How to Get French Country Style in Your Home, According to HGTV Stars and Designers

French country style is undeniably charming. Inspired by the idyllic homes in Provence, France — a picturesque region complete with rolling hills and lavender fields — this style marries fanciful, feminine details with classic, country elements. The result is the ultimate blend of beauty and comfort. Ahead: Recreate the romantic look in your own home with a little help from some of our favorite designers and HGTV stars.

Designer and Restored by the Fords star Leanne Ford created the perfect place to display fun trinkets and whimsical dishes in her Pennsylvania cottage: open shelves. Extra French-country points if your shelves boast cute iron brackets like the ones in Leanne’s kitchen.

The best French country designs come down to the details. In this kitchen, Leanne Ford filled the open shelves with dishware, dried flowers and homey accessories. When decorating your own shelves, use items with a mix of shapes. A crock with cooking utensils or a vase with flowers adds height, while small bowls or a stack of dishcloths fill in the spaces below. And don't forget your classic French-Country staples: pops of blue, ceramic vases and bold pattern.

Neutral colors and layered bedding, like in this bedroom designed by Good Bones host Mina Starsiak Hawk, are two keystones of French country design. Start with a solid base for the duvet, then layer blankets and pillows with a subtle pattern (preferably floral) on top. A weathered wood bench, turned wood bedframe and brass chandelier bring in vintage texture.

Antique furnishings are a must when trying to achieve a true French country look. Take note from Bargain Block hosts Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas, and incorporate found objects throughout your space to get a perfectly lived-in feel. An ornate mirror, weathered wood chest, vintage room divider and found accessories contribute to this petite living room's European style.

Long before copper cookware was trendy in the United States, it was a staple in French kitchens. Mauviel started crafting copper pots and pans in Villedieu-les-Poêles (which translates to "God's city of pans") in 1830. Since then, the cookware has been favored by highbrow chefs and families alike. No French country kitchen would be complete without a set. For maximum charm, copy Leanne Ford and display your copper pots out in the open, either by mounting them on the wall like so or by hanging them from a rack over the island. And voila!

Stripes are a popular pattern in French country decor and often appear in the form of furniture upholstery. To give this inviting breakfast nook a French country fix, though, designer Betty Lou Phillips lined an old storage cabinet with striped contact paper. Now, the decorative piece becomes a full-on display and draws more attention to the owners' antiques.

A simple, ruffled bed skirt and coordinating curtains give this French country suite by blogger Amy Mings a casual and eleganct ambiance. The fabrics themselves aren't lavish, but subtle ruffles and pleating make them seem as special as satin or silk. Our pro tip: Pair a ruffled duvet cover with an ornate bed frame for a fancy French country feel.

At its heart, French country design is about embracing found pieces with personality. Whether that's a dresser passed down through generations, a high-end antique or a DIY project, make sure it has a story that is meaningful to you. Here, Unsellable Houses hosts Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb transformed a homeowner's old piano into a giant planter that now serves as a conversation piece.

Florals are essential French country decor; they enliven neutral linens and evoke thoughts of picturesque Provence. For an organic look, simply pair a floral armchair or ottoman with fresh (or faux!) arrangements, just like Casabella Interiors did in this sophisticated reading nook.

This neutral space designed by Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent during Season 2 of Rock the Block boasts various stone accents: vases to hold tree branches, decorative pillars perched in a corner and tongue-and-groove paneling topped with a marble border. Back-and-white French marble flooring grounds vintage wooden furnishings. It's sophisticated French country to a tee.

Of course the queen of all things cottage knows a thing or two about French country style. This sweet kitchen designed by Home Town co-host Erin Napier has European flair — thanks to Old World brick herringbone floors, a charming blue-and-white floral backsplash and striped barstools. When selecting furniture, go for pieces with intricate detail: barstools with rounded nailheads, tufted sofas or a dining table with turned legs.

In French country-style homes, antique plate collections are prized possessions that deserve their own spot on the wall. There are countless ways to display your dinnerware, but our favorites include inside an arch over a door, in a traditional wooden hutch or in a floor-to-ceiling unit like the one pictured here (designed by Jenny Rausch). It's the perfect way to add a little Provençal flair to your humble abode.

Lighting can make or break a French country space. Focus on fixtures that either look or are antique, like in this bedroom designed by Fixer to Fabulous hosts Jenny and Dave Marrs. A carved wood lamp with a pleated shade and a chipped vintage chandelier both have a story to tell and add just the right amount of soft glow to the neutral space.

French country style can be maximalist or minimalist — like in this airy bedroom designed by Erin Napier. Dainty floral prints bring a touch of French femininity, while grasscloth Roman shades and a beige wrought iron bed add country style. Try incorporating small doses of French country decor into your space with framed botanicals, subtle striped pillows or an antiqued mirror.

Bring Old World sophistication — a hallmark of French country decor — to any bedroom by installing reclaimed wood beams. In this cozy space by designer Charles Faudree, the treatment not only calls attention to the vaulted ceiling above but also infuses the bedroom with a sense of cozy history. If you go with a darker wood, complement the color with brick red linens. For lighter wood, opt for creams and baby blues.

Whether dripping with crystal or painted matte white for a modern look, chandeliers suggest money and splendor. They're the epitome of French country decor and are often featured in every room. Balance yours with distressed furniture for a "less is more" approach, or follow Charles Faudree's lead above and pull in lots of pretty antiques — like brass mirrors and polished kettles.

Using furnishings made with cane — a woven material used in furnishings produced from the rattan palm plant — is a classic way to add French country texture to your design. In the dining room of Jenny and Dave Marrs' Welcome Inn, cane-back chairs bring warm rustic style to this otherwise modern French country space.

A splash of red might do your space good, too. In this handsome, French country-style dining room from Charles Faudree, red toile wallpaper and curtains meet the dark wood decor for a design that's warm and slightly masculine. This is a wonderful way to balance out a showy chandelier or a delicate plate collection. Notice, too, the red cushions on the Windsor chairs; in French country spaces, hard seats are always covered, to ensure total comfort.

Let this dreamy suite by Sarah Richardson be a lesson in the art of French country decorating. French country style doesn't take itself too seriously, so it's OK to mix prints and layer different linens. Here, a striped headboard, floral pillows and a grid-patterned duvet cover combine for a playful look, while their neutral hues ensure cohesion and timeless appeal.