Wednesday, July 9, 2014

10 ELEMENTS OF A FARMHOUSE KITCHEN




Don't we love kitchens! Even if you don't cook, most of us have a love affair with a great looking kitchen! And farmhouse kitchens are so on trend right now.  They never go out of style really... because they are such a classic!

I'm happy to see farmhouse kitchens so popular right now!


A farmhouse kitchen can be dressy and elegant... chippy and rustic... or anything in between!

It can be French or Tuscan or All-American... and more!!


Today I'm sharing 10 decor elements that sing AMERICAN FARMHOUSE style ...




Here are MY top 10!


1. WHITE PAINTED CABINETS

Now this is the ultimate when it come to giving a kitchen that Farmhouse feel! We painted our kitchen Benjamin Moore Atrium White 18 years ago and still LOVE it!

Our cabinets are relatively simple and we dressed them up with lots of heavy molding and fluted corners!

White cabinets go a long long way to set a farmhouse style mood!
















2. FARMHOUSE SINK

Farmhouse sinks are big and open and often have an "apron". These sinks hearkens back to a simpler time when sinks were used for caning, cooking and washing babies!

There is certainly a whole lot of cooking and canning going on in this sink!

I hope that someday I'll be washing my grandbabies in it too!









3. WOOD, SOAPSTONE OR MARBLE COUNTERTOPS

These 3 surfaces are known for their farmhouse allure!

We chose soapstone because of it's big contrast to the white cabinets.

Soapstone is inert.. noting bothers it. It is impervious to stains, hot pots are no problem for it and it has a smooth, heavy quality!
















4. BEADBOARD

Charming! I think that is the best adjective to describe beadboard. It is a classic farmhouse kitchen must!

These crisp striped wood panels give a clean, uncluttered look to farmhouse decor.











5. MASON JARS AND GLASS CANISTERS


Who doesn't love mason jars and big glass canister! They are quintessential farmhouse!

I use mine for flour, sugar and other goodies!

Can you see the vintage blue and white tea cups I use as scoops?









6. ISLANDS AND STOOLS

I would have a hard time cooking without the convenience of a modern island! Once large farmhouse tables were used to cook, prepare and eat on. What workhorses!

Today, islands do the same work in style! Almost any flat surface can be transformed into an island! I've even seen a vintage ironing board work as an island in a small farmhouse kitchen!


Farmhouse islands and stools go hand in hand! Stools can be metal, upholstered or wood! My favorite are the humble wood stools that have been handpainted to reflect the personal flair of the owner.

















7. OPEN SHELVING AND GLASS FRONT CABINETS


Be still my heart! I love the look of glass front cabinets and open shelves! They are sooooo farmhouse!!!

Don't you love to see what dishes and other goodies are on display?

Once, most kitchen's had open shelving... and glass cabinets were a luxury, but now glass fronts have become a signature farmhouse style!

I have a few glass cabinets... and hopefully by the fall most of the cabinets in my kitchen will have glass fronts!











8. CLASSIC FLOORING

Wood, painted floors and black and white linoleum come to mind! Today the black and white check floors that were once linoleum are, for the most part, a thing of the past. Thankfully, we can still get those great checked floors with updated materials!

Our choice... wood! But I must admit I'd have one of the other two in a heartbeat!










9. FARMHOUSE TABLE

The farmhouse table was once family central!  So a great table that family and friends can gather around is a farmhouse staple! This humble table has taken on many finishes and shapes over the years!

I've updated the farmhouse table... ours is round with 2 leaves... and it's made from 200 year old barn beams.











10. VINTAGE ACCENTS

Now here's where life, personality and personal style can be breathed into a farmhouse kitchen!

Adding accents that reflect today's trends and vintage styling can be fun and the options limitless!

Here are a few ways I decorate my kitchen with vintage accents...


Galvanized Metals...








Aprons...









Farmhouse vignettes:











 White Dishes...










Now, what elements say FARMHOUSE KITCHEN to you?



Remember to





47 comments:

  1. What a lovely tutorial and tour, I am revamping my moms house and now definitely want to use soapstone countertops - thanks again, Heather C

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  2. Talented and you make it look effortless, which I know it's not. Your writing is excellent as well. Thanks for an inspiring blog.

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  3. Thank you for sharing all the details! Your kitchen is gorgeous! Yvonne, would mind sharing more details about your farm sink? I'd like to know the style name and where I can purchase a sink like yours. I've never seen one with an apron on it. Also, how far down is your chandelier hanging over your kitchen table? Thank you so much!

    Ann R.

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  4. As always ~ so lovely and inspiring. Can I just move in with you?
    Cindy

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  5. Forgot to ask ~ how is your son doing? Has he had his surgery yet?
    Cindy

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    1. Cindy, thanks so much for asking! Chris' surgery went well, but he is struggling with some bad bone pain.
      Keep praying, please!

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  6. We also painted our cabinets (off) white and love the change its made to an old dark 80's kitchen. We haven't replaced the counter yet, but when we do it will be a dark granite - I love contrast too. Wish I had room for a farmhouse sink, but it would overwhelm my space. I love every part of your kitchen - it's gorgeous!

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  7. Happy Birthday sweet Yvonne!! I hope you have a wonderful day! I hope Chris is doing well. You all have been in my thoughts and prayers. I would like to know if you had it to do over would you still put hardwood floors in your kitchen? I really want hardwood in my kitchen as I love it but everyone keeps trying to talk me out of it saying I will be sorry. As I trust your judgment more than theirs, lol, I would love to know if you still like them. Again.....Happy Birthday!!!!

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    1. Shyanna, thanks so much for your birthday wished and prayers for Chris.
      Let's talk hardwood floors. I've had mine for almost 19 years and they still look great! Our home is often like a hotel... filled with people and activity! We have spilled, splashed and had more things tracked in on it that I wish to think about! My floors still look great! Hardwood floors are durable and strong and forgiving! I don't regret using hardwoods at all! Hope this helps!

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  8. I just love your kitchen...I am working on that "top ten list"...see you soon!!!

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  9. Your kitchen is gorgeous Yvonne, I have white cabinets too and a black and white floor, it's wonderful because you can use any color pop and change it frequently as you often do with your lovely table and island vignettes~I especially liked your orange with the black and white dishes that you created last fall [?] anyway, it looks fabulous with so many charming details~and you have taught me the importance of having white dishes and now I gravitate to white first instead of color :)
    Jenna

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  10. I love your kitchen!! I plan to use of lot of your ideas.

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  11. Yvonne can you share one more time what your hardwood floors are in your kitchen. I am seriously considering them in my condo. Thank you. Happy Birthday.

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  12. This is a wonderful post and very useful to me as I am deep cleaning my kitchen. We have several of these things already but I can add some touches to make it more of a farmhouse kitchen! Love your kitchen!

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  13. I love everyone of your posts. Your taste runs right along
    every turn and twis of my choices. Thank you for such a
    wonderful blog.

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  14. I have a lot of these elements and that makes me happy! I've recently been adding the white dishes and serving pieces and love how clean it looks :-)

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  15. Yvonne you kitchen is so beautiful, I simply swoon every time I see it! I am dying for a farmhouse sink. new flooring and new counter tops, and now I have some ideas of what I would like.
    Thank you so much for such a great post. Wishing you a wonderful week!
    XO Barbara

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  16. What a gorgeous Kitchen! Not only is the counter tops, sink, and layout Marvelous...but the accessories are just as amazing!

    Deb
    @Seeking Lavender Lane

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  17. Did I miss something? Is it your birthday, Yvonne!?!
    Happy, Happy Birthday!
    ((You and I share a birthday month. MIne is on Saturday :0) ))
    I always enjoying looking at photos of your kitchen . . . loved seeing the touches of Fall and your aprons!
    So beautiful . . .
    Thanks for sharing,
    Suzanne

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  18. Praying for the Lord to bless your son and help him through this time of pain. May he have a good recovery and come through stronger than ever.

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  19. I love this article! One thing I always like to add is something galvanized. I have a large galvanized pail that I like to change out either daisies or sunflowers in. Also there is a three tier galvanized holder at pottery barn that looks very farmhouse. I've been looking to find it much cheaper, however. I think the chicken and rooster thing has been done to pieces but I do have one large pottery chicken flower pot that I keep out with ivy planted in it. Last but not least, I add a lot of baskets to keep things organized.

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  20. I truly drool over your kitchen every time I see it! It is stunning and welcoming and perfect down to every detail. ~sigh~

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  21. Yvonne, your farmhouse kitchen is wonderful! I I love all the elements of design in it. Love the vintage vintage accents.

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  22. About the only things I have in common with the farmhouse kitchen are countertops and white painted cabinets. Yours is gorgeous and anyone considering the style will find your tips very helpful.

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  23. Love your kitchen, Gorgeous!!
    Hugs

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  24. Where did you get your light fixture? I absolutely adore the look!

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  25. Yvonne, your kitchen just feels WARM! I love every element in it! Hope your birthday was marvelous and I'm wishing your son a speedy recovery as well!

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  26. What a beautiful kitchen, Yvonne! I also have (creamy) white cabinets, and am looking to replace my counters. I was all set on “marble-look” quartz, but now that I look at your soapstone counters, I think I may go with those instead! They are so pretty and I like the contrast with the cabinets. I have a question about appliances and would love your opinion. I noticed that your refrigerator is white, as is mine. We will be replacing the fridge and cooktop soon, and am wavering between white and stainless. What do you think of stainless in a farmhouse style kitchen? Also, do you think stainless is a trend that will appear dated in the future? Hoping your son continues to heal and feel better each day.

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    1. Hi Linda, this is a tough question! My frig is over 20 years old and just won't quit. I love stainless... except in a farmhouse kitchen. When we replace the frig I'm having panels put on it to look like the rest of my cabinets. Sorry I can't help more!

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  27. what a fantastic post Yvonne. everything I want to know right here. I have it bookmarked for when I start making my decisions....hugs.
    Leslie

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  28. What a gorgeous kitchen! I drool over it every time I see it. I'm curious, do you have outside help with your beautiful home?

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  29. Hi Linda, is it possible to have a farmhouse kitchen with dark cabinets? Changing them or painting is not an option...the husband. I already have hardwood floors and a light quartz countertop. Thanks and hope your son feels better soon.

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  30. Your kitchen is always gorgeous. I have the glass front cabinets and a farmhouse type table but that's about it. But then I don't live in a famhouse:):)

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  31. In the after mid '50's I was born and raised in a farmhouse with a kitchen. In those days, because one could be snowed in, my mother chose a stove/oven range that ran off "Skell"gas ( propane?) or corn cobs from the harvested corn and chunks of large shiny coal. It stood large on a wall. White and black trim. Four burners and one could simmer where the cobs and coal were added--a spiral handle to a round disc opening. The cabinets were left in a stained but maybe just waxed wood. The refrigerator was white and popular for the day. It was so much smaller than today so good packing skills were a must. The cabinets only were on the side with the sink and a type of counter was used that was not tile nor wood. A laminate of sorts. The kitchen sink was wide but was deep set and did not have the fancy fronts of today. The sink and running water had been added in 1950 when my parents had been married nearly two years! A window was above the sink and we loved to watch birds in the tree / bush planted there. Chickadees came in the winter when Dad tied suet to the tree.
    Mom painted the entire kitchen walls and table and chairs and the stools for the littlest to sit on up to the kitchen table. It was yellow or mint green or light pink but I don't recall pale blue. A yellow "Kirch" sat under another window--a rolling cart that provided more storage. Each week Mom scrubbed, waxed and used her electric buffer to get the floors to gleam! A chalkboard hung in the corner of the room for important reminders. We did not draw nor write on it! Tea towels were ironed and feed sacks were soaked and rubbed on the rough sidewalks. Then washed in lye soap and rinsed. These were rags. The round kitchen table easily sat all seven of us each day for meals except on Sundays where we used the dining room, good china, good silver and goblets as well as special serving trays. Mom made her dinner to cook on a slow oven while we all drove to our tiny country church and spent time with our cousins. How beautiful it all was. My memories are clear. And wonderful times were happy memories have lasted and made an impact on even the CA cousins!!! Yes my memories of a beautiful kitchen filled with joy and kids fun!!!

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    1. Gwen, I have similar memories of the farm home I grew up in, also in the 50's. Our kitchen really was the centre of our home! Gas stove, not sure what was on the counters but I haven't seen anything like it for years. Our cabinets were painted a light green. We also had a large chalkboard but we drew pictures and wrote on ours. Mom's grocery list was on the inside of a cupboard door. Such wonderful memories of a warm, safe place. It's where I learned to can, cook and bake when I was pretty young. Working with my mom taught me so much and I still use most of it to this day!

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  32. Yvonne, I love your kitchen! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. Praying that your son will recover quickly and completely from the surgery. Blessings to you.

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  33. Hope you enjoyed a wonderful birthday. Did you get sore lips blowing out all the candles?
    Kitchen has such warmth, it does not take much imagination to
    feel the going-ons in it.
    May your son be as happy and strong as he has ever been! Praying for a speedy recovery.

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  34. Glad your son's surgery went well and praying for God to help him through the pain. Love your kitchen. I will always have white cupboards, in my dreams.

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  35. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. Wishing you the happiest of days and thanks for the tutorial!

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  36. I absolutely love your kitchen. It has such a classic and timeless appeal. And I've always been a fan of the contrast of light and dark like you have in your kitchen.

    I smiled at the idea of you washing grandbabies in that sink... I can just see it and I know you will be the BEST grandmother!

    One of these days, I'd love to be a guest in that kitchen!!

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  37. Yvonne: I have always loved your kitchn.
    It hust says home and family to me.
    Can just picture you in your kitchen making
    some of your delicious recipes. Maybe someday
    I will have a beautiful farmhouse kitchen too.
    Prayers for Christopher for a speedy recovery.

    Have a great weekend.

    Denise

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  38. Wonderful post. I need to redo my kitchen. Like yesterday. Previous owners installed ceramic tile counter tops. I'd never do that. She also put in black and white tiled floors. I will admit I was smitten when I saw them..and they are pretty..but only until someone walks over them or you start to cook. They show every speck of dirt, flour and crumbs. You can see the dark on the white squares and the light on the dark. It's a poor choice for a kitchen, from my experience. I'd save the black and white for a foyer, if someone simply had to have B&W. I'd personally never do it again. Love the post and your beautiful kitchen!

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  39. Thanks for the tour of your lovely kitchen...No wonder you love to cook being surrounded by lots of beauty and inspiration!

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  40. Love your kitchen Yvonne! It is truly a show stopper. I hope to one day be able to add a few more farmhouse elements to our kitchen like the farmhouse sink.

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