The Audacity of the Rooster

These farmhouse favorites lend any room a bit of whimsical appeal, but how did this animal become so famous in Southern households?  

Why is it revered in much of the décor around town? It’s the symbol of French country, timeless farmhouse country design on fabrics, upholstery, canvas art, and stand alone ceramic pieces to decorate one’s kitchen. 

The rooster has a deeper meaning.

The rooster in many European countries symbolizes fortune, prosperity, and health along with honesty, integrity, trust, and honor. That is one reason you see so many rooster motifs for the kitchen. Did you know the ancient Greeks saw the rooster as a sign of the gods Apollo and Zeus? 

For centuries our ruler of the barnyard roost has been the subject of art, just ask Pablo Picasso. People often associate the colorful male of the chicken flock as the symbol of “country décor,” but did you wonder why?

When I think of the country rooster I think of a crisp country feel like the bright country morning dawning, but I also think there is more to the rooster. Sure your grandmother had the napkin holders with the rooster and everything else rooster to coordinate, but I think there has been an evolution of the rooster. I call it the city rooster.

The city rooster is popping up in chic homes everywhere, not just in the traditional kitchen bowls plates and curtains. There is a rooster movement that is taking over. Sure the country rooster is literally associated with the “farm,” but the city rooster represents a sense of sophistication.    

Personally I do not mind at all the rooster revolution. I’m on board with this fowl movement but I would like to give my advice on decorating. Just as with anything in life - good things are good in moderation. This brings me to the question of the hour - can you have a “theme” without having essentially a theme? Ok I’m not making any sense, but I will so hold on keep reading. This is not your grandmother’s space anymore!

Think of a rooster or any barnyard animal for that matter as one element of décor in the big picture of your canvas i.e. your room. Don’t go overboard. You are not paying homage to it; it is just an accent piece. I personally prefer the elephant. I absolutely adore elephants. I think they are so regal and demand attention, yet are so gentle. 

Ok, back to ideas. A theme basically involves you picking a certain idea or concept and interjecting or expressing that concept into your home. Maybe you like camping or maybe you just absolutely love the beach…or perhaps you love French country and the rooster! Here are some basic steps to help jump-start your “theme” room. 

So you’ve picked a beloved place and time - let’s just say you want a Tuscan style keeping room. When I think of Tuscan I think earthy tones best represent this style. Colors include rusty reds, apricots, oranges, yellows and olive greens as well as deep blues. Remember when decorating you want to figure out what makes the biggest impact to capture the essence of the theme without overpowering your home. You want a space to look timeless as opposed to a tourist attraction!

Choose a piece of pottery or a vase as an inspiration to help you identify your favorite colors. Your color palette will come to life once you’ve identified your favorite accent piece. From this you can further identify your complimentary fabrics and patterns. Decorators and interior designers use this technique all the time. 

If you have hard wood floors I would use a warm color on the wall in the olive green family and incorporate pops of deep reds and oranges in the fabrics such as pillows or curtains.

I hope this helps to jump-start your space. Good luck! If you have any questions, write me at trusha@pondicherrydesigns.com or visit me at pondicherrydesigns.com. If you want, I’ll even paint you a Rooster for your space. I just painted a Peacock for one of my clients! Hope to hear from you soon. Until next time-xoxo Trusha