This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. I only recommend items I love and have had a positive experience with. Thank you!
Taking a deep dive into kitchen design elements I love, that can be found in classic European kitchens – all to inspire the direction of our own new build kitchen.
We are now living in our very unfinished pole barn home, and turning our focus first on finishing the heart of the home – the kitchen!
I’d like to share some images of kitchens that have inspired many of the decisions we are making as we work on this space. I’ll focus on certain design elements that we will be bringing into our own home to help me achieve the “European Organic” style I am after.
Even if this is a new home build, I want a kitchen full of character and beauty from many of the design styles that I admire from various European countries. Some of these images invoke an old world vibe, and others bring in these design elements to a more modern world. I love being inspired by both!
Sit back and enjoy this cruise around some of the prettiest kitchens I’ve seen and discover what I love about them. I’d love to hear what you think of my choices, inspiration, and any design elements you think I might be missing as we plan and build this space.
*All original sources can be found linked below the images. If you find one you love, go and visit the site and read more!
“Eat-in” Kitchens
The “eat-in” kitchen is so charming to me! While 99% of America (that’s a guess) goes for the traditional kitchen bar, I’m going to brave the 1% and design our own “eat-in” kitchen. Just so happens, our home layout fits this decision perfectly.
Open Shelving
You might already know how I feel about open shelving in a kitchen. Hint: I love it! I would love to see all my favorite dishes and bowls beautifully displayed, whether that be on lower shelves, upper shelves, or unique pieces of furniture.
Range Focal Point
I swoon every time I see a cozy enclosed range area. It gives the kitchen a nice focal point and allows you to play around with different elements. We are building ours right now, and I’m excited to add splashes of marble, cozy open shelving, and really let our Italian Verona range shine!
Mixed Metals
I adore this new trend! It’s hard for me to settle on one metal finish (I love so many) so the freedom to mix and match is liberating. The more patina you can get in a metal – the better! From hardware, lighting to pots and pans – I hope to mix in all my favorite metal finishes.
Two-Tones and Painted Cabinets
I love white cabinets and I love painted cabinets . . . so I’m doing both! These images of painted cabinets are the ones that left my jaw dropped, so I’m taking my color cues from them.
Character Pieces
I have struggled feeling inspired with a brand new kitchen, and as soon as I determined to save space to bring in some antique pieces full of character, I felt like I could have the best of both worlds. I haven’t found just the right pieces yet . . . but these things take time! I’m so inspired by these images where vintage and loved pieces can add so much character to a space.
Devol Kitchens |Millhouse Scullery
I love how Jenna Sue found a treasure and placed it right on top of her countertops!
Panel Ready Appliances
I’m drawn to the look of seamless cabinetry and clean lines, so we made it a priority to find panel ready appliances for our kitchen.
We opted to use some custom flat panels from Semihandmade, after seeing this image on their site.
I love how the dishwasher is just another part of this gorgeous kitchen from Grit and Polish.
Wood and Marble Mix
My favorite combo of all time – wood and marble. You’ll see in these kitchens below how well they go together no matter the details.
Toe Kicks and Cabinet Feet
Certain kitchen cabinet designs were calling to me, and it took me awhile to figure out what I loved so much about them – until I noticed the cabinet feet! I love how so many DeVol kitchens combine toe kicks with built in feet, making the cabinetry almost look like a dresser or nice piece of furniture. Combine that with double hardware on a drawer, and it is so charming.
Devol Kitchens | Lidham Hill Farm
Big Beautiful Sink
The bigger, the better! My heart will never stray from a beautiful apron front Farmhouse sink. I’ve discovered Fireclay material from Blanco, and am never going back.
Arched Doorway
Adding an arch in your space is always a good idea! It can break up those harsh lines and add such character. We are rebuilding our pantry opening to accommodate a pretty little arch.
Smooth, Creamy Textured Walls
I know in the past I’ve been all about the shiplap and wall detail, but I find this new house calling for simple, buttery smooth walls – with just a wee bit of detail. I’m excited to try some new paints and methods to help me get this gorgeous look found in these kitchens below.
All Sorts of | Amber Lewis – Used Portola Paints, Roman Clay on walls
I hope you have felt inspired by all the beauty in this post! I’ll be back to share a little more of our kitchen space, our progress and the design details we are incorporating to make the European kitchen of my dreams.
It is going to be a month full of kitchen content, and I thank you for following along!
THANK YOU!!! Not only have you given me some wonderful inspiration, but you gave me the perfect idea on how to cover this hideous structural column in between our kitchen and living room open floor plan!!!! The rough wooden beams are just what we need!!!
Love all of these, Cami! I’ve been a huge fan of deVOL kitchens for years!!
Aren’t they so dreamy! Why can’t their be an American company like this 😉 . thanks for stopping by friend!
Whoa, I’m overwhelmed. Have fun with all those choices! Can’t wait to see what you end up with!
Good overwhelmed, right??? I hope! Haha! So much inspiration, I know.
A warning you likely already know. I love the look of my expensive apron sink but hate it’s functionality. The inside bottom of sink is flat. Nothing moves to the drain but water. Every spec of food just sits, grrrr
Hi Terry. I appreciate your thoughts, and can relate to what you are saying. However, I have grown to love other aspects of it. I keep a little bin in to collect dishes, and just give it a good rinse at the end of the day. I have a great spray nosel that helps move all the stuff. I grew to love the big single basin in the RV, and decided I wanted it in my house too. But to each their own!
So much to look at and i enjoyed every last little bit. It will be fun to see how your kitchen progresses, thanks and have a great day.
Glad you enjoyed it Marlene! I enjoyed searching for each image! I appreciate you following along.
Cami they are all so lovely esp. the soft gray cabinets. You are so creative I can not wait to see what you come up with as I know it will be a beautiful kitchen. Thank you for all your inspirational posts.
Thank you for saying so Linda! I have lots of fun plans, and lots of work for my sweet Mr. TIDBITS! It will all be worth it in the end. Thanks for following along!
So, I am drooling here! I can’t wait to see what you come up with as I love all of these gorgeous kitchens. So beautiful and airy
Thank you Karen! I agree, there is so much to love in each of these spaces.