My Home June 2014: Tranquil French Inspired Kitchen

Our kitchen is way too boring for most folks
but it functions really really well.
Aesthetically, it could use some major zhushing.
I have yet to add window treatments
after 7 years of living with it!
Seems I only feel the nerve
to share images of my spaces at the moment
I begin to re-envision and re-fashion them.
For example, the kitchen needs to be cozied up,
shrunk in some ways because it is large with
a 10-foot ceiling.
I’d like to add art (lord knows I have lots of that around)
but apparently it takes me 7 years to begin to
narrow down the options.
Have a peek around the tranquil space…

I am toying with the idea of changing the finish
of the cabinetry to a brighter, beachier white and perhaps
adding white marble countertops
(they are a light sand quartz now) and backsplash.
Not sure about wall color, although a bright white would
provide a great backdrop for the yet-to-be-decided-upon art.

Hit me with all your best advice and brainstorming,
design freaky friends!

Peace to you right where you are.

michele

Follow:

40 Comments

  1. June 20, 2014 / 7:10 pm

    I adore you kitchen just the way it is!!! Crazy about white kitchens

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:47 am

      thanks. i think i just get bored easily, and this is the 7 year itch!

  2. June 20, 2014 / 10:16 pm

    The only thing I would change is the counter and back splash, I think the soft white is more YOU, bright white might be a bit tooooo white in the end. I think this looks like YOU. Change is good but don't lose the feeling of softness, light and ethereal. Love it!!!

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:47 am

      of course you're right. thanks for the help!

  3. June 20, 2014 / 10:17 pm

    Are the magazines paying attention? This belongs on a cover baby. JUST gorgeous…and let me tell you that your photography skills are envy provoking:) Happy weekend to you.

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:48 am

      nahhhhh. but i'm not sure how i would benefit from publication anyway. need to get a business rolling first! merci beaucoup, beautiful.

  4. June 20, 2014 / 10:33 pm

    Hi Michele, I love your tranquil kitchen and your whole tranquil home! What a beautiful place to be peaceful and happy in! Have a great weekend,
    Holly

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:48 am

      thanks, holly. you're so kind.

  5. June 20, 2014 / 10:38 pm

    I wouldn't change one thing, it's perfect the way it is. I've never seen a more beautiful kitchen. I think I would quit my job and just live in a kitchen like this. Stunning.

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:49 am

      hahaha. that's a great compliment, rhonda.

  6. June 20, 2014 / 10:44 pm

    Michele, I love your kitchen! Maybe it's the lack of zhushing you say you need but to me it looks so clean and simple and calming. I love it! White marble would be lovely on the counter tops – we've been in our house 6 years and I'm still debating about art on walls and trying to convince my husband that the counter tops need to go, so I understand the moving slowly business. 🙂 But to me it looks like the perfect place for a little champagne and strawberries which I do think you need to have tonight! XOXO and more XOXO

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:49 am

      another day, another session of strawberries and champagne…thank you, jeanne!

  7. June 20, 2014 / 11:25 pm

    Michelle. I think it's perfect, perfectly perfect.
    Love the calm and the space, the high ceilings are a plus in the air space of calm.

    I so took notice of the kitchen table caddy / tray and your sweet rippled plates make me feel at home, I just love my tray and I cannot get enough of Laura's hand tossed pottery plates, I feel like I am looking at my table here 🙂

    A most beautifully inspiring weekend to you.

    Xx
    Dore

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:51 am

      so grateful for that tip about the tray, and i understand your passion for the hand tossed pottery–it makes my heart beat faster too. would love to try my hand at making some of my own someday…

  8. June 21, 2014 / 12:14 am

    Wow, your kitchen is gorgeous! I envy people who are able to show restraint when it comes to nick nacks…I start out simple then slowly, everything starts getting so fussy! I think this is absolutely beautiful and tranquil is the perfect word for it:)

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:53 am

      merci, victoria. i suppose the line between boring and tranquil is a blurry one sometimes. how can i not feel uplifted by all this wonderful feedback?

  9. June 21, 2014 / 1:14 am

    I agree with many of the comments above…your kitchen is absolutely lovely, and it would seem to be a wonderful backdrop for whatever artwork you decide to display. I like the softness of your colors which makes a room with lots of hard surfaces look warm and welcoming. I would love some draperies and roman shades installed in such a way that you don't lose any light coming in. You sound like you are ready for some change which happens no matter how wonderful the space.

    • June 21, 2014 / 3:54 am

      i do see room for improvement and freshness. more plants and some artwork with fluidity and soft energy. thanks!

  10. June 21, 2014 / 5:13 am

    Nice post! I will follow your blog as my pattern for decorating my kitchen cabinets next week! Thank you for sharing!
    modern-kitchen

  11. June 21, 2014 / 8:40 am

    Now that I have found the perfect kitchen to sit and let my tired soul breathe, would you join me? 🙂 I'll say no more.

  12. June 21, 2014 / 3:44 pm

    It looks beautiful the way it is!!! Do nothing, my friend!! Love your collection of galvanized watering cans and pails – want those! And I'm envious of your 10 foot ceilings. Happy first day of summer 🙂

    • June 21, 2014 / 6:15 pm

      now see, when you say that i instantly just breathe easier, loi. i'll trade you my ceilings for your expertly divine eye and way with interiors and gardens, deal?

  13. June 21, 2014 / 3:44 pm

    Michele,
    Your kitchen is just perfect as it is. I love when food and fruits give it a real sense of a family who truly lives in and loves their home. Very inviting kitchen. By the way your collection of galvanized vintage watering cans … AMAZING!
    XO,
    Vera

    • June 21, 2014 / 6:16 pm

      thanks, vera! i do love the galvanized stuff, and the collection expands daily in the summer!

    • June 21, 2014 / 6:16 pm

      now that's just too kind.

  14. June 22, 2014 / 12:17 am

    oh my goodness, that kitchen is PERFECT but of course it is so roomy and light that it could benefit, me thinks, from just a couple of simple things….some soft textures in the form of fabrics. Everything looks better through lace, I'd add some lace sheers to the windows, lace valance on the smaller ones….. and possibly a simple pale linen with a single 6" ruffle on the edges on the tables…… a bit of fabric cozy, and a few well place plants…..and maybe show piece sea shells? Thats it……maybe some artwork if the added textures of fabric doesn't feel like to much, otherwise I'd not change a thing if its nearly or is perfect already including the colors…..keep us posted what you decide.

    • June 22, 2014 / 4:52 am

      i love lace! it's on other windows throughout the home. and i def need more fabrics and my shells. awesome ideas, lady!

  15. June 23, 2014 / 10:06 pm

    I agree with others…your kitchen is pretty damn swell….so you! Why you wanna change a good thing?

  16. June 24, 2014 / 4:19 pm

    Wow, you did a great job styling these photos Michele. It's looks amazingly calm and the perfect place for me to have a stiff drink after all this crazy house hunting. I'm barely sane at this point, wish we lived closer. Although I'm still loving my Votre Vu night cream. 🙂

  17. June 25, 2014 / 6:03 pm

    It's perfect! Gosh, i can't imagine your home being any more fresh, tranquil and appealing. I love that photo of the hydrangeas in the bucket under that fabulous mirror. This could all easily be in a magazine…

    Cindy

  18. June 27, 2014 / 3:38 am

    I love your kitchen just like it is! It is simply fabulous. I recently posted my kitchen makeover but have been bothered by the chairs at the island and toying with painting them. When I saw your chairs with the similar shape in gray it was confirmed . . . THAT is what I need to do. Thank you for sharing your fabulousness. I'd love for you to pop over and take a look at mine if you get a chance (much smaller but a lot different than what I started out with). Blessings to you, Patti

  19. June 28, 2014 / 2:29 am

    I think your kitchen is already gorgeous. However, a little change can b good too, since you have the desire for a change. What about a warm white and light grey, herringbone marble backsplash, to tie in with your chairs, stools, and light fixtures. Herringbone tile is such a gorgeous classic.

  20. July 18, 2014 / 4:21 pm

    sorry if I posted this twice by accident. I think you have a lovely kitchen. The only thing I could imagine changing is adding a bigger backsplash that goes all the way to the bottom of the upper cabinets. I'm imagining glass tiles. 🙂 And maybe painting the island a color! But really, you have a beautiful kitchen!

  21. July 19, 2014 / 11:35 am

    I think it is just perfect. I love all the white and you have wonderful textures, so no, it is not boring. Alaina

  22. August 8, 2014 / 4:06 pm

    Oh my Gooooosh! I wouldn't change a thing, it's PERFECT! It doesn't need window treatments or a different paint color and the cabinetry is already gorgeous. I'm not sure I would even add any art. The room is art in itself.

  23. July 11, 2017 / 5:27 pm

    Love your kitchen just the way it is thank you for sharing.

    • July 11, 2017 / 8:59 pm

      hi marie! This is our kitchen in our prior home–thanks for the kind words!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing