This week’s kitchen mood board is a mix of charming french-inspired accents and clean modern touches for an easy collected over time feeling that’s anything but cookie cutter:
1. The color palette for this imaginary room is all about navy-ish charcoal tones, deep pistachio hues, soft blue grays, and antique whites. We’d love to see the walls get a coat or two of artichoke-chic paint (which you see represented by that large rectangle of green at the top of the board) – try Benjamin Moore’s Sesame 381. The cabinets in the kitch could remain wood or white (either would work with this scheme) but you could also paint them an antique white tone and even add a bit of aging glaze to get that weathered french feeling for extra credit.
2. This deeply discounted table just oozes Parisian elegance, and when paired with these affordable pistachio and wood-toned chairs (which would tie into wood cabinets if you’ve got those) it makes for a nice casual yet cohesive mixed & matched effect.
3. We love the idea of adding in some crisp modern pieces to keep the whole look from feeling too obvious or themey, and this $149 lotus flower pendant would look so pretty hanging over the table.
4. Antique bronze or hammered gold curtain rods with ring hooks would really add to the polished but casual vibe, and these breezy (and totally budget friendly) smoky blue-gray curtains would introduce some nice moody ambiance.
5. Fun little modern pops of color in the form of accessories like this cute electric water kettle would be oh so charming on any countertop.
6. This stunning little runner started it all (it’s the first item that I found, which inspired the rest of the board). I love how elegant and polished it is. It’s a nice balance of french-inspired pretty (thanks to the sheen and the delicate dots) and modern cool (thanks to the dark food-friendly hue and the geometric pattern).
7. This cute little antique white cabinet (on clearance!) would work so well with the round table and I’m obsessed with the shape of those glass cut outs in the doors.
8. The concept for this room is really all about the mix, so I searched high and low for a pendant light (just $49!) that could be hung over the sink (heck, two or three of them could even be hung over an island or peninsula). I wanted something that could be layered into the same room with the lotus pendant that I found for over the table. They definitely don’t “match” but I can picture them happily coexisting in a space like this for that certain je ne sais quoi.
So there you have it. An imaginary kitchen makeover that I’m still daydreaming about. Anyone out there with a penchant for french-inspired decor and antique white? Or a craving for artichoke colored walls?
Psst- Looking for oodles of mood boards? Search them by color or by room right here.
Stephanie says
Just have to say…I LOVE THIS! My kitchen needs an overhaul, and I love these ideas.
Suzanne says
I love the window treatments and clicked the link. Which color did you choose? There were several options, none of which were called ‘gray’. THANKS!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Suzanne,
For some reason they call those blue-gray curtains “Abyss Green”, but you can see in multiple photos that they’re paired with blue things and they definitely look blue-gray. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
alison@semi-fab lane says
hi guys! love the mood board and the great find on that pendant. question: what software do you use for creating your mood boards??
YoungHouseLove says
We use Photoshop, but since that’s not a free program we’ve heard great things about mydeco.com and polyvore.com (which are 100% free online programs). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Sarah B. says
Love the Ballard Design table! It reminds me of this slightly more expensive (but still on sale) version of the table that lets you access anything you put on the shelves from all four sides (although probably not as cute): http://www.potterybarn.com/products/shayne-kitchen-table/?pkey=cround-tables
pam in nc says
Thanks for the info on the table. I wanted to make one more comment – the colors for this mood board are just perfect. There’s just something about them…I’m thinking my craft room would benefit from the inspiration I got from this one…
Tasha Schifo says
I’m giddy! We just painted our kitchen Behr Cumberland Fog
with glossy white trim. Who knew we were so hip to cool kitchen paint choices? We were just going by colors from the marble-ish window sill, which I’m assuming is original to the house.
Really digging that rug!
Hil says
I ordered a smaller size of that rug from overstock, but I ended up returning it (minus the $7.50 to ship it back). The background isn’t the blueish grey color from the photos, but is actually so dark I thought it was black at first.
Just thought I’d warn folks. I’m unsure about online shopping because it is nice for the selection, but you don’t really know about the colors/material/quality until you see it in person.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the heads up Hil! We still think anyone who is bold enough to love a smoky charcoal colored rug could still make the rug work with this scheme, but it’s great to note that it’s not as light as the picture shows it to be!
xo,
s
Ruby Showalter says
I love the moodboards!! They have to be one of my favorite parts of your blog {; Thanks so much for keeping on posting these. So many great ideas…
Mary says
I know it’s not the place but I can’t find where to ask brand new questions on your site. (By the way, I LOVE it :)
YoungHouseLove says
Feel free to submit any questions as comments to posts or post them on our Facebook page to get feedback from everyone!
xo,
s
Giulia "Julia" says
I w3as just admiring your Mood Board,(Making: French + Modern = Eclectic that you posted on September 22,2010), and I am in love with the blue pinch pleat curtains. I clicked on the link but there is no longer a link to the site. I was hoping you might know where can I find them or some like them? I admire all that you and your husband have don. You are super talented! Thanks.
Giulia “Julia”
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, we don’t think they’re available anymore. Maybe try Ballard Designs or Pottery Barn or searching pinch pleat curtains to see what comes up?
xo
s