It's the heart of the home……the kitchen!
Welcome to our French Country Kitchen!
I am not sure about you all, but our family spends a lot of time in the kitchen. We share meals here, the kids do homework, and we socialize here. There is even an old TV in the cabinet above the wall oven unit. I probably have it on way too much. I kind of like the background noise.
I absolutely love to cook!!! Since we got married 23 years ago, I've enjoyed trying new recipes and collecting cookbooks. Most of the new creative recipes are tried out during the summer when things are at a bit slower pace. During the school year it is usually the tried and true with the slow cooker roaring to life many nights! My daughter (14) loves to cook. She has become great at the prep work and sometimes cooking on her own. Hope she continues to enjoy that. My son (16) has taken a liking to running the grill!!! Now if they'd just enjoy doing the dishes, I'd be set!!!
We built our home and moved in 2004. The kitchen design and decorating was my baby! The perimeter cabinets are distressed pine and the large center island is painted and distressed. We opted for a Wood-Mode factory finish. The other cabinetry in the house was made by a local cabinet-maker.
The house-plans originally had the island with cabinets going all around it, but I envisioned it a bit differently. I wanted to be able to fit four counter height stools around the counter. This is where the kids do their homework, eat breakfast and occasionally dinner. It always ends up as the hang-out area for when we entertain. Everyone usually ends up in here!
We also used two different granite colors. The lighter definitely shows less in terms of fingerprints!!! I love granite. So easy to keep clean with a microfiber cloth and a spray bottle with 1/2 water and 1/2 rubbing alcohol.
The opposite wall is a wet bar with a wine and Capri Sun cooler. This was the only area that I wanted glass cabinets. It's a combination of pretty display and my decorative glassware.
The French Country scene over the range was custom painted and fired by a local artist. I had seen something similar in a Traditional Home magazine and fell absolutely head over heels in love with it! It was torn out and placed in my decorating file. All of our names are strategically placed throughout the painting.
I was so nervous to cook with a gas range! Our previous home had a smooth top electric range. I love cooking with gas!!!
This part of the kitchen looks out into the backyard. The back porch is screened so we can now crank open the windows and bring the outdoors in! The breakfast area walls are finished with Cyprus paneling and a pickled wash was applied. The ceilings are stained pine planks. Our last kitchen was all stark white. I was over that. I wanted warm and lived in.
One of my favorite rugs in the house was this one. It is an antique and slightly worn in spots. I bought it off EBay for $100!!! It was my first EBay rug purchased. I was scared to death that it would have bugs and stink! It was great! I did vacuum it and Febreeze it before bringing it in the house!
I still would like to put a low bookcase at this end of the room for my cookbooks. I've been hunting for that perfect thrift store on Craig's List item to paint!
I've been collecting tole trays for many years! Most of them I have purchased through EBay.
Back before the kids came along and became so active in sports, we used to go to the NC mountains every fall for a weekend get-away in a bed & breakfast. We loved trying different towns and inns. We purchased this on one trip and crammed it in the back of my Ford Explorer. It has been YEARS since a trip like that! This is one of my favorite pieces in the house. It will never meet a paintbrush as long as I own it.
I'm still working on the “Bessie” area. I purchased a thrift store frame that I think I'm going to a paint finish on and hang it over her. Did that make sense??? I purchased the cow from Finch & Co. You can find them through Pamela's site/blog From My Front Porch to Yours.
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This post was featured at the following awesome blogs!!!
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Monday
Craftomatic, Market Yourself Monday, Between Naps on the Porch,Alderberry Hill/Make the Scene Monday, Motivate Me Monday, Skip to My Lou, Craft and Tell by Cherished Bliss, The Winthrop Chronicles, The Dedicated House, Uncommon Designs, Under the Table and Dreaming, Project Inspire , Amaze Me Monday
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Thursday
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The Shabby Creek Cottage, Delightful Order, 52 Mantels, The 36th Avenue, House of Hepworths
The CSI Project, Someday Crafts , Stone Gable, No Minimalist Here,
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, The Girl Creative,
Friday
French Country Cottage, The Tidy Mom, Design, Dining + Diapers, Liz Marie Blog, A Night Owl,
The Frugal Girls, My Repurposed Life, Craftionary, The Shabby Nest,
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Buffer
What a gorgeous and amazing kitchen! Every detail is just beautiful! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria
Thank you so very much!!!! I’ll be sure to link up! 🙂
Me too…LOVE warm and lived in! Your kitchen is gorgeous! We are in the process of remodeling ours and it is so hard to find inspiration photos that aren’t all white. Off to explore for more on your beautiful kitchen!!! Thanks soooo much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY, sure hope you’ll be a regular!
Blessings,
Cindy
Cindy recently posted…AMAZE ME MONDAY #9
Thanks so much, Cindy! So happy to have you visit!
OMG Christy I love love love you kitchen!! Absolutely beautiful!
Martina,
You are so sweet!!! Thank you so much. I hope you are having a lovely week! 🙂
Gorgeous kitchen and just wanted you to know it is featured at Wow this week.
Thank you so much, Kim!!! I am so excited to be included this week!! Have a lovely rest of the week. 🙂
WOW!!! What a dreamy kitchen. LOVE everything about it, just gorgeous! So glad I found you. Your newest follower!
Thanks so much Michelle! I am so excited to have you here. Have a lovely week!
Twitter: debdoos
says:
Your kitchen is gorgeous! I love absolutely everything about it.
Thanks bunches, Debbie!!! That means so much coming from you! Have a lovely week. 🙂
Girl, you so do not look old enough to have been married 23 years! I would have guessed you were my age! {28} Unless you got married at age 5… 😉 ANYWAY, your kitchen is absolutely stunning! I love everything about it– personal touches are the best. I love that the painting was made for you and has your names in it! How cool! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us!
~Abby =)
Abby recently posted…Football Star or Prima Ballerina? {Behavior Chart Printables}
Oh, Abby! You have just made my day!!!! Guess that wrinkle cream and always wearing sunscreen and a hat is paying off a bit! LOL!!! Thanks so much for stopping by and making the kind comments. Hugs~ Christy
Twitter: artsychicksrule
says:
It’s been a little crazy today so I’m late letting you know…but this fabulous kitchen (that I adore!!!!) is my main feature for the Project Inspire{d} party tonight! 🙂
Nancy
Nancy recently posted…Dated 80′s Bread Box to French Fabulous {Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint}
Thanks bunches, Nancy!!!! I know what you mean about crazy day. I think I’m starting to have those 7 days a week. Thanks bunches for the feature! How very exciting!!! 🙂
Twitter: threemangoseeds
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Christy your kitchen is beautiful! I like white paint but I love all the wood tones and I agree that sweet piece you got on a weekend trip looks to good to paint! Thank you for linking up to ITS PARTY TIME. I’ve featured your kitchen! XOXO
Clydia recently posted…Favorite Furniture Friday
Wow!!! Thanks you do much! Very excited to be a feature!
Hi Christy! You are the fan favorite this week at the Anything Blue Friday party at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and grab a feature button for your blog. Hope to see you again at the blue soiree. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Kathryn Griffin recently posted…Before and After Wednesday
This is such a fabulous space. Love those greeny gray cabinets!
Lovely!!
Thanks so much, Diana!
Hello Christy, you have a very amazing kitchen. Love all the details from the range hood, the mural, the colors, the island, the furniture to Bessie! I’ll be featuring your post in this week’s Home and Garden Thursday party. I appreciate you sharing,
Kathy
Kathy recently posted…A Rosy Thrifty Find
Thanks so very much, Kathy!!!! I hope you are having a great week! Hugs 🙂
Twitter: artsychicksrule
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You already know how I feel about your kitchen! 😉 Amazing!!!Thanks so much for sharing on Project Inspired! Pinning!!
Nancy
Thanks bunches, Nancy!! I’m enjoying your party 🙂
Twitter: stonegable
says:
Christie, Thank you for letting us peek at your beautiful French kitchen!!! It is so beautifully appointed and thought out! LOVE the woods you chose for the cabinets and for the walls. You did not miss a detail.
Your kitchen is so warm and stunning and… ohh la la!!!
Yvonne, You are so very sweet! I am thrilled you have visited! Thanks so much for the nice compliments. 🙂
Your kitchen has all the perfect touches! Thank so much for sharing your French Country Kitchen at Simple & Sweet Fridays.
Take Care,
Jody
Jody,
Thanks so much! I hope you are having a great week!
Love, love, love your kitchen and breakfast room. So many great details and I love the wood ceiling.
Thanks so much Kim!!! The great thing about that stained ceiling…..it always looks so clean! LOL!!
Twitter: janewindham
says:
Christy,
I love every inch of your kitchen! It is so warm and homey that it is no wonder that people gravitate toward it. Your knotty pine cabinets are gorgeous! I had them in a house once and loved them! And I’m swooning over your pine ceiling, too! I would feel right at home in your kitchen!
Jane recently posted…DIY Tomato Cages
Thanks so much Jane! I have so enjoyed getting to know you through your blog! It is a joy to have you visit! 🙂
Christy your kitchen is beyond dreamy girl! I just love how warm and inviting it feels. I would have been super nervous about the rug as well. Glad it was fine. Of course you know I love Bessie!! I really need to get more of her in. Thanx for the shout out! I wish we lived closer so I could take a personal home tour!;)
Pamela recently posted…How I Found My Style Sundays- La Belle Epoque
Pamela,
Thanks you so much and for being a cheerleader for me! I have been so inspired by you and love your style! I look forward to meeting up one day…maybe if you come to my part of the south this summer!
Oh, my goodness! Your kitchen is so beautiful! It looks like a dream kitchen – so large and so gorgeous! You’re very blessed to have such a beautiful space!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Thanks so much Shelia! I treasure your sweet comments! Hugs 🙂
I’m salivating here! Your kitchen is amazing, beautiful, and warm! My kitchen is similar (green walls, wood cabinetry), but there are many things I found in your kitchen that would make mine so much better. Your painted back splash is a treasure, for sure. Thank you for sharing your home!
His Blessings!
Kim
Kim recently posted…Hometalk – An Invitation
Awww, Kim! What sweet words. You have made my day! Thank you so very much. 🙂 I hope you have a great rest of the week. Hugs!
Twitter: lilacslonghorns
says:
Lovely! Everything is so warm and pretty. I love your blue and white dishes and your tole trays! I just ordered that little cow head from Décor Steals this weekend…seeing yours makes me even more excited to get it! Thanks for sharing your beautiful kitchen! BNOTP linky party. 🙂
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} recently posted…Front Porch Chalkboard Sign {Update}
Julie,
Thanks you so much! You will love your Bessie! You’ll have to let me know how you use her! Still contemplating what I’d like to keep her company! Have a lovely week!
HI! I also love country a French kitchen. I have grandchildren that come over a lot and would love bar stools like yours. Can you tell me the furniture maker? I also prefer gas cooking. How do you like your thermador range? I enjoy your blog very much?
Thanks you,
Linda
Thanks so much Linda! The bar stools are by Hooker. They have been great! They are starting to show the wear from heavy kid use, but that is to be expected and OK! I love the gas cook top, not the oven so much! So happy to have you visit my blog!!
Oh my goodness Christy!! I absolutely LOVE your kitchen so much! It is always so refreshing/comforting for me to find another blogger with a similar style to my own and seeing all the color, the scene on your backsplash, the tole trays and the blue/white transferware just did my heart good. Loved every inch of it! 🙂
Vanessa
Vanessa recently posted…Balsamic Roasted Asparagus With Goat Cheese
Wow, Vanessa! How exciting to have you stop by! Thanks so much for the sweet compliments. I do love the use of color in French Country decorating. I do LOVE all the new uses of the creams, but still drawn to color! I hope you had a beautiful Mother’s Day 🙂 Hugs~Christy
I don’t think anyone LIKES doing the dishes! But it’s great your kids are helping out! I love the cow “head” on the wall. 🙂
Bethany K recently posted…Friday Recap (with Pictures)
Thanks so much Bethany! I hope you had a lovely weekend. 🙂
Christy – I just discovered your blog and absolutely love your kitchen. I have total “island” envy!! My kitchen is average size, but the shape prevents an island (I had the kitchen re-done three years ago and the contractor could not figure out how to fit one in – sniff!). Love your choices and the backsplash is amazing! So enjoyed this post!
Diane, you are so sweet!!!! Thanks so much! Our last house did not have an island, and when we built I so wanted one! It is great for the kids. Maybe you could add a small butcher blog in the kitchen. It’s not an island, but they are so wonderful for veggie prep work, display and party serving. My sister in law has one and it is fabulous and small! I hope you have had a lovely weekend! 🙂
You have such a beautiful kitchen! That island is fantastic with the granite and distressed finish. I’m in love!
Tricia recently posted…Aw, Shucks. I’m in the Bloglight Today!
Thanks so much, Tricia! I hope you have had a lovely Mother’s Day! Congrats again on the Bloglight!!!!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I love all the french country details you’ve incorporated.
Thanks so much Stacey! Hugs!
Twitter: artsychicksrule
says:
Gosh, your home is just amazing Christy. All the elements are just beautiful. And you have a farm house sink!! OH my…love it. I am planning one in my kitchen too! 😉
Thanks for sharing!
Nancy
Nancy recently posted…Mother’s Day Gift Ideas {Roundup}
Thanks so much, Nancy! I love farmhouse sinks….love a country feel! I hope you had a beautiful Mother’s Day!
Twitter: astrollthrulife
says:
Oh my goodness, this is gorgeous I love the wood ceiling too. It is so nice to see stained cabinets, I love them and your island is to die for. Absolutely stunning. Thanks so much for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Marty recently posted…Donut Topiary Tutorial & a Feature
Thanks so much sweet Marty! Have a lovely weekend!!!
Your french country kitchen is gorgeous!!! Love your style Christy! I can’t wait to meet you at Haven : )
Thanks Lauren!!! I am very excited to meet you at Haven! It will be my first conference. Have a lovely weekend!!!
Your kitchen is beautiful, I just adore the planked ceilings with the crown molding. and the ton of cabinetry. I bet many great memories are being made in your kitchen.
Christine recently posted…Sunshine & Dishes
Thanks, Christine! It is a special room full of memories. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Your kitchen is beautiful. Love the warmth of the colors. Your breakfast nook is so cozy with the paneling. Makes me think of my Grandma 🙂
Awww, thanks Susanna!!! I am so happy you stopped by! Have a lovely weekend!
Your French country kitchen is gorgeous! So cozy and so pretty too. Your range looks fabulous..I’ve always cooked in gas stoves and electric ovens, cause I do think they’re better for baking! Your breakfast table and hutch is lovely. Have a wonderful Mom’s Day!
FABBY
Thanks so very much! I agree on the baking. The cook top is gas and the oven is electric. Happy weekend to you!
Beautiful Christy!
Joy Jenkins recently posted…Choosing Your Challenge Starts Here:
Thanks bunches, Joy! I hope you are doing well. Have an awesome weekend!