Provence style dishes: interesting options and features of choice

The Provencal interior style has not competed with anything for a long time: it does not need advertising, it is a self-sufficient and established style, the number of admirers of which does not decrease. Provence (or French country music) is not about common, recognizable features, it is about the thoughtfulness of every detail, the emphasis on the little things that create the image of a cozy, warm home. And tableware in the style of Provence (including wall plates) is an obligatory style-forming attribute.

The style itself is aged in soft shades, sometimes it seems that they are diluted with milk, sometimes - that they are covered with a morning haze. This applies to the walls, floor, textiles, furniture color. And cookware is also concerned.

Characteristic shades:

• delicate pink and pale blue;
• lavender (accent shade in the Provencal style);
• mint;
• lactic;
• delicate shades of brown and gray;
• beige tones.

There are fewer inclusions of terracotta and blue, but they are characteristic of Provence, although it is very important not to overdo them.

More than three colors in the interior can be used, but carefully and with a clear alignment of accents. It is the same with dishes: the general background is one or two, but the details can be multi-colored, but should not be dazzled.

There are several options, and they can all be combined in one kitchen: porcelain, ceramics, wood. The basic principle of Provençal tableware is natural materials, classic shapes, pastel shades and low-key drawings. Ceremonial dinner service can be made of porcelain: it is served on a table on special occasions, at other times it is decorated with the “exposition” of the buffet.

In everyday life used ceramics and partly wood. Ceramics involves the use of not only cups and plates: saucers and vases for jam, pots for hot, cocotry and fruit dishes, wicker baskets - in Provencal aesthetics there is a place for small culinary assistants.

Plastic is not about Provence. Even for so-called draft domestic needs, try not to use plastic bowls - it is better to stock up with enameled bowls, cans, and mugs. They can be quite decorative, but they will not look like a product of an era alien to the Provencal style.

After all, the French country is devoted to the aesthetics of time, when the TV was rare, there were no plastic bags and plastic bowls in life, and the “herbal” pots of Ikea replaced vases with real wildflowers.

Many sets of dishes in color and shape fit perfectly into the Provencal style, but there are doubts about the motives. If you are perfection with the selection of dishes, you have to take into account this moment.

What motifs on the table tea service echo the Provencal style:

• flowers (field and garden);
• fruits (especially bunches of grapes);
• lavender fields (and generally everything related to lavender - the symbol of Provence);
• patterns with curls and waves;
• domestic birds;
• leaflets of various plants;
• wine (in wine glasses and bottles);
• prints, repeating prints retro postmarks.

Of course, the main motive will be bouquets. But the flowers must be strictly field or garden.Landscapes of the province of Provence can also decorate the dishes.

But if you don’t really like ceramics or porcelain with a pattern, there are more concise options. For example, the edge of a cup or saucer draws a not very wide color bar. The author can also draw a light wave along the perimeter of the dishes. Dishes can be completely white, without any shade, but with an interesting texture.

Provence style is hard to blame for the lack of democracy. There are no strict requirements for what the service should be, for how many people it will be, and how the tureen should have handles. This is all up to the owner, most importantly, no chopped strict geometric shapes.

How to set the table for a dinner party.

• Tablecloth. Allowable and standard monochrome white. If the celebration is special, and you want to emphasize this, then the option with a white cloth is a priority. But if you want comfort and pleasant communication with loved ones, and not underlined solemnity, stop at the checkered tablecloth or with a small floral print. Again - dim. If the dishes will be white, a linen tablecloth in a cage (cage of lavender or mint color) is ideal for her.

• Separate the main meal and tea. On the table there is no need to have a lot of dishes - just refrain from abundance of salads and snacks. Choose a main course to which you invite guests, such as chicken with apples. And then put it in a beautiful, fairly wide dish that will be in the center of the table. If you want to preface it with the first one (soup), first serve the tureen with delicate handles, where there will be light vegetable or chicken broth (possibly with croutons).

• In the remaining saucers and bowls - additions to the main dish, vegetables and sauces. It is not worth making a side dish for the same chicken, which is distracting and deprives the supper of balance. Again, remember: the main dish is one, which means that the plate in which you serve it should not compete with the main dishes on the table. It sets off her, serves as a complement, not a competitor.

• Glasses for cold non-alcoholic beverages can be colored - mint and lavender tones in priority. Ideal embossed glasses. Glasses for liquor - on beautiful legs, also not necessarily transparent.

• Forks and spoons. Suitable options with a wooden base. It is desirable that the base in color and design does not "argue" with the rest of the dishes.

• Additions. If you serve butter to the table, it should be in a neat butter dish. If you need sugar, keep for these cases a beautiful sugar bowl. Desserts are served on beautiful stands on the leg, and to them are graceful shoulder blades with some recognizable Provencal print.

• Accessories. Decorate the table with a vase of flowers, be it a lush bouquet of wildflowers or freshly cut garden roses. Place textile napkins in Provencal style on the plates, they can be tied up with lace ribbons and decorated with the same garden roses, lavender, even simple daisies (shoved under the ribbon). For intimacy and creating a spiritual atmosphere on the table need candles - in a safe candlesticks. Castors can be picked up in the form of birds or chickens.

Wide flat plates with Provence motifs can be placed on the wall as a decor. They will be like original pictures with Provencal landscapes, lavender bouquets, caged birds, bunches of grapes and juicy fruits. Plates can be many, place them harmoniously, avoiding straight lines. Remember that small print is Provence, large roses are already from “another opera”.

I would like to draw attention to one important rule: when you create a certain style in your house, you don’t show how much you try. Speaking more simply, any obsession with perfect compatibility, the fear of introducing the smallest alien element into the interior, focusing only on brand attributes make the situation artificial, lifeless.

In the Provencal style, its naturalness, simplicity, appeal for vitality, the value of traditions and the lack of bombast are valuable. And in the dishes too.

Review the dishes in the style of Provence, see the following video.