Carefully Curated | A Country Chic Kitchen

23rd May 2023 | All About Kitchens

Welcome to our new blog series, Carefully Curated, dedicated to helping you create your perfect kitchen, irrespective of your style preferences. 

Designing a new space, particularly a kitchen, can be a daunting task, and typically involves a substantial investment when building or renovating your property. That's why we've enlisted some of our skilled team members to create their ideal kitchens, covering everything from essential design elements to colour schemes, to help you in planning your new space. Our team has a wealth of experience, having seen thousands of exquisitely designed Real Kitchen projects and know our Kitchen Stori ranges inside out so they are well equipped to offer advice before you engage with your preferred retailer.

First in our series is Noeleen, one of our talented Graphic Designers, responsible for crafting the gorgeous brochures we offer, she’s the face behind most of the spectacular kitchen projects we create every year. Noeleen, known for her love of cleanliness and morning hikes, prefers her home to be peaceful and comforting, and below, you can learn more about how she would create her dream Country Chic kitchen.

Describe your dream kitchen?

Ideally, I’d love a big open-plan kitchen overlooking my back garden. I’m incredibly lucky to live in the countryside and would want to take advantage of the incredible views that I’m surrounded by.

I’m open to design options given the nature of the industry I work in and my job, but I have always loved a classically styled kitchen. They are timeless and charming, absolutely fitting for the ‘heart of the home’. I would opt for rustic elements throughout to mirror my rural setting for a homely, lived-in look, so my style would fall into the Country Chic category.

My top must-have items for my dream kitchen would be…

  1. Ample worktop space for cooking and food prep.
  2. An integrated fridge freezer and dishwasher, so there would never an issue colour matching appliances if they ever need replaced.
  3. Easy to clean surfaces throughout.
  4. Full height wall cabinetry to maximise storage and to eliminate the dreaded task of cleaning the top of my cupboards. 

 

"I have always loved a classically styled kitchen. They are timeless and charming, absolutely fitting for the ‘heart of the home’."  - Noeleen, Kitchen Stori Graphic Designer

 

What cabinetry & colour(s) would you opt for?

For my kitchen cabinetry, I would opt for Winslow, I adore its real wood grain, traditional bead detailing and inframe inspired look. There’s something incredibly rich about the range and its traditional design elements are truly timeless.

I would opt for a neutral colour palette with earthier tones and include plenty of natural textures to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Taupe Grey would be a must for me, it’s a mid-tone beige with grey undertones, so I would have most of my kitchen painted in this hue. Then I would highlight some accent pieces such as a dresser or a kitchen island in Dust Grey or Cardamom. Both pair beautifully with Taupe Grey to create a relaxing palette, perfect to unwind in after a long day. In terms of handles I’d keep it classic with traditional knobs and cup handles, in brass or polished chrome. 

What key design features would you include to achieve your aesthetic?

There are so many features you can include to create a Country Chic styled kitchen; from beaded panelling, exposed wooden beams, pastry benches, a profiled cornice, a Belfast sink and open shelving, the list is endless. I would include a dresser with bi-fold doors to house some of my appliances such as my toaster and air fryer to keep them neatly tucked away and to store away special occasion table wear. I would opt for a mantle shelf over my range cooker and dovetail drawers to add character to the space, I’m all about the finer details! 

Left to right: Freestanding Dresser with bi-fold doors, Winslow painted in Heritage Green | Mantle Shelf above range cooker, Winslow painted in Shell | Dovetail cutlery insert, Winslow painted in Heritage Green. All Real Kitchen projects designed and fitted by Clonmel Kitchen & Bedroom Centre

How would you style your space?

I would keep things rustic by opting for natural textures like stone, linen, and wood to complement my Country Chic theme. The addition of accessories creates a more lived in, eclectic feel, and they are often overlooked in a kitchen. I love this acacia wood salt seller (1), antique style candle stick holder (3) and rugged terracotta plant pot (2), perfect for housing come fresh herbs.

For soft furnishings, I would keep things uncomplicated with nature-inspired patterns and cosy, organic fabrics for an adjoining seating area (4), (7), (8), (9), (15). In addition to my ceiling and cabinetry lighting I would add additional lighting sources like traditional brass trimmed pendant lights (5) over my kitchen island and table lamps (6) throughout the open plan space for a soft ambience. 

For furniture I would opt for distressed, natural wood pieces with plenty of soft curves which tie into Winslow’s authentic wood grain, like this weathered oak table with hand-turned legs (9) and these traditional cross backed stools for my island (13).

For final finishing touches, I’d add a marble pedestal bowl to my dining table filled with dried moss (14), linen tea towels (10), an ornate hot water tap (12) and a subtle fragrance (11) to uplift the space. 

Accessory Shopping List 

  1. Salt Cellar | Zara Home 
  2. Terracotta Plant Pot & Saucer | H&M Home  
  3. Metal Candleholder | Zara Home 
  4. Patterned Cushion Cover | H&M Home
  5. Percy Pendant Light | Pooky 
  6. Earthenware Base Lamp | Zara Home 
  7. Moss-stitched cotton blanket | H&M Home 
  8. Crinkled linen-blend blanket | H&M Home 
  9. Weathered Oak Dining Table | LA Residence 
  10. Olive Linen Tea Towels | Sophie Allport 
  11. Reed Diffuser | The White Company 
  12. Traditional Hot Water Tap | Lusso
  13. Kitchen Stool | Dunelm
  14. Marble Pedestal Bowl | H&M Home 
  15. Chunky Jute Floor Rug | Loaf 

Explore More with Kitchen Stori

Looking for more inspiration? Visit the Real Kitchens section of our website to see some recently completed projects by our network of approved retailers throughout the UK & Ireland and don’t forget to sign up to our mailing list (at the bottom of this page) where you can get a free copy of our comprehensive Kitchen Planning Wishlist, so you don’t forget a thing.

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