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Ideas for Adding The French Country Look to Your Kitchen

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Blue and white porcelain pieces, white ironstone, mismatched silver and well patina’d copper, layers of cutting boards, weathered baskets, crisp greenery and fragrant lavender, slipcovered dining chairs, French ticking, burlap and old lace. 

These are the things that make me think of a French Country Kitchen.

As promised last week, I’m back to share some touches I’ve added to my kitchen to give it more personality and reflect my tastes.  I love a French Country kitchen but I don’t have the budget to do a complete kitchen makeover so I’ve added touches of French Country to an already great kitchen.

I’ll begin with some full shots before zooming in on the details.

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This is the view looking from the dining nook into the kitchen.

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Scanning from left to right, this is the wall behind the formal dining room where we have our coffee nook and kitchen storage.

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Looking down the length of the island to my cooking space with the Powder Room and Den behind.  The granite is very nice, though not the white like what I had in my old house.  I KNOW . . . and I continue to be thankful that I have such nice granite.

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This is another view of my cooking area . . .

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. . . and the kitchen sink where I see all variety of birds.  My favorite are the Red Cardinals which we didn’t have in the Pacific NW.

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This is the view from the kitchen toward the dining nook.

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We have an antique dining table here which belonged to my husband’s grandparents and where three generations of children have done their homework. I know you can’t see it very well in this picture but it is a gem!

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Here you can see that directly across from the dining nook is my desk area on the right.

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This is the last shot you’ll see of my desk for awhile. It’s where I edit photos, write blog posts, pin ideas, and try real hard not to let it get out of control with paperwork! Since moving in, I still haven’t spent the time to organize this area or to make it as pretty as I want it to be. 

One. Step. At. A. Time.

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Now for some close-ups of the details I’ve added to my kitchen space to make it a little bit country and a little bit French.

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One of the very first things we added to our home was this Thrift Store Chandy that we gave a good makeover with paint, new shades and magnetic crystals.

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The tabletop is sporting three runners right now.  The bottom runner has the look of a French grain sack, laid across that is a vintage crocheted lace runner, and atop that is a rustic burlap runner.

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I love the Scripture verse on it from Ecclesiastes 3:1.

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The linen slipcovers are a recent addition, purchased from World Market.  They replace more formal covers that I’ve saved for when I might feel like being formal again.

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I’m fortunate enough to have a full set of Villeroy & Boch Petite Fleur dishes that belonged to my mother.  Some day they’ll belong to my youngest daughter.  For now, she doesn’t have room so I’ll enjoy them while I can.

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In the dining/desk area I have various silver serving pieces that I’ve mostly collected at thrift stores . . .

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 . . . and some pieces from my collection of blue and white (some vintage, some new), as well as a few white ironstone pieces (real and faux).

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 Moving on to the pot rack, where I’ve displayed some pieces of antique copper that I’ve collected along the way.

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I just love the beautiful green patina on these pots.

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These are the baskets I shared about last week in creating a Vintage Look With Chalk Paint.

You can view the paint colors I used and a tutorial HERE.

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I like to keep something pretty to look at on my kitchen island.  Since it’s summer I couldn’t resist displaying this rustic pot filled with lavender, alongside a piece from my blue and white collection and a fun rusty iron birdbath.

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In the background our aprons hang from a vintage blue willow plate (I’m lucky enough to have several of these plates from my husband’s family).  Also note the pretty blue Seahawks apron on the left.  Mr. OTN’s BBQ attire!

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Now for my stove area.  We have great plans to raise the vent and build a custom hood that will extend up to the ceiling.  We also want to add a tile backsplash all the way up the wall.  Mr. OTN and I are still wrestling over wall color.  He loves the bright and cheery look of yellow and I’m leaning toward a change.  No surprise that!  The kitchen is not at the top of our list of “to-do’s” right now though so, in the meantime, I’ve placed a French Bistro sign in front of my current stove backsplash . . . which is a mirror.  Yes, it is hard to clean a mirror every time you cook!  Not only that, but there are times that I really don’t want to look at myself while  cooking.  This morning would be a case in point.  At 11:47 a.m. and still in my pajamas . . . I’m afraid I’d scare myself!

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More blue and white and a touch of greenery at hand to clip and use in the great Southern dishes I’m learning to cook here in SC.

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This corner of my countertop holds a collection of breadboards and more old silver.  I sort of like the look of tarnished silver but I do polish it at least once a year.  OH how I miss having my oldest daughter at home to do that job.  She might tell you that this job is the reason why she moved clear across the country!

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I like the natural element of wood in my kitchen and think the grain in cutting boards is so pretty.  Did you notice my Washington State cutting board peeking out from under my watermark?

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I use a silver pitcher to keep my cooking utensils close at hand.

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What would a good French Country kitchen be without a couple of chalk boards?  This one was an old picture that I found at a garage sale and made into a chalk board.

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 This “coffee time” chalk board was something my husband brought home for me recently thinking it “looked like” me.  Suh-weet!

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More greenery.  I’ve placed boxwood topiaries on either side of the sink.

You can see my post on Decorating With Boxwood and my Source for buying preserved boxwood in bulk right HERE

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Finally, on the end of my counter a tray to hold some pretties, including silver serving pieces and miniature spoons that belonged to my mom, more blue and white, and a vintage lace doily . . .

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. . . right next to a matching basket that holds my napkins.  I found these sweet blue and white dish towels (which make great napkins) online at Keebleoutletsstore.com. These commercial grade towels are on sale right now for $18.99 per dozen!

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 So that’s my kitchen.  It was a great kitchen to begin with but now it feels like it really belongs to me and reflects my style. It’s pretty obvious that I’m drawn to the look of French Country  but anyone can give their kitchen a personal touch simply by adding items that you love.  Start pinning kitchen ideas on Pinterest or create a design board on Olioboard.  When you begin to see a pattern develop you’ll realize your own personal style.

I have a couple more touches I’ve began working on for my kitchen which I’ll be back to share with you next, along with the full tutorials.

Here’s a sneak peek at:

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Cozy on her new French Grain Sack Dog Bed (it turned out SO cute) . . .

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. . . and a tutorial I’ve been working on for creating your own Rustic French Signage.  I think the French Bistro sign (shown in this post) is kinda’ cute but I’ll teach you how to make a sign that looks vintage and not a mass produced knock-off.

I do hope you’ll come back and join me for the full reveals.

Until then, be blessed!

My Signature

NOTE:  I did not receive compensation for any of the items mentioned in this post.  They are simply products I use and wanted to share with you my DEAR readers!

French Country Kitchen

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Comments

  1. Just wonderful! I loved your last kitchen and I love this one too. You have a knack for making things beautiful and welcoming at the same time.

    Reply

  2. The French touches to your kitchen are charming! I pinned some of your pictures to my Pinterest board, My Soon-To-Be French Kitchen. I am trying to talk my husband into changing out our country look for something a little more sophisticated, but haven’t quite yet. Your kitchen and eating nook look so calming and comfortable. Thanks for sharing–very inspiring!

    Reply

  4. Your kitchen is beautiful, Patti! Thanks for sharing so many great pics! I like patina on my silver, too. I usually polish mine in the dead of winter when it is so cold I don’t want to get out. Try “Never Dull” … does the best job of anything I’ve found. (Much better than the Cape Cod polishing cloths and easier than Wrights.) ordered mine through Amazon.

    Reply

  8. Your kitchen is beautiful!

    I love the colors and all of the gorgeous windows and natural light streaming into the room~

    Thanks for sharing today. I came over on Faith Filled Friday.

    Hope you have a blessed weekend,
    Melanie

    Reply

  10. Your kitchen is beautiful! Love your computer area, so convenient! So many things caught my eye, but I especially love the silver and copper…beautiful space!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply

  11. You have a beautiful kitchen Patti! I love all the blue and white accents and your copper pots are awesome:). I think your desk looks very pretty and organized. It’s so special that your table has been in the family so long and I love the slip covered chairs with it! Thanks so much for linking up with Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. I love seeing what you have been up to! Have a great week weekend and take care!

    Reply

  13. Patti –

    I love everything about your kitchen! It is so bright and cherry! Everything my kitchen is not! Thank you so much for sharing at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link! I love seeing bits of your beautiful home each week! I can’t wait to see what you share this week!

    Cat

    Reply

  15. Oh my word your kitchen is fabulous!

    I love all your special touches, and how you bring family heirlooms to light.

    Thanks for the marvelous tour! It’s a wonderful space.

    Reply

  16. I love your table runners!! Please share where you found them. Just love the scriptures

    Blessings,
    Christa

    Reply

  17. Your kitchen definitely has a pretty French Country feel Patti! I recently picked up 3 breadboards, giving them a bit of sanding and then I will be adding them to my kitchen. Everything looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply

  21. Patti–You’ve definitely nailed the French country look! We just moved recently, too, and I would also call my kitchen French country. I even have copper pots hanging from my pot rack, just like you. So glad you shared your lovely space with us at the Pretty Preppy Party this month! XO, Christy

    Reply

  24. Hi Patti, allow me to introduce myself – Rita C from Panoply. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and even though i don’t you well by this one post, thanks to Kathy at Delightsome Life, I want to know you better. I LOVE your kitchen, and all the things you’ve added for your French flair. While i have every one of those things (even my state’s cutting board – was AHeirloom, by chance, your source?), I’ve just sort of neglected ‘styling’ my kitchen. You’re inspiring me, and at a good time, as we’re wanting to do a few updates in ours. Styling will be the icing on the cake. I’m adding your blog to my list of reads, and hope to be back and explore your home, your interests, and how you got to SC from WA. WA is on my husband’s and my bucket list for places in the US we want to visit, just a matter of when. 🙂
    Rita

    Reply

  25. Beautiful kitchen with so many lovely vignettes and gorgeous accessories and details all over it! Pinning.
    Thanks for sharing.
    FABBY

    Reply

  27. Simple, white, clean, and small details? Definitely defines the french lifestyle! Love your kitchen and how you’ve organized everything! You’re making me daydream about the kitchen I hope to have one day! Maybe somewhere in the french countryside. 😉 Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us!

    Reply

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