French Country Kitchen

The charm of France extends beyond its corner cafes and delectable cuisine. Yet food is such an integral part of the French culture. The kitchen hearth is a gathering place for families and a symbol of comfort and love.

The beauty of the French kitchen design is a popular choice among those who are remodeling their homes. French Country and French Provencal themes are not just for country-style homes. The designs are elegant and rustic, stylish while charming. These modern kitchen designs bring the warmth of France to your home.

French Provencal Kitchen

Both the French Country and French Provencal themes are distinctive designs by Wm Ohs from the original flagship custom cabinet program, Theme Stylings. The designs make use of natural materials such as stone and wood. Bright colors such as yellows, greens, and oranges accent this style in the form of paint, accessories, and flowers. Metal light fixtures and furniture contrast the sunny, warm tones with a dull, steel appearance. Flooring is usually a natural material, such as wooden boards, stone, or brick.

An important characteristic of Provencal design that is not common in the French Country kitchen design is the use of vivid – sometimes ornate – fabric designs. The brightly colored materials are often united with seemingly clashing designs, such as plaids, stripes, or checks. However, the overall result is one of timeless traditions. Recurring motifs include flowers – particularly sunflowers and lavender, foods like grapes and olives, as well as roosters or ladybugs.

The French Country kitchen theme uses the muted colors of olive green, cobalt blue, pale yellows, and rust orange. Wooden cabinets and polished countertops add to the charm.

Whichever French styled kitchen design you choose, you’re sure to feel right at home.

Remodeling a kitchen is said to be the most challenging yet the most exciting phase in any home improvement project. It is challenging because literally there are a great number of design options one needs to consider. Design options can vary from a more traditional kitchen, a classic kitchen, a contemporary kitchen to something more of a modern kitchen. Whatever design option appeals to the home owner it is worth noting that this is just the beginning. One still needs to consider the type and quality of materials to be used, the cabinets, the kitchen countertops, the flooring, the sink and the appliances that would go well with the kitchen. A kitchen layout should also underline the kitchen design and should answer questions related to the placement or arrangement of the components that will make up the kitchen. The design option selected addresses the aesthetic part while the layout addresses the functionality and utility aspect of the kitchen.

The exciting part of any kitchen remodeling project has a lot to do with the home owner being involved in almost every aspect from the planning phase up to the execution phase of the improvement activities. Most home owners would have already painted a picture in their minds on how they want their dream kitchen to look like even before the project starts. Being involved while the project is in progress not only allows home owners to provide input for slight modifications but it also gives the owners a glimpse already of how their kitchen is slowly being built according to their expectations. In most cases, home owners also enjoy having a say on the type of cabinets to be built down to the very intricate detail of selecting certain types of cabinet handles. It’s like shopping because you will be given a catalogue containing the materials to be used except that in this case, you won’t immediately pay for your purchase. At any rate, kitchen remodeling is fun and it’s a good way for us to explore our creativity as we actively provide input or as we passively critique how the job is being completed. In any case, one should consider partnering with an experienced and reputable company to deliver quality services before any of these can be possible.

A beautiful kitchen

Today’s kitchen is of great importance providing families’ structure, showing our loved ones our cultures traditions, and providing each a feeling of comfort. Today my husband and I are able to show our children what are parents taught us hoping our children will take the lessons and comforting moments with them when they have their own families to share these great glories with.

My husband is from the south and he takes great pride in this. His family taught me their cooking traditions, such as collard greens, sweet potato pie, macaroni, fried chicken like no other can cook, and much more. In spending time in the kitchen I can incorporate the traditional food we cook when I was a young girl with the foods that comfort my husband. Doing so has proven to provide valuable time for my young ones in the kitchen, either be it we are making a big breakfast or peeling our collard greens for a true treat. Spending this quality time together is important, not only do I enjoy it, but they will be able to pass on these great recipes to their children.

Besides cooking together we are eating together, my father has a saying, “Families that eat together stay together.” I believe that a family eating together does provide substance in a family. When I was a young girl we ate together as a family, now that I have my own family I try to incorporate this. At times my family hasn’t eaten together and I notice the unity has changed for the better since we have incorporated this in our routine.

Remember, to teach your children the dishes of your families glory and to eat together. Today’s kitchen is of great importance provided a families ties like no other. So again, as my father would say, eat together and keep the family together creating the unity we all need and should pass down from generation to generation.

Here are a few links to my favorite blog directories. I plan on updating this list often so keep checking!

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It’s true what they say about inner beauty being as important as outer appearance – at least in the design trends of today’s most up-to-date kitchens. While the beautiful craftsmanship of the custom cabinets, professional appliances, and natural stone countertops get the largest portion of the praise, there’s no doubt that what’s going on beneath the surface it is what really makes these kitchens beautiful to those who live with them. Read more…

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