This was my inspiration for a country kitchen. I wanted distressed baby blue cabinets and white counters. This pin is still a little too stuffy, so I chose to simplify the cabinets as the Provence aesthetic is more simple, without the detailed cabinet faces.
And I didn’t want everything to look perfect. I wanted this home to look old and weathered, like it’s already lived a long and storied life! I always prefer a lived in vibe…one that’s inviting. Although… that window and those curtains are pretty rad, and the chandelier is special, too! But too over the top for me…
Using Chief Architect, I laid out the kitchen. I love how European homes use plaster, and I fell in love with the idea of using a similar look for our stove hood. I was very specific about the shape. I wanted a slight curve and the sides had to be flush against the cabinets. I don’t fancy the empty space between hoods and cabinets. And of course, I needed some reclaimed wood to wrap the bottom of the hood to warm up the whole feel.
How dreamy is this reading nook? I love having family and friends snuggle up and chat while I’m prepping a meal. It’s always the favorite spot in the house!
And the storage below…yes, we always need more storage, right?
Don’t you love the look of the moody patina on these copper pots? Reality is that they’d get so greasy and dusty stacked above or next to the stove, so I opted out of this choice. I hope I don’t regret it because this is a moody dream. I love everything about this look!
This arabesque motif is one I’ve eyed for years. There’s a cool tile manufacturer in Los Angeles called Arto Brick and they make some really great arabesque designs, but they’re better used on floors. I originally sourced a marble backsplash that I loved, but it was way too spendy, so I gave up that dream and chose something else…until I found this Elida Ceramica Arabesque Marble tile at Lowe’s in early 2023, of all places! Arabesque is definitely coming into vogue right now as I’m seeing a ton of it in 2023 and ’24. It was virtually impossible to find just a few years ago!
I didn’t give up on Arto Brick, though, as they have a semi-annual garage sale that never disappoints. I met up with my friends Randi and Sam from Freckled Californian last fall at the garage sale and they were like the best junking friends you’ve always wantedt! They helped me dig through pallets upon pallets of tile to find these perfect hand-painted French gems.
I spent quite some time laying out the tiles in an imperfect pattern that showcased country animals found in Wyoming. Hello horsies, deer, bear, and chickens! These tiles serve as the stove backsplash and add some whimsy!
I think it turned out beautifully! And sorry, you’ll be hard-pressed to get gorgeous, perfectly styled photos on my site for the foreseeable future. So enjoy the mess that’s a real, lived-in kitchen! 🙂
