French Country Kitchen Ideas
Sometimes in this modern age, people just want to slow down and relax. Many people consider country life to be pleasantly slow, especially life in Europe. Redecorating your kitchen in a French country look can give you a taste of rural life even if your home is in the city. This style is warm and relaxed, while the design elements are practical and make use of every inch of space. The look is rustic and earthy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Color Scheme
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The kitchens in old, rural France relied heavily on natural elements that helped to create a warm feel. Walls and ceilings were often painted shades of yellow. Wood was either stained dark or transparent to allow the wood's natural grain and shade to show. You can easily incorporate these elements into your French country design. You might not have exposed beams, but you have cabinets, a table and chairs. Work dark or natural wood into your design through storage and furniture. You could also paint cabinets a bright white so the other colors stand out.
Blue, green and burgundy are popular secondary colors for French country kitchens because they provide a contrast to the lighter colors on the walls and ceiling. A series of cobalt blue bottles or glasses placed atop a windowsill look cheerful and support the theme. Copper accents work well, too.
Window Treatments
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Simple window treatments are appropriate. Roman shades with toile, floral or striped patterns were popular in rural France; these fabrics are still easy to find at local home decorating or craft stores. Instead of a bright white background, you can tea dye the fabric to give it a warm, aged look. Window swags are another option for curtains and can be found in similar fabrics. For an authentic touch, hang swags of dried lavender by the windows. The fragrance will freshen the air in your kitchen.
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Furniture
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The kitchen table was an important piece of furniture. It's where people gathered with family and friends not only to eat, but also to socialize. Tables were often made of pine and heavily distressed. This farmhouse look has regained popularity and many stores sell this style of furniture. Ladder-back chairs with rush seats hearken back to an era when everything was handmade, not mass produced. If you want a more casual look, consider placing a wooden bench on one side of the table instead of chairs. Accessories like roosters, baskets, plants and terra-cotta will complete the look.
Storage
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Most kitchens in rural France were small, so storage space was at a premium. Even if your modern kitchen is large, you can employ some of the storage techniques used in country kitchens. A wrought-iron baker's rack looks beautiful and can hold your cookbook collection, baskets filled with napkins or rolled tablecloths or pots of fresh herbs. Hanging racks in a similar material were used for pots and pans. These can be found at furniture stores, home improvement stores and specialty shops. Consider a wooden or wrought-iron wine rack. Use every nook and cranny available, as they did in original French country kitchens.
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