| Designing a charming and romantic Country Kitchen | | | | party, complete the picture with red candlesticks in |
| with a warm, inviting atmosphere entails more than just | | | | white ceramic candleholders. Also consider decorative |
| "setting the table" with some quality decorative | | | | red glass bottles for a windowsill and red chair |
| accessories. Whether you have a tiny kitchen or a | | | | cushions. Framed prints of red fruits and vegetables |
| spacious one big enough for a big maple table, you | | | | dress up neutral walls. |
| can give the space a country flavor with the right color | | | | If you choose blue for your basic color scheme, this |
| and themed accents. | | | | color, particularly when combined with accents of |
| Color is a key ingredient because it makes the first | | | | yellow, typifies old-world charm. European kitchens |
| impression of a room on our senses, so setting the | | | | feature rich, strong blues in tiles, curtains and glass |
| mood is your primary concern. If you can paint the | | | | dishes. At Claude Monet's country estate in Giverny |
| walls, you may choose a very light yellow to give a | | | | (about an hour north of Paris) the huge, black stove is |
| sunny glow to the kitchen. A primitive design wallpaper | | | | backed by multi-patterned blue and white tiles, a striking |
| or stencil border will further the country look. Combining | | | | as well as practical design statement. (See "Monet's |
| yellow and a French blue, which is a blue-purple hue, is | | | | Table by Claire Joyes.) In the adjacent dining room, a |
| a traditional use of Country French colors. Add | | | | dining table has 12-14 yellow-painted chairs and is laid |
| accessories such blue glass and amber glass, blue | | | | with blue and white dishes on a yellow tablecloth, set |
| canister sets, potholders, oven mitts, dishtowels and | | | | off by blue flowers in tiny vases by the place settings. |
| blue and white check table linens and curtains. Use | | | | Another set of Monet's everyday dishes was bright |
| accents like blue tiles and framed sunflower prints or | | | | yellow edged in deep blue. Stunning! |
| tin signs. | | | | You can use green as an accent in the form of lush, |
| If your walls have to stay white and your appliances | | | | leafy potted plants. Plants serve several functions: they |
| are also white, as in most apartments, you will have to | | | | make your kitchen beautiful by bringing nature indoors, |
| rely on well-chosen splashes of color in your design | | | | they give off oxygen and they'll fit right in with your |
| accents to do the trick. You can start by finding a line | | | | color scheme. If red is your main accent or theme, the |
| of accessories featuring one bold color like red or | | | | green in plants will intensify this color because green is |
| bright blue or a theme such as roosters, berries, | | | | opposite red on the color wheel. They are |
| sunflowers or country store. Then add accents that | | | | "complementary" colors. Green is also the combination |
| complement the color or the theme. | | | | of two primary colors, yellow and blue, so it |
| Let's say, for example, that you choose a line of | | | | harmonizes with that color scheme also. |
| accessories featuring red, like apples, cherries or | | | | Match and complement your country kitchen's |
| strawberries. A set of bold red canisters and a red | | | | featured colors when you choose your cooking |
| cookie jar will add panache to the countertop. Your | | | | serving apron as well as potholders and oven mitts. |
| kitchen table can sport a red check or red and white | | | | You are the star of the room and you should dress |
| stripe tablecloth and red napkins. You could use a | | | | the part! |
| centerpiece of fresh flowers in a red glass bowl. For a | | | | |