Friday, October 5, 2012

Ideas For A Cafethemed Kitchen

Let your favorite cafe inspire your kitchen decor.


If you've ever enjoyed a cup of espresso in your favorite caf and decided you could sit there forever, then a caf -themed kitchen may be a good choice. Take inspiration from a local coffee shop, or from the sidewalk cafes of Europe, and create a warm and inviting space to inspire your culinary creations. Does this Spark an idea?


Furniture


Create a cozy eating area with a caf -style table and chairs. Caf tables are usually designed to seat only two or three people at a time and are made from wrought iron or wood; glass-topped caf tables are another choice for this theme. Look for a high-top caf table, as the height adds visual interest to the room. If you don't have space for a table, add stools to the counter area to create a casual bar.


Walls


How you decorate your kitchen walls can set the stage for the caf theme. Start with warm shades of brown, tan, cream or yellow, and apply a faux finish to resemble stucco or plaster for an old-world European feel, or paint a mural of bricks or stone. For a French bistro feeling, add dark wood paneling to the walls. If you aren't ready for the commitment of paneling or an elaborate paint technique, apply a caf -themed border around the edge of the wall or above a chair rail. Continue the caf theme on your walls with artwork. Hang framed vintage posters featuring advertisements for food and drink, or art with a theme such as coffee or wine. And a chalkboard with the day's menu written out on it is an absolute must in any caf -themed kitchen.


Flooring


Bring the caf feeling to the floor with black and white checkerboard tiles. These classic tiles are common in French cafes, and add interest and fun to the room. Hardwood floors are another warm flooring for a caf theme. Avoid typical linoleum or light-colored tile flooring, and instead choose darker, warm brown tones.


Accessories


To keep the caf theme consistent throughout the kitchen, choose simple and functional dishes, accessories and linens. For example, plain white earthenware dishes are most commonly used in cafes around the world. Use simple flour sack or white waffle weave towels, and stick to solid colored placemats and cloth napkins. Open shelving or glass front cabinets allow you to display your dishes and add to the caf theme; hang coffee cups from hooks underneath the cabinets near the coffee maker. Dress the windows with simple tiered cafe curtains or a Roman shade.







Tags: inspire your, interest room, -themed kitchen, your favorite, your kitchen