Category: French

Elements of French kitchen design speak fluent style to legions of Francophile-obsessed decoristas.

Velvet Art

With the holiday season right around the corner, the kitchen will be the baking-cooking-gathering star of the show.

Architectural Digest – Photography by Sara Silm

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.

 Ashley Montgomery 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

Architectural Digest – Photography by Charlotte Reiss

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.

Varenna Porcelain Floor Tile

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.

Antique Crown Hanging Lantern Pendant Light

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

Artichoke Art Print

Regina Wood Upholstered Dining Chair by Christopher Knight Home
French Market Basket

Maison Créative

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.

 Palm Design Group

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.

Balsa Decor Caramel 24 in. x 24 in. Matte Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile

Sahara Hand Scraped Strand Woven Engineered Bamboo Flooring

Chevron LakLuxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Bria Hammel Interiors

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.

Solid Brass Tassel Pull

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

Provencal Counter Stool

Galliher 24.5” Counter Stool

House Beautiful – Photography by Simon Upton

East at Main Rattan Handwoven Wicker Armchair with Cushion

Admiration for the well-appointed French kitchen began when I was in junior high.

Uttermost Torriana Antiqued Accent Wall Clock

Sherry Hayslip Interiors

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.

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

Beige Marble Rough Apron 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

French White Marble Sink

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

 Country French Cupboard

19th Century French Oak Cabinet

19th Century Iron and Tole Chandelier

Antique Oil Portrait Painting Woman, French Bonnet, French Brocante

Rosemary & Lavender Live Wreath

Circa Art Collection

Architectural salvage pediments.

Antique French Pediment / Ornament

Vintage French Wood Pediment

Architectural French Carved Wood PedimentCast 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

19th Century French Renaissance Hunt Buffet ~ Vaisselier

Vintage Bread Boards

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.

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

Large Marble Dough Bowl – Photography by Liz Clayman

Espresso Barley Twist Upholstered Counter Stool

19th century French allumette, Match Holder

Apilco Pig Casserole Dish

Apilco Porcelain Hare Casserole Dish

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

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.

Artichoke Finial Stoneware Table Lamp, Set of 2

Distinctive European elegance is the standard of style and signature component of French kitchen design.