How to Decorate a Kitchen in a Vineyard Theme

Often kitchens don't get the same kind of designer attention that other rooms in the home. Perhaps it is because there seems to be no need to choose a theme for a room that sort of already has one--cooking. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that like any other room in a home, the kitchen deserves its own special look. It doesn't have to be complicated or overdone; it can be simple and straight forward. One great look for a kitchen is a vineyard theme. It is classic, elegant and upscale.

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Wallpaper
• Wallpaper border
• Wine labels
• Vineyard motif stencils
• Vineyard motif rub-on appliques
• Window treatments that fit in with the overall theme
• Vineyard motif for the walls (prints, plagues, paintings, plates and other items as desired)
• Vineyard motif linens
• Vineyard motif dinnerware
• Ivy baskets
• Artificial grapes
• Vineyard accent pieces (pottery, kitchen ware, dinnerware and other desired items)

Instructions

1. Determine how to use the vineyard theme in the kitchen space. Opt to go full scale, decorating everything in the theme, decide just to add a few decorative touches, or do a combination of both. This decision will have a definite impact on the remaining steps.

2. Sketch the room out on paper if that will help conceptualize the overall design.

3. Paint kitchen wall space in colors that compliment the vineyard theme. Try a paler shade of grape leaf green or a light red grape shade. Another option is to stick with a neutral paint shade, carrying out the vineyard motif in other ways within the kitchen.

4. Choose a vinyeard wallpaper for the kitchen, using it as accent on one or more walls. You could also accent a solid paint or wallpapered wall with a wallpaper border of grapes, wine bottles or wine glasses or something similar in nature. Another option is to use wine labels obtained from a favorite winery to form a line or border around the room, develop a special pattern design or accent key elements of the kitchen.

5. Stencil grapes and/or greenery in strategic locations around the kitchen: on walls, the cabinetry, or any place the motif is desired.

6. Apply rub-off appliques in a vineyard motif in strategically chosen locations around the kitchen like behind the stove, on cabinetry, or over the kitchen counter space.

7. Choose window treatments for kitchen windows that are in keeping with the overall vineyard motif, either in matching solid colors as outlined in Step 4 or in a print or pattern that meets the overall theme.

8. Hang framed prints, paintings, plaques or plates that meet the vineyard theme on the walls.

9. Add accent pieces throughout the room. Use beautiful silk ivy baskets on top of the cabinetry (if room exists between the cabinet tops and the ceiling), tucking a few artificial grapes into the greenery. Set a bowl of artificial grapes on the kitchen counter top, on top of an island or butcher block. Put a small wine rack on the counter top or hang one on the wall. Insert a few well chosen and colorful bottles of wine into the wine rack. Use pottery with a vineyard motif to accent counter tops or on top of cabinets.

10. Choose kitchen linens like potholders, trivets, and kitchen towels in a vineyard theme.

11. Choose kitchen ware (salt and pepper shakers, canisters, utensil holders and the like) with a vinyeard motif. Add dinnerware in the same vein, if the kitchen houses a dining area.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix solids and prints as well as patterns and textures to add interest and depth to the room's decor.

• Choose accent pieces that serve a purpose as well as for a decorative reason.

• Use the KISS method--Keep it Simple, Silly!

• Don't make drastic changes to any room that can't be easily changed.

• Don't choose accessories that can only be used one way.

• Don't choose fabric accents that aren't simple and inexpensive to keep clean.

• Mix patterns and textures carefully so the room doesn't come across as too busy.