Although you may be enamored with the craftsman style, it may require several modern twists for today's kitchen needs. The use of hand-crafted wood and natural elements continue to remain a strong idea, but today the kitchen is used for more than preparing food. This requires you to temper the older style with the modern conveniences. Does this Spark an idea?
Differences
The craftsman kitchen of old was used primarily for making food. This kitchen emphasized cleanliness and function in its design. A stark white was used to ensure that dirt was readily visible for swiping clean. This contrasts dramatically with today's kitchen, which normally receives the majority of the traffic. Although still used to cook food, it is also a gathering place and requires seating.
Furniture
A craftsman kitchen may have a built-in nook for seating. This area took up relatively little space and was tucked into a corner. By contrast, today a kitchen may contain a center island that doubles as a cooking and table area. To bring the center island into the craftsman style, choose wooden furnishings for the area. Solid oak cabinets beneath the island with wood or leather chairs bring in the handmade aspects of a craftsman style.
Walls
Forgo the wallpaper, as craftsman style emphasizes wood and wainscoting. Wainscoting can cover half to three-quarters of the wall with a wood trim or shelf on top to cap it off. If you use a shelf, add a groove inside so you can use the shelf to display various plates. The upper portion of the wall may be painted with a stencil border just below the ceiling. Walls can also receive a stipple design, which is a faux paint treatment where you quickly dab the paint color onto the walls with the paintbrush.
Miscellaneous
Bring in other craftsman aspects to your kitchen. You can use the warm, earthy tones of nature in your choice of colors for the accessories, such as napkins and linens for the table. Window treatments can consist of wood shutters or a substantial cotton or canvas Roman shade. Cabinets can be stained in wood tones of cherry or oak. A copper hood over the stove or a "magic chef" stove brings in the craftsman style.
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