Country-Style Kitchens

For some people, the kitchen is just a place to heat the coffee before heading off to the office. But others see the kitchen as the heart of the home and pine for a warm and inspiring space. Well, nothing says heart more than a country kitchen. Once you decide to go with a country kitchen, you're still not quite ready to hire your contractor. First, you need to decide exactly which kind of country you want.

Country Kitchen Styles

• French Country: When going for the French Country look, think seaside sunsets, and delicious warmth, and choose colors accordingly. Cabinets and furniture have softened corners. The cabinets themselves are often ornate, seeming a bit more like furniture than cabinets. Go for a light finish, and a light wood like pine, with a low-lustre clear glaze.
• American Country: Take a second to imagine the austere kitchen of an American colonist. That's American country. Rough hewn cabinetry with flat panels recalls the type of work created when detailed millwork wasn't available. Real traditionalists will go for pine kitchen cabinets, finished with a low sheen or painted.
• Tuscan Country: Bringing in stone sinks, as well as chicken wire on the kitchen cabinet doors, Tuscan Country is the most rustic of the country kitchens. Unlike the pine called for in the French and American styles, Tuscan cabinets are made from dark woods and are richly colored. Go for a timeworn feel. Paint or distress furniture. Keep shelves open. Choose heavy and very sturdy pieces.

Some people prefer an ultra-modern look with a cold stainless steel glint. But for those folks with a romantic streak, a country kitchen may be what turns their ordinary houses into beloved homes.