Don't worry about following the latest kitchen style trends. Follow your own or, better yet, create your own. After all, we all have our own favorite color. And we don't let anyone else select that for us either.
No two kitchens are alike... just like no two people are alike. We all have our preferences in tastes and kitchen styles. If you are confused about what your style may be, read on, the following will make the decision easier or it may confuse you some more.
Victorian
Usually characterized by steeply pitched roofs, pointed arched windows, elaborate trim along roof edges, high dormers, lancet windows and other Gothic details on the outside.
Victorian kitchen styles are known for a level of elegance. Handcrafted and highly detailed cabinets of heavy, dark, weathered wood. The doors to the cabinets can be cathedral or squared. Cabinets are usually weathered looking and made of heavy, real wood. hardware for the cabinets may be chrome pulls and knobs. Wood countertops included.
This group also uses detailed moldings, columns, and graceful arches as common architectural elements. Light fixture range from chandeliers, kerosene and electric lamps to astrals, or sconces helping to complete the look.
Old World
Old World kitchens have become more popular recently. Typical door styles in this type of kitchen can be either arched or square top.
Distressing gives the Old World kitchen a worn look. Antiqued finishes and thicker crown molding build-ups are common elements of the Old World kitchen style.
Natural materials are often used for floors and countertops helping to complete the Old World look. Glass door cabinets, hand carvings as well as open shelf cabinets can all be incorporated in the Old World kitchen style.
Tuscan
A close relative to the Old World Style is the Tuscan Style kitchen. The Tuscan aesthetic tends to be more subtle leaning a bit more towards a feminine feel.
Ideal color schemes for the Tuscan Style to Mediterranean architecture. These would be colors of warm gold, darker yellows, and olive green.
Typical sink choices for this style would be porcelain or stone. Kitchen furniture may be made of wood or wrought iron. Wide plank distressed wood flooring is an excellent compliment to the Tuscan Style along with textured wall plaster and paint applications. The overall look and feel should be rustic and warm.
Traditional
The American Traditional Kitchen Style offers a more formal look. It emphasizes architectural details like crown moldings, raised wood paneling and rich, deep colors to enhance the mood and 'traditional' feel. Also, dark stains, honey tones, semi-opaque paints, wicker baskets and oak cabinets add to the more formal feel than the country style.
Typical features include square raised panel doors with larger crown moldings. Materials used in the Traditional cabinet style include cherry, mahogany and walnut. Metal accents can be found usually in brass or gold tones.
The color palette includes a range of intense hues in red, black, green and blue. Wall treatments can include paneling and wall covering with small patterns. Countertops continue the formal feel and are commonly found in ceramic or stone tile with use of granite becoming more popular.
Country Kitchen
There are many different facets to this kitchen style. There is the American, the English, and the French). But the fact remains that this is one of the favorite and comfortable environments for many people. This rustic, weathered look creates a warm cozy feeling in a country style home.
The cabinet doors may even be left off to display colorful dishes, making the inside of the cabinet part of the decor of the overall space. A butcher block or hand-painted tiles are both great pieces. You can add charm to your kitchen by putting potted herbs in the windows of the kitchen.
Common colors range from muted hues to earth tones. Exposed beams, pine paneling, brick and barn boards are elements used to express this style. Fabrics and patterns area sure way to create a country feeling, as is the use of wall paper and baskets.
Wood floors or natural tiles would be a great choice for such an environment, but do not forbet throw rugs for comfort on the cold floor. The key to the country style is to keep adding a few whimsical elements in the like like fruit, vegetable or animal designs.
American Country
The American Country Kitchen Style has a more rugged hand-crafted look. Cabinets in this group are typically of the traditional framed variety. The wood used is commonly oak, maple birch or pine with distressing as well as wood knots. Wood planked floors and ceilings with rough hewn beams complement this style of kitchen.
English Country
English Country Style is quite similar to the French Country Kitchen Style. Similar flooring choices, countertop materials and beamed ceilings can be used with great effect for both styles.
Cabinet design generally employs more square elements with curves used in the architectural elements of the room. Pine and oak with natural or very light finish is common. Painted finishes can be glazed or crackled i pastel colors to accent the design. Use of many flowers to this kitchen will complete the look.
French Country
The French Country Kitchen Style is less formal and softer. Cabinets are usually oak or cherry wood with pickled and distressed finishes. More delicate crown moldings are common in this theme.
Most countertop materials work well with this theme but stay away from more contemporary glass and stainless steel. Good flooring choices would be wood, brick, or natural stone. Bold colors are not a good choice in this scheme.
Contemporary
This style is mainly inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. There is a sensitivity to materials and natural setting that meets with a contemporary bent. The styles included here are Mission, Prairie and Arts & Crafts.
When making your cabinet selection, consider birch as a clean and modern wood species. Choose details like geometric forms, art glass, contrasting textures and lines, forges, and wrought iron pulls.
Arts & Crafts
The Arts and Crafts movement began in England in the late 1800's as a reaction to styles that had developed from machine production during the industrial revolution. In the U.S. the movement was furthered in the early 1900's most notably by Gustav Stickley. The terms "Craftsman", "Mission Style" and "Stickley" are often used interchangeably to describe this design style.
The Arts and Crafts style places emphasis on the quality of the materials used and hand crafting construction methods. It is defined by a clean and simplistic aesthetic. When done properly it will provide dramatic results in your new kitchen.
Shaker
Shaker Style cabinetry is similar to Arts and Crafts style with some subtle differences that dramatically affect the overall look and feel. Arts and Crafts tends to be more thickly proportioned than Shaker style. The Shaker style will focus less on joinery techniques and you'll see fewer exposed dovetails, buttons and plugs. A good way to describe it might be to imagine Shaker style as a more contemporary and delicate version of Arts and Crafts cabinetry.
Modern
Modern and Euro-Style are all terms used to describe kitchens of the Modern Kitchen Style. The main characteristics of the Modern Kitchen Style are clean sleek lines and a minimal amount of cabinet detail. Strong emphasis is placed on accenting linear, horizontal lines. The frameless cabinetry construction method is used and commonly features a flat panel or "slab" style door and drawer front.
Common materials used in this style include stainless steel, marble, granite, and frosted glass. Basic geometric shapes and bold, bright colors such as reds, blues, yellow, and black & white are prevalent.Or any shade you can imagine. High gloss automotive finishes. Wood veneer door styles are found in the Modern Kitchen Style as well and can offer a warmer less stark feel.
A wide range of countertops work well in this group - granite, stainless steel, glass and manufactured stones all work well here.
Eclectic
This style is a mixture of old and new features combined for a harmonious look. This style is not characterized by a particular color palette, pattern, style, or material, but is a mix of extravagant decorations from numerous eras. This included hand-me-downs, second-hand items and other recyclables. There is a mixture of modern appliances and antique decorations to the complete opposites.
Southwestern
This style has much detail and craftsmanship. Natural materials such as stucco and hand-painted fabrics, wood, quarry tile, ceramic tile are used.
Colors usually reflect the nature of the desert such as warm oranges, greens, tans, and brown. Southwest kitchens usually incorporate ceramic materials and terra cotta elements.
The list could go on and on and on... Pick Whatever YOU like!
0 Comments
