La Cuisine Francaise.....Style: Undecorated!!!

There is nothing like a European Kitchen. Especially a French Kitchen. Usually small and compact, the French kitchen is above all practical. Cooking is high ranking among past times. An enormous amount of time is spent in the kitchen and entertaining at home is like a sport. And the more you do it, the better you become. Where as American Kitchens are often enormous showplaces and usually food, spices, and tablewear are all hidden away, French kitchens are often overflowing with fresh produce, cheeses are kept out at room temperature, often dishes and stemware are exposed for easy access, and more often than not, its because there just isn’t enough storage space. They are usually warm and inviting, even when  modern in feeling.  Accessories, art and personal collections are found in kitchens just like the rest of the home. Formal dining rooms are seen less and less. Kitchens combine both the cooking elements and provide for the social setting. No running to Clive Christian or Christopher Peacock for a kitchen design here. They exist in europe, but are favored by foreigners. Anyhow, the French would never spend that much money on a kitchen. They would rather spend it on food.

This wonderful etegere was found in the Marche aux Puces. Exposed dishware, bowls, tea cups and saucers make for easy access. The Indian Lantern and the wonderful torquoise tea service make a very eclectic addtional to the collection.

Antique Toile Drapery is reused now to make contemporary roman shades and a typically european mini drapery to cover the underneath storage of the sink. A wonderful and important late 18th century oil painting hangs amid a collection of birds. The birds themselves are all made out of feathers. The fabric used on the antique painted chairs had originally been used as wall upholstery in the owners New York City dressing room.

This wonderful kitchen is small but extremely practical. I can personally attest the wide range of cooking that takes place here. The cabinets are all hand painted faux bois. A banquette adds addtional seating under a window and bracketed shelves hold personal collections.

The Makintosh Period Chairs and the old plank table add to the mix, making this very simple space a very much used kitchen for creating and entertaining.

This good friend of mine has wonderful taste and a very creative mind. The Library separates the entrance foyer and the kitchen.

This very un-decorated space uses found objects to create more than just a kitchen.....it becomes a workspace, a dining room, a laundry room and a space that  houses many of the owners personal collections.

The use of dhurry rugs, folding chairs and slip covers mixed with antique chairs gives a very unpretentious feel of warmth and good taste. 

Various collections found on foreign trips hang on the wall,  a pair of oil paintings, exposed accessories, and several mismatched lamps add to the undone look.