuss everything you want to know about good design of all styles, not just decorating, and they are giving away all their trade secret tips and tricks. I've listened to all three of the podcasts and love their friendly style of talking together... not always agreeing, but always having a good time anyway. LOL
Here's where to find the new podcast Decorating Tips and Tricks.
Tell them Botanic Bleu sent you. :)
Maybe they will ask me to be a guest on their podcast one day to discuss French design.
