The Top 50+ Best French Country Kitchen Ideas – Interior and Home Design
The French Country Kitchen blends rustic and elegant design to create a soft, welcoming home for delicious meals and wonderful gatherings.
Farmhouse kitchens are seeing a surge in popularity for their relaxed, welcoming, and lived-in feel. But all too often, these kitchens look too rustic and rundown. That look can feel out of place in most modern homes. This is where the French or English country kitchens come in.
This style of kitchen design expertly blends vintage, rustic, elegance, and glam. In the same space, you’ll see a well-worn kitchen table made from reclaimed wood paired with a crystal chandelier and granite countertops.
Get inspired to modernize your kitchen by looking to the French countryside. By changing key elements of your kitchen, you can have a comfortable yet glamorous kitchen to cook in as well.
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1. Apron Sink French Country Kitchen Ideas
The hallmark of a farmhouse kitchen is the apron sink. These sinks have a distinct look because they feature exposed fronts. They also tend to be larger. Whether your goal is to have an American, French, or English country kitchen, you should have a farmhouse sink.
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To install one, you’ll probably need the assistance of a contractor to do some slight kitchen remodeling work. You’ll have to cut out the front of your cabinets and counter to accommodate the sink. These sinks also tend to weigh more, so you’ll want to add additional support under the sink inside of the cabinet.
For a traditional look, stick with porcelain. But if you want to embrace the elegance of French country kitchens, you could choose marble or copper for your sink.
2. Blue And White Theme French Country Kitchen Ideas
Classic French country style embraces neutrals with a theme of blue and white. The next time you’re at the hardware store, head to the paint department, and you’ll find “French country blue” from all of the largest paint manufacturers. This is the traditional blue color you need.
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Use the blue to accent and highlight the white and neutrals of your kitchen. You could have a blue pattern on your toile fabrics. Or you could have a blue range hood and stove. If you really like the shade of blue, you could paint your kitchen cabinets.
Look for vintage china that features the blue and white theme while depicting farmhouse themes. These vintage pieces will add a sense of authenticity to your French country design.
What if blue isn’t your color and it’s the last thing you want in your kitchen? Not to worry! You can use a soft pink or sage green instead. These are both commonly used in more modern French country decor. Aim to use muted and earthy tones for your color palette.
3. Classic Cabinetry French Country Kitchen Ideas
Country French style is a perfect blend of rustic and elegant. You can see this brought to life in the kitchen cabinets. They’re typically plain white cabinets, but feature detailed touches that elevate them. You can give your kitchen’s cabinets the country French touch by adding trim work.
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Add crown molding to the top of the upper cabinets. Then add detail to the cabinets by choosing doors with trim and skip the shaker style doors. Look for ways to add ornate and intricate wood carvings and furniture inspired features. This could be carved columns on the corners or an archway connecting the upper cabinets.
A hallmark of a French kitchen is the range hood built to match the cabinetry. It’ll be large and sloping with carved trim around the edge.
To keep your kitchen from looking too polished and elegant, give the cabinets some aging. They should look lived-in and a bit worn. This will provide the rustic element to the ornate cabinets.
4. Copper Cookware French Country Kitchen Ideas
Foodies and chefs alike love copper cookware for its conductivity, rapid heating, and quick dissipation. While they’ve been popular for centuries all over the world, most identify copper cookware with French kitchens. These beautiful warm colored pots and pans make their appearance in French country decor.
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Decorate your kitchen with your copper pots and pans. You could hang a wrought iron rack above your kitchen island and hang the copper cooking tools from the hooks. Or you could hang a rack on the wall. This puts your cookware on display as decor and makes it readily accessible.
5. French Country Farmhouse Kitchen Decor Ideas
Once you choose the major elements of your kitchen, you need to finish your interior design to turn it into a French country cottage. Focus on adding accent pieces that continue the trend of blending rustic and elegance.
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You could place woven baskets full of fresh produce and arranged florals to bring in the rustic farmhouse element. Then you could place antique kitchen tools that you find in vintage shops. This could be anything from wooden spoons to antique scales. Another popular choice is porcelain pieces such as pitchers and serving ware.
6. French Country Kitchen Appliance Ideas
When it comes to the appliances in your kitchen, skip the ultra-modern stainless steel finishes and streamlined touch controls. These will look too sleek and out of place. Instead, look for appliances with traditional styling. The stove should have dial controls. The appliances could have bold metal trim.
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If you can’t find retro-inspired appliances, consider hiding your modern ones. You could build or purchase cabinetry that hides the modern appliances behind uniform cabinet doors.
7. French Country Chic Kitchen Ideas
French chic is about easy-going elegance. Your goal is to effortlessly blend rustic and glam. Some pieces are well worn and rustic. Other pieces are elegant and chic. The trick is to balance the two so that you don’t have too much of either style.
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For a successful French country decor, you don’t want to try too hard. Consider using butcher block for your countertops. This is both beautiful and functional. Then for a glamorous touch, you could hang a chandelier with crystals. This will give you the touch of glam.
You can continue this balance through the eating area furniture. The kitchen table could be antique or made from reclaimed wood. Then you could have elegant chairs to place around it, upholstered with a French voile fabric.
8. Gold Accent French Country Kitchen Ideas
Gold accents are the perfect way to add elegance and glamor to your French country decor. Traditionally, decorators used gilded pieces. Gilding is the term for applying gold leaf to an object or painting it gold.
You could look for authentic gilded pieces, but that will be seriously expensive. Instead, you can blend modern touches, such as gold hardware for the cabinets. You could switch out the lighting and plumbing fixtures for gold. Look for fixtures with intricate details and traditional styling to keep the gold fixtures in line with the rest of the kitchen.
If you’d like a more subtle accenting of gold, you could mount gold curtain rods. The majority of the gold will get hidden by your curtains, but it’ll still peak out in places. Or you could use gold silverware for your place settings. This will give you a hint of gold only when you set the table.
9. Kitchen Hood French Country Kitchen Ideas
The kitchen hood is a statement piece in a French country kitchen. It needs to be large, bold, and separate from the cabinets. You could build a stone archway to mimic the look of a fireplace. This will give your kitchen a traditional farmhouse feel.
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Another option is to build a hood that starts larger at the bottom and slopes upward, narrowing at the top. Finish the hood with intricate details, carvings, and scrollwork. You could also opt for metal and give it a polished finish.
If you want your kitchen to have a more modern feel, you could make your hood oversized to extend beyond the width of the actual stovetop cooking area. Keep it rectangle-shaped with crown molding at the top. Then you can finish the look with large carved corbels supporting it from underneath.
10. Modern French Country Kitchen Ideas
You can give your French country kitchen a modern twist that will keep your decor feeling fresh, despite its traditional approach. Subway tile is hugely popular in contemporary design trends, yet it originated from traditional building design. You could use the subway tile as your backsplash for a perfect blend of old and new.
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Another way you can blend old and new is to use gold hardware, but opt for a satin or brushed finish with clean lines. This will blend the gilt of old with the styling and finishes of modern design trends. You can continue this with your chandelier. It could still have gold and crystals but have a more modern design in its styling.
Don’t forget to blend modern technology into your kitchen. Just because it’s French farmhouse doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the latest technological innovations. Many kitchen appliance companies hide modern technology in vintage-looking stoves. Or you could have LED lighting in your chandelier.
11. Rustic Charm French Country Kitchen Ideas
If you want your French kitchen to look more rustic, you need to utilize more worn and used pieces than glam pieces. Try to use only vintage, antique, and salvaged materials. The more of these pieces you use, the more rustic and aged your kitchen will look.
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Use vintage kitchen tools to decorate the kitchen. You could hang antique bread paddles on the walls. Or you could place vintage bottles and jars on shelves as decor. Instead of buying new lighting and plumbing pieces, you could buy salvaged fixtures. Just be sure they are still safe for use. You don’t want to install an iron faucet and risk poisoning your family for style’s sake.
12. Stone Wall French Country Kitchen Ideas
Much of traditional French farmhouse construction was stone, so they’d naturally have exposed stone walls in the kitchen. You can mimic this architectural feature by creating a stone accent wall in your kitchen.
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To create a faux wall, you could paint the stone pattern on, apply a pre-printed wallpaper, or mount foam core stone panels. These range in price, so you’ll need to find an application that fits your budget. Aim to create a natural stone or limestone feature. The trick to making it look real is the irregularity of the stone pattern.
13. Traditional French Country Kitchen Ideas
If you’d like to take your kitchen design a step further and give it a traditional country aesthetic, try adding these architectural elements. Instead of just having a stove or oven, have an entire fireplace installed. It should be large so that you can use it for cooking. Then have wooden floors installed to bring warmth into the space. You could commit and use reclaimed wood for a worn and authentic feel.
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Finally, add wood beams to the ceiling. This will give the kitchen a cottage feel. It’ll also give you a natural place to hang things from. You could hang the pots and pans directly from the beams if your ceiling is low, or hang a rack for them if your ceiling is higher.
French Farmhouse Kitchen FAQs
What’s the difference between a regular farmhouse and a French farmhouse design?
A: French farmhouse is different because it adds touches of elegance. To keep the decor from getting too run down and rustic, there are touches of gilt and glamour. Don’t be afraid to add a crystal chandelier or antique silver serving dishes.
What is toile de Jouy fabric?
You’ll see this type of fabric in French country kitchens. It originated in Jouy, France during the 18th century. It’s typically cotton or linen fabric that depicts scenes from the French countryside. It could be hunting, farming, or travel. The print is typically a light blue, but you’ll also find pink, mauve, sage, and yellow.
Where do I find authentic decor for my kitchen?
While you could buy new “vintage style” decor, it isn’t authentic. Instead, head to rural areas and check out the local antique or vintage store. Farming communities are the best for these items. You can then find authentic and worn kitchen tools that, once used in actual farmhouses. These will give your kitchen a farmhouse feel without looking like you over-styled or tried too hard.
The Best 20 Leather Jackets for Men in 2021
With the winter months (hopefully) dwindling down, it’s time to start planning ahead to a time where we can wear thinner jackets and fewer layers. While it may be tempting to quickly shed your parka and grab for whatever piece of outerwear is nearby, don’t reach for last year’s wardrobe item just yet. Isn’t it time you try something new, like, say, a leather jacket?
Though it may seem all leather jackets are similar, there are actually many different designs and styles that work for different body types and tastes. In this article, we will take a look at the hottest leather jacket trends that have hit the market this season.
Best Buy
1. Ionic Black Leather Jacket
Ionic Black Leather Jacket from The Jacket Maker is an excellent choice for any guy looking for a slim and sleek jacket in a classic black finish.
It’s made with incredibly tough, yet soft, sheepskin leather, making it a great choice for guys that aren’t used to wearing leather jackets.
One of the best things about the Ionic is its streamlined look. While it offers four outside pockets, the zippers are subtle, so they don’t detract from the sleek look. This design gives it a more streamlined look than most leather jackets, without taking away from any of the authenticity.
2. Saint Laurent Leather Biker Jacket
There is a reason why leather jackets and bikers are usually associated with one another. Historically, many motorcycle riders have seen a leather jacket as a stylish way to protect themselves, not only from the elements but also from the possibility of a crash. While this may seem hard to believe – it’s not like leather comes with a large amount of padding, after all – leather has actually been shown to offer more protection than your average vinyl jacket or equivalent.
Maybe you’re not hopping on a motorcycle anytime soon, but you can still treat yourself to this biker-inspired Saint Laurent leather jacket. With a price tag surpassing $5,000, it’s certainly our premium pick on this list, but if you’re looking for the leather jacket of a lifetime, you have it right here. This pick is sure to come with the “for life” quality Saint Laurent is particularly known for.
3. Reiss Keith Leather Cafe Racer Jacket
Reiss is a British fashion retailer that’s been around since the 1970s. For the first 30 years of its brand history, it focused solely on men’s fashion before eventually expanding to carry items for women as well. However, the fact high-quality items for men are at the heart of this brand is very apparent through their simple wardrobe staples such as the Keith leather cafe racer jacket.
This Reiss jacket comes at a considerably lower price point than its counterparts, which makes it a pick that packs a lot of value. It’s made from super-soft leather and features a full lining. It’s the perfect choice for anybody who prefers a slim-fit jacket.
4. Dean Brown Leather Biker Jacket
Let’s be honest… A traditional racing-style biker jacket is about as cool as it gets. With the high band-style collar and heavy-duty zippers on the front of The Jacket Maker’s Dean Brown Leather Biker Jacket, you’re sure to get that badass look.
The Dean is made with 100% real cowhide leather, so it might be a little stiff at first, but it will break in and patina like none other. The Dean features three zippered pockets on the front as well as zippered cuffs, providing that authentic racing jacket-look without killing your bank account.
5. Ksubi Capital Leather Jacket
The Capital Leather Jacket from Ksubi comes in 100% authentic leather and is designed to have a biker fit. It’s heavy-duty with a protective interior quilted lining. It also features retro details such as antique zippers.
Kusbi is an Australian fashion label that’s existed since the 1990s. While the brand was originally focused on high-end denim, they’ve expanded their offerings over time to include other textiles such as leather. Items from Ksubi’s collections have been shown at such high-profile events as New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week, and the company operates a flagship store in New York’s SOHO neighborhood.
6. Charcoal Navy Blue Suede Biker Jacket
Leather jackets don’t only come in black and brown. If you want something less traditional, check out this navy-blue suede jacket from The Jacket Maker.
The outer shell is made from real goatskin suede leather, and there’s a quilted polyester lining inside for added warmth. Suede has a softer feel and look than other leather types, and is ideal if you’re going for a more boho look.
This jacket boasts a total of four pockets—two inside and two outside.
7. Acne Studios Off-Centred Zipper Biker Jacket
Swedish fashion powerhouse Acne Studios is well-known for their basic wardrobe pieces, so it makes sense that they would have the classic leather jacket look on lock. We love the way this off-centered jacket packs a punch of personality with its multiple buckles and zippers, but we love even more the way that it does not compromise softness or comfort at the expense of appearance.
This jacket comes with a high-end price tag, but it has the high-end materials to match. It is made of 100% genuine lambskin and comes with an interior lining of 100% viscose. Its unique off-center zip takes its inspiration from street style.
8. Lavendard Brown Leather Biker Jacket
The Jacket Maker has something for everyone, including guys that are a bit intimidated by purchasing their first leather jacket. Not only is the Lavendard incredibly affordable, but it also has a really approachable look despite its biker moniker. With open hem cuffs and a tailored fit, it looks great with badass-inspired outfits as well as everyday wear.
The Lavendard is made of real cowhide, which means it will take on a great patina over time. But it might be a bit stiff when you first get it. The more you wear it, the faster it’ll form to your body, break-in, and soften up. The fact that it goes with so many outfits will help speed up that process.
9. Saturdays NYC Leather Harrington Jacket
If you’re unfamiliar with the brand Saturdays NYC, prepare to fall in love. As a laidback lifestyle brand, Saturdays NYC infuses its love for all things surfer culture in all of its fashion offerings. While primarily known for their loungewear, such as sweats and pullover sweaters, they also happen to make one of the best leather jackets on the market right now.
The leather Harrington jacket features a smooth design and has deep pockets for your convenience. It is made of 100% lambskin leather and features a lining made of polyester. Staying true to its brand’s carefree nature, this jacket features a more relaxed fit than many classic leather jackets.
10. Allaric Alley Mocha Leather Biker Jacket
The most distinctive thing about this biker jacket is the integrated waist belt, which helps create an edgy look. This mocha-colored jacket uses real cowhide leather on the outer shell, with a quilted viscose lining inside.
With two pockets inside and three outside, there’s no shortage of places to keep your wallet and keys.
11. Berluti Piped Venezia Leather Jacket
Unlike the other options we’ve included so far, Berluti is known less for being a fashion brand and more for being a leather maker. Since its inception in the late 19th century, the Paris-based manufacturer has been producing fine leather clothing items and accessories, from belts to bags to jackets.
Berluti’s piped Venezia leather jacket is the apex of luxury leather fashion. Made from a distinctive brown shade, this jacket line has been around since the 1980s – and it’s a style that certainly stands the test of time.
This jacket is made from 100% authentic patinated calfskin leather and features shoulder patches and a buttoned collar. For optimal breathability, the jacket even features ventilation eyelets.
12. Kingsman Burnished Leather Jacket
Kingsman is a line of high-quality clothing pieces that exists as a collaboration between Mr. Matthew Vaughn, director of the film The King’s Man, and international online fashion retailer MR PORTER. The line features items that are inspired by classic military style and timeless sensibilities.
The burnished leather jacket from the Kingsman line is unique for its length as well as its appearance. It draws direct inspiration from an aviator jacket worn on-screen in The King’s Man, a period piece that takes place in the 1940s. The jacket is made out of sturdy cow leather and buttons made of buffalo horns. It also features two linings – one made of cotton, and one made of viscose.
13. Francis B-3 Black & White Leather Bomber Jacket
There’s only one way to improve upon a traditional bomber: Add shearling fabric. If you’re going for a more flamboyant look, this black and white bomber jacket is sure to make an impact. It combines real leather on the outside with a faux fur lining.
The white faux fur lining accentuates the black leather, making this jacket stand out from the crowd. It will keep you warm as well!
The dual front pouch pockets are great for a phone and a pair of gloves, so if you’re wearing it on a motorcycle, you’ll have the storage you need.
14. AllSaints Milo Leather Biker Jacket
AllSaints is a British fashion brand from the United Kingdom. Since its founding in the 1990s, it has grown to an international presence that consists of more than 200 retail stores across Europe, North America, and Asia. The brand is mostly focused on fashion for women and men, though it also sells footwear and other accessories. It has primarily seen its popularity grow thanks to its popularity among a celebrity clientele.
AllSaints makes a number of leather jackets, but the Milo biker jacket is definitely one to write home about. This is a jacket that brings out the very best of two very different worlds – including a soft composition and sharp edges – since it is made of tender lamb leather and decorated to the nines with perfectly-placed zippers and buckles. It also has a distinctive slim fit.
15. Golden Bear Sherpa Jacket
San Francisco brand Golden Bear may have its roots in ship workers in the San Francisco Bay since the 1920s, but it’s evolved today to combine both utilitarianism and high-end style. Although not as recognized outside of its native northern California, to know the stylish jackets of Golden Bear is to love them.
The sherpa jacket, in particular, is exquisite. Like any Golden Bear clothing piece, it’s designed to be worn for life, and fortunately, it comes with a style that will be sure to stay in fashion for decades to come, with brown distressed leather and a notable shearling collar that can be detached.
16. Sven Mocha Suede Bomber Jacket
Here’s another suede leather jacket, this time in a subtle mocha finish. This jacket is made using real goatskin leather and has a total of six pockets (two inside and four outside).
This jacket looks best with a tight fit, which can be achieved perfectly using The Jacket Maker’s custom fitting service.
17. Tom Ford Zip-up Leather Jacket
Tom Ford is well-known for their high-end scents and formal clothing, but they have a strong foot in the casual jacket sphere as well. Not that this zip-up leather jacket is something you would wear to a casual house party. Its sleek edges and formal design make it more than suitable for a fancy professional event or night out on the town.
True to its brand’s roots, no attention to detail was spared in the creation of this particular wardrobe piece. Its straightforward design features 100% authentic leather and a cotton and polyamide lining. It is truly meant to last for life. Made in Italy, this jacket has shallow pockets in the front and a zipper down the center.
18. Schott Vintaged Fitted Cowhide Leather Motorcycle Jacket
Schott is an iconic name in leather jacket world, thanks in part to Marlon Brando, who wore a Schott jacket in The Wild Ones.
This jacket is pricey, but has a classic design and is built to last decades. It’s made from a lighter weight cowhide, which makes it breathable, so it’s perfect for wearing in warmer months.
As you’d expect from this brand, the Schott Vintaged jacket is made in the USA.
19. Bomia Ma-1 Black Leather Bomber Jacket
This classic black leather jacket has a timeless look that will never go out of fashion. It’s made from genuine leather on the outside with a polyester lining inside.
This motorcycle jacket has a rib knit collar and cuffs and a zipped pocket on the left sleeve.
The leather feels soft yet tough—you can tell this jacket is the real deal!
20. Roland Sands Ronin Leather Jacket
This sleek, minimalistic jacket is a real moto jacket trusted by serious bikers. It also looks incredibly cool, with a distressed, vintage feel and a truly American feel.
This jacket can be supplemented with RSD x Forcefield armor to give you extra protection while riding.
Leather Jacket FAQs
While there are many different unique leather jacket configurations out there, there are four classic syles you should be most aware of. In no particular order, they are the leather bomber jacket (also called aviator jacket), the leather racer jacket (sometimes called moto), the trenchcoat, and the fencer. While bomber jackets and racer jackets tend to be more relaxed, the trenchcoat and the fencer are more dramatic.
If you care for your leather jacket correctly you should have a wardrobe piece that’ll last you a lifetime. Most leather jackets cannot be washed at home and must only be handled professionally. The first step to taking proper care of your jacket is to adhere to this rule.
You should also keep your leather jacket dry as often as possible and keep it away from extreme heat or cold air. If you are not going to be wearing your leather jacket for a period of time, such as during a warm season, then you’ll want to be sure that you are hanging it up correctly – this means out of direct sunlight and in a properly-ventilated area.
Determining how much to pay for a leather jacket is a very personal matter. For an authentic leather jacket, you will probably be paying, at a baseline, $500. However, this price can easily skyrocket from here, depending on the jacket’s materials and manufacturing process.
Some leather jackets can cost as much as $10,000! There is no right or wrong number – it’s instead about the brands you like and the style that you envision for yourself.
