Old
World Theme
The "Old World" Style of Decorating is one that brings all
of the elements of nature into play. Metals, clay, stone, wood,
and countless other elements combine to create an atmosphere
that is as charming as it is ageless. This is what old-world
means in a modern kitchen. Despite the idea that this would be
an inexpensive method of decorating the truth is that this
style of decorating for a kitchen, probably more so than any
other room in the home, can add up fairly quickly. The good
news is that the results are typically breath taking when all
is said and done.
The kitchen of a home is often the family
center. This is the room in which meals are prepared and
sometimes eaten. It is also the room where families congregate
and discuss plans for the evening and the events of the day. It
is often the location in which homework is completed and
heartaches are commiserated with pints of ice cream. Your
kitchen is the one room in the home that will probably
experience more emotional moments than any other room in your
home. For this reason it makes perfect sense that it would be
the most expensively and extensively decorated room within your
home.
When beginning with the walls for an old-world kitchen you may
want to consider plaster or some soft of faux finish that looks
like plaster in order to give the walls of your kitchen a truly
ancient appearance. Aged yellows and shades of gold are an
excellent choice for these walls as it will blend nicely with
the terra cotta and stone accents that should grace the
remainder of the kitchen as well as the darkly stained woods.
Of course the walls are just the beginning.
You will want to insure that the lighting doesn't go against
the old world home decorating that you are incorporating by
being too modern and bright in appearance. Wrought iron light
fixtures and chandeliers as well as low light wall sconces work
wonderfully in an old-world style kitchen. Keep in mind that
many of the old style home decorating ideas can spill over into
the rest of your home from your kitchen or can be used in order
to set your kitchen apart as the warm center of your home.
Either way a kitchen such as this will make a stunning
impression.
Candles may also be used in order to enhance the old world
appearance of your kitchen. Of course candles are a great touch
in every room of the house as far as I am concerned. They can
be used to create an atmosphere, set a mood, or simply as a
method of adding a subtle hint of fragrance to the air. In
addition to candles, grapes are another great addition to an
old-world style kitchen. From wine to the simple pleasure of
grapes straight off the vine these tasty fruits are almost a
must in a kitchen of this nature. Wrought iron wine racks large
and small are a common addition to most kitchens of this
nature. These racks may be used to hold wine as intended or can
be used for other creative purposes such as to hold kitchen
towels or some other creative means for those who do not drink
wine.
Pottery and terra cotta are also welcome additions in this type
of kitchen. They, much like the plaster, the colors, the wood,
and the stone add another degree of warmth to a room that
simply exudes warmth and charm to all who enter. Use pottery to
hold commonly used utensils, straws, toothpicks, fruits, and
vegetables that do not require refrigeration. Use platters as
art and terra cotta planters to hold herbs that are growing
along the windowsill. In other words, let your imagination soar
when creating the old-world atmosphere in your kitchen. You
just might be surprised at where it takes you.
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