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Posts Tagged ‘traditional kitchens’

4 Well Known Ways To A Traditional Kitchen

November 23rd, 2009 No comments

The 21st century ushered in minimalism with ultra modern designs which are sometimes nice, but in a particular spaces in the house only. My opinion is that a kitchen should look warm, cozy, inviting and a place where you feel uninhibited. A place where grandma would look and feel the part. It is possible to have such an elegant traditional kitchen with a little creativity and at a fraction of the cost of a modern looking one.

Here are 4 ideas to help you with your plans:

Useful idea One: Accessories are very important in creating a traditional look. Think earthy objects like wicker baskets, dried vegetables stringed and hung somewhere, old looking storage tins and window blinds. These create an old feel that people will identify with immediately. Always have fresh flowers in an odd looking vase and some black and white photos against a wall, will set the tone for lots of conversation in your kitchen.

Useful idea Two: There is nothing so inviting as an oak finish to your cabinets. They are available in a large array of colors to suite your personal taste. If you invest in a high quality wood, your cabinets will last forever and will always have that classic and elegant look to them.

Idea Three: If it is romance and ambiance you want to create in your kitchen, then do it with lighting. Small recess units will look stunning under your cabinets to highlight a workspace. Or what about multi-colored lighting in the cabinets that have glass doors. Choose pastel tones like yellow, lime, and pink bulbs, which in turn strategically placed really gives your kitchen a magical spirit.

Idea Four: Flooring will make or break your kitchen. It is the first thing our eye catches and will instantly make you like the kitchen or dislike it. Here you need to be really daring by using stone for your flooring needs. Slate makes a wonderful floor cover that is easy to clean and has marvelous textures and colors to choose from. A well known secret these days is to extend a piece of your slate flooring up on the wall, behind your stove and hob. This really makes a kitchen come alive and gives it a focal point.

The idea of a traditional kitchen is giving it a personality of it’s own. It must invite you in and keep you there for hours on end. It should be a place where the family have their most fun. So a last tip is to let a family member give you an object that has a lot of sentimental value. Have it mounted or give it a special stand and place it in the kitchen on it’s own specially made shelf or space. They will love you for it and will always tend to gravitate towards the best room in the house!

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in kitchens. If you want further information about varieties of traditional kitchen or are searching for a reputable kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

What Can I Use In Traditional Kitchens?

November 22nd, 2009 No comments

Classic Vintage is how to describe Traditional Kitchens that are making their way into homes all over the world. Popularity in this design has grown over the years and now is the most requested kitchen design in new homes today. They have the country warmth and friendliness within them.

Instead of dining tables incorporate beautiful made farm tables constructed using aged wood to give it that really vintage feel. Use hutches as well, but new ones who have that old country feel to them or search out antique malls for true classic pieces. Display a set of vintage china and stoneware bowls on them for added ambiance.

Your floors if you want to continue the country charm should be in tiles that are rustic in design or get linoleum that looks like real wooden flooring for half the price that actual wood floors would cost you.

Remember back to when you were little and went to visit Grandma. What accessories caught your eye and which things within her kitchen do you really remember? These should be added into your own kitchen and things that resemble her items. This is the best way to get the design truly vintage and charming.

The best look for your cabinets are painted white, pale yellow or a country style blue. You can also go au’natural with pine cabinets only lightly glossed that show all details of the wood including perfect knot holes in the wood. When looking for hutches or china cabinets make sure that they will match the colors and style within your new kitchen.

If you are using curtains on your kitchen windows you can either make your own valances out of fabrics that are country looking or buy some in bandanna prints etc. Linen napkins, tablecloths and place mats work best in these more traditional kitchens.

As far as accessories go the easiest way to find true vintage country ones are at flea markets and antique shops. You can find some really great treasures if you take your time and search through everything. You never know where the perfect addition to your kitchen may be hiding.

One great traditional accessory to look for is a wooden spice rack with glass bottles to hold the spices. These where in almost all older kitchens and will really pump up the traditional feel to yours.

Placing and island in the center of the kitchen is also an important part of traditional style. It should be made or purchased by the same company as the cabinets. You want it to blend with the counter tops and cabinets within the kitchen.

Even traditional kitchens need a little modern touches to them, These can be added so that are not noticeable. Say a vintage looking refrigerator in classic colors may look old but really has all the bells and whistles of the new ones on the market too. Vintage looking ranges are the same as they deceive in their looks but have all modern gadgets within them.

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvements. If you would like further information regarding traditional kitchens or are searching for a reputable kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com