A kitchen that is filled with cabinetry can many times come across as hard and lacking in the warmth and hominess that traditionally is associated with a kitchen. Kitchens should be inviting and sometimes that is hard to achieve if you have the typical wall to wall cabinets. Like the French, I advocate decorating rooms that are thought of a utilitarian just as I would a dining or living room. I am delighted that we are seeing more and more kitchens that reflect personality of the homeowner and not the contractor.
There are ways to make your kitchens appear softer, interesting, and above all, more welcoming. This post features one of those ways, the skirted cabinet which is a trend that seems to be sticking around. Once a staple in many American middle class kitchens in the 40's and 50's these homemade curtains provided a pretty way to have extra storage space below sinks and cabinets. Now you are seeing skirted cabinets again in vintage as well as new homes, still cleverly providing space but also providing the old fashioned warmth and coziness.....and that's not a bad thing!
If you are considering a kitchen remodel or just looking to add some color, texture, and a friendly feel to your kitchen, I hope you will consider skirting a portion of your cabinets. I have gathered some images to give you some ideas on how you can do just that!
fschumacher.com Jill Lasersohn,designer
With the grand-millennial trend returning a warm traditional style to the design world, the charm of pattern and curated collectibles is a much desired look for today's kitchens. A great way to achieve the look is with sink and cabinet skirting.
Replace cabinets doors with a skirt. It's a look we're starting to see in more and more kitchens and the patterns and colors will go a long way towards cozying up your kitchen.
Not only can cabinet bases be skirted but the sink is a perfect spot to add some cheery fabric. You can still uniquely accessorize your kitchen by hanging a sink skirt. This homeowner has matched their valance and put the skirt on the inside of the cabinet frame.
Kitchen design is turning away from wall to wall closed doors and replacing portions of cabinetry with open shelves and skirted areas. There are many style of cabinet skirts. This homeowner has opted to use a more tailored style skirt under the sink......
.........while this more European country kitchen has a gathered and smocked style cabinet skirt.
If you want a more European country kitchen, a cabinet skirt will instantly help give you the look you desire.
As you can see cabinet skirts can be made in many different ways. This one looks as if it is tied on to hooks and mounted onto a brass rod. You can always count on blue and white gingham to give your kitchen a cozy feel.
A cabinet skirt is perfect for this old fashioned style kitchen with its "modern" vintage cabinetry, sink, and appliances. Just make sure you use a fabric under your sink that can be washed and cleaned easily. Also you need to attach your skirt in a way that it will not be difficult to remove for cleaning.
There is ALOT to love in this kitchen starting with the great cabinet skirting!
Colefax and Fowler skirt via madaboutthehouse.com
Since there is a revival of the skirted sink, much more charm is being added to the kitchen.
A touch of toile de jouy via a cabinet skirt looks wonderful in a French country style kitchen.
It's hard to believe that Grandma's kitchen cabinet skirt is now worthy of a spot in almost any decorating magazine you pick up.....but it is!
An old world kitchen with work tables and furniture for storage instead of cabinets is more my style. I like cabinet and sink skirts but can see a problem if you have animals. My cats would make sweet use of the space and sleep in pots and pans or whatever I stored behind them.
The plaid cabinet skirt really enhances this cute French country kitchen. Add in a coordinated fabric at the windows and you are good to go.
I like this fresh, crisp, green and white striped sink skirt. Make sure your skirts are made of a fabric that has some body or they will look too loose and messy. Try cottons and linens, ticking, or light canvas. If the fabric is too heavy they may not fold crisply and if too light they may not fall well.
How cute is this cabinet skirt? Another thing to remember is to get the length of your skirt correct. Make it just skim he floor or slightly higher. My advice is to not let it puddle on the floor, it just looks messy this way. I see many DIY projects using burlap that take away from the look of the room instead on enhancing it because of the loose way it just hangs here. Linen is a better alternative to burlap as it hangs much neater.
Fabric always has a soft touch and brings in a pop of pattern, color and texture. Adding even a small dose of textile always helps "warm up" a room.
One of the biggest concerns about the use of cabinet skirts is having to clean them. I don't have cabinet skirts but unless you are extremely messy I don't see it being a huge issue. Now maybe if alot of children are involved I can understand it. But you would still have to wash down your cabinets from time to time. My advice is to make your cabinet skirts super easy to remove and wash.
Pinch pleating is yet another way to to create cabinet skirting. This definitely has more of a curtain look
This kitchen with it's cherry cabinets and soapstone counter tops and backsplash looks really pretty with just a touch of cream linen skirting under the sink. The older style sinks that are so popular today are picture perfect with the addition of a skirt underneath.
source unknown
Cabinets skirts are a great way to conceal less attractive items and clutter.
Also skirting your sink or cabinets provides the opportunity to bring a bit of your own personality into the kitchen. They can certainly be fun and unique.
Whether you choose your sink and cabinet skirting hung from exposed rods.......
shirred on,
or even mounted behind the frame like these, if it is charm you are after for you kitchen you can't go wrong with skirting for your cabinets and sinks.
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Photograph by David Gibbons, courtesy of Max Rollitt, from Kitchen of the Week: A Whimsical Edwardian in the South of England.
Designer Laura Robinson
Don't forget that skirting needn't be relegated to your kitchen's cabinets. Try skirting your work table or island for a rustic country look. Upgrading your kitchen needn't cost a fortune and cabinet skirting is a great way to add some clever storage space.
And remember that the kitchen isn't the only space to benefit from skirting. Powder room sinks have always carried the look well.
Don't forget the mud room.
Skirting can hide a multitude of sins!
Cabinet skirting is also a great way to give your laundry room a facelift.
I you like skirting, you might also like http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-case-for-round-skirted-dining-room.html
I you like skirting, you might also like http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-case-for-round-skirted-dining-room.html
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This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
