A French style kitchen is an elegant and traditional design concept that features ornate, luxurious and classic elements. Influenced by the architectural style of the French country and tudor homes, the kitchen often has materials such as wood, marble, and stone that give an air of sophistication.
As part of the look, cabinetry often has intricate details such as carvings, moldings, and trim pieces as well as gold and chrome hardware. Furnishings like antique furniture, bistro sets, and zinc topped pieces also help to create the classic French style.
The color palette is typically muted and neutral with accents of blue or green, while lighting consists of ornate Moroccan-style lanterns, suspended fixtures, and wall sconces. To pull the look together, antique copper or stainless steel cookware is often displayed on an open shelving units.
What does a typical kitchen in France look like?
A typical kitchen in France is typically quite large and luxurious, although this varies greatly depending on the region and socio-economic status of the homeowner. In larger cities, where space is at a premium, kitchens are often narrow and deep in order to make the most of limited space.
High-end kitchens often feature top-of-the-line appliances and solid wood cabinetry with beautiful marble countertops and intricate tile designs, natural light, and open shelving. In the countryside, many kitchens feature rustic wood beams and primitive features that reflect the lifestyle of the area.
Whether in the city or the country, French kitchens typically have common features such as large centre islands, pot racks, professional range-top stoves, deep farmhouse sink, ample lighting, and often a separate scullery.
Most French kitchens come equipped with top-of-the-line cooking and baking items, including copper and stainless steel sauce pans and handy items like cutting boards and breadboards. As with many other traditional French features, kitchens often come equipped with beautiful ceramic tiling and exquisite artwork.
Regardless of the size and style of the kitchen, the French-style kitchen always has one thing in common – an element of sophistication and luxury.
How do I make my kitchen look French?
Creating a French-inspired kitchen can be an exciting and rewarding project. Here are a few tips to help you create the perfect French look:
1. Start with a neutral tone for your color palette. Think soft, muted hues like whites, blues, and grays. These colors evoke a classic, elegant style that’s reminiscent of classic French décor.
2. Incorporate cabinets with French country style. Use either classic wood or go for painted or distressed cabinets in colors like soft blues, creams and whites.
3. Add some decorative French-inspired elements. Consider displaying French country-style items on your countertop or on a kitchen island. Hand towels, placemats and dinnerware are a great way to add color and flair.
4. Install a white or light-colored stone countertop. Marble, quartz or limestone are all good choices.
5. Accessorize with a few French-inspired accent pieces. Think wall pieces, like clocks or colorful prints. You can find unique pieces at antique stores or flea markets, as well.
6. Hang some rustic-style lighting fixtures. Think wrought iron or distressed metal. Wall sconces are also a great accent piece.
7. Finally, add a few potted herbs for that authentic French feeling. Things like rosemary, thyme, parsley, etc. are perfect for the French-inspired kitchen.
What items should be included in a perfect French kitchen?
A perfect French kitchen should be well stocked with all the essential cooking equipment and culinary ingredients. This means having a good set of pots and pans, preferably in copper, cast iron, and stainless steel.
An assortment of baking dishes, mixing bowls, and casserole dishes is also necessary. A wide selection of utensils, such as knives, graters, blenders, and mixers is also essential.
Additional key tools for a French kitchen include a mortar and pestle, a food mill, and a pastry bag. Kitchen gadgets such as a cheese grater and an egg slicer also come in handy.
High-quality staples of French cuisine should also be included in a perfect French kitchen. This includes good-quality olive oil, fresh herbs (such as basil, oregano, garlic, and rosemary), a variety of spices, and different types of vinegars and wines.
Pantry staples such as couscous, quinoa, dried fruits and nuts, and a selection of flours and grains are also important. Of course, a variety of cheeses ranging from Brie and Camembert to Roquefort and Époisses should always be kept on hand.
To complete your French kitchen, a selection of traditional recipe books and cookbooks will come in handy for when you wish to impress your family and friends with classic French cuisine.
How do you create a French style?
Creating a French style for your interior design can be an exciting way to add a touch of French flair to your living space. To start your French style design, begin by gathering inspiration from various French sources.
Take a look at periodicals and magazines, such as those from France, to get an idea of the elements you may want to incorporate. These can include bold accent pieces, traditional furniture silhouettes, lavish draperies and fabrics, intricate furnishings and decorations, and an overall sense that the design is wedding form and function.
When it comes to color, many French designs often incorporate shades of muted blues, yellows, and creams to create a palette of warm, inviting tones. Additionally, there are several design elements that are typically French in style, including ornate moldings, antiqued cabinetry, detailed millwork, and handcrafted accessories.
These pieces will give your space an unmistakable French atmosphere.
To complete your French-style room, use accents such as distressed furniture, vintage paintings, exposed brick walls, French tiles, and antiques that tie it all together. Experiment with different combinations and color schemes until you get the perfect look and feel for your space.
Is there an app that lets me design my kitchen?
Yes, there are plenty of apps that let you design your kitchen. Some of the most popular ones are RoomSketcher, Home Designer Suite, and KitchenPlanner. RoomSketcher lets you design a 2D or 3D floor plan with drag and drop features and microturns.
It also has an extensive library of samples, furniture images, and textures from which to choose from. Home Designer Suite helps you plan and design your kitchen, plus it comes with step-by-step tutorials.
You can select furniture and decor, as well as do a total remodel of your kitchen. KitchenPlanner is a free kitchen design app featuring an interactive interface and a wide range of customization options.
You can upload images of your existing kitchen, or start with a sample design, to create a 3D kitchen floor plan. With this app, you can add furniture and decor, and choose materials and finishes to match your vision.
What colors are timeless for a kitchen?
When it comes to color selection for a kitchen, timeless colors are a great choice as they will never go out of style. Neutral colors like beige, white, grey, and cream are classic choices that will never look dated.
These colors are often combined with touches of accent colors that can be easily changed over the years such as bold blues, greens, and reds. Another timeless choice for a kitchen is to use a combination of both light and dark colors.
For example, white cabinets with dark countertops and natural wood accents. Alternatively, you could also paint the walls in a coordinating light color and add dark trim to the doors and windows. For a more contemporary look, consider a muted tonal palette of grey, black, and white.
Finally, consider integrating a bold hue of one color either on the walls or through kitchen accessories like bar stools, chairs, and appliances.
What should you not do when designing a kitchen?
When designing a kitchen, there are a number of things to consider and many decisions that need to be made. However, there are a few things to avoid in order to ensure your kitchen stands the test of time and looks and functions beautifully.
Firstly, avoid overcrowding. Having too much furniture, appliances, and décor in your kitchen can make it look cluttered. Instead, aim for a clean and organized look.
Secondly, don’t place your sink too close to your stove and oven, as this will be a safety issue. Have adequate space between these two components.
Thirdly, avoid having too many appliances and gadgets. This can be tempting, but can create an overly busy kitchen, so opt for only what you really need and use regularly.
Fourthly, try to avoid creating a kitchen that is too open to the other rooms in your house. This can cause excessive foot traffic and make it difficult to use the kitchen effectively.
Finally, don’t forget to add adequate lighting. This includes adding task lighting, undercabinet lighting, and accent lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
By considering these tips, you can ensure that your kitchen design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
What color cabinets make a kitchen look bigger?
In order to make a kitchen look bigger, lighter colors of cabinetry are best. White cabinets, light grey, off-white, or pale wood tones can make the room look larger. Incorporating open shelving and glass cabinet doors will also create the illusion of a larger space.
Additionally, finishes that are reflective such as high-gloss or metallic can also reflect light and make the room appear more spacious. For an additional touch, consider adding bright lighting fixtures or a bold wall color to make the kitchen look larger.
What do French people decorate their house is with?
French people typically decorate their homes with furnishings and accessories that reflect their personal style and tastes. Common pieces used in French home decorating include antiques and furniture with a classic European look, as well as architectural elements like archways and studded mantles.
Upholstered furniture and floor coverings such as carpets and rugs often include bold colors like royal blue, scarlet and royal purple. Windows are often covered with lightweight curtains that are gracefully draped.
Wall hangings can include things like paintings, mirrors and photographs. Statuettes, candlesticks, wall sconces and vases of flowers add to the traditional French style. Finally, accents like throw pillows, rugs, and lamps complete the look.
What makes a house look French?
One of the most iconic elements of French style homes is rustic elegance. This is achieved through a combination of charming and classic décor choices, high-quality craftsmanship, and creative accents.
Generally, French style homes feature a neutral palette centered around whites, greys and beiges as well as natural materials like stone, wood and metal. Traditional shutters typically adorn the windows, and other classic architectural elements such as intricate archways, tall chimneys and terracotta tile roofs further evoke a French vibe.
In order to create a distinctly French atmosphere, furniture should be either antique or rustic with classic lines. Traditional armoires, chaise lounges, and wingback chairs are perfect choices for living rooms, while cane-backed chairs, period cabinets, and Richlite worktops are ideal for the kitchen.
Ornamentation and décor should be simple but elegant such as crystal chandeliers, hand-painted ceramics and wrought iron accessories. Accents of plants and fresh flowers will also add an authentic French touch, recalling the country’s renowned gardens.
Finally, branches of lavender, wreaths of rosemary, and stone-washed linens will refresh the home with the lovely herbal fragrances of southern France.
What colour is a country kitchen?
A country kitchen typically features warm and inviting colors meant to evoke a feeling of comfort and home. Most often associated with rural farmhouses and cottages, the colors used in a country kitchen are often natural tones found in nature.
Popular color choices often include light and dark hues of greens, blues, creams, mustard yellow, burgundy, and other earth tones. Dark wood cabinetry in traditional styling with luxurious features and furnishings in coordinated colors also often contribute to the country kitchen design’s overall look and feel.
Textured walls and floors, such as stone and painted brick, are also often associated with the country kitchen look. Decorative elements such as vases of fresh flowers, potted herbs, woven baskets, primitive antiques, and patchwork rugs help complete the design and color palette.
What are the key elements of French country design?
The key elements of French country design are a combination of rustic, old-world charm and elegant, timeless pieces. To create a classic French country look, begin by adding warm and inviting elements, such as refined textiles and natural woods.
Furniture pieces should be distressed and have features like cabriole legs, claw feet, and scrolled detailing. Additionally, bringing in antique pieces is essential, as adding vintage-style distressed armoires and beds are essential to creating a French country look.
Next, the use of color is integral to achieve the classic French country design aesthetic. To capture the feel, use a neutral palette, using shades of whites, grays, blues, and creams, which evoke a gentle and homely tone.
This look can also be supplemented with vibrant colour splashes, such as rosy pinks, forest greens, and mustard yellows, which can add warmth and atmosphere to any space.
Then, bring in the traditional rural influences with fabrics like toile, florals, and gingham. Additionally, rich wood finishes and hardware, like wrought iron, are perfect for achieving a French country look.
To enhance your home even further, add in accessories like distressed frames, candelabras, quilt racks and vintage French-style mirrors to deepen the timeless aesthetic.
What is the most popular accent color for the kitchen?
The most popular accent color for the kitchen is usually a lighter and brighter shade. Bright colors such as white, yellow, light blue, aqua, and green are all popular accent colors for kitchen decor.
These colors can be used to add a pop of color to kitchen walls, cabinets, or even appliances. Bright and light colors work well to make a kitchen more vibrant and lively. They can also bring feelings of warmth and relaxation to a kitchen.
Additionally, these colors tend to be easy to clean and maintain, making them a great choice for busy kitchens.
What color kitchen has resale value?
When it comes to kitchen colors that have resale value, there are several that are most beneficial. Neutral colors such as white, beige, and gray are often the best option for creating a timeless kitchen that appeals to a broad range of buyers.
These colors create an open and bright feel, which many people look for when purchasing a property. Other kitchen colors that have resale value are muted shades of blue, yellow, and green, as they are classic and create a welcoming feel.
Accent colors such as grey or black are an excellent way to create a modern look while still maintaining the value. Ultimately, the best kitchen colors for re-sale are those that are classic, neutral, and create a bright and spacious atmosphere.