I’m noticing articles online sprinkled everywhere about a trending look for kitchens known as “softer kitchens.” Of course it makes me giggle. As if kitchen as cozy living space (beyond utilitarian space) is revolutionary. Good gracious, marketers who hope we will not notice the ridiculous assertion we have not done this for many years. Softer Kitchens With Euro Inspired Old and New explores ideas for Country French, Belgian Minimal, French Cottage, English country, Nordic, and Tuscan flavor. Whether you love color or no color, find lovely paint color ideas too.
Softer Kitchens with Euro Inspired Old & New
You’ll quickly see how “European Country” is never a singular look! So many ways to design a uniquely unfussy European inspired space for living, cooking, and dining. But what if you have no plans or budget to remodel or change the sink? My suggestions may provide hope.
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Vintage & Antique Textiles
It’s funny. Islands and kitchen peninsulas are such fixtures now that we don’t see a lot of traditional eat-in dining tables set with linens. Upholstery and textiles for chairs, curtains, and linens with an Old World look can certainly add personality and establish European country identity.
In Ruth Gay’s kitchen (above), antique grain sack upholstery graces gorgeous chairs.
I used an antique German grain sack as a runner on a dining table in our former home (above).
If there’s a place for an accent pillow on a chair, bench, or window seat like mine above, think about how you might add age and texture with fabric or upholstery.
Fabric inserts in a cupboard can also bring softness to a kitchen.
My skirted kitchen sink is a Belgian nubby sheer-ish linen I collected years ago. Something romantic happens when you break up an expanse of wood cabinetry with a peekaboo surprise.
Even vintage or vintage-inspired towels can be a design element to reinforce a European country feel. Look for Turkish or French stripes, linen, checks, and grain sack material.
Ideas for Adding Softness for Softer Kitchens
Have a spot where a linen runner can cozy up the space?
Even a massive island that feels sterile may be warmed by a runner.
I admire the quality and timelessness of kitchen linens curated by Jenni Kayne.
Rustic Wood on the Ceiling
It isn’t the easiest kitchen design element to add AFTER the fact, right? But the warmth of wood truly brings a layer of rusticity to European country kitchens.
There are more versatile options in the marketplace to get the look of ceiling beams without adding the weight of solid reclaimed material.
Sometimes it is about revealing ceiling rafters and what hides behind drywall.
I love how creative homeowners address smaller areas where wood planks can make a big statement.
Sometimes homes come with existing, dated features that no longer serve. For example, garden bay windows (hello, 1970s) or bump-outs that may not make sense with windows if they are failing.
If you’re renovating and have the opportunity to elevate these features? Score.
It also bears mentioning that rustic wood kitchen ceilings are not the best choice for every project. The look can go dreadfully wrong, look inauthentic, or steal too much light.
Wood ceilings that are less rustic and feel at home in contemporary settings can be lovely.
With low ceilings, there are still options to enjoy wood beams.
What a blessing when your rustic wood ceiling is original and who knows…maybe hiding within popcorn texture.
Notice the difference a light painted ceiling makes when compared to…
a richly dark one:
Add Rustic Woodsy Warmth to European Country Kitchen Designs
If you love the look and feel of rugged old wood but won’t be touching your ceiling, think about how you can add it with useful items that double as decor.
It’s so easy to find old boards these days everywhere. I have four rustic wood cutting boards on my counters this minute.
Some will be decorative only and can be hung on the wall or styled near the range. But don’t underestimate the power of new boards as well.
After all, with use and time, they will begin to age and get better looking!
Texture from seagrass bowls is another way to bring a bit of warmth that feels relaxed, timeless and casual.
Alternative Wall Cabinets
Whether you are redesigning your kitchen and repurposing existing cabinets (as we did) or buying new, you can skip upper wall cabinets should you not need the storage.
So many American kitchens jam maximum wood boxes from floor to ceiling.
It’s also a very old world, Euro inspired move to skip cabinet doors. There are so many creative ways to achieve a more relaxed European inspired look in the kitchen. Notice what happens when you add a decorative custom trim to door-less cupboards:
You need not make a solid commitment if you’re toying with this idea. As long as you finish the inside of a cabinet so it is pleasing to your eye, you can live with it and re-install the door if desired.
Including a teeny bit of glass on an upper cabinet can be glorious when a softened kitchen is the goal:
What a difference to tile the full wall and enjoy it through glazed doors!
Adding one glass door for pretty things to glow can make a romantic statement.
Add a Statement Cabinet
If new, custom cabinetry or pantry is not in the cards, what about a freestanding cupboard for storage and display?
Another possibility is to remove a door, finish the inside, and add a few decorative molding pieces like this:
Effortless Soft Kitchen Look (Or at Least It Appears Effortless!)
You can’t get too much more laid back than a Leanne Ford approach, and her sensibilities seem to echo those of European country.
Find softer kitchens with inspiration here and HERE.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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