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5 Elements of French Kitchen Design

By Rebecca Franklin, About.com

The charm of an old French kitchen lies in the patina of age – the crackled wood, a rogue stone that loosens itself from the hearth, the warmth emanating from a marble counter long after the sun has set. Lives were lived here and there are stories to be told. Nothing tells that story better than elements borrowed from an old chateau kitchen.

1. Beautiful Storage Spaces

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Storage space is an integral part of French kitchen design. From shelving to cupboards to pot racks, methods of practical storage and decorative practice are one in the same.

2. Growing French Kitchen Herbs

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It’s common to find pots of live herbs lining the windows of a bright, airy French kitchen. While they definitely enhance the rustic design of a chateau-style room, they have practical use as well.

3. Lighting the Classic French Kitchen

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Lighting selections are more than a personal aesthetic in the French kitchen; they’re a practical choice. Where you place lighting and windows has a direct impact on your cooking needs.

4. Natural Elements of a French Kitchen

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The charm of an old French kitchen lies in the patina of age – the crackled wood, a rogue stone that loosens itself from the hearth, the warmth emanating from a marble counter long after the sun has set. Lives were lived here and there are stories to be told. Nothing tells that story better than elements borrowed from nature, when kitchens were handcrafted with equal parts love and necessity.

5. Workspace in the French Kitchen

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Good workspace is a premium requirement in kitchen design. It allows more than one person to accomplish chores at the same time, gives ample cooking and storage space, and leaves room for preparation and cooling of food.

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