14th October 2024 A French Provincial kitchen famously merges the elegant beauty of Parisian life with the sprawling countryside synonymous with southern France. The interior design has been around since the 17th century and continues to adorn homes worldwide, with a kitchen the epicentre of this chic, rustic look. For many a designer, it’s an epic creative challenge to take on. To succeed, you need a clear creative vision. So, read on to unlock 17th-century design secrets with these 10 French Provincial kitchen ideas that cook up a storm. 1. Gilded and golden finishes Gilding is a handy decorative technique to add a thin layer of metal to surfaces. It often has a golden, rich quality and a definite elegance to make a kitchen work surface positively shimmer. French Provincial kitchen decorating ideas don’t get any better than hanging paintings around the kitchen with gilded frames—it really brings a room to life. 2. Copper cookware everywhere In the world of French Provincial kitchens, copper cookware is your friend. Adorn a cooking area with these for that rustic appeal. You can also add metal racks to hang the cookware from for that attention-to-detail factor so crucial with this design. 3. Ceiling beams Vaulted ceilings make for a magnificent, grand flourish. Again, they reinforce the rustic theme you get with France’s iconic design style. An added bonus is stacked stone to complement those wide ceiling beams. 4. Consider mismatched cabinets One of the joys of a French Provincial kitchen is the ability to go rustic. So why not include a wide variety of cabinets and other furniture? Create an eclectic and eye-catching mix of everything. Aim for chic yet rustic. 5. Bistro-style bar stools French Provincial kitchen designs wouldn’t be complete without this thoughtful touch. With several bistro-style bar stools around a kitchen island, you have a stylish kitchen worthy of a magazine shoot. It’s cosy and it’s elegant. And guests always love it, especially when it’s time for cocktails or hors d’oeuvres. 6. Wicker baskets Add in an abundance of rustic wicker baskets. You may place them under a table or on a shelf. Not only are they great for storing spices or other cooking items, but the classic brown vintage look adds volume to your design. 7. Texturising walls Old-style French walls had a patina effect that’s possible to recreate. The passage of time is an important theme to craft while designing a Provincial kitchen. This layered look across the walls is an ideal way to do that. 8. Patterned tiles for the perfect floor This is one of the prettiest finishing touches you can aim for. French Provincial-style kitchens will benefit enormously from a patterned floor. This look is a perfect complement to the cabinets, baskets, and cookware around it. An artistic flourish even Gauguin would be proud of. 9. Make the range hood grand You can make a bold statement with a grand-scale range hood. These can be epic marvels that instantly impress anyone who sees them. Think of a pale, marble-like finish with a curvature similar to a grand staircase. This is where all the cooking will take place, so it’s essential to make it look the part. 10. Decorative mouldings Add a sense of luxury with elaborate mouldings such as high skirting boards and intricate architraves joined neatly by a skirting block for authenticity. Or create a wainscoting effect using inlay moulds on walls and even kitchen cabinets. This way you can add that certain je ne sais quoi to every corner of a kitchen to make a dining experience extra special. Modern French Provincial kitchens add a design twist To spice up your design, you can try your hand at some trendy, zesty ideas. To get that modern ‘je ne sais quoi’ you can: Add lively colours such as blue and sage green Use sleek countertops like quartz for a shimmering finish Rely on pendant lights or under-counter LED strip lighting Adopt open shelving for a breezy, natural finish Install integrated smart appliances to bring a kitchen to life You can keep the classic, simple kitchen designs around these contemporary ideas. A classic Provincial look can still have dashes of smart technology, for example, to balance out the whole theme. The beauty of this is you can decide for yourself as you craft your masterpiece. Cook up a storm with your French Provincial kitchen-style At Intrim, we set the standard for high-quality timber mouldings in Australia and have done for almost 40 years. If you’re looking for that extra sizzle in your kitchen designs, then we’re the go-to source for inspiration and high-quality products. We offer premium quality timber inlays, decorative mouldings, chair rails, skirting boards and mouldings, all with a charming sense of elegance. The exact combination of all the products you need to create a French Provincial kitchen design. To create an interior style that your clients will love, book a moldings consult now with one of our product specialists. Order a French Provincial sample box Looking for some instant inspiration? Our French Provincial samples box is the place to start. You’ll receive a curated selection of premium quality timber mouldings selected by our expert team. The box contains: Skirting Board (SK945B 185mm) Skirting Block (SB04 200 x 95mm) Chair Rail (CR280) Inlay Mould (IN09) It’s the perfect way to energise your kitchen creativity and make the first move towards realising your design ideas. Create a mood board for a visual presentation that captures the unique vibe of the French lifestyle.
