» American Colonial » Art Deco & Retro » Arts and Crafts » Asian » Baroque » Biedermeier » British Colonial » Chippendale » Colonial » Contemporary » Empire » English Country » European » French Provincial » Furniture » Furniture Guide » Industrial Modern » Lodge » Louis XV » Mission Style & Arts... » Neo-Classic » Outdoor Patio & Indoor... » Queen Anne » Regency » Rustic » Scandinavian » Shaker » Southwestern » Traditional » Transitional » Victorian French Provincial When local craftsmen living in the provinces of France during the 18th century imitated the finer examples of furniture seen in Paris, a quaint yet formal style of furniture evolved known as French Provincial. The style is based on high fashion Louis XV designs of the Rococo period, yet simplified for country estate living. Woods are sometimes left in a natural walnut or beech finish yet most are white washed or painted in pastel colors with fruit and floral stencil designs and hand painted accents. Rather than heavy upholstery, it is more common to see caning used on chairs and settees for the seats and backs.