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.