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.
