Whether that’s through incorporating a dining or lounging space, rustic kitchen sinks, or simply through deck stools around the kitchen island, it is becoming more and more common for family members and guests to choose the kitchen as the central hub.
With this in mind, it has become the most important – and perhaps the most tricky – space of the house to get right. While many opt for a modern kitchen layout, this is not necessarily in keeping with the new role that the kitchen has found for itself. It is, after all, the heart of the home. And for this reason, it should radiate the warmth and grandeur that the role suggests.
The Traditional Kitchen
This is why the traditional kitchen is arguably the best route to go down when carrying out a kitchen renovation. Traditionalism screams luxury, comfort and – above all – it eradicates the risk of coldness and clinicalism that a modern kitchen might inadvertently radiate.
But how do you create a traditional kitchen? Well, firstly, a traditional kitchen is all about the details. Start with the actual inhabitants of the kitchen. What silverware do you want to use? What will your tabletop look like? Not every family is the same, and this means every aesthetic will be different. If you are part of a Jewish household, are you going to be using Jewish dining sets or kiddush cups? How will those sets match the underlying theme of the kitchen you have chosen?
There will be a single basepoint of your renovated kitchen, but it will not work if the decorative side – ornaments, dining sets, cups, pans – do not coincide with the theme you have chosen. Think about this first and the actual renovation second in order to match the two.
Traditional Points Back To History
Traditional literally means: existing in – or part of – a long-established custom that has been passed down from generation to generation. In this way, the best traditional-style kitchens have been lent a hand by the aesthetics of the past in order to create something new.
This doesn’t mean you have to look back through the history books and pick a kitchen at random, however. You are still part of a modern household, and your kitchen should compliment the rest of the house without sticking out like a sore thumb. This is why it is important to look at aspects of a traditional kitchen but not copy any designs as a whole. The classic kitchen was never created with aesthetical beauty in mind but rather a good, practical design which served a function.
This, in many ways, is the most important point when it comes to making your kitchen traditional but current. Think about the practicality of things – open shelving, hanging storage, kitchen islands and exposed cookware. These are the big changes which can easily instil that traditional feel, which is practicality and elegance in simplicity.
Colour Your Kitchen Warmly
Once again, the warmth of this kitchen should constantly be in mind. If this is the heart of the house, it has to feel as comfortable as the living room while also being elegant and luxurious enough to serve as a dining space. Traditional farmhouse aesthetics are great when it comes to carrying this off. Include as much wood as you can, with a light Swedish pine for the flooring and a dark walnut shelving space which will pop under bright lights.
Try to avoid outwardly white colours. In a modern kitchen, it is the stark whiteness that makes the place feel cold and lifeless. Manage the design carefully, even down to the lighting. It is important – for practicality – to have bright lights, but if your design involves a lot of white, then this will only make the whole space even colder.
The table should be kept in mind, too, when it comes to this. Many designers going for a traditional kitchen will opt for a marble or white-stone finish in order to elevate a feeling of luxury. A wooden table, however, will do far more to elevate that homely feel while also making the kitchen quaint and subtly beautiful.
