Creating A Country Kitchen

Creating A Country Kitchen  - Jessica Ackerman



If you have ever wished that you could recreate the tradition and warmth of your grandmother's kitchen, you'll be happy to know that it is possible to fill your kitchen with country charm along with the modern features you value.
 
One feature which can distinguish a country kitchen from other styles is the cabinets. Instead of looking for the traditional maple or oak cabinets, consider painted white cabinets. Glass cabinet doors are another nice touch. You could also add period cabinet hinges and accessories. You may find originals at an antique or second hand store. Also, many companies produce replicas that can be ordered throughimprovement stores.
 
Furniture can be used in unusual ways to give a kitchen country charm. An armoire can be used for storing linens, dishes or even for concealing a television. Look around in antique stores for an old milk chest or wooden ice box to use for storage.
 
A few changes in accessories can make a w home orld of difference. A different wall paper border, country curtains or a display of old fashioned cooking utensils can help pull your look together. Farmhouse sinks are also very popular, and look great in a country style kitchen.
 
More and more families are choosing to eat their meals in the kitchen, leaving the dining room for special occasions. If that is the case in your home, you'll want the table and chairs to maintain the country charm. Of course, they also need to be comfortable and practical.
 
A table and chairs made from cherry or oak is ideal for the small family setting. Buy cushions for the seat and back of the chairs to mix and match with the kitchen curtains. If you are handy with a sewing machine you can make your own, and have your pick of fabrics. Shop around for hand embroidered cotton clothes, napkins and a wicker basket for storing bread and other items.
 
When choosing a floor for your country kitchen you may want to consider hard wood. For an extra touch of authenticity, check with your local lumber yards to see if they can tell you where to purchase reclaimed wooden flooring from old houses and barns.
 
When creating the country kitchen you've always dreamed of, it may not be possible to purchase high end appliances. If it is within your budget, a few companies produce replicas of vintage appliances. While these appliances have the look of your great-grandmother's appliances, they have all the modern features you'd expect in new appliances.
 
There are several websites and magazines that can help you achieve the exact look you want. Don't be afraid to mix fabrics and accessories. Experiment until you find the look that is perfect for you and your home. While some people don't like change, others grow bored with their decorating. This is an economical way to get the most mileage out of your decor.You don't need a lot of time to make changes that will brighten up your home. In just one day you can make small changes that will make a big impact.

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.

Country Kitchen Photos 2

Country Kitchen Photos 2

Country Kitchen Photos 1

Country Kitchen Photos

 

Country Kitchen Design Videos 1

Country Kitchen Design and Decorating Video

Country Farmhouse Kitchen

Country Farmhouse Kitchen

Barn Kitchen Ideas

Barn Kitchen Ideas

Need inspiration for the perfect kitchen for your new barn conversion? Seeking ideas for a kitchen that truly reflects the feel of your barn?



Maple Kitchen Photos

Maple Kitchen Photos

Are you a lover of maple kitchens or thinking about a maple kitchen for your new kitchen? Here is a little maple kitchen inspiration.

Oak Kitchens - Kitchen Photos 2

Oak Kitchens - Kitchen Photos 2

Looking for a beautiful material for your kitchen units. Oak Kitchens are famed for their strength and beauty. A solid oak kitchen can last you a lifetime if you look after it with a little tender love and care. They make great country and classic style kitchens.

Small Kitchen Design

Small Kitchen Design is Perfect for Your Country Kitchen  

Some country kitchens are large and spacious, part of a rambling farmhouse that has grown with one addition after another over the years. But you can also find more modern country kitchens in townhouse apartments or small houses where space is at a premium.

Careful Designs for a Country Kitchen

Small kitchen design should take into account the whimsical and practical details of a country kitchen while not sacrificing precious space. Here are a few tips to help fit your country kitchen remodeling dreams into a small kitchen design reality:

• Look for elements that do double duty. An island that doubles as a wine cabinet or a countertop all-in-one unit that slices, dices, and mixes everything are both good ideas for making the most out of a tiny space.
• Make the space appear larger. Careful placement of windows, a skylight over the center of the room, and appliance garages that carefully hide away the odds and ends are perfect for making the room look bigger than it really is.
• Forget the traditional. Do you really need a massive refrigerator? Opt for a vintage one that doesn't take up much space but bursts with character. Use a wall oven that is built into your cabinets and put the range on your island. Opt for flat burners to provide even more usable space when the range is not in use.
• When it comes to decorating, less is more. Fewer distractions for the eye means the space feels more open and airy. Choose your country kitchen decorations with an eye toward those big on charm.
• Finally, choose colors that are soothing, such as french white or sky blue. Easy, simple lines and harmonious colors are key points that can make your small kitchen design a success.

Whether you are planning to make this a do-it-yourself project, or planning to use professional kitchen remodelers, these are a number of practical ways you can make your small kitchen space big on country design.

by Ryan Stinson

Country Kitchen Design - Kitchen Photos 1

Country Kitchens - Kitchen Photos 1

The secret behind the attraction of country kitchens is the softness in design, cosiness and warm country feel. There is a timeless feel and traditional charm that will always inspire many of us to seek to remodel our kitchens with the country kitchen theme.