Essential elements of a Parisian kitchen

Bonjour Francophiles! Have you ever considered updating your kitchen design to incorporate a Parisian theme? We’re guessing the answer is yes, but you may not know exactly where to begin. From whitewashed walls to the fleur-de-lis, there are some essential elements you’ll find in every Parisian kitchen:

Mixing modern and vintage
The French are experts at mixing modern and vintage elements to chic effect. You can do the same in your kitchen by combining an oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucet with marble or granite countertops and unique flea market finds (think wooden letters and Theophile Steinlen prints). The more eclectic, the better!

Deep kitchen sinks
While you may not have the culinary skills of a French gourmet chef, your kitchen should be conducive to whipping up a Parisian meal every now and then. This, of course, means having deep kitchen sinks so you can easily clean all of those dishes you use while making everything from ratatouille to beignets.

Plenty of light
Aside from their chic decor, one thing that Parisian kitchens are know for is having plenty of natural light. Whether you have many windows to work with or just one pane of glass, whitewashed walls are the most effortless way to brighten up your kitchen by reflecting light around the room.

That je ne sais quoi
Above all, it’s the je ne sais quoi of Parisian kitchens that make their decor so enviable. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t achieve the same effect in your own kitchen! Include interesting elements like colorful stacks of cookbooks, photos of your last trip to Paris and knickknacks you acquired at Les Puces de Saint-Ouen. Whatever reflects your personality and reminds you of France is worth having in the heart of your home – just be careful to not overcrowd the space! It’s still for cooking, after all.