French Country Kitchen Decorating

When designing a kitchen, most people focus tightly on organization
and efficiency.  While those truly are important considerations, don't
forget to give your kitchen a personality as well as functionality.
One classic kitchen decorating theme is the French country look.

A French country kitchen makes you feel as if you have just walked
into a cottage in rural France.  Such a kitchen reflects a joy of
living and importance of family and friends. Whether you live in a
high-rise  urban condominium or a split-level in the suburbs, you can
bring the warmth and beauty of the French countryside to your own
kitchen.  The combination of many small touches is what gives a French
country kitchen its vibrant, romantic feel.

Color plays a major role in a French country kitchen.  If you stepped
into the kitchen of a French country cottage, you would probably find
walls painted either a butter or mustard yellow, with cupboards
painted cornflower blue or even salmon pink.  Of course, you could
choose to make your walls blue and use the lighter shades as accents.

In the country kitchens of France, natural light is part of the decor.
Window dressings are often simple Roman shades.  Fabric choices range
from canvas to toile, solid to stripped or even prints of fruits,
vegetables, or herbs.  Speaking of herbs, one simple French country
detail is the presence of lavender.  Hang a bunch of dried lavender
from a hook on the ceiling or the wall, or stand a clump in a wall
vase, and you'll bring the scent of the French countryside into your
kitchen.

Accessories for a French country kitchen are almost always functional.
A tall terra cotta or copper vase serves as countertop storage for
spatulas and other cooking utensils.  Open, freestanding racks made of
copper or wrought iron hold plants as well as placemats, napkins, and
serving bowls.  Ceramic trivets with rooster or herb designs can be
displayed on walls when not in use on the table.

A plain, pine work table doubles as a place for family and friends to
gather for meals or simply to socialize. Be sure to choose a size
table that won't interrupt the traffic flow in your kitchen.  If you
have a very small galley style kitchen, you might want to skip this
element.  In the kitchen, the difference between cramped and cozy is
enough to ruin any mood.

Since French country kitchens are small by nature, their owners make
the best use of every possible space.  Instead of traditional cabinets
they often opt for vertical storage.  Wrought iron ceiling racks keep
frequently used pots and pans handy.   Pot racks are very popular in
kitchens around the world, and are therefore easy to find.  In fact,
you'll be surprised at the wide range of styles and sizes available.
You can achieve the French country look even if your kitchen doesn't
lend itself to an overhead pot rack.  Strong hooks on the wall or on a
solid core door will give save cabinet space and add to the country
feel of your kitchen.

Additional information, resources, and updates for this article can be
found at:
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