French Country Kitchens: Live In Old World Charm With A Rustic Flair

This kitchen style has a lot of character that comes through texture and color.

If you are not sure how to put this type of kitchen interior design together, look at books and magazines for ideas that portray this style.

Another option is to consider hiring a kitchen designer to put together this unique style with you. Check out Angie's List and find qualified companies or individuals that can help you. Take 20% off with the the discount code "premier."

Use Earthy Colors

One of the best ways to create the French country look is with color. This style uses primary colors and subtle earth tones. Popular colors that go great with French country kitchens are browns, deep reds, olive and deep greens, gold, and shades of yellow. You can also use terracotta, burnt orange, and even muted shades of blue.

You have a choice when choosing your cabinet finish. Use dark or light stain colors or no stain color at all to let the natural wood character stand on its own. Knotty pine cabinets, for instance, with a clear finish blend nicely with this style. Or consider white cabinets with a hand glazing to bring forth the look of a cottage found in the hillsides of France.

Include rustic and worn looking furniture that looks as if it came from a time in the past when furniture was hand made. Adorn your windows with plantation shutters or fabric valances in matching colors.

Textures in French Country Kitchens

Using color is very important as mentioned. In addition to colors being earthy, French Country kitchens showcase natural outdoor materials inside the home.

Think about having exposed posts and wood beams on the ceiling. Having a stone fireplace in the kitchen or an adjacent room with a large wooden mantel adds to the ambiance of this style.

For the walls, old world homes were often made of plaster. By using special paint treatments, skip troweled or faux finishes; you can get the same look for your walls.

Another way to bring texture into your French country kitchen design is by using brick or stone. A great option for this is to add stone or brick to a wall or a section of wall for that old-world feel. Expand on that by using distressed hardwood flooring, natural stone, or terracotta tiles on the floor. Distressed hardwood floors with a hand scraped finish will add character and texture to this style.

French Country kitchens will boast beautiful granite, tile, or wood counter tops. If you can’t decide, think about using a combination of the materials.

For example, use granite on your main countertop, but add wood counter tops to your island or the other way around. If wood counter tops are not your first choice, try a different color in the same counter material.

You could use soapstone countertops or limestone countertops for their rich natural stone appeal in French country kitchens. Or you could even consider quartz kitchen countertops as a relatively maintenance free surface with the look of natural stone.

Other Considerations

This elegant kitchen style often features shelving, niches, alcoves and hanging pots as décor. When possible add a wrought iron pot rack above your island to go with the theme in your new kitchen design.

Consider a baker's rack and other period furniture pieces to complete this look. Check furniture stores and antique galleries for the prefect pieces to finish your country French design.

Unique to this style is the hanging of copper pots. If you have an island prep area, choose a copper bar sink to match this kitchen style. The combination of copper and wrought iron is always an eye-catcher. You may want to look at using a copper kitchen sink and matching faucet to compliment the overall look as well.

In French country kitchens, the room was often a gathering place as it is today. For that reason, over-sized furniture pieces such as a table with wooden chairs or bench seating was common for casual living.

To achieve the warm inviting atmosphere that French country kitchens offer, carefully choose your colors, textures, and materials for the area.

Use all available space for shelving and storage, and enhance the look with key decorative pieces that speak to the time. Your kitchen will be the focal point of your home and a place friends and family will enjoy gathering for hours.

To get help with all of your decisions and choices, consider subscribing to Angies List. Join today and take 20% off already low membership rates. Just enter the coupon code "premier." Use the list to find the best people and companies that you need to complete your project and get the French country kitchen you want!

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