Accueil, (welcome!) to one of France’s finest inventions, their french Country style kitchen. Or their ‘cuisine’ as they call it.

I do not think that the human language has come up with the exact word to express the beauty of France. Whether the alluring city of Paris, the fetching French country side with all of it’s charming gardens and quaint villa’s or the magical homes nestled upon the jagged cliffs, over looking the gorgeous and mysterious Mediterranean sea or French Atlantic Ocean, France  is undeniably a par-excellence country.

France is home to many of the wondrous gifts our country is blessed with …I am most thankful to this romantic and Junoesque Country for giving the world the Briard dog.   That is the breed our precious Grantham is. He is our cherished French herding dog  and has blessed our lives to the moon and back. 🙂 The other gifts bestowed to our world through the French are the wondrous, acclaimed actors and actresses, Bridgette Bardot,Gerard DePardieu, Eva Green, Catherine Doneuve and my favorite, Juliette Binoche. (Remember her in the movie “Dan in real life,” where she was dancing to the jukebox music in the bar with Dan, his brother and her rival, ‘Ruthie Pig-face Draper?’ I laughed so hard, my jaw ached!  🙂

They have given us delicious and winning recipes to enhance our romantic evenings straight from their kitchens. Their specialties are Beef Bourguignon, Creme Brulee and Coq au Vin. The French are known for their delicious and popular Quiche Lorraine, Crepes, French Onion soup, the French Dip and Croque Madame. What would we do without the decadent  Remoloude, Hollandaise and Bernaise sauces for our fresh steamed vegetables, eggs Benedict and  rich, beef and chicken dishes?  I had no idea that the  renowned authors from this mesmerizing country have written some of the most prestigious and notable books ever created…  Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, The count of Monte Cristo, as well as Charles Perrault’s Puss in Boots, classic Cinderella and the amazing Sleeping beauty. All of these wonderful novellas are now classic films in America that we cherish and enjoy time after time. They’ve endowed us  with extraordinary, heavenly and stellar music with their melodic Opera as well as beautiful artwork with  the notable Claude Monet and his inspirational paintings.  We can’t forget the ‘French Kiss,’ yes, they are the culprits,  🙂 French Toast, one of the unbelievable  wonders of the words, the Eiffel Tower and the beret hat, (that is quite dapper if you ask me.)  🙂 Did you know, (I didn’t,)  that the French  gave us the Statue of Liberty that stands proudly upon Liberty Island in the New York Harbor, in 1886? They also gave the world the name “CHEF.”  (How fitting for this ‘gourmet’ country. )

The French are friendly people…they welcome all tourists and deeply appreciate our efforts to learn some of their language as we try to communicate with them while visiting.  Just  like the Italians, they have a love affair with the ‘lunch hour.’  Monday through Friday, they take long lunches, closing down the towns businesses as they relax, share cherished time, fellowship and gourmet food with their friends and loved ones. (WE could all learn a lesson or two from the Italians and French.)  🙂   The quality of life is very important to the people of France. They absolutely ‘aimer’ (love)  their family and are fiercely  protective of their cherished ones. They are said to enjoy Cocoa Cola in their whiskey…(I think many countries do too.)  🙂 They adore big family gatherings and gourmet cuisine, great wine and of course, a myriad of fine cheeses.  They have over 240 types of cheese to be exact… Can you even imagine? 🙂

Here are some popular French quotes from people who know France best… most of these come from the French proverbs.

DISTINGUISHED QUOTE CORNER: 

“To a valiant heart, nothing is impossible.”

“After the rain, the nice weather.”

“Goods poorly gotten, never profit.”

“You need to break the shell to have the almond.”

“Paris was not made in a day.”

“Christmas on the balcony and Easter at the embers.”

“Everything spoken, sounds much more sexy and romantic in French.” ~Author unknown

“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.” ~ Julia Child

“Dogs smoke in France.” ~Ozzy Osborne…(I am still trying to figure that quote out….) 🙂

“What isn’t clear, isn’t French.” ~  Antoine de Rivarol

Out of all the kitchens I have researched, truly, (and I mean it this time,) 🙂 The french Country kitchen is by far, my very favorite…Not only is it breathtaking, causing wonder and awe, but the French architecture seems to please both men and women alike. Hey, what is not “TO LIKE?” 🙂 This particular kitchen is warm, welcoming, simple yet has a hint of elegance. I love the combinations of woods and the collection of Roosters.

The rustic aged brick combined with the dark sage green wooden shutters, august  customized stove top with it’s Back-splash tile  mural is riveting, sharp and masterful.  The eat in kitchen is an added blessing. This “cuisine” is soothing, warm and amiable.

This kitchen with it’s decorative tiles, soft, granite counter tops, charming white cabinetry and checkered Center- Island is brilliant. I have never seen a kitchen like this one… Engaging as well as spell bounding!

This “cuisine” definitely possesses a rustic charm…It exudes the patina of the French Countryside being right outside the front door. 🙂

I adore the ornate style in these kitchen’s…Both the stove top and oven, as well as the sideboard are so classy, sterling and quite the ‘conversation piece.’ I would like one of each, please. 🙂

More examples of the beauteous “Black splash tiled murals.” I adore the added touch of the candlestick lights. (It creates an exceedingly romantic lighting for this French kitchen. )

This French Country kitchen is brilliantly crisp, bright and ethereal. What a great idea to mix a dark granite table top amongst a cottage style, wooden foundation.   A lot of ‘creative thinking’ went into designing this lovely kitchen.

This enticing kitchen with it’s  butter cream yellow amidst the, smooth and rich chocolate brown wood,  striking designer tiled flooring and charming, quaint, enchanting center Island, is a sensational combination that dauntlessly speaks  “Accueil!”  (Meaning “Welcome” in the romantic French language.)

Charming and even more charming! 🙂 I think I am going to run out of English words to describe the French Country Kitchen in all of its grandeur. 🙂

I know I said in the beginning of this “French Cuisine tour,” that this style of kitchen is my very favorite and that surprisingly, men and women alike, find it to be appealing…well, I don’t think my husband would ‘dote upon’ this next kitchen like I do, but this is the “French kitchen of all French kitchens!”  🙂  It looks like something out of a fairytale book. It’s delicate design, enchanting shudders, winsome character and perfect choice of colors combined together is magical, almost haunting…(Haunting meaning ‘mysteriously fantastic.’)  (Not like ‘spookish and creepy.’ ) 🙂

The Rooster is the unofficial national symbol of France. (I was wondering why I was seeing so many gallant roosters in all of these French kitchens.) 🙂 I adore roosters as when I was a youngster, my mom had a collection of them and they remind me so much of her…her  charm, warmth and great sense of style. This Back splash Rooster themed tile is as the French would say; “Belle.” (Beautiful, fetching and gorgeous.) 🙂

Now this is a kitchen that I would guess a man would ‘dote upon.’ (Perhaps men do not dote. I will ask my husband.)   🙂 It’s very handsome, august and baronial.

Again, this kitchen brings about the patina that right outside of those doors is the bucolic country side with it’s divine array of motley flowers and towering, picturesque, ancient trees. This is simple, yet tasteful and beautifully galvanic.

This kitchen is warm as well as polished. It is refined, yet welcoming.  I could see my husband creating a delicious breakfast of Belgium waffles, eggs with black truffles and espresso coffee. 🙂 (Maybe a French crepe or two.) 🙂

This ‘Cuisine’ evokes a diaphanous and buoyant mood… It is a show stopper for sure and great for entertaining as it is exceedingly spacious. (It would be a magnificent kitchen for a gourmet chef!)

I know I have said it many, many times, but this ‘cuisine’ exudes CHARM … It almost looks like we are peaking through a tiny window, viewing an animated and magical dollhouse kitchen. 🙂

A different kind of appeal…I like this French rustical,  whimsical ambiance…the high ceilings, the added touch of dried flowers, toasty, soft colors and mixed woods. It’s a potpourri of delight and splendor.

Again, a beautiful and clever  mixture of soft woods and old brick…This is an original look and very “French.”

These two kitchens are a great illustration of how the tone and textures of the woods you chose, shape and define the room in how it will look in it’s grand finale stage. I think both of these kitchens are picturesque, winning and gracefully done.

These  roosters certainly make a  dauntless and grand appearance on these  kitchen shelves. I love it.

More roosters, yet these seem more playful, whimsy and gossamer. (I love the bunny the decorator  added into the mix. )  🙂

This looks more like a modern day French kitchen… very refreshing and inviting!

I adore this beautiful, wooden archway above the stove with it’s French themed tile.

This kitchen looks like a provincial garden…a rainbow of color, amidst a potpourri of fabrics and woods…Very alluring and cordial. The eat in kitchen is cozy and beautifully inviting.

Lastly, a new look from what we have seen…This kitchen, with its diverse textures and tones of green, red, black and sunflower yellow, bring forth a depth and eminently classic ambiance. You can tell that an abundance of “bonne nourriture” ( French for “great food”) is created within these walls with delicious, ambrosial aromas filling the house.  🙂

In the next photos, I have placed a few warm touches, (some ideas,)  to add to your French Country Kitchen style. Kitchen accessories or accents, as we call them.  Remember, the decor we surround ourselves with, in our beloved havens, are the tangible things that we love, nurture us and are beautiful in our sight.

I’d take three of these in a second! I’d move things out of the house just to make this fit!  It is so unique and adorable! 🙂

A animated, fun loving rooster menu board, (I love it,) and a bright, cheery canister set! Not only would these add an abundance of color but many a warm smile as well. Very cozy!

My favorite Rooster thus far! 🙂

Okay, you know my motto? “You can never have to many Roosters.” 🙂

What adorable and lively accent towels!

Here are some more vivid and life-like Back splash, French themed mural tiles. These can be ordered in any decor style you choose to use for your kitchen’s theme. I simply  ” aimer” this fascinating invention….(French for LOVE.)

I don’t know about you, but I want to clean out my entire home,win the lottery and remodel our entire home in French Country decor. This style is exceedingly regal, classy, authentic and fabulously romantic.  I hope that this writing has given you some great ideas for your ‘new kitchen.’  Perhaps to just ‘get started,’ pick a back splash mural tile for behind your stove top and work from there…or start a collection of Roosters. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful time thinking, planning and creating the changes you want to make to bring forth a French Country Kitchen.

I am thinking that we should rent that movie again, “Dan in real life.” I can’t stop thinking about that one scene and if you have never seen this movie and want a great laugh, be sure to check into it.

With this vignette on  the French Country Kitchen, I want to leave you with a delicious, healthy and hearty French recipe.

This recipe is for Zucchini Gratin, created by a French Cuisine chef.

PHOTOGRAPHS: In placing your computer mouse upon any of the photos or graphics,  it will display where the picture originated from.