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The cottage style of kitchen design in characterized as a colorful, comfortable feel that is created by painted or decorated furniture, baskets, beadboard walls and natural fiber rugs, and weathered surface finishes, as well as colors one would expect to find in a garden.
Cottage-style kitchen can have many accessories, but it is necessary to avoid going overboard to keep the clutter from becoming distracting. The cottage-style of kitchen design is also known for floors that are bare with the exception of an occasional throw rug.
The cottage style of kitchen design conjures up images of a room light and airy, charming and casual. The breezy, uncomplicated feel one finds in a summer cottage. Cottages evoke seaside vacations, a countryside locale, or a cabin in the mountains. The mood is always relaxed, unassuming, and casual. Simplification is the prominent feature of the cottage style of kitchen design.
Due to the fact that cottage style kitchens are small they usually have a floor plan that is fresh and open, that can function easily, as well as be a place to entertain.
To be able to create the cottage feel for you kitchen you need to look at accessories such as house wares, linens, and furnishings you will choose for your kitchen. Some examples are the use of white distressed, stained and butcher-block surfaces around the kitchen, striped vintage towels and dishcloths, an old antique kitchen clock, or displaying plates on open shelves above a window or doorway. Other accessories might include stoneware pots, glazed earthenware and glass jars. Also you could place a pitcher of fresh-cut flowers to create more cottage charm.
It takes time to create a cottage style for your kitchen. You can not simply find the cottage style all at one time and in one store. The kitchen must look as if it slowly took on this look over a period of time to achieve a more collected look.
Furnishings in a cottage style kitchen can include furniture made from pine, or maple. Furniture detailing is an important element of the cottage style. Furniture can be white painted, or lacquered, can include also such features as curved legs on base cabinetry, and old fashioned moldings around cabinets and tables. Or a large work table that can also be a dining space for the family. Pieces can include a farmhouse style kitchen table with beech spindle style chairs.
A cottage style kitchen range can be used, with a decorative wooden range hood, as well as a large single bowl ceramic sink, or a apron front farm sink.
Knobs figure prominently as the dominant hardware of choice for cottage-style kitchen design. Design elements include porcelain and embossed stoneware, semi-glossy periwinkle blues, creams and whites work well. Also check for woven designs using wire or bamboo.
Paint can be used to create a cottage-style kitchen design. The wood flooring can be painted a bold color. Walls can be painted with warm yellows or blues that can be coordinated with the tones and colors of the kitchen cabinets, wall tile, window treatments and other accents in the kitchen.
James Mahoney is the author of many kitchen design articles and has a site about kitchen design ideas at Kitchen Designers Ideas.com.
He also publishes a newsletter on kitchen design
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Mahoney
© Copyright 2007 by James Mahoney
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