How to add Shabby French Cottage to Your Kitchen.

This Spring

The marriage of two wonderful cottage decor styles. I so love Spring and the ability to brighten the decor in my home with soft, pastel colors. This also gives me the chance to bring out some of my favorite collections in my French Country Kitchen!

What makes it French Cottage Decor?

In my post How to add French Parisienne or French Country Style to Your Decor, I shared several simple, common decor tips to achieve both styles. Today, I’ll share more ideas on the French Country or French Cottage style.

The decor style of the French reflects their lifestyle. There’s a sense of effortless and nostalgic approach to their home decor. This includes adding modern and family treasures. The French are not concerned about trends….they’re style is timeless and reflects an appreciation for patina with a sense of elegance. French Cottage is a very relaxed style that pays homage to country living – a slower paced of life – a way of life with a touch of history.

Shabby French Decor

This combination of two very beautiful cottage styles bring about the ease and comfort of these styles. The Shabby Chic style embraces the beauty and patina of well worn, well loved pieces. If these chippy pieces have original paint color – all the better. There’s a softness to this style. Pretty linens are sought after in this style. Collections, especially pastel colored collections are treasured.

How I Brought Shabby French Cottage to My Kitchen

The first thing in both styles is a subdued background – paint colors. My walls are a soft neutral beige, I have the original aged wooden floors, such a blessing! My cabinets have been painted white as well as the hutch.

The Hutch

This is where I focus a lot of my decorative efforts. It’s a beautiful focal point in my kitchen.

The Details

French and Shabby Chic decor combined.

On the lower left I have a vintage French crate I purchased through Sunday Brocantes. Next to the crate is an oval corrugated basket filled with silk Hydrangeas. Above, I have a collection of some of my favorite items: Rose chintz teacups, an old scale, an Herbes de Provence crock, and some of my pastel dishes.

On the bottom right side of the hutch I have a basket filled with vintage linens I love to collect. One of my favorite teapots, a sweet turquoise bird, Ironstone pitchers, silver and French milk cows.

Dried French Lavender is always a good thing when you wish to decorate with French Cottage flair. I have several Ironstone pitchers filled with dried Lavender above the hutch and throughout my home.

Shabby Mixture of Collectibles

The Shabby Chic collectibles that speak Spring to me include my Jadite collection, Rose Chintz tea set, rose and polka-dot pouring mixing bowl, vintage linens as well as vintage tureens.

Shabby French Cottage Spring

Spring…bringing the beauty of spring indoors also has me dreaming and planning for the beauty outdoors. That is preparing for a spring flower and vegetable garden.

On my desk, I am following through with the Shabby French Cottage decor with faux Lavender, an Ironstone pitcher filled with Spring flowers as well as another sweet bird and spring-colored teacups.

Spring flowers add charm to any room, but especially in the kitchen where there’s so much activity! Fresh flowers are a wonderful addition to any Spring decor – or cottage style.

How to bring Shabby French Cottage to your kitchen

Accessorizing a room in French style. Rarely, will the decor in a French kitchen be purely for decorative purposes. They’re not only beautiful, but also functional. Every day items are seen on open shelves and hutches – giving them not only a place for function but also beauty.

• Soft colored palette in room and decorative items
• Painted or distressed furniture
• Pastel and floral dishes
• Vintage linens
• Iron items or other metal items
• French Lavender
• Ironstone
• Collectibles
• Fresh flowers and florals

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