July 17, 2009, Newsletter Issue #60: The Traditional Kitchen

Tip of the Week

If you like furniture filled with detail, fancy crown molding and rooms featuring ornate embellishments, you might be a traditionalist. Many of today's cabinet makers offer innovative, durable cabinets that still give you the chance to recreate the look of more than a hundred years ago. Traditional kitchen styles are a throw-back to the elements of English and American 18th and early-19th century designs.

Examples include fluted panels, archways, scrolled accenting and ornate leaf patterns that make guests feel they have stepped into another time and place. Most often, traditional kitchens utilize mahogany, cherry or white/off-white cabinetry. They may be accented with elegant, marble counter tops and polished brass hardware. Color choices that are popular in traditional kitchens include Wedgwood blue and other deep jewel tones. French doors and windows are usually dressed with formal curtains and swags.

You should explore the varieties of traditional cabinetry, combined with differing counter tops, flooring and finishes to determine the best traditional kitchen for you. Unless you have a lot of natural light, a white traditional kitchen may be best as darker cabinets work better with more natural light sources. You might furnish your eat-in area with Queen Anne-style table and chairs or add an antique hutch to complete your traditional kitchen.

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