Kitchen

 
There are a lot of surfaces in the kitchen – most are hard with angled edges which don’t exactly spell out a warm and comforting environment. You can balance out the inevitable uninviting surface with soft textures and patterns, as well as warm and homey colors.

To bring an instant cheer to the space, put a potted plant on the window sill in a terra-cotta pot or some other kind of pot. You should try to find flowers that bloom all year around and that have a soft and gentle looking texture to them. Try to use a wood bowl to contrast the granite or marble countertop; if you have a butcher block counter top, then use a glass bowl to contrast the wood.

If you have ever been to the South of France, you may have already set your heart on a French Provincial style kitchen. Then you must also be aware that textures play a very big part in the overall design.

The very easy to get and to add a very dramatic feel to the whole space is to put plaster on the walls—use soothing colors such as a light lime. Accent the whole kitchen by opting for copper pots and pans and hang them above the stove or the island. Don’t forget to choose a placemat with earthy tones—such as a brown or a darker green.

If your kitchen countertops are constructed of bleached maple and are against a backsplash of ceramic tiles painted in bright colors, the contrast in texture will help to bring out both of the pieces. The sink should be accented with brass that would bring about a nice addition of a different type of metal—a swan-neck spout would also put a decorative element into the space.