Color me a believer in unfussy, freshened traditional style that is timeless and unconcerned with trends. While I can’t say I’m a traditionalist (I’m into an evolved look that isn’t easily dated), I’m loyal to certain kitchen design elements. They just seem to well they work for our lifestyle and feel like home. You’ll find plenty of resources and ideas to shop the look.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Hello Lovely’s Favorite Kitchen Things
Apron Front Farm Sink
What can I say!?! It’s a design element you can never just add later on a whim!
While a few folks might place it in a trendy category, farm sinks fall in and out of favor.
These hardworking vessels have been around for ages and added so much character to our last two kitchens.
Also, as a lover of bright white, they deliver a sense of clean along with their suggestion of age and tradition.
Remodeling or designing a kitchen from scratch? This fireclay sink post may help you determine whether the kitchen sink style is right for you.
Marble Subway Tile Backsplash
Choosing a quartz countertop for our last kitchen’s remodel was far more difficult than deciding on a marble backsplash.
Just a reminder, it’s smart to select a backsplash AFTER the cabinetry and counters are decided upon.
Before we installed the polished venatino marble subway mosaic tile backsplash (from counter to ceiling), I laid every tile on the floor just as I wanted it on the wall. Then I sealed the marble before my husband installed then grouted it. That was a particularly straightforward and simple process since each mosaic tile was roughly 11×11.
The process was not nearly as simple for our recent kitchen renovation where I chose 3×6 Calacatta Gold marble subway tiles for the backsplash:
The kitchen was so torn up at the time that I couldn’t easily lay out all the tile and seal them. Instead, we separated them into piles (bright white, creamy, heavy veined, grey, etc.), and my husband varied them. What was unexpected (and terrifying!) was how they all looked yellow once installed! It took a full week for them to dry and look warmly white as we wanted.
Remember that choosing a natural stone for your backsplash comes with some uncertainty. Stone is porous and permeable. Within natural stone are minerals and substances unseen that may become activated when wet. Likewise, there are minerals and deposits in the water used for the wet saw and installation. Finally, there are pigments in mortar and grout which can possibly interact. But don’t freak out if things look off while they are wet or ungrouted. Dry time varies, and grout always transforms and unifies the overall look.
Kitchen Renovation Resources: Terracotta Urns & Ironstone Accents
More white for a white or mostly white kitchen?
Hahahaha – yes, indeed.
This particular rustic terracotta urn was great on my wonky vintage steel cart and works in our new kitchen too. Branches, dried hydrangea, white roses…they’re all gonna work in this baby.
White ironstone pitchers are also right at home in traditional and country kitchens of any style. I use them to hold scrub brushes, Mr. Clean erasers, and of course as vases too.
My glazed terracotta urn is designed by Rachel Ashwell and may be retired. Similar options including vintage examples HERE:
For slightly smaller examples, you may be able to snag the real deal from France (18th century):
Video of Hello Lovely’s Prior Kitchen
No vintage ironstone for you? How about something new that functions and looks lovely?
I use this 11″ white ruffle bowl for everything! If you have a smallish kitchen with limited storage, no butler pantry, no scullery, and no china closet, multipurpose pieces are a must. This bowl can be brought into service for everyday, for entertaining, and for display.
Creative Kitchen Design Inspiration
Think your own kitchen is too hopeless to be improved? What if you rent an apartment but long for a more romantic, custom kitchen?
Thanks so much for tuning in and taking time to leave comments – I love hearing from you!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!
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