Light colours and elegant appearance, the unique characteristics of a French country kitchen

Country-style homes are characterised by the use of natural materials, a nod to tradition and above all by the fact that they are particularly cosy. While the listed traits are common to all types of country furnishing, each region has its own peculiarities, which can be reproduced by means of expedients. Those who choose a French country kitchen, for example, will opt for an interior design that combines a rustic touch with refinement and elegance.

The role of light colours in the French country kitchen

The main difference of the French country style, which in turn varies depending on the region, with more maritime hints in areas closer to the sea, is in the colours. If in fact the American country, one of the best known, inspired by life in the American countryside, and also the Italian country style, mainly use warm wood tones, playing with earthy colours, in France lighter palettes are chosen, with pastel inserts.

The French country style is therefore the ideal declination for those who want something rustic but do not like rooms where everything, or almost everything, is the colour of natural wood and even consider it excessive in its warmth. The French style reproposes many of the uniquenesses that unite country houses around the world, adding touches of delicacy and refinement, thanks to the lighter palette, but not only.

The French country kitchen is refined without losing functionality

The kitchen consists of essentially wooden furniture with a retro flavour (although modern technology can be integrated). Compared to the robust and functional style of the American country, a French country kitchen indulges more in refinement and elegance, without losing the functional concept of any country-style room, where everything is useful and where spaces are designed for sharing by those who live there.

The material? For a French country kitchen, aged wood

So, basically, what are the steps to follow when deciding to furnish a kitchen in a French country style? As mentioned, the main material is wood, just as in other rustic interior designs.

Similarly to shabby, which differs from the French style by focusing more on a romantic atmosphere, the wood itself, through various techniques such as patination or decoupage, must appear aged. The grain is emphasised and the appearance should be used, almost worn, but in an elegant way, not ruined.

The main furniture, from table to sink

In a French country kitchen there is a large wooden table, which can be replaced, if desired, by an island, with several chairs around it, cupboards where utensils can be stored while showing them off, shelves that will hold pots, sets of dishes, spices. Tradition does not fail to include a cooker, which once had the important function not only of heating but also of cooking. Important, as always in country, is the sink.

Natural fabrics and wrought iron details, what cannot be missing in the French country kitchen

Other materials that are well suited to this style are natural stone, with marble worktop and table top, tiles or ceramic on the walls (also used for crockery, perhaps with floral motifs and delicate pastel colours). Fabrics for curtains, tablecloths and chair cushions are strictly natural, such as linen and cotton. Characteristic of the French style is the use of wrought iron in details, such as chandeliers, utensil hooks and furniture handles, preferably with a handcrafted look that, like the rest, appears aged, traditional and yet elegant.

A colour palette that embraces all of France

We were talking about colours: in the interior design taken from the French countryside, light tones with pastel hints reign supreme, as if to remind us of the immense lavender fields of Provence, the hills of Alsace, the cliffs of Brittany, the sea of the Côte d’Azur. Furniture and walls in French country kitchens are white, beige, cream, light grey or a combination of these and can be enriched with the aforementioned pastel colours, taking care not to make them preponderant or too prominent.

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