Elements of French kitchen design speak fluent style to legions of Francophile-obsessed decoristas.
With the holiday season right around the corner, the kitchen will be the baking-cooking-gathering star of the show.
There’s no time like the present to entertain the thought of a kitchen revamp, refresh or remodel, n’est-ce pas?
Our Food Stories – deVOL Kitchens
Elements of French kitchen design marry formality with rustic refinement coupled with old-world charm personifying the characteristics of the country French kitchen.
Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by Werner Straube
Architectural elements juxtaposed against a weathered patina and items of old and new come together to lend warmth and character which in turn create a visually stunning space.
Architectural Digest – Photography by Simon Watson
Nature inspired tones and skirted sinks and islands of stone become the design elements cornerstone of rustic French kitchen design.
Do you prefer the term country French or French country?
Traditional Style of the Country French Kitchen
Perhaps a tomayto, tomahto point, but Country French is the term used most often in the antiques world so country French it is.
Inspiration is everywhere, and listening to French music is an excellent source of inspiration- a musical form of a French immersion master class.
Antiqued Dalle de Beaucaire French Limestone Flooring
It is said that kitchen design starts from the ground up.
French Terracotta Flooring – Vintage Elements
Auxerre French Reclaimed Terracotta Tile Hexagon
Rich earthy tones, pattern designs at play, and old-world charm is present in natural stone choices.
Hardwood floors, natural wood cabinets, exposed stone tile backsplash, an effortless mix of new and vintage architectural pieces, and marble countertops continue to top the list of the most preferred elements of French kitchen design.
Argos Natural Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile
Stella Loire Silver Smoke Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
Balsa 24″ x 24″ Porcelain Wood Look Wall & Floor Tile
Artisan Damero Azul 13 in. x 13 in. Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile
Canet Gris 17 in. x 17 in. Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
Veranda Magazine – Photography by Xaviet Bejot
Oscar Wilde tells us imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Imitating the distinctive European elegance vis-à-vis design and decor pays a compliment to the classic French kitchen.
May I present in the style of accents and accessories for your design and decorating inspiration~
French Lantern Chandelier in Gilded Bronze with Cut Crystal Detail
Shachar 72 in. or 90 in. Extendable Rectangle Dark Brown Wood Dining Table
Regina Wood Upholstered Dining Chair by Christopher Knight Home
French Market Basket
Betera Blanco 13-1/8 in. x 13-1/8 in. Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile
Merola Tile Retro Hex Nero 14.13″ x 16.25″ Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
Industry Tile 8×8 Art Wood Marble Design 5 Porcelain Tile
Merola Tile Kings Damero 17.63″ x 17.63″ Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile
From the rustic chic of hardwood, the earthy richness of natural stone, the formal informal of marble, and the iconic style of parquet flooring- flooring serves as a principal foundation piece in terms of the overall balance of kitchen design.
Hand Scraped Strand Woven Sahara Engineered Bamboo Flooring
Dixiewood Herringbone Brown 9.25 in. x 11.22 in. Marble Mosaic Tile
Balsa Decor Caramel 24 in. x 24 in. Matte Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
French Oak Santa Cruz Solid Hardwood Flooring
House Beautiful – Mindy Laven Design
Photography by Christopher Lee Foto
Commanding features of the very right of the white kitchen juxtaposed with the presence of accents and accessories rich in provincial color, texture and pattern fashion a visually interesting mélange of design and decorating distinction.
Antique French Pine Cabinet Doors
Subtle drama, a decorating oxymoron if there ever was one, engages my eye past the traditional idea of the country French kitchen to decor accents in the not trying so hard to exemplify the look category.
Grosvenor Large Single Hanging Shade
Alisina 4 – Light Dimmable Lantern Geometric Chandelier
Balsa Decor Caramel 24 in. x 24 in. Matte Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
Sahara Hand Scraped Strand Woven Engineered Bamboo Flooring
Salento 8-Light Vintage Copper Chandelier
Same fixture design but in Persian white.
Salento 8-Light Persian White Chandelier
Chevron LakLuxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Salento 9-Light Vintage Copper Chandelier
French Country 12-light Beaded Empire Candle Chandelier
Chapman & Myers Modern Globe Lantern
Mitzi Fenimore 1 Light Pendant
Hudson Valley Painted No.1 by Mark D. Sikes 3-light Aged Brass Pendant
Allenglade 5-Light Unique Antique Gold Globe Chandelier
Antique Copper 7-Light Crystal Empire Four Tier Chandelier
Adding a ceiling medallion completes the desired result.
European Collection Acanthus Polyurethane Ceiling Medallion
Needham Urethane Ceiling Medallion
Saverne Ceiling Medallion, Primed White
Shell And French Twist Polyurethane Ceiling Medallion
Benson Classic Ceiling Medallion, Americana Crackle
Strasbourg Urethane Ceiling Medallion, Pot of Cream
Do you consider cabinet hardware as a focal point?
Oui mes amis.
Anne at Home Hare Head Knob in Pewter Matte
All Creatures 1.37″ Diameter Mushroom Knob
Never underestimate the small details and the ability they have to make a grand statement.
Accenting with as opposed to a total immersion in is the key to alleviating the risk of a dated look.
Lubbock WTBHA 2015 Parade of Homes
Sourcing home decor items is routine, but never mundane.
For any of you in the Greater Houston area or up for a treasure hunt adventure I suggest checking out the French and European items up for auction at Gallery Auction.
In the days of Hopefully Classic, this auction company was an absolute favorite source of antique pieces and accents. Goodies at the Gallery was code for hook up the trailer and let’s go.
Louis XV Style Buffet Sideboard
French Provincial Sideboard
If you can’t make it in person you can view the catalog, bid online, and arrange to have your winning purchase(s) shipped to you at an additional cost. (Check out the copper cookware and stunning Empire chandeliers- treasures galore!)
Zentique Provence Side Dining Chair
House Beautiful – Photography by Simon Upton
East at Main Rattan Handwoven Wicker Armchair with Cushion
The Gray Barn Willow Way Dining Chair (Set of 2)
Linen and Wood Dining Chairs (Set of 4)
French Chic Vintage Style Dining Side Chair With Linen Welted Fabric
Antique Hand-Carved Hunt Dining Table
Maria Wood and Cane Upholstered Dining Chair
Dark Gray Fabric Dining Chairs with Black Checkerboard Back Design, Set of 2
Admiration for the well-appointed French kitchen began when I was in junior high.
Uttermost Torriana Antiqued Accent Wall Clock
My best friend’s mother had impeccable taste in home furnishings and home décor accessories, and it carried throughout to create the notable interiors associated with one of the most premier homes of our area.
Kingsley Sandblasted White Round Dining Table
Gracefully designed and decorated, the traditional kitchen, appointed with classic French flair, was indeed the design pièce de résistance.
Remarkable in memory to this day is the French bleu colors mix paired with cream white accents designed to serve as both color palette and focal point.
Less is more echoed throughout the design and decor, and the style statement made more ethereal than overt.
Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by Werner Straube
Accents in ç’est vraiment magnifique detail translates to it’s really beautiful- the quintessential design element of the curated French kitchen.
French Country style kitchen faucets by Kingston Brass represents the detail of vintage French country design, bringing elegance of old to the contemporary kitchen.
Kitchen Faucet with Side Sprayer in Antique Copper
Tuscan Farmhouse Arabescato Marble Sink
Kingston Brass Heritage Kitchen-Faucet in Antique Copper
Whitehaus 30″ Single Basin Kitchen Sink
Rounded Apron Front Farmhouse Kitchen Double Bowl Mexican Copper Sink
Utilitarian in function, unique in presence. Wonderful options for a butler/prep sink.
Rope Natural Stone Vessel Sink in Almond Brown
Cylindrical Natural Stone Vessel Sink in Grey
One-Handle Widespread Kitchen Bar Faucet
Akicon Single-Handle Bar Faucet in Copper
bi·be·lot
ˈbib(ə)ˌlō
noun
a small, decorative ornament or trinket.
Antique French Blue Transferware Bowl 1878 Earthenware
French Antique Empire Iron and Tole Chandelier, Late 19th Century
19th Century French Oak Cabinet
19th Century Iron and Tole Chandelier
Antique Oil Portrait Painting Woman, French Bonnet, French Brocante
Vintage French Louis XV Style Marble Top Paint Decorated Commode
Rosemary & Lavender Live Wreath
Architectural salvage pediments.
Antique French Pediment / Ornament
Architectural French Carved Wood Pediment
Cast Stone Parisian Entrance Urn in Aged Charcoal
Curated style is born out of looking at decor pieces in a whole new light such as using this Parisian Entrance Urn as a countertop trash receptacle.
Blue Willow Chinoiserie Printable Art
Large French Country Vaisselier Plate Shelf
Antique French Provencal Salt Box
French Antique Flower Enamel BB Freres Kitchen Canisters Containers
3-Piece Ceramic Canister Set in White and Blue
Veranda – Photography by Alexandre Bailhache
Set of 5 French Kitchen Copper Pans Saucepans Wooden Handles
Architectural salvage pieces take beautifully to the aesthetic of the French kitchen.
Antique Architectural Salvage Cast Iron Fireplace Cover
This antique architectural salvage cast iron fireplace cover is stunningly suitable as a fireback backsplash accent piece.
Rustic Kitchen Island with Drawers
White and Gold 58-inch Wide Marble Top Kitchen Island
May I present a second option dripping in going for the gold style~
White and Gold 58-inch Wide Marble Top Kitchen Island
Homestyles Orleans Kitchen Island with Butcher Block Top
Large Marble Dough Bowl – Photography by Liz Clayman
Stuart I Brown Solid Wood Top Two-Tier Black Metal Rolling Kitchen Island
Elisgner Black Metal 29-inch Kitchen Island Table
Espresso Barley Twist Upholstered Counter Stool
19th century French allumette, Match Holder
Apilco Porcelain Hare Casserole Dish
French Kitchen Pillivuyt & Cie Porcelain Rabbit Pate Tureen
Martha Stewart 6″ Cream Ceramic Rooster Baker
Pomegranate Fruit Oil Painting
Large Natural Willow Tote Basket by Ashland®
Classic Provencal blue cookware.
Tramontina Enameled Cast-Iron 7-qt. Oval Dutch Oven
Creil & Montereau Blue Transferware Small Serving Dish Vine Model
MALACASA Series Ceramic Oval Baking Dish Bakeware Set
E. Dehillerin Paris Stamped Stock Stew Pot
Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Roasting Pan with Artichoke Handle
French kitchen design provides the perfect opportunity to add a single focal point lamp or perhaps a duo to the countertop for accent lighting perfection.
Distinctive European elegance is the standard of style and signature component of French kitchen design.
