The Flair of French Country Kitchen Design ..
You can create a French Country kitchen even if you are living in a condominium or an inner-city high rise apartment, that would leave your visitors certain they were in the South of France!
This rural kitchen didn't have all the mod cons, but you can integrate these newer appliances behind cabinet doors and panels so that the 'look' is still authentic.
The furniture, materials, textiles, colors and atmosphere are what create this French country kitchen.
Atmosphere
The typical french country kitchen is a warm, joyful and inviting place for family and friends to relax and savour meals and conversation. Simplicity reigns, but the kitchen's accessories are all functional and the countryside comes inside through bunches of herbs (lavender and garlic, onions and rosemary) hung from the mantel. The atmosphere is classic , romantic and rustic all at once.
Materials
Natural materials are used. Wood, stone , brick, iron and ceramic. Thick wooden posts and beams delineate the space, and these are well worn. You can create a distressed look on timber by using sandpaper, chains to beat it, screwdriver to gauge marks and lightly burning the wood in a few places. Usually the furniture and wood are stained in a dark stain.
Walls and ceilings are stucco and often painted warm buttercup yellow or even salmon pink.
Floors are made of stone, brick or terracotta tiles . These materials are durable and weatherproof. You can add warmth by covering them partially with rugs. Bricks and stones were used in fireplaces along one wall and usually there is a high wooden mantel made from another beam.
The hearth was used as a fire for cooking and for warmth. You could keep it as a focal point and place a copper jug full of fresh or dried flowers in it if you prefer to use another type of oven!
Windows are often casement style and dressed with floral, gingham or striped fabrices from canvas to lace.
Cabinets are usually wall cabinets as a simple, solid pine table is prefered traditionally to a breakfast bar arrangment. The cabinets colors - antique white, Mediterranean blue, poopy red, sunset orange, sunflower yellow or pale green to contrast with the wall color.
Countertops can be covered with ceramic tiles with a tiled splashback to match or contrast.
Cushions and seatcovers are of bright material to continue the theme.
Color
In a French country kitchen the colors are vibrant and often vivid. You could choose a color or two, and then use lighter shades as accents. Let in as much natural light as possible.
Furniture
Furniture tends to consist of large pieces - wooden, darkly stained, or light pine and everything in-between. There are sometimes ornate carvings on these pieces.
Accessories
Wrought iron pot racks for overhead use is a feature. These are easy to find as many smaller kitchens make use of them. These racks allow pots and pans to be handy while also looking very country.
Copper urns, jugs and many hand-painted plates, jugs, bowls etc. from around Europe are prominent and often displayed on shelving.
Storage is created by hanging large iron hooks on solid doors or on walls.
Done well and with imagination, your French style kitchen will make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Guests will linger enjoying your sumptious food and wine, good conversation, warm fire and the feeling that they are on holiday!
Go to Victorian Kitchen for ideas about decorating in this style
Go to Tuscan Kitchen for information about a beautiful rustic Italian kitchen
Go to Spanish country kitchen for creating this style of kitchen
Go to Gourmet Kitchen to find out how to make a kitchen fit for a top chef
Go to European Kitchen for ideas about decorating in this style
Go to Country Kitchen for tips and ideas about creating this classic style of kitchen
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