Pastel shades, natural materials and soft, diffused light: Proven&ccedil;al style evokes the maisons of southern France, with rooms that feel bright, warm and refined. Flooring and surfaces are the foundation for creating this atmosphere. Here&rsquo;s how to choose effects, colors and finishes, starting with porcelain stoneware tiles.

<h2 class="heading2">What is Proven&ccedil;al style? Origins and distinctive features</h2>

Proven&ccedil;al style emerged in the 19th century in the countryside of Provence lavender fields, olive trees, stone houses blending rustic country warmth with French refinement. It&rsquo;s recognizable by:

<ul>
	<li>airy, light-filled spaces</li>
	<li>natural materials: stone, wood, terracotta</li>
	<li>a color palette: lime white, sage green, lilac, warm beige, taupe</li>
	<li>handcrafted furniture with soft lines</li>
</ul>

<h3 class="heading3">Proven&ccedil;al style vs. shabby chic: the differences</h3>

Often confused, these are two distinct styles. The table below summarizes the key points:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" summary="Feature">
	<caption>Proven&ccedil;al style vs. shabby chic</caption>
	<thead>
		<tr>
			<th scope="col">Feature</th>
			<th scope="col">Proven&ccedil;al style</th>
			<th scope="col">Shabby chic</th>
		</tr>
	</thead>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Origin</td>
			<td>Southern France</td>
			<td>Britain / USA (R. Ashwell, 1980s)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Atmosphere</td>
			<td>Bright and Mediterranean</td>
			<td>Romantic and nostalgic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Colors</td>
			<td>Sage, lavender, taupe, beige</td>
			<td>White, blush, antique pink</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Materials</td>
			<td>Stone, raw wood, terracotta</td>
			<td>Lacquered/whitewashed wood, lace, romantic fabrics</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Furniture</td>
			<td>Handcrafted, soft lines</td>
			<td>Vintage, worn, painted</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Decor</td>
			<td>Natural, pared-back</td>
			<td>Romantic, layered</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

What Proven&ccedil;al style and shabby chic share: light colors, a cozy atmosphere, and inspiration drawn from European country homes.

<h2 class="heading2">The colors of Proven&ccedil;al style</h2>

The Proven&ccedil;al palette is soft and slightly desaturated, inspired by the landscapes of southern France. The main tones are:

<ul>
	<li>lime white and ivory</li>
	<li>sage green and mint</li>
	<li>lilac and lavender</li>
	<li>antique pink, taupe and pearl gray</li>
</ul>

The hallmark is a &ldquo;dusty&rdquo; effect never saturated, never bright. Emilgroup offers surfaces with satin finishes and warm neutral tones, ideal for capturing this refined look.

<h2 class="heading2">Proven&ccedil;al-style flooring: the foundation of the whole look</h2>

In Proven&ccedil;al style, the floor helps define the home&rsquo;s atmosphere: materials, textures and colors set the balance between light, warmth and elegance. Inspired by French country houses, they have a natural, tactile look. The most suitable options are a light stone effect, a classic wood effect, and terracotta reinterpreted in contemporary porcelain stoneware.

<ul>
	<li>Light stone effect: beige, ivory, sand and taupe instantly evoke French taste. The <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/mapierre/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">MaPierre by Emilceramica</a> collection, inspired by limestone, delivers a look that&rsquo;s natural to the eye and pleasant to the touch.</li>
	<li>Wood effect: brings warmth and intimacy to living rooms and bedrooms, with the practicality of stoneware compared to traditional parquet.</li>
	<li>Cotto or terracotta effect: recalls the most Mediterranean side of the style, materials weathered by sun and time, reinterpreted in a modern, functional way.</li>
</ul>

Porcelain stoneware ensures resistance to foot traffic, impacts and stains, with easier maintenance than natural stone or solid wood.

Provençal style: how to decorate your home with French-inspired flooring and surfaces

Choosing the right kitchen flooring isn&rsquo;t only a matter of aesthetics or practicality, it&rsquo;s also about consistency between materials, colors and finishes. Porcelain stoneware is an ideal solution: it combines performance and design in a single surface, creating a functional space that&rsquo;s perfect for everyday living.

But how do you correctly match flooring to your kitchen? In this article, you&rsquo;ll find everything you need to identify the surface best suited to your style and to the needs of your space.

<h2 class="heading2">Three approaches to matching kitchen and flooring</h2>

Choosing a surface means carefully considering the final effect you want to achieve. There are three main design approaches: tone-on-tone, contrast and material continuity.

<h3 class="heading3">Tone-on-tone: understated elegance</h3>

Pairing flooring and cabinetry from the same color family brings light into the room and visually expands the space, creating harmony and continuity. Among the most suitable porcelain stoneware effects is the marble effect, as seen in the <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/tele-di-marmo-onyx/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Tele di Marmo Onyx collection</a>: contemporary textures and veining that reinterpret the elegance of marble with luminous surfaces, ideal for sophisticated kitchens. Soft colors such as beige, white or light gray complete this approach beautifully.

<h3 class="heading3">Contrast: personality and character</h3>

While it&rsquo;s true that &ldquo;birds of a feather flock together,&rdquo; it&rsquo;s equally true that &ldquo;opposites attract.&rdquo; Choosing contrasting colors for example, a light kitchen with dark flooring, or vice versa, creates a play of light and shadow with strong visual impact. Anthracite- or concrete-effect tiles are ideal for spaces with a bold character, perfect for modern, industrial or contemporary kitchens.

<h3 class="heading3">Material continuity: a seamless design statement</h3>

Material continuity involves using the same material, or surfaces coordinated by texture, color and finish. In an open-plan space combining kitchen and living area, a single continuous floor creates an uninterrupted visual flow: harmonious, fluid and cohesive. The <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/ergon/matera-stone/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Matera Stone collection</a> is perfect for this purpose, enhancing open-plan spaces with soft tones and tactile textures that make a strong architectural statement.

<table cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGridLight" style="border-collapse:collapse; border-color:currentcolor; border-image:initial; border-style:none; border-width:medium" summary="Advantages">
	<caption>Material continuity</caption>
	<thead>
		<tr>
			<th scope="col" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(191, 191, 191); height: 33px; vertical-align: top; width: 194px;">
			Benefit
			</th>
			<th scope="col" style="border-width: 1px 1px 1px medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: rgb(191, 191, 191) rgb(191, 191, 191) rgb(191, 191, 191) currentcolor; height: 33px; vertical-align: top; width: 407px;">
			Description
			</th>
		</tr>
	</thead>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-left:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; height:20px; width:194px">
			Greater visual harmony
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; height:20px; vertical-align:top; width:407px">
			Continuous surfaces create a more orderly, balanced feel: the room looks elegant and cohesive.
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-left:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; height:20px; width:194px">
			A sense of spaciousness
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; height:20px; vertical-align:top; width:407px">
			A uniform floor visually expands the space, especially in open-plan areas with plenty of natural light.
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-left:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; height:20px; width:194px">
			Flow between functions
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; height:20px; vertical-align:top; width:407px">
			The kitchen and living room feel naturally connected, encouraging a sociable, contemporary atmosphere.
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-left:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; height:20px; width:194px">
			Minimal, contemporary design
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; height:20px; vertical-align:top; width:407px">
			Uniform surfaces and coordinated color palettes express a modern, pared-back style.
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<h2 class="heading2">Marble effect and wood effect: the top choices for the modern kitchen</h2>

Among the most popular textures for modern kitchen flooring, marble and wood are the go-to choices.

<ul>
	<li>The marble effect brings brightness to the room, especially when paired with cabinetry in sage green, gray or all-white tones, for an elegant, contemporary atmosphere.</li>
	<li>The wood effect is the ideal alternative to traditional parquet: it offers the natural warmth of oak with the practicality and durability of porcelain stoneware.</li>
</ul>

Both work well in minimalist modern kitchens and in open-plan spaces, where material continuity between the kitchen and living area creates a fluid, coherent effect.

Kitchen design styles: the complete guide to choosing your flooring

Personalizing your home by choosing combinations that best reflect who you are is the best way to truly make your own living space. Choosing colors, tiles, wall coverings, and fabrics allows you to create a world tailored just for you. 
But which style is right for you?

<h2 class="heading2">How to choose a decorating style for your home in just a few steps</h2>

Choosing a style doesn&rsquo;t mean following a trend, but rather finding a balance between aesthetics, functionality, and how you experience your spaces. To get started, it&rsquo;s helpful to follow a few key steps:

<ul>
	<li>Define your personal needs and habits: every home reflects a specific lifestyle. The presence of children or pets, outdoor spaces, and working from home are all factors that influence your choices;</li>
	<li>Identify a reference color palette: essential for creating visual coherence. Neutral tones lead us toward more minimalist solutions, while sophisticated finishes or brighter colors give the space a stronger character;</li>
	<li>Light and spatial dimensions: natural light and room proportions affect the final result. Small or dimly lit spaces call for lighter choices, while larger spaces allow for greater creative freedom;</li>
	<li>Start with the surfaces: floors and wall coverings form the foundation of the project. Choosing them carefully allows you to define the space&rsquo;s identity and build cohesive furnishings and details around them. Porcelain stoneware, thanks to its variety of effects, sizes, and finishes, allows for the interpretation of very different styles while maintaining aesthetic continuity and practicality.</li>
</ul>

<h2 class="heading2">The main interior design styles and how to pair them with stoneware flooring</h2>

It can be helpful to start with a brief overview of the key features that define each style, which will help you choose the one that best suits your taste.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" summary="Style">
	<caption>&nbsp;</caption>
	<thead>
		<tr>
			<th scope="col">Style</th>
			<th scope="col">Key Features</th>
		</tr>
	</thead>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Scandinavian
			</td>
			<td>Brightness, natural materials, light wood, neutral color palettes, essential comfort</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Minimal</td>
			<td>Clean lines, visual order, functionality, absence of excess, neutral colors</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Japandi</td>
			<td>A fusion of Japanese and Northern European styles, calm, craftsmanship, imperfection, nature</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Industrial</td>
			<td>Raw materials, metal, concrete, brick, exposed structure, dark color palettes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Modern</td>
			<td>Functionality, clean lines, clean volumes, color contrasts, practical materials</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Classic</td>
			<td>Timeless elegance, symmetry, fine materials, refined details</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luxury</td>
			<td>Fine materials, harmony, sophisticated textures, understated luxury</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rustic</td>
			<td>Textural richness, wood, stone, terracotta, earthy colors, warm atmosphere</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Shabby Chic</td>
			<td>Worn effect, romanticism, light colors, aged wood</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vintage</td>
			<td>References to the past, iconic pieces, a mix of old and new, retro details</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Eclectic</td>
			<td>A mix of eras and influences, contrasts, personality, visual balance</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Let&rsquo;s now take a closer look at the main interior design styles.

<h3 class="heading3">Scandinavian style</h3>

Scandinavian style is one of the most popular interior design trends in recent years, thanks to its use of light, natural materials with deep Nordic roots, and a strong focus on sustainability and the environment. 
Inspired by the typical design of Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian homes, it aims to eliminate the superfluous, leaving only what is essential, functional, and comfortable. 
An elegant and refined design that conveys a sense of openness, comfort, and well-being, creating clean and very bright spaces.

Among the dominant colors in Scandinavian style, white is undoubtedly the star, alongside more neutral tones such as light gray, beige, pastel colors, and light wood. For this style, light wood-effect stoneware like that of the <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/provenza/w-circles/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">W-Circles collection by Provenza</a>, or neutral and luminous surfaces, are particularly well-suited for maintaining continuity, lightness, and visual naturalness.

<h3 class="heading3">Minimal style</h3>

The <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/magazine/minimal-elegant-style-grey-porcelain-stoneware/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Minimal style</a>, as the name suggests, consists of well-organized, functional spaces, free from any form of excess that might disrupt the sense of relaxation within the room.

&ldquo;Less is more,&rdquo; as the renowned architect Mies van der Rohe once said. And it is precisely this expression that best defines the minimalist style, characterized by neutral colors such as gray or taupe combined with textured finishes, including steel, for decorations and accents.

In this case, stoneware can serve as an excellent foundation: surfaces with a concrete or natural stone effect help maintain visual order, formal cleanliness, and consistency across spaces.

<h3 class="heading3">Japandi style</h3>

The Japandi style is the perfect fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design: functionality, naturalness, calm, craftsmanship, and the beauty of imperfection are the elements that define these spaces. Nordic minimalism is paired with the warmth of materials and harmonious forms selected with the utmost care.

The quintessential effect: <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/effects/wood-effect-tiles/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">wood in all its shades</a>, provided it emphasizes the connection with nature that is central to this style. Stone - or concrete - effect porcelain tile can also perfectly capture this aesthetic, especially in shades of sand, greige, beige, and taupe.

<h3 class="heading3">Industrial style</h3>

Originating in New York in the 1950s, the <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/magazine/guide-to-industrial-style-flooring-best-choices/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Industrial style</a> is characterized by reclaimed materials and the repurposing of abandoned spaces, typically former offices, industrial warehouses, and factories.&nbsp;

In interior design, this approach to playing with contrasts is most evident in the choice of airy, well-lit spaces, where light becomes the central element, mimicking industrial spaces as closely as possible. Clean lines, materials that appear raw yet refined, and functional sturdy furnishings must be harmonized to adapt to any setting.&nbsp;

This aesthetic, which emphasizes the authenticity of spaces, is recognized using exposed structural elements, metal, concrete, brick, and weathered wood, often rendered in neutral or dark color palettes.&nbsp;

<h3 class="heading3">Modern style</h3>

The Modern style is characterized by shapes and volumes that blend aesthetic, functional, and sensory ideals within the same space. Clean, simple, and structured lines intertwine with different colors and finishes, moving away from minimalism. Furnishing a home in the Modern style means embracing the functionality of materials, with furniture designed to be used - not merely as decorative pieces.

What most defines this style is the combination of neutral tones and black: white, dove gray, and beige, but also blue, dark green, or red are bold and equally excellent alternatives. Large-format stone-effect stoneware finds expression in the textural quality of the <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/provenza/pietra-di-orosei/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Pietra di Orosei collection by Provenza</a>, enhancing this concept of order, functionality, and design continuity.

<h3 class="heading3">Classic style</h3>

The timeless charm of a Classic interior design style is immediately recognizable at first glance. Here, elegance and sophistication reign supreme, highlighting the beauty of the finishes and materials used.

In particular, wood, marble, glass, and crystal are prominent, combined in either neutral or darker tones. For this style, the marble-effect stoneware or natural stone from the <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/dual-travertine/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Dual Travertine collection by Emilceramica</a> is a natural choice, as it enhances the elegance of the space with refined, durable, and timeless surfaces.

<h3 class="heading3">Luxury style</h3>

Contrary to popular belief, a luxury interior design style is not synonymous with theatricality, ostentation, and an endless array of intertwining decorations, but rather a harmonious blend of diverse, elegant materials that come together to create something refined and deeply personal. 
The luxury style can be blended with other interior design styles, particularly minimalist, classic, or industrial, creating a unique atmosphere.

As for colors, shades such as gray, dove gray, or latte are preferable - neutral colors often paired with patterned textures to add emphasis. It is important, however, to pay attention to the final effect you wish to achieve: the luxury style, in fact, requires a certain harmony even in the chosen colors, balancing the weight of the shades well to create visual continuity and rhythm. 
In this context, marble-effect stoneware works very well: with its play of light and depth, such as the tiles in <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/tele-di-marmo-crystal/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Emilceramica&rsquo;s Tele di Marmo Crystal collection</a>, it helps create a sophisticated and elegant setting. 
&nbsp;

Home decor styles: a complete guide and ideas for every room

A new international event dedicated to ventilated fa&ccedil;ades: on June 11, Emilgroup will take part, together with M2quare, in the Zak World of Fa&ccedil;ades Cyprus, a benchmark conference for the industry.

The initiative, aimed at industry professionals, will explore topics related to innovation and sustainability in fa&ccedil;ade design, with a focus on the most advanced solutions.

On this occasion, Roberto Sprocati, Emilgroup Head of Global Project Division, will present porcelain stoneware solutions combining technical performance with architectural quality.

📅11 June 2026 
📍 Four Seasons Hotel, Cyprus

Emilgroup at Zak World of Façades Cyprus

Related Articles

Provençal style: how to decorate your home with French-inspired flooring and surfaces

Kitchen design styles: the complete guide to choosing your flooring

Home decor styles: a complete guide and ideas for every room

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