This is the fourth post featuring a tour of our home, this time it concentrates on the kitchen. I like the look of old world farmhouse kitchens full of antiques, paintings, and other collectibles that bring in the warmth and charm. Even though the kitchen has some English, some German, and some Dutch antiques, it is predominately French farmhouse in style. I took the pictures of the kitchen at Christmas because it's my favorite time in the house. I love my kitchen although it is not that large. Most people say it's warm and cozy which makes me happy because I believe that is exactly what old world farmhouse kitchens should be.
Our house is approximately 120 years old and had been turned into two apartments which means we had to make it a home again. There were no kitchen counters, appliances or anything else in here. It was basically a shell that only had a hotplate and a booth from a restaurant. It had been inhabited by university students for years so you get the picture. Like I have said in past blogs about the house, it truly has been a long term "labor of love". Hope you enjoy the tour of our old world farmhouse kitchen.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
This is the hallway and pantry that leads to our old world style kitchen. I have wonderful old bead board cupboards that extend all the way down one side of the hallway. These really give add to the farmhouse feel.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
Miss Chanel is obviously leading the tour.
On the right side are some of the museum reproduction samplers I have made over the years. I like to do the authentic counted crosstitch where you use linen and actually have to count threads. I have so enjoyed the harlequin floor and think it helps set the old world tone of the kitchen.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
Here is a better picture of the samplers. Some are on cream linen and others (my favorites) are on darker unbleached linen. These big ones take me about 6 months to complete. I have more but need to frame them. Hopefully will cover the whole wall someday. I believe nothing adds warmth to a home (in this case an old world kitchen) like handmade textiles.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
And of course Sophie has to show up for her picture too.
On the left side of the hall is the cupboard area and in this particular portion I store my collection of creamware. If you want to add instant old world farmhouse flair to your kitchen, collect and display some creamware.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
This and the next few pictures hopefully will give a panoramic view of the kitchen. It is hard to take pictures because you can't get back far enough to really get a good shot. Underneath the farmhouse work table are containers for storing potatoes and onions. I don't hide them......not in an old world farmhouse kitchen.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
Finally found some old shutters to put on the windows and got them up in time for Christmas. The extra wood makes an old world farmhouse kitchen look even warmer.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
My old work table. It has a trestle shelf underneath for storing things. I need every bit of storage I can get because old houses usually are short of it. The picture above the window features a parchment map of France and all the crests of the French provinces. It was a gift from a friend who bought it there. It's really very pretty.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
I found the old glass and wood panel and stenciled it to look like a French bakery window. Pieces like this will add to the farmhouse feel so go treasure hunting and look for unique items of your own.
I found the old glass and wood panel and stenciled it to look like a French bakery window. Pieces like this will add to the farmhouse feel so go treasure hunting and look for unique items of your own.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
The French chest is an old family piece. The big oil painting is of a pastoral French village with figures herding animals etc. I love using antique artwork in the kitchen. Remember an old world farmhouse kitchen should never have a minimalist look.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
The round oak table belonged to Tim's family. Found these great cane back French chairs and recovered them in a linen fabric. Cane furniture works really well in an old world farmhouse kitchen whether painted or left natural.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
When collecting creamware for your old world farmhouse kitchen, remember that stacks look better than just lining up individual pieces. It's more authentic looking and that is what you are after.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
This is a large antique needlepoint picture of a pastoral scene of a woman, her children and a sheep. Like I said I love artwork in a kitchen. For some reason people tend to feel like kitchens are utilitarian only so that is why there is no warmth in most kitchens. I like the European way better......aesthetics always a must in an old world farmhouse kitchen.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
Just put the antique mirror in the kitchen and everybody really likes it. Display dishes, baskets, interesting wooden boxes and display pieces like the five shelved mini corner cupboard to the left. These are the accessories that will make your old world farmhouse kitchen feel authentic.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
This is looking back down the kitchen hall that leads to the main hall.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
A good picture of the bead board cupboard and pantry unit and the shelf above it. There are alot of antique bits and pieces stored on top that you can't see for the greenery. This was in the house when I bought it and really lends to the country farmhouse quality of the kitchen. Hope you enjoyed the tour.
If you are interested in seeing more of our home you can visit at:
http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2017/05/my-french-style-living-roompictures-as.html for the living room
http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2017/09/my-french-style-dining-room.html for the dining room
https://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-old-world-master-bedroom-suite.html for the bedroom and my office
https://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-frenchenglish-old-world-style.html for our sitting room
Click here to see the previous post
http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2017/12/decorating-with-barley-twist-furniture.html
This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
