This kitchen of the week features an elegant farmhouse style kitchen in a waterfront home. With its coastal location, farmhouse details, and high-end finishes, this kitchen seamlessly blends casual comfort with upscale amenities. Read on as we explore the elements that make this space so special.
Overview of the Farmhouse Kitchen Design
This kitchen exudes charm and warmth with its use of wood, metal, and marble elements paired with crisp white cabinetry. Touches like the marble-topped central island, vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, and natural light from ample windows give the space an airy yet cozy ambiance.
Despite its traditional farmhouse feel, the kitchen doesn’t skimp on luxury. Top-of-the-line appliances, exotic marble and quartz countertops, designer fixtures, and custom cabinetry provide both form and function. This balance of downhome style and sophisticated details is the essence of elegant farmhouse design.
Choice of Materials & Finishes
The material palette focuses on natural textures like wood, marble, quartz, and ceramic tile. Crisp white cabinetry and molding keep the look light and bright. Pops of black in the hardware, appliances, and lighting add contrast. Here’s a closer look at the main finishes:
Cabinetry
The perimeter cabinetry combines elements of traditional farmhouse and modern kitchens. Shaker-style doors with rail frames and visible hinges have a timeless appeal. Their brilliant white finish paired with brass hardware gives them a fresh, elegant look.
The large island serves as the focal point and is crafted from white oak. Its wood top and etched glass door fronts bring warmth to balance the crisp cabinetry. This blend of painted and natural wood cabinetry is a hallmark of farmhouse style.
Countertops
Exotic marble on the island and durable white quartz on the perimeter provide an elegant mix of natural stone and engineered stone.
The marble’s gray veins and white background mimic weathered limestone, in keeping with the casual farmhouse aesthetic. Yet its flawless polish gives it a touch of luxury.
The crisp white quartz perimeter counters complement the pristine cabinetry. Its resilience and low maintenance make it ideal for a family kitchen.
Backsplash
A handmade ceramic tile backsplash adds artisanal texture and charm. The mix of blue, green, and yellow tiles creates a subtle pop of color. Their organic shapes and uneven edges reinforce the farmhouse style.
The colorful backsplash tiles tie into the coastal location and nautical elements found throughout the home. Their whimsical design injects playfulness into the elegant kitchen.
Flooring
To balance the varied textures and colors used above, the flooring keeps things simple. Wide plank white oak floors have a clean, classic look that complements traditional farmhouse style.
The light flooring helps reflect light and keep the space feeling open and airy. Its warm tone provides coziness without overwhelming the light color scheme.
Light Fixtures & Hardware
Black was chosen for the kitchen hardware and light fixtures to create contrast and definition against the light cabinetry and walls.
Vintage-style pendant lights over the island and dark hardware on the cabinets and drawers provide bold pops of black. Black metal chandeliers over the kitchen sink continue the theme. Their curving metalwork injects an artisan element.
By limiting black accents to these key areas, they stand out as elegant accents. The overall look remains light and bright.
Layout & Key Features
This kitchen utilizes several design strategies to maximize its functionality and flow within the waterfront home.
Spacious Island
The oversized island is truly the hub of the kitchen. It provides ample prep space, casual dining for three, and concealed storage. Details like the marble top, etched glass fronts, and brass hardware give it style as well.
The island creates a natural separation between the cooking zone and dining area without totally isolating them. This layout promotes an open, conversational feel.
Cooking Zone
The cooking zone contains the rangetop, wall ovens, and refrigerator conveniently grouped together. This allows for easy movement between the three areas during meal preparation.
Abundant counter space on either side provides room for food prep. The deep basins and industrial faucet accommodate cooking needs.
Dining Area
A large dining table serves as a casual spot for family meals and homework. French doors open outside to expand the entertaining space during nice weather.
Built-in banquette seating, sconces, and wainscoting make this zone feel even more like a separate dining room. The open layout still allows visibility from the dining table to other kitchen areas.
Hidden Appliances
To maintain the clean, uncluttered aesthetic, many appliances are concealed. The refrigerators, wall ovens, and dishwashers are all hidden seamlessly behind cabinetry fronts. Even the trash and recycling bins are fully integrated.
By minimizing the visible appliances, the materials, textures, colors, and design details shine. The resulting look is both elegant and highly functional.
Design Details Worth Noting
Several special details elevate the kitchen’s high-end farmhouse style even further:
- Exposed wood beams: The vaulted ceiling shows off heavy wood beams trimmed in a deep charcoal. They provide rustic contrast to the pristine surfaces below.
- Brass accents: Warm brass finishes on the pendant lights, hardware, and kitchen faucet add a subtle touch of shine against the matte materials. This small dose of luster enhances elegance.
- Etched glass fronts: The use of etched glass on several island cabinet fronts softens the solid wood and adds an artful vibe. The etched design filters the contents while still concealing them.
- Marble window ledge: Perched beneath the kitchen’s many windows, the marble ledge provides an elegant spot to display items or grow herbs. It echoes the island’s marble in a new way.
- Wainscoting: Classic wainscoting along the banquette dining area’s walls reinforces the sophisticated farmhouse style. Crisp painted panels topped with carved molding feel elegant and timeless.
Each detail builds on the kitchen’s essential farmhouse elements, giving this space its truly upscale yet welcoming ambiance. The overall effect is casual and cozy rather than ornate – the essence of today’s elegant farmhouse style.
Integration of Coastal Location
This kitchen resides in a home situated right on the water, taking full advantage of the beautiful views. The design incorporates several nods to its coastal surroundings through material use, colors, and decorative elements.
Beach Hut Vibe
The vaulted wood ceiling, wainscoting, oak floors, marble, and ceramic tile evoke the interior of a refined beach cottage. Touches like the etched glass cabinet fronts and brass fixtures keep things current yet still connected to the seaside setting.
Serene Cool Tones
The palette of grays, blues, greens, and whites throughout the kitchen reflects the tranquil colors of the ocean and sky. This cool, water-inspired color scheme permeates everything from the marble, quartz, tile, paint, and finishes.
Textured Natural Materials
Natural materials like wood, marble, quartz, and tile relate to the coastal landscape in texture and pattern. Their raw, organic imperfections make them feel plucked straight from the outdoors.
Nautical Accents
Pops of navy blue in the kitchen tie into the home’s nautical elements without going overboard. The blue backsplash tile, pendant lights, barstools, and even kitchen utensils provide just the right dose of ocean flair.
The kitchen’s seamless integration with the coastal setting surrounds you with subtle reminders of the waterfront location.
Achieving Balance in the Design
Ultimately, the success of this elegant farmhouse kitchen stems from the perfect balance struck between contrasting elements:
- Traditional and contemporary
- Casual and luxurious
- Warm and cool
- Natural and refined
- Understated and distinctive
The kitchen harmoniously combines wood floors with marble countertops, vaulted beams with sleek cabinets, muted tiles with polished metals. This equilibrium results in a welcoming space, at once grounded yet elevated.
The kitchen doesn’t rely on one standout feature but rather crafts beauty through the sum of its carefully chosen complementary parts. This is the essence of elegance through harmonious balance.
Key Takeaways
This closer look at the details reveals the ingredients that make this kitchen so special:
- Seamless blending of farmhouse coziness and upscale finishes
- Balance of natural and manmade materials
- Pops of black that accentuate light finishes
- Concealed appliances that highlight quality materials
- Vaulted wood ceiling that adds warmth
- Oversized island as the central hub
- Incorporation of colors and textures drawn from its waterfront setting
- Thoughtful contrasts and combinations in the design details
Rather than trendy or showy, the hallmarks of this kitchen are quality, simplicity, and timelessness. That special blend makes this elegant farmhouse kitchen a truly inspiring and memorable one.
FAQs about Creating This Style of Kitchen
Kitchen renovations are exciting but also filled with questions. Here are answers to some top frequently asked questions about achieving a similar high-end farmhouse kitchen design:
What are some key first steps in planning this style of kitchen?
First, consider the layout and determine if any structural changes like removing walls or adding windows could improve it. Also, measure thoroughly and create floorplans to help visualize changes. Browse photos of farmhouse kitchens you love to start compiling a wish list of features. Finally, determine a cohesive color palette and finish materials that fit the home and your lifestyle.
How do you determine the right cabinetry mix?
Look at the existing home’s architecture and finishes to decide what cabinetry styles complement it best. For many farmhouse designs, a mix of painted and natural wood works well. Focus painted cabinetry on visible areas like perimeter cabinets and islands. Use wood for statement areas like a large island base.
What are smart ways to inject color?
Limit highly saturated colors to accents like backsplashes, barstools, or mixers. Stick to a cohesive palette drawn from the home’s surroundings. Soft muted green, blue, and yellow work especially well in farmhouse kitchens to subtly tie into landscape views.
How do you mix metals and finishes successfully?
Limit the mix to two or three complementary metals like chrome, nickel, brass, or oil-rubbed bronze. Match fixture finishes and avoid mixing overly distressed with polished. Aged brass pairs particularly well with chrome in high-end farmhouse kitchens.
What flooring works best?
Wood plank flooring is a quintessential farmhouse floor for its warmth and texture. White oak has a particularly timeless, sophisticated look. For a crisp, clean alternative, marble or limestone evoke old-world farmhouse style. Both honor the home’s architecture.
What are key sink and faucet considerations?
An oversized farmhouse sink is a popular centerpiece. Undermount installation helps prevent grime buildup. For the faucet, look for a polished metal finish. Gooseneck style with a lever handle suits farmhouse decor best. Include a pull-down sprayer for added functionality.
How can you maximize storage?
Take full advantage of cabinet height by including cabinets to the ceiling. Add pull-out shelves and drawers for easy access to contents. Incorporate unexpected storage like drawer bases in islands and banquettes. Finally, consider concealed cabinet fronts for appliances to hide them away.
What lighting strategies create the right ambiance?
Layer ambient, task, and accent lighting. Ambient options like flush mount or semi-flush ceiling fixtures evenly light the full space. Under-cabinet lighting, pendants, and sconces provide task lighting. Finally, accent lighting like recessed lights shine on focal points.
The combination bathes the kitchen in a warm, welcoming glow.
What design strategies maximize a smaller kitchen?
In a compact kitchen, limit upper cabinets to key prep zones. Skip full-height walls of them which crowd the space. Opt for light, transparent cabinets like glass-front uppers to maintain openness. Have clutter-free counters and minimize freestanding furniture. Finally, use mirrors and reflective surfaces to optically enlarge the kitchen.
Conclusion
This charming kitchen beautifully embodies today’s take on gracious farmhouse style through its seamless blend of traditional and contemporary elements. By harmonizing casual warmth with elegant finishes, the space manages to feel welcoming yet still refined.
Clever details like the concealed appliances, vintage-inspired brass accents, unique backsplash tile, and custom-crafted island elevate the homey materials like marble, wood, and ceramic. This equilibrium results in a comfortably upscale ambiance perfect for relaxed waterfront living.
Hopefully this deep dive provided plentiful inspiration and ideas for designing your own elegant farmhouse kitchen. From the layout to finishes to decorative details, the strategies used in this charming space could be applied to all sorts of homes and lifestyles. The essential ingredients are quality materials, purposeful contrasts, and finding balance in the design.
With some thoughtful planning and creative decisions, you too can have a kitchen that flawlessly bridges cozy and chic. Just stay true to your personal style and what feels authentic. The most inviting, enjoyable kitchens reflect the people who live there. By thoughtfully incorporating elegant farmhouse elements that speak to you, you’re sure to end up with a space that feels warm, uplifting and uniquely your own.
