THE HEART OF THE HOME

Today is another exciting day, and it almost feels like Christmas - I will be bringing in more boxes from storage in our "atelier" (workshop), the boxes which hide all my faiance and china, and silverware, pots, pans, kitchen towels... I am rediscovering our possessions, organizing, sorting, etc... My favorite part of our house - the kitchen - is basically finished and I can finally unpack, start getting organized, and of course cook there.

You may ask - how have you been living all this time? Well, we had two plates, two sets of silverware, two cups, two pots and a hot plate for our use for the last few month. Everything else was put away. It was complicated, but we were hoping that all this trouble and headache will be worth it.

Do you think this huge cabinet will hold all my china and pottery? You can see the reclaimed doors we saved for the kitchen

After nearly a year most of the spaces in our old house are finished, with the exception of some details (these will be done in a few days). How can I describe the feeling of finally having a near "normal" life back, having the comfort and space? It is slowly sinking in. I am especially happy with our kitchen. Mind you, when I first saw it, it was not like this at all. The old beams were there, we loved them and we kept them, as well as the old sink, but everything else went. This was the only space in the house that was gutted. Layers of past owners' home improvement efforts went out in a big container. But from the first time I laid my eyes on this space I had the concept how it should look after the work is completed.

The backsplash of antique Delft tiles is the final touch this kitchen needed

I loved the "bones" one might say, they were definitely there. There rest required imagination. Actually, it is the biggest compliment I have been receiving. When one looks at the "before" pictures and the end result, it is really hard to believe we have ended up with this beautiful result. Imagination was really needed!*

But I didn't love things like the small door opening on the side, so the concept of closing it and creating a new bigger opening started to germinate. It came together as we decided to re-use the antique doors from the living room's cabinet for the kitchen. The doors had to find a new "home" anyway since the big library would be moving in on both sides of the fireplace, and the old cabinet would be eliminated.

My inspiration for the layout, the type of furnishings, the colors, were from the old European kitchens which "grew"over time, filled with mismatched furniture, collections of old pottery, full of warmth. and inviting people to gather. I wanted a big wooden table in the middle where people would stay for hours. That was a start. With the help of our architect we put the ideas on paper. One wall received a row of bottom cabinets, the other is now housing two tall pieces of cabinets, some with glass doors, built for this space to measure. The colors were chosen deliberately to create the unmatched effect.

The "famous" sink I am so happy we kept it

As we were determined to keep as much of the original elements as possible, a roomy spot for the oversize kitchen sink was also created. Made out of thick porcelain, it can accommodate a big frying pan, not like the modern minuscule sinks. I was so glad it was still here and no one chucked it out during previous attempts at renovation.

The double kitchen doors were formerly in the salon (aka living room). It's amazing how well they fit this space now

As for the walls, the exposed stone was discovered after the plaster board came down, and after a yellow wall old ceramic tiles built over the stones was scraped off, and we saw what was there originally (at that point I was asked, as clouds of construction dust was swirling around us - "do you like it madame?". Not yet! I will like it later, after it is all done!).

The "pierre de Bourgogne" floor and the countertops was a natural choice. Classic, simple, made with the stone that came from the quarry just a few kilometers from our village. In natural tones, durable, the stones will develop a patina with the years.

The neutral tones of natural stone, the Delft tiles, the stone on the walls, and the natural wood - it all came together beautifully

All the elements came together over a few months. The last of which were the tiles for the backsplash. For many months I was not decided what to choose, until by chance I found myself in a house of a lady from Holland, who had her kitchen walls covered in antique Delft tiles. That was the inspiration I needed. She also kindly told me what to look for. Once I knew what to do, the rest came together easily. The result is - I hope - a timeless space, which defies trends. And which will be a place for friends and family to gather.

Cabinetry - PLARS Agencement

Paint - Farrow & Ball; we used the "Selvedge" and "Drop Cloth" colors

Floor and kitchen counters - pierre de Bourgogne

Cabinets hardware - Corston

Tiles - Dolmen Antique Tiles

Kitchen Stove - Lofra

Hood - Miele

Chandelier - AXS Design

Sconces - thrifted

Kitchen accessories, such as pottery - all from French flea markets

Free standing furniture - collected

*For more updates of our home restoration, including some "before" and "after" images, follow me on Instagram! @myfrenchmaison

To be continued....

XOXO

Joanna