the heart of the home - kitchen

Having a large family, 5 children - all hungry all the time - means the kitchen is where I spend most of my time. It definitely has to function, and be easily kept clean and tidy. But other than that my big requirements are an open layout to the eating area, and both natural light and task lighting. The house we just bought has what many would consider a dream kitchen, granite, super high end appliances etc, but to me, the lover of all things farmhouse, it sets a particularly large challenge - how to bring rustic to the modern, without it feeling forced. My dream of owning an Aga will have to wait - this kitchen has a 9 burner Viking stainless steel hulk.

There are granite floor tiles, matching wall tiles, granite tops, grey walls, greyish cabinets.. very clinical, and very dull. I plan on replacing the flooring with wide board dark hardwood, but who wouldn't love a crate floor!?

Sadly unless I print it myself, which I may do, this is only available in the UK. I think I'll paint the island a contrasting colour. I'm particularly fond of duck egg blue, although this lighter shade works too.

My intention with the new house is to tackle one room at a time, finishing it before I move on to the next. I think the children's rooms will be taking top priority, so they can feel settled - and of course so toys have a home that isn't my living room floor! The kitchen is certainly functional right now, I'll just have to keep looking at my boards, and see it as it will be, to get past that feeling of "not my style-not my home".  When the time comes I will replace the granite backsplash with a cream or taupe arabesque lantern tile, paint the walls a warm cream and add some industrial farmhouse touches, and as much chippy paint stuff as it'll hold!

My studio is actually off the kitchen, right now it's open but I'm going to do a barn door on a runner, probably in plain dark wood. I think that's what the house is missing most - wood. It's tile city over there right now! The style of the home is a contemporary chalet - so I'm thinking aspen modern rustic chalet is my end game. It's going to be an exciting time ahead.