French Farmhouse Kitchens 2

A reader has come to me requesting some images of French Farmhouse style kitchens in order to get her design juices flowing! When a client comes to Moore & Bradfield with a clear style or design in mind, one of the first steps is to create an inspiration board full of interior design images. In the initial meeting we then go through the images, discussing the elements of the style that the client loves and those they don't. Here are some of the images we used...

Also, for advice on how to recreate the look click here!

Shaker Style Kitchens

Happy Friday everyone!

This weeks set of top tips is dedicated to the lady who popped into the Moore & Bradfield showroom last weekend to ask me what is meant by shaker style. Hopefully after this post, you'll be able to spot a shaker style kitchen from a mile off!

First, a history lesson. . . The shakers were a puritan religious sect who believed hard work was a form of worship, they strived for perfection in all they did in an attempt to get closer to God. The main style feature lsited below stem from the protestant work ethic...

1) For the shakers, beauty was born out of functionality. Ornate carvings, intricate moldings and fussy cornices were all deemed unnecessary. To achieve the look, keep units clean, chic and simple. Shy away from embellishment. If you are worried about it looking flat consider using glass fronted display cabinets.

2) Shaker style units look great painted. Creams, muted blues, greys and greens all look great, but do consider combining two or three colours to hightlight different areas in your kitchen (e.g. wet area, food prep area). Just be sure to limit the strongest colour to a small area or one peice of freestanding furniture.

3) A kitchen or breakfast room table with painted legs and a wooden top would complete the look. It's also a good way of tying in a colour you have used elsewere. Worktop wise, wood is the way to go. Just make sure the finish of the work surface and the table compliment each other.

4) One detail seen time and time again in shaker kitchens is the wooden peg rail (second image in on the webpage). Use it to hang tea towels, utensils or even blackboards (see my previous post, 'Instant Messaging'!) But again, keep it simple. As for handles, you can't go wrong with wood turned knobs painted the same colour as the cabinet.

Also, check out these really cute ceramic storage jars. Just write on the label with chalk and wipe off as and when.

5) If you choose a shaker style kitchen for your home, you are buying into a tradition of craftsmenship. To honour this, opt for traditional handmade designs and steer clear from mass produced tat. If you do, you will end up with a kitchen that could out last you.

French Farmhouse Kitchens

A client has come to Moore & Bradfield asking for a kitchen design which incorporates a French farmhouse feel. After a bit of a head scratch, I have compliled another set of top tips...Enjoy!

1. Consider classic colour palettes, blues and sandy neutrals, pale greys and lavanders and pale sage greens are all very chic. Rough stone walls, painted white or left natural are also a beautiful addition. If your kitchen lacks the real thing, you can always cheat with some stone effect wallpaper.

2. Similar to the English Eclectic Kicthen by Moore and Bradfield, the beauty of this look is that it appears to have been peiced together gently over time. Take an eclectic appraoch, mixing colours, door handle styles and natural materials. This type of design is tricky, you will no doubt encounter some shocking combinations on your way but you will get there! The key is to think ecclectic not random. (and make use of my email - gemma@mooreandbradfield.com!)

3. Don't be afraid of accessories. Recreating the chram of French farmhouse style rests on the right detailing. Think rustic painted furniture, wire baskets, traditional painted textiles and gleaming copper pans and sinks.

4. In classic French kitchens, everything is out on display. Open shelving is a great way to make a feature out of well used and well loved china. (Try to stick to pottery as opposed to porcelain, it will look much more authentic).

5. As for lighting, it has to be a classic rise and fall light. Chandeliers are another more opulent option, but for a rustic edge keep them distressed.

Coastal Kitchens- Inspired by Devon

What does summer mean to you? For me, paddling, cream tea, fish & chips and rock pooling all spring to mind. My recent trip to Woolacome featured all of these things!

Ok, so it rained at least once a day, but that's what an English seaside holiday is all about.

Inspired by some of the beautiful homes situated along the coast, I began thinking how I would bring some seaside magic into someone's home.

Nothing creates a 'getaway feel' quite like a coastal design.Below is a great example of how elegant and crisp this look can be.

Here are my top tips for acheiving this look...

1. When choosing accessories think rustic, not novelty. A few seaside trinkets are fine. Leave the lighthouse salt and pepper shakers in the giftshop!

2. Take advantage of stainless steel appliances. Coastal kitchens are one of the few settings where a steel range avoids the danger of looking too harsh.

3. Focus on natural materials for the rest of the space, distressed white wood in the kitchen and chunky knit blankets in the seating area (if relevant).

4. For colour inspiration, just look out the window! Off white and pale butterscotch are spot on. As shown in both images, injecting some colour is as easy as adding a bowl of brightly coloured fruit, or creating a focal point out of a tiled splashback. I also feel a mid steel blue bistro disc, for guests to sit at with morning coffee, would be a nice feature. Let's face it, you are gonna have enough people wanting to stay!

5. Lighing wise, I LOVE the concept of a low hung fishermans lamp over an island or bistro disc. This ceiling light from Garden Trading is ideal.