Savannah, GA Kitchen Designers Explore the New Country Kitchens

The kitchen designers at The Savannah Cabinet Shop are asked to create a lot of different kitchen styles.  However, because of the historic, demographic, geographic and vernacular nature of the region, certain styles are requested more than others.  Most often our kitchen designers are asked for traditionally designed kitchens.  They are also often asked for casual, cottage style designs.  More recently we have started having requests for modern kitchens.  One style, however, is able to be manipulated into being a hybrid with all of these styles and goes remarkably well with the laid back, casual, earthy style of so many of our Savannah kitchen design client’s homes.  Perhaps surprisingly, this style is country.

Country, as a design style, can, on first mention, strike horror in many people’s minds.  Often, though, this is due to a misconception.  Those who are immediately turned off by the country style, when first mentioned by their kitchen designer, are picturing those bonneted duck wood cut-outs, yards and yards of gingham, stenciled wallpaper borders, and overly ornate wood cut-out valances.   These however, are not the visuals of the new country kitchen.

The new country style is about several basic concepts and principles that are easily used and translated in conjunction with other design styles.  Fabric is generally more prominently featured in country style kitchens, but nowadays that fabric can be any pattern.  Focus is put on the aesthetics of hand-made objects, or objects that have a more rustic and honest aesthetic.  Vintage objects and accessories and patina or painted finishes are often used in contemporary country kitchens.

There are several reoccurring elements that kitchen designers use when designing today’s country kitchen.  Farm sinks are an obvious choice for their automatic association with the country.  Wood tops are also popular, as well as statement hardware.  In terms of door and drawer head styles, really any style can be used. The board and batten door style is used almost exclusively in country style kitchens. Other popular styles include recessed bead board and shaker or recessed flat panel door styles.   When achieving a more traditional country kitchen, your designer might choose a raised panel door style.  Conversely, when designing a country kitchen with a modern flavor, a slab door style might be used.

The base doors here are a variation of board and batten, with the batten being replaced by gate hardware.  The drawer heads are slab, and the wall doors are shaker.  We also see the country influence in the vintage appliances and accessories, the fabric window treatments, and the hand painted tile backsplash.

This kitchen is an example of a modern country kitchen.  The minimalist design, monotone color scheme and open shelving are all modern elements.  The cup pulls and turn latch hardware, the raw wood bowls, the separate hot and cold water spigots, and the bead board side panel of the island are all elements that give this kitchen its subtle country influence. The recessed flat panel doors and slab drawer heads expertly balance these two styles.

The natural wood table and benches with fabric seat pads fit well into this mellow country kitchen.  The painted kitchen cabinets are recessed flat panel inset into the face frame.  This inset construction provides the opportunity for exposed wall door hinges, along with cup pulls and turn latch knobs.  The wood countertop and farm sink further the country feel, along with the vintage radio, handmade wooden heart ornament, and the decoratively placed woven basket of knitting.

This is a very eclectic country kitchen design.  Not only are the cabinet doors bead board, put so are all the walls, and the ceiling.  The patinaed white paint is also featured on the worn, mismatched vintage bar stools, and is an excellent foil for the warm brown stain of the floor.  The large farm sink stands alone as its own architectural element, and the pantry door was undoubtedly reclaimed from its former life as a screen door to some old farmhouse. The industrial steel pendant lamps and multicolored tile countertops help complete the chic eclectic country style.

This is an obviously upscale kitchen designed to have a decidedly country feel.  The raw wood floor is mirrored in the wood tops and the contrast wood interiors of the open base and wall cabinets.  The bead board island sides, large farm sink and cup pulls add to the country feel.  When combined with the handmade step stool, fabric window treatment, and the myriad of kitchen accessories and tools on display, there is no denying the sophisticated country feel of this space.

This is a charming and eclectic country kitchen.  The handmade wooden dining table is paired with worn, patinaed chairs.  Bead board, recessed flat panel, and slab door and drawer head styles are used, all in an inset construction.  The large farm sink sits as its own cabinet run, the rest of the runs are topped in wood countertops.  The vintage refrigerator, hand painted “milk” sign, vintage kitchen accessories and schoolhouse children desk add the touch of whimsy that makes this kitchen design charmingly casual and truly heartwarming.

This kitchen also features inset shaker doors with exposed hinges, but utilizes large wood knobs in a contrast finish to make a statement.  The woven basket pull-outs in the island help further the country style. The wood tops and bead board peninsula back are also familiar country elements.

The board and batten door style makes this kitchen obviously country.  Its charm and freshness come from the unique accessories, multicolored finishes, roman, fabric shade window covering and all white dishware.

This country kitchen is both traditional and charming.  The raised panel doors, toe valances and turned island legs give it a traditional base, on top of which is the funky tri-color painted finish, whimsical exposed wrought iron hardware, old fashion pendant lamps and beaten metal backsplash in a deep patina.

This kitchen has a very traditional, even old world feel, but also incorporates some country design elements.  The doors are recessed flat panel and the drawer heads are slab.  There is cup pull hardware, and a very artistic painted finish.  The hood is a heavily patinaed metal chimney hood.  The island has a wood top and turned legs.   This kitchen would fit just as well in the French countryside as it would in a coastal American country home.