Country Kitchen Design: Embracing Cottage Core and Granny Chic Aesthetics

Okay. So are you, like, dreaming of a kitchen that’s, like, stylish but also cozy? Mhmm. You know what I mean? Like, one that’s got that timeless country charm but doesn’t feel like you’re stuck in the past?

Right. Like, you want it to feel fresh too. Exactly. And that’s what we’re diving into today. Like, how to give your kitchen that modern country makeover.

Yes. With a little help from cottagecore and granny chic vibes. Yes. We’re taking inspiration from this Cardinal Memorial’s blog post called Country Kitchen Design Yeah. Embracing cottage core and granny cheek aesthetics.

Such a good one. And you know what I find so fascinating about these trends? It’s that. It’s how they tap into this, like, yearning for simplicity Totally. And a connection to nature.

You know? Yeah. Which feels so relevant right now in our tech filled world. It’s like we’re craving those warm, inviting kitchens from our past. Yes.

But we want them to feel updated too. Exactly. A fresh perspective. Yes. Okay.

So let’s dive into cottagecore first. Okay. Imagine this. You step into your kitchen, and it’s bathed in sunlight. And everything’s painted in these soft muted hues.

I love that. Like, maybe a pale sage green on on the cabinets. Oh, so pretty. Or a buttery yellow on the walls. It just feels so serene and romantic already.

Right. Like, you could just picture hand painted floral patterns on the curtains Yes. And open shelves displaying a collection of, like, mismatched vintage china Oh, I love it. Each piece with its own little story, you know. Yes.

Like, finding that perfect imperfect teacup at an antique shop Yes. You know, with a little chip on it. Adds so much character. Yes. It’s all about the character.

And the blog even suggests, like, bringing in natural elements too. Oh, absolutely. Like, freshly cut wildflowers in a ceramic pitcher So cute. Or herbs sprouting on the windowsill. Love it.

It’s like blurring the lines between indoors and out. Exactly. Okay. So we’ve talked about Quaddich Corp. Okay.

Let’s move on to granny chic. Okay. Bring on the granny chic. Yes. Now this one’s all about those, like, well loved, lived in kitchens from our childhoods.

Okay. But it’s not about replicating your grandma’s kitchen exactly. Right. It’s more about capturing that essence of, like, cozy eclecticism. You know?

Yeah. I get that. So think like a mix of patterns and textures. Okay. Maybe you have floral wallpaper paired with a striped rug.

I’d love that. And then a collection of mismatched cushions on the chairs. Oh, sounds so homey already Right. And comfy. Yes.

And speaking of comfy, the blog even suggested adding, like, a vintage rocking chair. Oh, stop. I know. Tucked into a corner with a throw draped over it. That is so cozy.

Right. It’s like inviting you to slow down and just savor the moment. Yes. Exactly. Okay.

So we’ve talked about these two styles. But no matter which one speaks to you, there are some must have elements that really define that country kitchen aesthetic. Okay. Tell me everything. Yes.

And the blog does such a good job of breaking them down. So Okay. First up, flooring. Okay. Love a good floor.

Yeah. Foundation of the room. So true. And they said wood or wood lip flooring is essential. Makes sense.

Right? For warmth and texture. Yeah. But get this. What?

They suggested maybe painting the floors. Oh, I love that. Right. What kind of painting? Like, a So they mentioned maybe a soft checkerboard pattern.

Oh, so cute. Or even just a solid color that complements your palette. It’s such a fun way to add personality to a space. It is. Okay.

So speaking of personality, let’s talk cabinets. Okay. Let’s do it. Painted cabinets are a staple in country kitchens. Yeah.

Of course. But the blog was really encouraging us to think beyond the typical white. Oh, I like that because, you know, white’s nice. But It can be a little safe. It can be.

And there’s so many other beautiful colors out there. Exactly. And they mentioned, like, soft blues, earthy greens, even a cheerful yellow Oh, no. To really transform your cabinets into a statement piece. Yes.

While still keeping that cozy vibe. Right. It’s all about finding that balance Yeah. Between classic and contemporary. Mhmm.

And speaking of balance, let’s talk countertops Okay. Which are often overlooked. They are. Such a good opportunity to bring in some personality. Absolutely.

So true. So while granite’s always an option Mhmm. The blog really challenged us to think about materials that truly embrace that country aesthetic. I like that. So they mentioned butcher block Okay.

Which has that warmth. Yeah. And it’s perfect for baking. Yeah. And then they also mentioned soapstone.

Oh, soapstone’s nice. Which I thought was interesting. Yeah. It’s a good one. Because it has that beautiful matte finish Yes.

And it develops a patina over time. Yes. And it’s super durable too. Oh, that’s good to know because, I’ll be honest, I don’t know a ton about silk stone countertops. Well, now you’ve gotta add it to your list to research.

I’m adding it to my list. Yes. This deep dive is already sparking so many ideas for me. The best. Okay.

So we’ve talked about flooring. We’ve talked about cabinets. Yeah. We’ve talked about countertops. Okay.

What about backsplashes? Oh, yes. Good one. Because they can really make or break a kitchen’s look, don’t you think? They can for sure.

Oh, they can totally. And, you know, the blog really gets into the details here. Oh, they do? Like, they offer so many different options from classic to, like, totally unexpected. Okay.

Like, what? Well, they mentioned beadboard, of course Okay. Which, like, instant country charm. Yeah. You can’t go wrong with that.

Right. But then they also talked about using, like, pattern cement tiles Okay. Which I thought was really cool Yeah. Especially for, like, a granny chic vibe. Yeah.

More of a statement. Yes. Yeah. Exactly. Like, bringing in that eclectic feel.

Oh, I like that. Okay. What else did they mention? Let’s see. They were big fans of brick Okay.

Or brick veneer. Makes sense. If you want that, like, rustic farmhouse look. Timeless. Yes.

Exactly. And then they also suggested tin tiles Oh, cool. Which I thought was kinda fun because it adds a little bit of, like, shimmer and texture. Yeah. It’s unexpected.

Mhmm. Okay. So we gotta talk about the heart of the country kitchen. Yes. The sink.

The sink. And the blog pretty much insists that a farmhouse sink is a must have. I mean, it really is, like, synonymous with the style. It is. And there are so many good ones out there now.

There are so many choices. Yeah. You could do, like, fire clay. Yes. Or stainless steel for a more modern farmhouse look.

A little bit more modern. Or even copper. Oh, copper’s gorgeous. Which would be so pretty as it develops a patina. So pretty.

I know. Okay. What about hardware? Okay. Are there any finishes that really scream country to you?

Oh, for sure. Like, anything vintage inspired. Okay. So, like, oil rubbed bronze or brass. Yes.

They just add so much warmth and character. They do. Okay. And speaking of character, the blog made a good point about the range and hood Okay. And how they can really be a focal point They can be.

In a country kitchen. Oh, absolutely. Because it’s like the heart of the home. Right? It is.

So make it a statement. Exactly. And they mentioned, like, bold colors. Okay. Vintage inspired designs with intricate details.

Oh, I love that. Or even a custom hood. Oh, wow. Cracked it from reclaimed wood or copper. Now that is what I call making a statement.

Right. Okay. What about lighting? Lighting’s so important. It is because it really sets the mood.

Yes. It does. So what do they recommend? Well, for over an island or a dining area, they said pendant lights are always a good choice. Okay.

Because they create that, like, cozy and inviting ambiance. Yeah. For sure. And then for larger kitchens, they even suggested maybe a chandelier. Oh, fun.

A little bit of unexpected glamour? A little bit of glam. And then for task lighting, they said sconces Okay. Which are nice because they also add ambiance. Yes.

They do. And, of course, under cabinet lighting. Oh, that’s essential. Essential for practicality. Especially in a kitchen where you’re doing a lot of cooking and baking.

Yes. Exactly. And this is where you can, like, really bring in those finishing touches with, like, the finishes of the light fixtures. Oh, yeah. So, like, maybe something with an aged or antique finish.

Yep. To play up that country feel. Exactly. Okay. So speaking of playing up that country feel, they also mentioned adding a rustic island.

Oh, yeah. If you have the space. If you have the space. Right. And I love their suggestions for how to make it rustic.

Okay. Like what? Like, they said you could repurpose an antique table Oh, cute. Or a dresser Oh, I love that idea. To use as the base.

So much character. I know. It’s like giving a piece of furniture a new life. Exactly. And then you can always add a butcher block top to it.

Yes. Yeah. For that classic country look. Yes. Okay.

So we’ve talked about all these different elements Like, yeah. Like, from flooring to hardware to lighting. Yes. But what about color palettes? Okay.

Because I feel like that’s a big part of getting that country vibe. Right? It is. So they had a bunch of different options depending on what kind of look you’re going for. Okay.

So is it, like, the classic choice is always white Okay. Clean crisp. Yeah. It lets other elements shine. Yeah.

It’s like a blank canvas. Exactly. But if you want something a little cozier Yeah. What did they say? They suggested soft neutrals.

Okay. So, like, creams, beiges, warm grays Oh, yeah. Just to add a little bit of warmth without being too stark. Right. Like, those colors make you wanna curl up with a cup of tea.

Yes. Exactly. But what if you wanna add a pop of color? Okay. If you wanna go bold Well, not necessarily bold, but, like, a little bit of color.

So they said if you want something fresh and cottagey Okay. Go for pastels Okay. Like soft blues, mint greens, buttery yellows. Oh, I love those. So pretty.

Right? They’re so cheerful. They are. Okay. So what if you do wanna go bold?

Okay. If you wanna go gold, then they said bring in some drama Okay. With, like, deep reds, navy blues Okay. Rich forest greens. Oh, I love those.

Yeah. Those pops of color can really make a difference. Okay. So we’ve talked about all the big elements like flooring and cabinets and countertops. Mhmm.

But a truly inviting kitchen needs those, like, finishing touches. The details. Yes. So what did the blog suggest for accessorizing and, like, really completing that country kitchen look? Well, they were really big on, like, bringing in vintage touches Okay.

Like, wherever you can. Makes sense. So, like, imagine open shelves displaying a collection of vintage kitchenware or pottery. Oh, so pretty. Right.

Like those blue and white China pieces we were talking about earlier. Exactly. It just adds so much warmth and nostalgia. It does. And what about textiles?

Oh, yeah. Textiles are a good one. Because I feel like they can really warm up a space. They can, for sure. Like a cozy rug or a runner k.

In a classic pattern Okay. Like maybe a buffalo check or a subtle floral. Yeah. Those always look good. They do.

And for a little rustic charm, they suggested hanging popper pots and pans from a pot rack. Oh, cute. I love that. Yeah. It’s practical, but also decorative.

Exactly. Like, if you got it flaunted it. Right. And it especially because those copper pots will develop that gorgeous patina over time. They do.

Yeah. And, of course, no country kitchen is complete without Plants. Plants. And fresh flowers Yes. To bring in that life and color.

Yes. Exactly. And then for storage, they suggested woven baskets Makes sense. Which add a nice texture Yeah. And they’re good for keeping things organized.

Yeah. And they’re cute. They are. Okay. So we’ve talked about accessorizing, but they also gave some tips for small kitchens.

Oh, right. Because not everyone has a giant kitchen. Exactly. Yeah. So what if you’re working with limited space, but you still want that country charm?

So they said light colors are key Okay. Because they make the space feel bigger. Yeah. That makes sense. And then instead of, like, big, bulky upper cabinets, they said go for open shelving.

Okay. Yeah. Because that can sometimes feel a little bit daunting Yeah. But it does make the space feel bigger. It does.

It makes it feel more open and airy. And what about a farmhouse sink? Oh, yeah. That’s a good question because those can be big. They can be.

But they said if you’re set on having one, you can totally make it work. Okay. Just go for a smaller size. Okay. Makes sense.

And then instead of a stationary island, maybe do a rolling island Oh, that’s a good idea. That you can move around. Yeah. When you need to. Exactly.

What other space saving tips did they have? Let’s see. To maximize vertical space. Okay. They suggested either tall cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling Okay.

Or installing a pot rack. Okay. To free up some cabinet space. Exact. Smart.

Okay. So that’s for small kitchens. But what if you’re not doing, like, a full blown renovation? Right. Can you still bring in those country vibes to an existing kitchen Oh, for sure.

Without, like, tearing everything out? You don’t have to start from scratch. They said even small changes can make a big difference. Okay. Like what?

Well, they said, like, the easiest thing you can do is just paint your cabinets. Okay. Especially if you have, like, a darker color scheme right now and you wanna brighten things up. Yeah. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders.

It can. And you know what else is an easy update? What? Swapping out your hardware Oh, yeah. For, like, some vintage inspired pieces.

That’s a good idea. Easy but effective. It is. Okay. What else?

If you’re feeling a little bit more ambitious, they said you could add a beadboard backsplash. Okay. Which is a pretty easy DIY. Yeah. And it adds a ton of charm.

It does. And, of course, all that accessorizing that we talked about earlier Yeah. Like bringing in the textiles and the vintage vines and the fresh flowers. It all makes a difference. It does.

This deep dive has been so inspiring. I know. I’m ready to, like, redo my whole kitchen now. Me too. It’s amazing your simple blog post can spark so many ideas.

I know. What stood out most to you from all of this? You know, I love the idea of repurposing. Okay. Like, finding those unique pieces with a history.

Yes. Because it’s not just about, like, buying new stuff. It’s about, like It’s about the story. Yes. I’ve said about creating a kitchen that reflects you and your style.

And what you love. Yes. Who knows? Maybe that old farmhouse table at the antique shop is just waiting for a new home Maybe it is. In your cozy country kitchen.

I love it. Well, this was so fun. Thank you so much for diving in with me. Oh my gosh. Thank you for having me.

This was the best. Of course. And to everyone listening, we’ll catch you in the next deep dive.