When we bought our home, it was decorated in the typical 1980-ish styles (not very flattering). The first thing I did, was decide to redecorate using a country theme. The house has a stone fireplace, so it seemed fitting to use rustic cabin and farm themes throughout.
I’ve always been a poultry admirer, so I chose roosters as the main theme in my kitchen. I purchased a country look border, that includes hens, eggs, roosters, old milk cans, etc., with a cream background, and a barn red trim. I lightly sanded the walls down by hand. (You just have to go over the walls enough to “rough them up” a little, so the paint will hold, or you can use primer). I then chose a cream color paint, and painted the walls. After painting and letting the walls dry, I cut, pasted and applied the border . (Hint–measure and cut your border before wetting the pre-pasted backing). I tried to keep as much natural wood as possible, but ended up having to paint the cabinets a caramel brown color, due to the fact that the cabinet facing was quite worn. I placed a round wooden table and chairs, on top of a red/multi-color braided rug. I purchased two cloth mats with matching roosters, and have a few cast iron rooster and hen nic-nacs. The three main colors in my country kitchen, are barn red, cream and brown.
Another way to produce a country themed kitchen, is to use as much distressed wood as possible, like you would find salvaged from an old farm house. Many people are using this type of wood for their country kitchens. Building kitchen tables, cabinets and shelving from it, is a good way to get the comfortable feeling of a farmhouse setting. Any type of cast iron pot’s and pans, dishes, etc. (especially if you have your pots hanging from the ceiling, or on the walls), produces the feel of the country. You can also use glazed dishes to hang on the walls, with pictures of whatever your theme happens to be, like ducks, chickens, geese, etc., to add extra flair.The colors most commonly used for a country themed kitchen are warm earthy colors. The use of neutral colors like bone, cream or white works well. You can also select red barn, blues and greens. Stenciling around windows and in areas where walls and ceiling meet can add to the rustic look.
Besides farm animals, there are other types of themes you can use for your country kitchen. A French country look is also very popular. The French country kitchen is known for elaborate designs, but creates a feeling of country living. It instills a unique French flair, but is also warm, with an elegant look. Most French country kitchens include the colors of bright yellows, soft golds, rust colors, green’s, bright blue and soft ocean tones. You will want to fill your French country kitchen with plenty of rustic, old and warm looking items. Light colored wood is usually the type used in this kitchen theme.
Other items used as themes for a country style kitchen are baskets full of dried flowers, hanging baskets, angels, bears, ( I have brown bear pictures, nic-nacs, and throws in my house ), moose, gingerbread men, lanterns or candle sticks, or any type of old, antique looking Americana items. A family member of mine has also created a country style kitchen by using an apple and sunflower theme. She has items like an apple coffee cup holder, paper towel holder, and curtains with small red apple applique’s on them. Sunflowers are scattered here and there, and make it a very cozy, country-feel kitchen.
Sources, my own.
Guide to Creating a Country Kitchen : Kitchens : Home & Garden Television
French Country Kitchen – French Kitchen Design, Design Plans for Kitchen Remod
