The country kitchen may be the original multi-tasker. Many of the recent trends in kitchen design – unfitted, furniture-style cabinetry, open shelving, mixing materials and finishes – have their roots in the practicality of the old-style farmhouse kitchen. Today's 24/7 work culture, the two-working-partners family, and a more informal approach to entertaining have all made an impact: as the place to cook, eat, work and play, the kitchen is once again the hardest-working room in the house. At last fall's Canadian Home & Country Show, we drew inspiration from some of the best kitchen design trends, and collaborated with Glen Prairie of Total Living Concepts to create this contemporary vision of the country kitchen.
Here's how to get the look: bone structure
Canadiana Cabinets' Classic Shaker-style cabinetry and Michigan Maple's butcher-block countertops in pale maple provide great ‘bone structure' for our kitchen: the clean lines create a framework that's adaptable to modern, traditional, even retro looks. Unexpected colour adds a quirky charm: we painted cabinet fronts Beauti-Tone's Stream Green (4089) and varied the application, painting drawer fronts and pulls by the cooktop, while only inner panels got the treatment in the sink area, and some drawer stacks were left untouched. The effect suggests a kitchen that evolved over time. Blue bowl, Flik & Company; Impressions toaster, Braun; botanical print, Putti; fabric, Robert Allen; large artwork, Cybèle Young; dining chairs, table, Stacaro; Uniclic Cork flooring, Torlys.
no upper cabinetry
To maintain a sense of spaciousness, we decided to forgo upper cabinetry. Big drawers provide a better storage option for pots and pans and even pantry items; open, roll-out shelves keep everyday dishes and linens visible and easily accessible, while counter space holds small appliances, such as Braun's Impressions collection toaster. For visual balance, we created a tower opposite the fridge that houses a built-in oven, with big pot drawers below and cabinet space for less-used items on top. Tea towels, France Chic; canisters, salt and pepper shakers, Heart & Home; vase, salad spinner, Wedgwood.
stainless steel
The use of stainless steel appliances, including range hood, refrigerator, dishwasher and cooktop from Frigidaire's Electrolux Icon Series and the double bowl farmhouse sink by Kindred with the Harmony faucet by Blanco is unexpected in a country kitchen, but it adds a clean-lined contrast to the wood. The Counter Depth Refrigerator, part of Frigidaire's Electrolux Icon Series, has a durable smudge-free finish, and the sink is slightly bowed to counterbalance the industrial look.
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