French Country Kitchen

Our home was built in 1980 as a model (so my neighbor says), so the cabinets came with the home.  I know a lot of designers like to paint or replace the cabinets.   But..............

Our cabinets are solid oak.  I think they go quite well with French Country.  Our built in shelves hold my wide assortment of cook books and decorating wisdom.  If my cabinets look a bit weathered I just  take out the Liquid Gold and they look like new.

I have a lot of cabinet space which holds an assortment of china.

Our back splash is tumble stone for a natural look.  We replaced the cook top with the flat surface which makes cleanup very easy. 

I found these tiles at the last minute to create a soft design.  

Our French Country Chandelier makes the room.  We purchased this after the flood at Lees Lighting in Frisco.  Our contractor recommended the place and we were very happy with the selection.  It had been reduced in price and the minute I saw it I fell in love.  It felt like a gift from God  I started laughing with joy because it was what I had always dreamed of.   

Our kitchen has a vaulted ceiling so it makes the lighting more dramatic.  We have a little window from the upstairs which over looks the kitchen area.  For many years our sons would call down and peek through the window to ask

 "Is dinner ready?'

My mom made the drapes from a Toile Fabric we found at a wonderful fabric store called, Cutting Corners.  Our favorite thing to do was going shopping for material just to see what was new.  Toile fabric tells a story.  I like the picture of the husband and wife working together on their farm.  Since a hundred years ago most people worked in the rural areas its a little bit of history.  

I also found the same fabric at Calico Corners.  I will probably never replace them because it reminds me of my mom.  I also have a matching French Chair she recovered.

Sue, which means Grace,  was always very stylish and had a flair for decorating.  She was an excellent seamstress and recovered sofas and chairs. I'll post another story to feature her home.  I think decorating is a complex mix of who you are, culture, and colors you love.  

Decorating always tells a story.  There's always a reason why you purchase something.  My favorite thing about our kitchen is the oil painting I purchased in front of my favorite place, Museum D Orsay.

I visited my girlfriend since 7th grade who lives in Germany teaching military students.  After a family trip to Europe i stayed an extra week and my girlfriend and I took a road trip to Paris.  We had the best time watching people at sidewalk cafes  So every time I see this oil painting it brings back a  very happy memory.

Accessories also make a room.  I found the lamp at a special store in Dallas.  I wasn't looking for a lamp but this one cried out to me.  Purchase!!!!!  I've loved it ever since.  The clock is a nice green which brings together the colors.  It's always nice to know what time it is.  

Our table was purchased after the flood.  My husband and I went shopping together and fell in love with the rod iron.  The chairs are very sturdy and we both liked it.  I had my grandmothers table for many years made of solid oak.  But because it was built over a hundred years ago the chairs would break.  He wasn't a fan of the chairs breaking but it was difficult to part with something that belonged to my grandmother.  So he was very happy to find a new table we both liked  It was even on sale so i laughed again with joy.  This was a gift from God.  i believe he cares about the little things.

Our sink came when we purchased the granite about eight years ago.  I enjoy the faucet because it has a strong flow.  The granite is Cecilla Gold.  I had put off buying granite because I thought it might be too porous but it has turned out to be a great decision and will never be outdated.  

It's nice to have fresh basil to pinch for cooking.

It's fun to play with flower arrangements.  I'm always changing what i like.  Blue and white is traditional for French Country.

I also love table cloths and change them frequently.  I am blessed to have white roses outside our window which bloom from April to November.  

It's July and my Christmas Poinsettia is still blooming and alive.  All it needs is a little water and sun.

It's interesting how another photograph from the same space can  feel so different.  I love decorating magazines because i always wonder what the room really looks like in person.   

 

Here is a nice photo of the vaulted ceiling.  I think the architect was very creative when they designed our home.  The window makes me happy.