Old World Kitchen Design

Old World Kitchen Design - Wayne Hemrick

 

 

Many homeowners build new homes, but then realize that there can be a starkness to some of the modern home styles currently in vogue. In order to bring some age and patina into the home, an old world kitchen design may be in order. Going back to a time before computers and digital electronics swept the country, and giving a nod to European traditions and design sensibilities is at the heart of achieving a lovely old world kitchens design aesthetic in your own home.

 

You can start to think about an old world kitchen look by visiting a home decor store or even an antique store. You want to focus on items that have a vintage and timeworn look to them. This can translate into the types of flooring, counter and cabinet surfaces as well as the paint techniques and wallpapers that you might select. Items that have an heirloom feel to them are always appropriate in an old world kitchen.  

 

Another idea is to give your kitchen an European feel through the use of color and textiles. French country style is still very hot right now, and it focuses on the bright colors found in nature in the south of sunny France. Think of bright reds, blues and yellows harmonizing in kitchen curtains, towels, table cloths, napkins, lamp covers, as well as surfaces that can be painted in those rich colors so beloved in France. Dishes, serving bowls and other food preparation items can be purchased with a European aesthetic in mind. Fiestaware plates, bowls and cups in bright colors can be perfect in this type of old world setting as well.

 

The types of fabrics and finishes you select also will play a part in how the room comes across to you. Vintage furnishings can give a cozy and comfortable look to a room, while more traditional desks, cabinetry finishes and hardware, as well as tile flooring can give a prestigious country style that is elegant.

 

Garden influences can work wonders to create an old world setting, since potagers, or kitchen gardens, were and remain common in Europe. Fruit and vegetable motifs might decorate backsplash tiles and fabrics used in the kitchen, for example. If you have several collections, you can layer them to give the room the appearance of fullness. A bowl used in the kitchen might be reinvented to hold a grouping of candles, for example, or an outdoor garden bench might be brought into the kitchen seating area for added appeal.

By working closely with a kitchen designer, you can plan now so that your kitchen will have that old world design that you want, and you will not overlook any crucial areas needed to bring this design idea to fruition.

Tuscan Kitchen Remodel

6 Ways to Achieve Tuscan Kitchen Design - L Donaldson



Tuscany is well know for its beautiful landscapes, delicious wines and fabulous fresh foods. Many who have traveled to Italy yearn to have a Tuscan style kitchen in which they too can prepare delicious gourmet meals in a charming old world setting. Even those that have not traveled to Italy yearn for a kitchen that possesses all the magnetic charisma that a Tuscan style kitchen beholds. There's something sweet and grandmotherly yet boldly noble about Tuscan kitchen design that makes it one of the most popular design styles for kitchens today.
If you are planning a kitchen remodel or designing a kitchen from scratch, incorporate the following items and you will have the Tuscan kitchen of your dreams.

#1 - Granite or Marble Countertops
Old World Tuscan style kitchens often have natural stone kitchen countertops. Marble countertops are ideal for kneading dough for fresh baked bread. Granite countertops are the most durable of all and will last forever if cared for properly. Granite is ideal for chopping fresh vegetables and no cutting board is required. Granite is the strongest of stones, second only to the diamond. It doesn't matter what color of stone you choose because natural stone colors blend well with the Tuscan color palate.

#2 - Tuscan Colors
The Tuscan color palate is one that is reflective of the natural surrounding outdoors. Rich shades of ochre and sunflower gold, poppy red, burnt sienna and aged copper, almond and walnut brown and shades of green from olive to rich cedar are all very popular. Rich colors infuse a Tuscan style kitchen. You will rarely find a Tuscan style kitchen that is a clear white or dove gray. Colors are rustic, deep, bold and earthy.

#3 - Kitchen Island
In Old World Tuscan kitchens the center table was a place to not only dine but to also prepare food. Peeling and chopping was often done at the table, then the table would be cleared for eating after the meal was prepared. Now we desire kitchen islands that make meal preparation even easier and normally offers bar stools or counter seats for those that want to eat there in the kitchen center.

#4 - Iron Accessories
Old World Tuscan style kitchens are known for their substantial iron chandeliers, candelabras and candlesticks. To achieve a modern-day version of this look, there are many iron light fixtures, candle holders, wall sconces and simple iron wall decorations that when added create the look of Tuscan kitchen design.

#5 - Natural Stone Backsplash
Old World Tuscan kitchens often incorporated real stone into the walls. The homes were often made of stone and so many times the inside of the home went unfinished and the stone was beautifully exposed. Especially around the hearth there would be natural stone due to its' natural fireproof properties. Today a natural stone backsplash in the kitchen gives that old world Tuscan appearance. Behind the cooktop, natural stone is especially effective in use and appearance.

#6 - Natural Stone Flooring
Old World Tuscan kitchens normally had floors made of natural stone. The stone is durable and easier to keep clean than other materials. Today natural stone floors are more popular than ever since they will last forever and don't harbor dust, bacteria and odors like carpet and wood. Natural stone tiles such as travertine, slate, granite and marble are easy to install and maintain.

Old World Kitchen Pictures

Old World Kitchen Pictures



Country Kitchen Photos 2

Country Kitchen Photos 2

Tuscan Inspired Kitchen

Tuscan Inspired Kitchen



Tips on Tuscan Kitchen Ideas

Tips on Tuscan Kitchen Ideas

By Melissa Roy

Most people would like to settle down at the Tuscan country side to get the cosy feeling especially while being in the kitchen. But why go to Tuscan when you can create such an atmosphere right in your very own home. The main reason why people opt for Tuscan kitchen is its bright decorations and the festive mood that it always creates. The speciality Tuscan kitchen is that they look as though they are from an old world and is a something unique. Faux painting technique can be used to attain this old world look. Colours like Butterscotch, preferably Butter yellow can be applied to the walls. When it comes to painting, many books and websites will be able to help and guide you well through the process.

Another important part of the Tuscan kitchen is the kitchen cabinets. The most important thing about the cabinets is that you will have to paint them with strong, contrasting colours to attain the Tuscan kitchen style.

Deep shades of red and forest green are the most preferred choices for the colour of the kitchen cabins in Tuscan kitchen. A very large table is a sure necessity for a Tuscan kitchen and when it comes to chairs, you can use simple ones. This will add a lot of Tuscan style to your kitchen. To make things even better you can rummage through websites that offer you a supply of excellent stylish containers that will store your spices and other things of your kitchen. You can use racks to help you hold your pots and pans. Keeping herbs close to the window sill also does add to a Tuscan kitchen.

TUSCAN KITCHEN STYLE IS IN VOGUE

TUSCAN KITCHEN STYLE IS IN VOGUE

By Melissa Roy

More people nowadays find the idea of a sunny cottage with a Tuscan kitchen as their most perfect. If you wish to have a comfortable cottage ambience in your kitchen, the great news is that it's simple and do-it-yourself!

One of the causes Tuscan kitchen is such a great decorating style is that it marks the simple ideas of life: Friends, food and family. A Tuscan kitchen is easy to use, fuss free and decorating in this manner is as easy as paint and a few retouches here and there. That is why most of the household at Chicago and Dallas has got this kind of kitchen,

The walls in this have an exclusive and old-world charm. You can acquire this using a fake painting method. At first, you paint the ramparts a base colour that is bright such as butter yellow or butterscotch. Then, sponge on a darker shade so walls look as if they have faded in some areas. There are several books and Internet websites that can give us step-by-step instructions on this process of using paint, as well as product directions. If you want to you can use textures on your walls using combined compound blended with paint. Spraying the combination onto the walls makes a colour of a genuine country kitchen.

The next areas to paint are doors of a cabinet. One must use a robust, contrasting colour to truly give your kitchen a Tuscan character. Dark reds and forest green colours are especially well known on doors of closets. While you're out searching for the perfect shade of colour, spend few minutes in the hardware area of your house perfecting store. This is a place where you'll find the handles and knobs to put in the concluding touch to the Tuscan doors and drawer areas. Glossy metal or true terracotta knobs will both look great.

Creating The Best Tuscan Kitchen Design

Creating The Best Tuscan Kitchen Design

By Tatasumo

Tuscan kitchen design immediately conjures images of Italy and sunlight and warmth.  In fact these kinds of images are just what you need to think of when coming up with the perfect Tuscan kitchen design.  

Tuscany a region in north central Italy is known as a warm place almost year round an Tuscan kitchen design should reflect this.  Tuscan kitchen designs are defined by colors such as siena, terra, and sepia.  Tuscan Kitchen design uses a lot of soft warm colors and textures.  Windows in the kitchen should provide as much natural sunlight as possible.

The Tuscan style has evolved through the centuries, influenced by Etruscan metal craft and pottery as well as the Italian Renaissance.  The Tuscan style can be seen in mosiac tiles, wrought iron gates, bridges and architecture.

Tuscan kitchen design and décor can enhance the look and feel of any kitchen.  You can add a big wooden table, open cupboards, along with ceramics, pots, pans and Tuscan-inspired dinnerware.

These items can also make great decorations when you are not using them.

Kitchen island design in the Tuscan kitchen design style has its origins from ancient Roman times.  This is the origins of the nice ornaments you will find with all tuscan kitchen design.  The Tuscan kitchen island is usually of a dark color painted on oak.  Sometimes the islands are given one coat of white paint.  Scratches are added to give the wood a more antique look.

In Tuscany families tend to eat and cook together.  A good Tuscan kitchen design should provide for adequate room for you and your family to more around the kitchen freely.

The Tuscan kitchen design style is very popular now.  One reason is that this design style be quite affordable while be stylish and providing more comfortable kitchen.  The Tuscan kitchen design style accessories include pottery, jars, and hand crafted tiles depicting grapevines and vineyards as well as grapes, tomatos, and olives.  Having these design elements just naturally goes with Tuscan meals.

Walls - Wall should be painted in a rich Tuscan color such as rich reds, intense yellows, or strong yellows.  Consider a wall treatment such as molding, or murals to create a more Tuscan feel to the walls.

Floors - Use Terra cotta or clay tiles, glazed ceramic and marble inlay in intricate patterns.  Wooden floors can be left plain with natural color and finish with a Persian rug.

Furniture - For a Tuscan kitchen design use sturdy pieces of furniture that is also strong and functional.  Kitchen tables and chairs should also be well-built and strong.

Cabinetry - Cabinetry should feature open shelves for displaying your ceramics, as well as baskets, and cooking utensils

Sink - Kitchen sink should be white ceramic to be more compatible with your Tuscan kitchen design.  You might also consider a large rectangular marble sink.

As for other Tuscan kitchen design ideas you can add racks to display copper pans.  Also wrought iron pull for drawers, and wrought iron light fixtures.  You might even want to add a brick-fired oven just like the type found in large Italian farmhouse kitchens.

By designing your kitchen with the Tuscan design style and bring in the look of old Tuscany your kitchen and home will never be quite the same.