The Provence style kitchen is original, recognizable and very cozy. At the heart of the Provencal style are the rustic features of the French Riviera with their inherent leisurely and measured. These qualities are so appreciated by the townspeople in the Provencal interiors. And that is why they strive to create an interior in the style of a French country in a city apartment. Is it possible to equip a small kitchen room on the principles of Provence, how to do it, what decor and furniture to choose? You will learn about all this later.
Content:
Main features
Houses in the villages of France on the Mediterranean coast, as well as in the mountains and foothills of the Luberon, are designed so that the kitchen occupies a spacious room. The hearth, cupboards with dishes, sideboards, a dining table with chairs and a work area are freely placed in it. There is a place for cooking and treating guests. Hospitality and friendliness - the features that are inherent in the locals - absorbed the style of the interior. It is customary to meet guests well, treat them to delicious dishes of their own preparation from beautiful dishes. Therefore, the central place in the kitchen is occupied by the dining area, a variety of kitchen utensils, decor and dishes are on display. Seasonings, bunches of herbs, bunches of garlic and onions are hung around the kitchen. These are not just decorative elements, they are the obligatory ingredients of delicious dishes that are used daily.
In addition, the Provence style kitchen design has the following distinctive features:
1. The walls, floor, ceiling and furniture are whitish, desaturated. This is explained by the climatic conditions of the area - for a long time a year the bright sun shines, on which any colors burn out.
2. The room has good lighting, both natural and artificial. If the windows in the kitchen are small and do not give enough light, then the number of fixtures is increased.
3. Furniture is selected from natural light wood. It can be painted, rubbed in places or jagged. The accessories do not have a bright shine, it should look antique.
4. Chandeliers, candle holders, sometimes chairs can be forged.
5. Fresh and dried flowers are placed in all kinds of places - in clay pots, vases, on shelves.
6. They do not hide the dishes, but put them on the open shelves of the cabinets, supplementing it with ceramic figures, decorative napkins and various containers with olive oil, spices or seasonings.
Color spectrum
The palette of colors of the authentic Provencal interior is quite diverse, although at first glance it seems that everything is completely white. Basically, the room decoration and furniture are beige, sand, green, blue, lilac, olive, blue. But all these colors are used in the lightest shades. This reception allows you to convey the authentic atmosphere of Mediterranean cuisine, burnt out in the sun. Usually, when decorating a room, they choose the main color, which is complemented by various details and combinations. Consider several options for such combinations.
Blue and sand
The most natural combination, which is based on the marine theme. Such an ensemble resembles the blue expanse of the sea and the sandy shore. The familiar natural combination, daily pleasing to the eye of fishermen, has been transferred to ordinary life. The sand walls are complemented by a brown gamut, in which the floor and ceiling are decorated. Against this background, cold blue furniture in two shades that effectively complement each other looks very refreshing.
White and Pistachio
White color is used for wall and ceiling decoration. It helps to expand the space and create a sense of freedom in it. Furniture is selected in light green. It perfectly refreshes the interior and sets off the strict white color, making it softer and more homely. The floor is made of wood in the usual brown color.
White and beige
Provence style furniture is often made in beige. Since it is combined with any gamut of shades. The kitchen in white and beige tones looks very elegant and spacious. These two colors are used for decoration, and in furniture, and for kitchen utensils. This combination of natural wood and metal (brass or copper) complements this combination well.
Olive and beige
A natural ensemble resembling burnt grass and the freshness of olive groves. The interior of the Provencal cuisine in olive-beige tones looks simple and warm at home. Choosing an olive color for decorating ceilings and walls, it must be diluted with light beige, using it in textiles, furniture, and utensils. This combination of brown is well emphasized. It is chosen for finishing the floor or the main color for the kitchen set.
Pure white
A completely white kitchen is a fairly common occurrence for French country, especially for modern interiors in this style. The decoration of the room is done completely white, using various textures and materials (tiles, plaster, brick). An exception may be the floor, which is made from wooden boards. So that the Provence style kitchen interior does not look sterile like a hospital ward, it is saturated with colored decorative objects.
Wall Decoration Techniques
The design of Provencal cuisine begins with the decoration of walls, ceilings and floors. The main thing that you need to pay attention to during this process is to use only natural materials with a natural texture and color. The preference is given to brick or masonry, wooden panels, plastered walls for painting or whitewashing.
To choose the right material for kitchen walls, use the unspoken rule:
1. If the design of a kitchen in the Provence style is carried out in a city apartment, then naturally smooth walls painted with light paint or whitewashed will look in the interior of the room;
2. If the Provencal interior is created in a country house, then you can experiment with rough textures - brickwork, stone, wooden logs and boards.
Wall decoration in the kitchen
Starting to repair the kitchen in the house, you need to bare their natural texture, if possible. The walls of the house after construction can not be whitewashed, not painted and not wallpapered. It is better to leave them as is - with well-visible masonry. Moreover, the more masonry man-made is emphasized, the better. This is clearly visible if stones of different sizes mixed with bricks were used to build the wall. That is, there is no claim to the professionalism of the stacker and the sophistication of the material. Everything was done from what was at hand. An excellent addition to such an interior solution will be a completely open attic space with visible logs and a stone slab floor.
Walls in a city apartment
Several other finishing techniques can emphasize the French style in the apartment. If possible, use smooth surfaces - the plastered walls are painted with a water-based or other matte paint, whitened, sutured with a wooden smooth board. To accent Provencal color, inserts made of stone or tile can be used. In this case, the colors of all materials are selected in the brightest possible colors.
It is important. In some interiors, you can find walls, pasted over with wallpaper or covered with fabric. This is of course permissible for a modern Provencal interior, but completely uncharacteristic for the authentic setting of the village houses of the Mediterranean and the Luberon.
Types of ceiling design
In the interior of the village houses, the uncovered attic space looks quite picturesque and organic. That is, the ceiling in fact, as such, does not exist at all. There is a roof, an attic space filled with wooden trusses, ceilings or logs. It is customary not to mask such a design and leave it as it is. Repeat this method in a city apartment is not possible. So you can only build a house.
But there is another way inherent in the Provencal style - decorating the ceiling with wooden beams. If this technique is used in the construction of a house, then it is intended to strengthen the ceiling and serves as the basis of the supporting structure. If you repeat this technique to create Provencal style in a small kitchen in an apartment, then it will have exclusively decorative functions. Overhead false bulbs are well suited for this purpose. They will give the desired rustic flavor.
Tip: if your apartment has low ceilings, then you should not weight them with wooden ceilings or beams. They will look heavy and unnatural. It is best to simply plaster and paint the ceiling.
Creating a rustic flavor in a small apartment, do not forget about the taboo on modern artificial decoration materials. The ceiling with plastic or vinyl panels will look completely unnatural, and the stretch glossy ceiling will not fit into the interior.
Suitable flooring materials
The traditional floor in the interior of the Provence style kitchen is of two types: wooden and stone with possible variations. So, for example, for a country house, you can choose materials with a natural rough structure - unpolished stone or an old whitened board. As a flooring for the apartment, a smooth board, a laminate under a tree, parquet and a parquet board under a natural tree, large matte tiles made of artificial marble or stone are suitable. You should not choose glossy reflective surfaces. Excessive gloss and glamor are not characteristic of the French country.
Tip: do not choose colorful linoleum, soft carpet, laminate with a fantasy pattern for the floor. These modern materials are not suitable. An exception may be a matte bulk floor of a dark natural shade.
Furniture
When asked how to decorate a kitchen in the Provence style, the very first answer sounds like this: choose the right furniture. It reflects the style and character of Provence.
The main features of furniture for French cuisine are:
- it is made of natural wood;
- if it is not possible to buy wooden furniture, choose high-quality MDF for an old tree;
- it is painted in light colors, such as beige, sand, light green, blue or has a natural wooden surface covered with wax or stain;
- in cupboards and cupboards there are many open shelves and display cases;
- the table is equipped with a large countertop without hidden mechanisms and capabilities (folding models and transformers can be selected only for small urban kitchens);
- furniture fittings are made of matte non-shiny metal, such as copper or brass;
- usually the surface of a kitchen unit has a uniform color, but decoration with small floral and animal patterns is not prohibited (as the main motive, choose a branch of lavender, olive or a rooster with a chicken and chickens);
- emphasized age of furniture - this is one of the features of the style, furniture can be imperfect (shabby, with cracked and peeling paint);
- many manufacturers produce new furniture with signs of artificial aging - patina, cracks and scuffs, it will fit well into the design of a Provence style kitchen.
Often, to create a cozy atmosphere in the kitchen, use unusual furniture, bought at a flea market or borrowed from a grandmother's attic. It can be forged chairs, wicker tables and tables. Forged parts are welcome.Therefore, if it is possible to purchase forged candlesticks or dish holders in a pair with chairs, do not miss it. Feel free to acquire such characteristic things. They will help create the right mood.
It is worth noting that seats are given special attention. They should be comfortable, roomy and original.
Chairs in country interiors are quite remarkable:
- they have a high comfortable back;
- can be painted carelessly, with visible brush marks;
- they are often replaced with soft chairs or upholstered chairs;
- they can resemble bar stools, having high legs and a narrow round seat;
- they make from old wooden massif, weave from vines, select forged models.
Textile
The interior of a cozy Provence-style kitchen provides well-chosen patterned textiles. They are decorated with windows, curtained with intricate curtains with ruffles, on the hooks, or with drapery. Cover the table with a tablecloth to match the curtains. The tablecloth can cover the table halfway; it is thrown only through the middle of the countertop. It is decorated with hand embroidery in the corners or fringe around the perimeter. If possible, the chairs are upholstered in the same gamut of textiles. Cafe curtains adorn glass cabinets. But this is rather the exception, since the dishes should still be visible.
General features of textile design:
- the use of natural or mixed fabrics, such as linen or cotton with the addition of synthetic fibers, chintz;
- colors are selected in pastel colors;
- Textiles can be monophonic, have a checkered pattern of intersecting lines or a small floral pattern;
- small towels, napkins, potholders and other textile trifles are made manually and placed in a conspicuous place.
Lighting and chandeliers
Lighting for Provencal cuisine is selected with taste. It should be a lot so that all corners of the room are lit. At the same time, the lamps may not be combined with each other. French women are rather frugal housewives. Therefore, in the interior there are objects accidentally purchased, donated or found. The classic Provencal interiors are dominated by forged chandeliers or made of soft non-ferrous metal. Since the houses have high ceilings, the chandeliers hang on long suspensions.
Decor
When arranging the decor in Provencal cuisine do not be afraid to go too far. It should really be a lot.
You can pick up the following:
- figures of cockerels and hens;
- small landscape paintings;
- candle holders, holders for plates and cups made of metal or ceramic;
- beautiful painted plates on coasters;
- decorative bottles, jars, baskets for cereals, tea or seasonings;
- small pillows;
- embroidered bags with aromatic herbs;
- bunches of garlic, onions or herbs suspended from the ceiling can also serve as decor;
- Fresh or dried flowers in vases and paintings.
Utensils and Utensils
In addition to the practical load, plates, jars and other utensils I play a decorative role. Their housewives are exposed on open shelves in cabinets, suspended above a work table or stove, placed in hanging cabinets and on a table. Crockery is often a collection of the most inappropriate items that are not connected by either shape, pattern, or color. In rare cases, country interiors are decorated with sets of ten or more appliances or sets of figures from the same series.
Kitchen utensils are selected from ceramics, metal, glass, unfired clay or porcelain. Bronze, brass and copper devices are polished to a shine and suspended. Porcelain cups, plates and figurines are grouped together on one shelf. Conventional milk cans and jugs can serve as intended, and can be used as a vase or flower pot. If chips or cracks appear on them, then they are not thrown away, but used as a decor.
Kitchen items
How to decorate a small kitchen in the style of Provence? If, for example, the room is completely small, and does not allow you to pay due attention to the design of the ceiling, or the placement of furniture? The answer is simple - it needs to be decorated with original Provencal motifs, accessories and kitchen appliances. Small details help to recreate the style and romance of the southern interior in a small urban kitchen.
Countertops
They are selected from artificial stone or wood. In the old interiors, countertops were laid out with beautiful tiles.
Faucets
The ideal option for rustic cuisine is not modern chrome taps and faucets, but antique products. It’s good if they will be of simple shape, with cross valves with spraying under bronze or brass. If you can find a natural copper or brass valve - this is luck. He perfectly emphasizes the style.
Kitchen apron
The surface of the wall above the stove is traditionally laid out with tiles, plain or with a pattern. It is important that it shine as little as possible. Sometimes the apron is made of natural stone.
Work zone
In the cook's working area there should be a lot of space for cutting products, the location of dishes and spices. On an apron in the working area, dishes and jars with spices are suspended, boards and knives are placed on the table. Often in the working area there is enough space for flower pots.
Now you know how to decorate a Provence style kitchen. Below we have given some more photos of ideas for creating a unique and stylish kitchen.
Photo of the idea of decorating a kitchen in the style of provence
