When it comes to decorative terms, “French Provincial” is more or less “French Country”. This style of interior decoration from the French provinces came to the forefront during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Decorating the French provincial kitchen entails either rough and whitewashed walls or smooth walls that are covered in beautiful wallpaper.

The floors are not left out as plain terracotta, hexagonal and reddish colored tiles, are used or alternatively, intricate laying of clay tiles that are colorfully glazed. The furniture used is all painted and other times, straw seated chairs are used. One thing that makes this pattern of decoration unique and popular is the adoption of bright fabrics which could range from tiny floral designs to wide paisley designs.

To achieve that traditional kitchen look while decorating the French provincial kitchen, the walls of the kitchen are painted in warm and milky white. What if milky white is not your favorite color? No need to fret, you can alternatively go for violet blue, muddied sea green, washed out ocher or even light gray.

The cupboards are not left out. Your cabinets should be below the countertop with open shelving pattern adopted which allows you to display your collection of glassware and crockery.  There are lower cabinets that are designed with doors while others are open and in such cases, the home owner mounts colorful printed cottons across the cabinet’s opening. In decorating the French provincial kitchen, you may decide to wax the raw wood used or paint the cabinets with milk colored paint.

A French provincial décor offers a welcoming warmth which makes it terrific for gathering around the kitchen table.

Even a very small kitchen can be truly charming if you take chances with your design. This kitchen uses splashes of color to invigorate the small space.

It may seem daring to use red for the cabinets, but that choice sets the mood for the room. All of the other colors come from accessories and art. The extensive use of white minimizes the strong impact of the red and makes this small space feel larger.

The rectangular space just above the sink is brightened by the row of greenery in water. Using matching vases turns the area from just a row of plants to art. If you want to have plants in your home or even grow herbs in your kitchen, look for matching containers with a nice design aesthetic to create three-dimensional art as well as an inside garden.

The dark wood floor fits well with the kitchen’s design and would also work with any contemporary space. Keeping the floor consistent in an open floor plan such as this one makes the entire space feel larger.

Notice how the stainless steel finish on the sink echoes on the square stainless steel tube outlining the boundaries of the kitchen and the metallic tile covering the lower part of the island. The bar-height snack chairs and wastebasket also sport that stainless sheen. When space is small, repeating colors or textures helps keep it cohesive without getting too busy.

Do you have a small kitchen opening out into the rest of your living space? What have you done to help it stand out and become an appealing place to make dinner?

This is an unusual kitchen thanks to a designer who looked beyond the traditional to create something that really works with this home.

Although the space is limited, imagination wasn’t. A number of decisions open up the room and make it a practical and inviting cooking area.

The most important addition comes from the light provided by the large window along the wall that houses the sink. Add to that the openings on the other three sides and you have a kitchen that feels connected to every common living area in the house.

The next smart decision was limiting the upper cabinets to two extra-tall glass-surrounded areas. Although you need a stepladder to get to the top shelves, it’s worth it when you look at the view and counter access gained. The rounded counter to the right is deep enough to provide a snack bar and extra space for large cooking or baking projects.

Long cylinder shapes from the range hood and two yellow light fixtures link the ceiling with the kitchen itself while adding almost sculptural elements to the space. The floor is a delightful pattern that echoes the shapes and colors of the rest of the room.

Everything works together to create a kitchen that would be a joy to work in and fun for entertaining too. This room demonstrates that good design can overcome a limited space.

Are you happy with your kitchen but want to add a little more personality and style? There are some simple ways to make a kitchen more interesting. Take a look at this simple kitchen. The cabinets are modern with clean lines. The flooring has a light tone that works well with the wood. But the style stops there.

Having the countertop match the cabinets reduces the contrast in the space. The black trim on the upper cabinets is a good design touch, but a matching black countertop would up the drama and interest in the room. And the backsplash has “ignore me” written all over it. Let’s take another look at what could be done to spark up this space.

The simplest option is replacing the backsplash with something that uses the colors and tones already in the room and adds some color and contrast. Take a look at the one-inch glass tile shown below. Imagine this instead of the white squares on this kitchen’s backsplash.

First, the browns mix well with the cabinets and countertops. The light neutrals will connect this backsplash with the flooring. Then you have the additional colors. Yellows and greens pick up the feeling of the space, adding light as well as color. A few orange tiles add personality and a spirit of adventure. Do you want to have a kitchen that needs vegetables and fruit on the counter to add visual interest? Or would you rather have people impressed when they walk in without you even having to cook? Consider the spark a new backsplash could make in your own kitchen.

Have you noticed that people at parties often tend to end up in the kitchen? Well, how about planning a party in your kitchen?

While you may not be able to throw a large party in one room, particularly if your kitchen is not very large, you can still have a handful of friends over and make the event special and unique.

Start with the menu. Stick with finger-foods that you can pull out of the refrigerator or heat up quickly in a toaster oven or microwave. You don’t want a hot pan on the stove or a heated oven to increase the temperature of your kitchen or create a risk of burns. Combine some healthy snacks such as vegetables and dip or cheese and crackers with something indulgent but tidy such as cookies or chocolate. Look for an opportunity to showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables.

For décor, coordinate your linens with your kitchen. If you have a light kitchen like this one, add some color with a series of tablecloths or napkins scattered on your counter top under your serving plates. Add some fresh flowers and bowls of fruit to make it feel even more inviting. Take advantage of a kitchen in earth tones by placing small pots of herbs among the appetizers.

If your kitchen is eat-in or has a snack bar, set that up for seating. If not, bring in some chairs and even a few small throw rugs to define a seating area. Think about adding in a couple of special cold drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic to satisfy both preferences.

If you love your kitchen, show it off with a special event that highlights it and let other people enjoy it too.