Make your French Country Kitchen more authentic looking, beautiful, and rustic with this excellent butcher block Kitchen Cart…

Catskill Craftsmen, Inc. French Country Kitchen Cart

Classically designed and ruggedly constructed, the French Country Kitchen Cart provides a 2.5″ thick butcher top and heavy duty three inch wheels, two of which lock for stationary use. The large capacity drawer and two slatted shelves provide ample storage space. This piece is practical and adaptable to many different kitchen styles.

Then add a beautiful hanging Pendant Light with a gorgeous french bronze finish…

World Imports French Country Influence Three Light Pendant in French Bronze

This pendant features an inspiring design with hand carved arms and a beautiful french bronze finish. It will add both elegance and style, and will fit seamlessly into your decor to provide a classy finishing touch.

Pot Rack are both convenient and decorative. They save space and this one adds a wonderful French Country flair with aged golden copper…

Kenroy Home Verona 2 Light Pot Rack in Aged Golden Copper

This two light pot rack from the Verona Collection is just the fixture you need to complete your kitchen decor. Its sweeping design is perfectly matched by the aged golden copper finish and copper vintage scavo glass shades. You’ll be amazed at the intricate details and grand design. You can also browse the Verona Collection for matching bath fixtures.

And last but not least, be sure to add a French Country style Area Rug too. These are also quite practical - particularly on cold mornings - and having a beautiful rug like this one creates a touch of intimacy and inviting warmth in your kitchen…

The Rug Market Country French Rug

This country collection gives you a warm welcome home with a combination of American and European folk designs. Features: -Wool loop pile.

Click any picture for a larger view…

Curtain Rods and Tracks
Curtain rods are a decorative and versatile option for hanging curtains. Like curtains and drapes though, there are many different styles to choose from. Here’s some tips for getting a specific decorating look:

• Curtain rods with a brass or metal finish create a formal look.
• Wood or plastic rods are best to use for an informal style.
• Slim, discreet rods are an excellent choice for short informal curtains.
• Large rods are best used for long straight runs, and to carry the weight of heavy floor-length curtains.

Curtains can be hung from rods in a number of ways. The fullness of the curtain can be taken up with a heading tape, then hung from rings. The curtain can be made with a tab heading (loops of fabric that go over the rod) or it can have a casing (a horizontal pocket that slides over the rod) and cannot be drawn. For dramatic effects with a rod, try draping swags or hanging a valance.

Tracks have a streamlined effect that suits many modern furnishing styles. Although most are functional rather than stylish, some decorative types are available. The curtains are hooked onto runners designed to glide smoothly along the track. Points to look out for include:

• Special lightweight plastic and aluminum tracks can be bent to fit bow and bay windows.
• Steel tracks are available for the heaviest of curtains.
• Combination tracks make hanging two curtains, or a curtain plus valance, extremely easy.

The fullness of the curtain can be gathered up in a range of heading styles which play an important role in the final look of the window dressing. The curtain heading usually covers the track; if there is no pelmet or valance, the curtain is best left undrawn, and held off the window with tiebacks so that it always conceals the plain track.

Curtain Headings and Casings
Headings determine the way that the fullness of the curtain or valance is gathered up. They range from simple gathered headings to elaborate smocked and pleated types. The most commonly used headings are gathers, and pencil, triple, cylindrical, and cartridge pleats.

Casings are the simplest ways to hang a curtain. A hem is stitched along the top of the curtain, then it is gathered onto the rod. The width of the hem can vary from a meager 1in to a casing wide enough to take deep continental or cornice rods. The casing can be stitched with or without a heading, which sits above the rod as a frilled edging.

Lightweight, short curtains made with a casing can be supported on tension wire - an ideal solution for sheers in a small window or across a dormer window.

Valances
A valance hides the curtain rod or track and heading and adds a decorative finish to a window. Depending on its height and depth, a valance can be used to alter the proportions of a window, making it look taller or shallower. A soft valance is a deep frill that hangs in front of a curtain to give a soft, pretty finish to a window and, depending on the type of heading and trim used, is suitable for most rooms. Soft valances can be straight or shaped, and edged with braids or fringing. In a hard valance the fabric is stiffened with a backing fabric, or stretched over a wooden frame. A hard valance can be straight, cut with a decorative edging, or bound or trimmed with cord, braid, or fringing.

Swags and Cascades
Swags and cascades are a dramatic treatment for windows. The swag is a drape of fabric which hangs in front of the curtains; the cascades are the elegant lengths of fabric that frame the window on either side. The more formal version is fixed to a valance board, but fabric can be draped informally over a rod as the only form of window dressing. Although the formal swags look best on tall windows, dressing full-length curtains, they can be effective scaled down to suit smaller windows.

Tiebacks
Curtains that are hung straight suit a very small window, or where you want a simple style, perhaps for a cottage look or a nursery. A straight curtain can look handsome, but consider tiebacks for a more decorative or elegant finishing touch.

No-sew tieback options include using a heavy cord and elaborate tassel, or you can loop the curtains behind metal or wooden holdbacks.

Lining
Lining adds insulation, protects the curtain fabric from the sun, and prevents fading. It also makes the curtains drape well. To add interest, use a contrast lining with a pattern or a coordinating color. Specialty linings, including room-darkening or thermal fabrics are available.

Interlining curtains with a soft layer of padding between the curtain fabric and lining makes them hang beautifully and gives extra insulating properties.

Sheers, Shades, and Blinds
One solution for problem windows, or bay or shaped windows, is to combine the curtain with a shade, blind, or separate sheer curtain.

A blind or shade works well on windows that are covered by curtains at night, but need alternative screening from excessive sunlight or prying eyes during the day, and they can be styled to match curtains.

A sheer curtain is another answer on windows where you need to hide a view, or have daytime privacy, because it allows light to filter into the room.

Other Curtain Design Tips
Gleaming metal and softly draped fabrics are a magical combination in a window dressing. In a traditional style, hanging the curtains from a brass rod or on metallic rings, or securing them away from the window with wooden or brass tiebacks, looks luxurious.

For simple yet exciting window treatments, contrast the richness and softness of curtain fabrics against the ruggedness of iron rods. Draping delicate sheers over a matte black iron bar is very dramatic, and well suited to a modern decorating scheme.

©2007-2008, Kathy Burns-Millyard.

Taking the time to select the best curtains or window coverings for your home will help to enhance your existing design as well as turn an otherwise ordinary looking room into a very special space.

With so many window treatment options to choose from, the best way to make a decision is to try to be methodical. Create a checklist which will help you keep track of any specific design styles you’re trying to accomplish per room, how many windows are in each of the rooms, what color schemes you have in play, and how large each window is.

Don’t forget to accomodate any functional needs too though. Do you want the curtains to be decorative for example? Or do they need to help insulate against heat, cold, and sunlight? Do you need to block an eyesore that’s easily seen from the window or do you want to be able to enjoy the view fully? Do you need privacy from a given window?

Answering these types of questions in your planning stages will help you decide whether you simply want to drape some nice fabric over a pretty curtain rod, or whether you want to have full length insulated drapes instead.

Think about the room - its proportions and what it’s used for, the upholstery, and accessories. Do you want the curtains to be a focal point, or to convey an understated elegance? Lined curtains drape well and provide better insulation than unlined, but easily laundered unlined curtains may be more practical in a playroom or kitchen.

Style Checklist
When choosing curtains it’s a good idea to clarify your thoughts by separating some of the different style and design elements involved too. Below is a quick checklist of other questions to ask yourself; look through them, then read on for possible solutions and a fuller description of any particular effects you want to create.

• What length?
• Hung from a rod or a track?
• Which heading?
• With or without a valance or pelmet, swags and tails?
• Hung straight, or held with tiebacks?
• Lined or unlined?
• Combined with sheers, shades, or blinds?

Length
Sill-length curtains work well in cottage-style rooms with recessed windows, in kitchens, or with horizontal windows in modern homes. Curtains should barely touch the windowsill.

Below-sill length can look untidy when drawn back - use a tieback or curtain holdback to drape them attractively. If you have a radiator under the window the curtains should end just above it.

Floor-length curtains work best at sash windows, in bays and bows, and on French doors or picture windows. The curtains should almost touch the floor with no visible gap. Where the curtains won’t get underfoot, you can let the fabric tumble, or puddle, onto the floor in arranged folds.

Cafe curtains give privacy at the lower half of the window while letting in light at the top. These also work well in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry areas.

©2007-2008, Kathy Burns-Millyard.

1. New cabinet knobs and handles - Changing your cabinet knobs or handles can make a world of difference in how your kitchen looks or feels. There are a variety of themed kitchen cabinet knobs or you can go with traditional shapes, colors and styles instead.

2. Throw rugs - Throw and area rugs don’t have to be large. In fact you’ll find many small ones designed specifically for use in the kitchen or bathroom. Put a nice weaved rug on the floor in front of your kitchen sink or stove for instance, and you’ll create a cozy decorative touch to the kitchen without sacrificing limited space.

3. Towels and hot pads - This may seem obvious to some of you, but many overlook this simple and easy decorative accent. Buy pretty towels with designs, patterns, or just colors to accent and compliment your kitchen decorating theme. Towels can easily hang on cabinet doors, stove or refrigerator handles. Round out the added decorative touch with hot pads, gloves, and divets that compliment or match the towels. Hot pads and divets can be easily hung on the wall too, allowing for more decorative flair without getting in the way.

4. Stenciled designs on cabinets - This is a little used yet excellent decorating technique for tiny kitchens. Paint stenciled designs on the front of your cabinet doors. Stenciled designs can be simple little flourishes in the corners, or large budding flowers right in the middle of the cabinet door. They can also be general shapes or other objects that fit in with your personal decorating style.

5. Ceiling fan or small chandelier - A ceiling fan or small kitchen Pendant Light will do wonders to improve the decor of your kitchen without taking up much needed working space. Since the room is small to begin with though, be sure to go with small chandeliers or fans so the room won’t be overwhelmed.

©2006, Kathy Burns-Millyard

Since most bathroom spaces are small, save the murals for the kids’ bedrooms. A lively shade is all that’s needed to bring bathroom walls to life. Naturally, if you’re going with a theme, it will dictate the color you choose. For example, turquoise is a perfect fit for an underwater scheme, a sky fantasy bathroom might have walls painted robin’s egg blue, and a soft green makes the perfect backdrop for a jungle-themed bathroom. Stencils and vinyl decals let you add character to the walls, while a peppy-printed shower curtain pulls the whole look together.

If the bath/shower enclosure is glass enclosed, you can pep it up with vinyl window decals in fun designs. Be sure to use the type that adheres by static cling instead of adhesive. Otherwise, you’ll spend a lot of time scraping old adhesive off the glass when your child outgrows the pattern. Another fun way to decorate a glass shower or bathtub door is to let your child design her own window “stickies” with a craft kit you can purchase at most toy or craft stores. Kids squeeze a gel out of a bottle and onto a piece of parchment type paper. It dries into a soft, rubbery type of plastic that clings to glass surfaces. Kids love both the creativity as well as taking part in decorating “their” bathroom.

Don’t forget to add safety to your design list. Whether you choose a rubber bath mat or non-slip adhesive decals, make sure the bottom of the tub or shower your child will use has a bottom covering that provides traction. Make those decals or bath mats a bright color, and you’ll draw your child’s attention as he steps in, subtly developing a safety habit of looking where you step. Be sure, too, that any throw rugs on the floor outside the tub have a non-slip backing to keep kids from falling and hitting their heads on the tub. In addition, big, knobby clothes hooks will cause less head pain when bumped than pointed hooks. And, if you are adding a step stool to help little ones reach the faucet, be sure the bottom is equipped with non-skid rubber footings.

©2005

First decision: location. To create a true “theater” experience, you’ll want to have as little interruption from outside light as possible. For that reason, many people use a basement or an attic room for their home theater. If you don’t have an attic or basement, choose a room with the fewest or smallest windows. Covering the windows with both pull-down shades and heavy, dark-colored curtains will best darken the room for optimal viewing during the daytime. Check with home-improvement stores and window showrooms for special “black-out” curtains and shades.

You might think that wall color isn’t a big issue in your home theater-since the lights will usually be off. However, you should give wall and floor treatments some consideration so that they don’t distract during show time. For example, you’ll want to use dark, deep colors such as brown, deep red or charcoal gray to keep the walls in the background while a movie is playing. Textured wall covering or matte finish paint will keep walls from “shining” with screen light reflection.

Although the lights will usually be off in your home entertainment room, you’ll need a good lighting source for entering and leaving the room. It’s best to avoid overhead lights as they can be too glaring. Sconces that produce soft light on walls and recessed lighting are the best choices for this room. Use dimmers to control the lighting so that you can adjust the brightness to keep viewers’ eyes comfortable.

The kind of seating you choose for your home entertainment theater depends on the kind of crowd you expect to entertain. Will your young children and their friends be the heaviest users? If so, a couple of large sofas will work well. Kids tend to fight over individual seats, but they can all pile on a sturdy sofa. An added benefit to a comfy couch is the opportunity for one or two people to simply sprawl over it for more private viewing. Recliners and loveseats offer a comfortable seat for teens and adults. In fact, why not put a number of recliners in the room, so everyone can have the most comfortable seat in the house? If multiple recliners are not in your budget, easy chair/ottoman sets work just as well, if not better. In a pinch, the ottoman serves as extra seating.

The finishing touches in decorating your home entertainment theater are the most practical ones. A solid level surface, such as a wooden table or T.V. tray, within reach of each seating area makes it easy for viewers to set down snacks or drinks. To avoid having to leave the room to replenish snacks, keep a mini refrigerator in the room, and use cupboards or existing closet shelves for dry snacks. A small microwave oven will let you make popcorn and heat up nachos without ever leaving your home entertainment haven.

©2005

One of the reasons Tuscan kitchen is such a hot decorating trend is that it celebrates the simple things in life: Food, friends, and family. A Tuscan kitchen is functional, not fussy, and decorating in this theme is as simple as paint and a few touches.

The walls in a Tuscan kitchen have a unique, old-world look. You can achieve this using a faux painting technique. First, you paint the walls a bright base color such as butterscotch or butter yellow. Then, sponge on a deeper shade so that the walls look as though they have faded in some spots. There are many books and Internet sites that can give you step-by-step directions on this method of applying paint, as well as product suggestions. If you want to go the extra mile, you can texturize your walls using joint compound mixed with paint. “Pouncing” the mixture onto the walls creates a colored, rustic roughness characteristic of an authentic country kitchen in Tuscany.

The next places to paint are cabinet doors. Use a strong, contrasting color to really give your Tuscan county kitchen character. Deep reds and bright forest greens are especially popular on cupboard doors. While you’re out looking for just the right shade of paint, spend some time in the hardware section of your home improvement store. This is where you’ll find the pulls and handles to add the finishing touch to your Tuscan cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Heavy, burnished metal or ceramic knobs will both look great in your kitchen.

Murray Feiss Tuscan Villa Single Light Pendant in Corinthian Bronze

Casual, contemporary and complete with a nod to a kitchen in the Italian countryside, the Casa Bella Collection adds a warm touch to any home. Gracefully curved arms and intriguing excavation glass or beige silk shades complete the look.

Now that you have the background set, it’s time for the focus pieces. A Tuscan country kitchen harkens thoughts of family and friends. A large table with simple chairs is a sure invitation to your own family to spend quality time in the kitchen. Brightly colored seat cushions make the chairs even more inviting, and a wooden bowl of fruit and nuts encourages a long visit.

Browse through kitchen supply stores and you’ll find a dazzling array of decanters for oils and spices. In a Tuscan county kitchen, cooking ingredients are often stored in plain sight. Glass jars filled with dried beans and pasta should line your counters, along with terra cotta planters and cooking utensil holders. Pewter and copper vessels are also a good choice you’re your Tuscan kitchen. If you have the floor space, freestanding metal or wooden racks can be used to hold commonly used pots and pans, as well as sunflower-print table linens. Pots of herbs on a windowsill and trailing houseplants on top of the refrigerator add even more of an Old World feel to your new kitchen look.

©2005

When you’re designing a new kitchen - or even a new look to your existing kitchen - it’s important to plan for both organization and efficiency too. But nothing says you can’t make it pretty as well as functional, so let’s look at some decorating ideas that will give your new kitchen a French Country touch.

A French country kitchen makes you feel as if you have just walked into a cottage in rural France. Such a kitchen reflects a joy of living and importance of family and friends. Whether you live in a high-rise urban condominium or a split-level in the suburbs, you can bring the warmth and beauty of the French countryside to your own kitchen. The combination of many small touches is what gives a French country kitchen its vibrant, romantic feel.

Color plays a major role in a French country kitchen. If you stepped into the kitchen of a French country cottage, you would probably find walls painted either a butter or mustard yellow, with cupboards painted cornflower blue or even salmon pink. Of course, you could choose to make your walls blue and use the lighter shades as accents.

In the country kitchens of France, natural light is part of the decor. Window dressings are often simple Roman shades. Fabric choices range from canvas to toile, solid to stripped or even prints of fruits, vegetables, or herbs. Speaking of herbs, one simple French country detail is the presence of lavender. Hang a bunch of dried lavender from a hook on the ceiling or the wall, or stand a clump in a wall vase, and you’ll bring the scent of the French countryside into your kitchen.

Kenroy Home Verona 2 Light Pot Rack in Aged Golden Copper

This two light pot rack from the Verona Collection is just the fixture you need to complete your kitchen decor. Its sweeping design is perfectly matched by the aged golden copper finish and copper vintage scavo glass shades. You’ll be amazed at the intricate details and grand design. You can also browse the Verona Collection for matching bath fixtures.

Accessories for a French country kitchen are almost always functional. A tall terra cotta or copper vase serves as countertop storage for spatulas and other cooking utensils. Open, freestanding racks made of copper or wrought iron hold plants as well as placemats, napkins, and serving bowls. Ceramic trivets with rooster or herb designs can be displayed on walls when not in use on the table.

A plain, pine work table doubles as a place for family and friends to gather for meals or simply to socialize. Be sure to choose a size table that won’t interrupt the traffic flow in your kitchen. If you have a very small galley style kitchen, you might want to skip this element. In the kitchen, the difference between cramped and cozy is enough to ruin any mood.

Since French country kitchens are small by nature, their owners make the best use of every possible space. Instead of traditional cabinets they often opt for vertical storage. Wrought iron ceiling racks keep frequently used pots and pans handy. Pot racks are very popular in kitchens around the world, and are therefore easy to find. In fact, you’ll be surprised at the wide range of styles and sizes available. You can achieve the French country look even if your kitchen doesn’t lend itself to an overhead pot rack. Strong hooks on the wall or on a solid core door will give save cabinet space and add to the country feel of your kitchen.

©2005

In late 2007 I wanted to do something different. I personally enjoy reusing old stuff for new purposes, and I had a couple of loft bed ladders left from when my sons were younger. I also had a decent collection of nice looking hard back books that no one in the house read anymore, so I decided to mix the two into something new and unique.

For many years, I used the old ladders as quilt and afghan display racks in my living room. I simply leaned the ladders against the wall, then draped hand made blankets over some of the steps, or rungs.

When looking through my books one day though, I realized I had many old hard backs which were beautiful. And I somehow got the idea to combine those extra books with the old ladders, and create my very own book shelf.

The first step was to make sure I had enough extra books for the project. So I gathered all the old ones I didn’t want anymore, and removed any paper covers that were still in place.

Then I created two stacks of books based on colors and thicknesses. I was trying to color coordinate them as best I could, and I needed both stacks to be as close to the same height as possible too, so that the final bookshelf design would be level.

Once I had the two stacks matching in height, I glued all the books for each stack together.

Now I also wanted to make sure I had some sort of “feet” on my bookshelf so that it would be stable on my living room carpet. So I chose four additional books of equal thicknesses.

The first step was to create “feet” for my bookshelf, and I did this by simply glueing each of the four extra books to one long side of one ladder. Instead of squaring each book up with the side of the ladder, or placing it crosswise, I wanted a bit more of an interesting look. So I turned each book partially, so that it was more on a diagonal cross with the side of the ladder. I then glued these in place.

Once the feet had dried, I then placed the two stacks of books onto the other long side of my ladder which had the feet in place, and I glued those stacks down too. So at this point I had one ladder laying on it’s side, with four “feet” on the bottom and two stacks of books on top.

Once that arrangement was completely dried, I then turned the second ladder on its side, and placed it on top of the two stacks of books. That was also glued down securely onto the top of the stacked books.

At that point I was done. I put the new shelf unit against the wall, and added some heavy books onto the “shelves” near where my glued stacks of books were to help hold everything in place while it dried fully. After a time I added family photos, more books, and some of our favorite DVD sets.

To fully finish a project like this completely though, I will seal all of the shelves books with a clear coat finish. This will keep the books from opening when the shelf unit is moved, and will help keep the books looking beautiful for many years to come.

I decided to make this our “entryway focal point” too. Partly because the shelf is so large I needed a large enough wall to place it against, and partly because it says so much about our family. And it’s situated directly across from the front door, so it’s instantly striking and noticible when anyone walks in! :)

Photography & Text ©2007-2008, Kathy Burns-Millyard

1. One of the biggest improvements you can make that’s fairly simple to do, is to paint your front door. Putting a fresh coat of paint on the front door will give it a quick and easy decorative touch, plus it’ll help protect your door from the sun and rain.

2. Another excellent way to make your door look brand-new, is to simply replace the hardware. Get some nice new door handles and lock sets to replace your old ones with. These usually come in standard sizes, so you won’t have to drill any new holes. There is also a wide variety of designs to choose from, including satin, nickel, or pewter.

3. Update the kick plate and door knocker on your front door too. If your front door doesn’t actually have these, then install new ones. The kick plate will help protect your door when people go in and out, and it adds a nice decorative finishing touch as well. Having a nice door knocker adds an extra touch of elegance and class to your front entryway.

4. Add a front wreath or door decoration. Front door wreaths are a wonderful way to add texture, interest, and color throughout the year. And they’re an excellent choice for decorating, because you can change them throughout the seasons too.

5. Update your front door light fixtures. The front porch light is something most people don’t think to change very often. Porch light globes are quite inexpensive though, and it’s a very easy way to change the entire look and feel of your front entryway.

6. Add decorative house numbers to your entryway. Large numbers are best, because they help emergency services find your house more easily. Putting decorative numbers on your house will add another classy touch to the entryway as well. There are a variety of ways you can add House members with a decorative touch. Buy large metal numbers which can be screwed and four example, or select ceramic tiles that fit flush into your house frame. You can even simply buy stencils, and paint the numbers on nicely yourself.

7. Freshen up your house’s curb appeal by putting in a new mailbox, with a new post. This is especially important if your mailbox post is somewhat old and worn. You might try putting in an ornate metal post, or even try a brick garden bed style. Top it off with a beautiful new mailbox for the best results.

8. Add some decorative yard lighting. Solar lighting is quite easy to put in the yard these days. And it’s a wonderful way to have your house look good at night time as well as day. There are many different types of solar lighting that can be chosen to fit almost any decorating style for your yard.

9. Add colorful flowers in your front yard, or in decorative planters on your front porch. Annual flowers are particularly colorful, and they can really liven up the look of the front entryway. Hanging baskets of flowers is another easy way to decorate your front entryway, and even planting flowers around your new mailbox is a simple way to update your look too.

10. Try adding various types of outdoor art to your yard and porch. Birdhouses and wind chimes for example, go with almost any type of house design. You could also try various types of garden benches, statues, and even weather vanes too.

Photography & Text ©Kathy Burns-Millyard