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.

Spanish Revival Kitchen

With the opening of the Panama Canal came a revival of the architecture that dominated the early Spanish colonies. The movement was led by Orlando architect, Frederick H. Trimble. The Spanish revival architectural style is known for its low-pitch, red-tiled roof, stucco outer wall, and prominent arches. This design especially took hold in Florida and California, where the historic relevance created a pride in the architectural style.

The original design was greatly influenced by Spain and Latin America. It first appeared in America in the 1880s with stately, elaborate hotels. The old styles of the Spanish settlers were updated and improved for the new century and are commonly found in Florida and Texas.

Today’s Kitchens has created an updated, traditional kitchen design that utilizes only the best features of the traditional Spanish revival design. The textures mimic the stucco walls and chimney surfaces so common of the period. The design includes the prominent sandy colorations as well as bright reds and muted yellows so indicative of the Spanish theme. The Spanish Revival traditional kitchen design uses beautiful tiles to create an elaborate motif that truly imitates the Latin-themed architecture. The cabinets are built with solid, sturdy woods coated with lustrous finishes, such as Saguaro and Etched Ivory. As always, quality workmanship and attention to detail goes into each and every piece created by Today’s Kitchens.

References:

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~twp/architecture/spanish/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Colonial_Revival_architecture