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Over the last ten years, sleek all-white kitchens have dominated the scene. Following an era marked by yellow oak cabinetry and ornate, Tuscan-style kitchens, these bright and open layouts seemed refreshing. Homeowners sought a more current appearance, favoring features such as shiny cabinet faces, handle-less designs, and hidden hinges, along with visual accents like black grouted white subway tile patterns. Yet, preferences appear to be shifting once more; today’s minimalist aesthetics can seem impersonal. Post-pandemic life has led many to reassess their living environments, prompting them toward warmer, lived-in settings that exude comfort. They achieve this ambiance by integrating vintage components—be it aged woods and stones or genuine heirlooms from times gone by. Though various periods qualify under “vintage,” for this discussion, we’ll concentrate on recreating the classic charm reminiscent of traditional British country kitchens. This trend aligns perfectly with the growing preference for rusticity, coziness, and character-filled interiors characterized by deep hues, substantial textures, and time-worn treasures.
The best thing about defrosting your modern kitchen with Old English elements is that you don’t have to invest in a remodel to do so. Instead, you just have to strategically weave in these antique details to soften the look of a starkly contemporary space. Whether that’s swapping out your hardware for something that looks like it was sourced in a flea market or weaving in some strategic knick-knacks, these are simple but effective fixes. Here is how to make your kitchen feel a little older and, as a result, a little more inviting.
Read more:
Replace Outdated Backsplashes With Evergreen Options
Include finishes like copper or uncoated brass that develop patina over time.
One of the easiest ways to add an antique touch to an overly modern kitchen is to infuse the space with antique finishes. Modern kitchens usually focus on airy colors such as crisp whites, stark blacks, and commanding grays. But antique finishes are infused with warmth — just think of the rich and layered patina of unlaquered brass or the sunny hues of copper. And since these finishes are often associated with heritage pieces, they will help add some instant vintage charm to your kitchen.
This works well for those not wanting to spend too much on major purchases such as furniture or carpets (although we’ll discuss this further shortly). Rather than focusing on large buys, consider incorporating smaller accents featuring these weathered finishes instead. For instance, hang a pot rack above your stove or kitchen island and populate it with copper cookware. Alternatively, opt for a subtler approach by placing several copper pots or ornamental containers atop your countertops for decoration. Additionally, replace contemporary matte-black or brushed-silver cabinet pulls with unlacquered brass versions. These could be
Rejuvenation
are a designer-favorite and age the more you touch them. You can also swap out your contemporary light switches for something more old-fashioned, such as the viral
Forbes & Lomax Toggle Switch
., if you prefer something more budget-friendly, the comparable option is
Knightsbridge Toggle Switch
If you want to add some extra flair, consider incorporating copper or brass island pendants, sink faucets, or even petite floating shelves.
Add Vintage Hardware
Your hardware’s finish isn’t the only thing that can
infuse your modern kitchen with greater character
Its design and aesthetic can contribute to a more traditional atmosphere. For example, replacing plain circular knobs on your cabinetry or drawers with detailed pulls can enhance the look. Elements featuring elaborate designs appear more bespoke and crafted — rather than something produced en masse and available online. As such, these changes can lend an air of authenticity associated with English decor styles.
For example, focus on vintage styles, such as cup pulls, often seen on classic furniture and cabinetry items.
Top Knobs’ Dakota Pull
This serves as an excellent illustration. Should you favor knobs, seek out those resembling Victorian styles, characterized by their elevated circular ornamentation. The
Ardell Round Cabinet Knob
is an excellent choice. Alternatively, if you prefer robust handles, opt for those featuring engravings or additional detailing, like the
Lake & Loom Brass HardwareHandles
those with indentations on the sides and decorative rings at the ends of the handles.
If your project includes visible hinges, consider replacing them with alternatives that carry a touch of nostalgia, such as butterfly or ball-tip hinges. These types are typically employed for surface-mounted inset cabinet doors, where part of the hinge remains visible. In particular, you might opt for a genuine Victorian style for the former option.
The House of Antique Hardware’s Butterfly Flush Mount Hinge
, or something more understated, like the
Country Butterfly Hinge
For this option, look for a hinge featuring a prominent ball-tipped end to make a more significant stylistic statement.
Amerock’s Ball Tip Hinge
is a great example.
Include Antique Pieces in Your Decor
Traditional English kitchens weren’t set up as we have them nowadays. Instead of installing rows of wall-mounted overhead and base cabinets, these spaces featured standalone pieces such as wardrobes, hutches, plate racks, and work or preparation tables rather than the typical boxed kitchen islands. Unlike modern cabinetry which appears streamlined and unified, vintage setups seemed more haphazard and well-lived. It appeared almost as though items had been casually brought in from elsewhere in the home or gradually added over time. If your aim is to
create a Victorian-inspired kitchen
, you should do the same.
Although you probably won’t be removing your kitchen cabinets to create space for standalone furniture, you can integrate such items into unused areas. Consider whether there’s an unoccupied section beside your refrigerator. You might look for an old China cabinet on Facebook Marketplace and use it to store your preferred cooking utensils. Should you lack extra floor area, check if there’s some free vertical space you could utilize instead. Perhaps seek out a retro dish drainer, or if scavenging isn’t appealing, purchase something similar online.
DHGate’s Arch-Style Plate Stand with British Influence
If you’re leasing and your kitchen doesn’t include a built-in island, consider purchasing a standalone preparation station. Typically, this appears as a rustic wooden table featuring drawers for additional storage space. An instance of such would be the
Erickson Wooden Kitchen Island.
Include Vintage-Style Curtains In The Area — However, Not Exclusively For Windows
If you’re looking for fast but effective ways to infuse your space with vintage charm, then don’t overlook the power of curtains. Add delicate lace curtains to the windows or, if you don’t want to obstruct too much of your view or have limited light, add cafe curtains that only take up half of the window pane. If you’re on a budget, you can even
DIY cafe curtains to add quaint charm to your space
., but these are not your sole choices—there are numerous inventive spots where you can incorporate them into your kitchen.
For instance, you could drape a curtain panel over your dishwasher or microwave recess to conceal these contemporary appliances. Currently, this is quite a trendy approach and simple enough for a do-it-yourself project—consider looking at tutorials such as the one provided by
OurNHHome
, which uses
Rod Desyne’s 18- to 24-inch rods
for mounting. If you have some glass-front cabinets, try adding interior curtains to obstruct the view and add a little more charm to your space. No glass cabinets? Consider removing a few lower cabinet doors and replacing them with striped curtains on a tension rod to infuse the room with a European-like touch. You can also add a curtain-like vibe through your lighting, choosing a pendant light draped in fabric to add a touch of coziness.
Add Vintage Decor All Throughout The Room
Adding a touch of vintage allure to your area can be both budget-friendly and swift via décor choices. In case you possess an ultramodern, entirely white kitchen, integrating earthy and aged antique pieces could lend it a heritage-like vibe, making it appear slightly less contemporary. Should your kitchen lean heavily towards modern design, seek out genuine antiques instead of faux ones found at large retailers to genuinely imbue the room with classic appeal. As an illustration, even though Studio McGee’s offerings at Target emulate a vintage style, these products often retain a fresh appearance due to their mass production, potentially failing to fully capture authentic Old English charm. Items exhibiting signs like chipped surfaces, patinas, or faded hues can significantly enhance warmth and coziness, giving the impression that the space has been well-lived in.
There are numerous approaches you might take for this. For example, you could showcase earthenware plates on exposed shelves or within glass-doored cupboards, suggesting they’re used regularly for serving food (despite perhaps only being decorative items). Additionally, consider placing handcrafted ceramics on kitchen counters, emphasizing those adorned with natural-toned finishes.
The key to incorporating antique pottery into your decoration
is to blend them with contemporary components to achieve an equilibrium — for instance, showcasing the handcrafted items on a marble platter.
If you’ve got bare walls — such as over your breakfast nook or an area lacking upper cabinets — think about displaying antique oil paintings featuring still life or landscape scenes. Additionally, if your space requires some extra coziness, lay down worn-looking runners on the flooring. These touches should lend your kitchen the appearance of having stood for many years.
Replace Your Contemporary Lighting With Vintage Alternatives
Our light fittings can really set the mood, so consider replacing contemporary pendants or general illumination with classic designs instead. To achieve an Old English-style kitchen, concentrate on fixtures featuring antique finishes such as untreated brass or copper, along with elements inspired by cottages. It’s remarkable how swiftly the area transforms into something reminiscent of times past once you have a ceramic pendant above your eating nook or perhaps twin glass lanterns suspended over your central island.
For example, something like the
Innovative Cooperative Ceramic Ruffled Lamp
introduces a cozy feel into an otherwise stark white kitchen that might seem overly clinical. This piece resembles an antique lace-edged plate, bringing lots of character to the area. For those who lean towards a more refined look, consider opting for a couple of elegant brass lanterns instead, similar to these:
Carrington Hanging Lanterns
They boast an aged patina that gives the impression they’ve adorned your island for at least seven decades, lending your kitchen a timeless, heritage feel as though it has been passed down through generations. Alternatively, should you prefer a more subdued touch to soften up a starkly modern kitchen space, opt for a distinctive fabric-covered chandelier featuring intricate ruffles and folds. Such lighting fixtures can be found across various design styles.
deVol
Kitchens, renowned for crafting traditional English-style kitchens nowadays. An illustration of this is their Handmade ‘Somerset’ 20-inch ivory linen ruffled pendant.
Maria Marabella Shades
.
Show some disarray to make it feel cozier.
Stashing all items behind cabinets and sealed-off pantries represents a relatively recent design trend. Modern kitchens prioritize maintaining an uncluttered environment, aiming to transform the area into something that appears less utilitarian and more like a display-worthy feature. This includes integrating appliances within panels and storing smaller devices out of sight.
stashed away in appliance niches for reduced clutter
, and countertops remain perfectly clear. If you aim to introduce some vintage flair into the area, concentrate on incorporating an element of disorder. Traditional English kitchens maintain numerous items visible, so follow suit. Consider certain aspects of classic countryside kitchens: glass-fronted cabinets showcasing their contents, wall-mounted plate racks for displaying cherished dishware, open shelves facilitating quick access, hanging pot racks over stovetops, and utensils stored in rustic pottery jars within reach — essentially, everything should be easily accessible and prominently displayed.
If you want easy methods to introduce clutter into your space, start by displaying frequently used items prominently. Purchase clay jars and place wooden cooking tools within them, or mount them using a brass wall rack. Should you choose this hanging option, you could also suspend wicker baskets from the same rail; use these to store fruits, vegetables, extra dishtowels, or similar items. Additional suggestions might involve replacing your plastic mixing bowls with ceramic or stoneware versions, positioning them attractively on the countertop, or showcasing an array of wood cutting boards leaned against your kitchen backsplash.
For more enduring displays, think about adding floating shelves, switching certain cupboard doors to glass fronts, or seeking distinctive stand-alone furnishings such as open-shelved china hutches. These strategies allow ample opportunity to exhibit various nostalgic collectibles ranging from family-heirloom platters to quaint baked-goods accessories.
Insert Additional Timber Whenever Possible
Making your sleek modern kitchen appear slightly more vintage can be as simple as incorporating more wood elements into the space. Contemporary kitchens often feature highly polished or laminated cabinetry with a palette dominated by glossy whites, deep grays, or similar cool tones. Adding warmth through textured wooden items can soften this aesthetic. Traditional British country kitchens were rich in such organic touches; think exposed wooden beams overhead, sturdy butcher-block surfaces, and rustic farm tables where meals get prepared. Although recreating those exact features may not always be feasible in today’s settings, emulating their cozy charm is achievable via various strategically placed wooden fixtures around the room.
There are numerous methods to integrate these elements. Should your island seem overly austere, include wooden stools along with large chopping blocks for food preparation; this will immediately lend an organic vibe. With sufficient room, think about placing a compact rolling butcher-block table adjacent to the island for additional workspace. To enhance minor details, position unvarnished wooden bowls atop counters to hold items ranging from fruits to decorative objects such as wooden beads, and acquire wooden urns and containers to decorate open shelving units or cabinet surfaces. Seeking eye-catching focal points? Replace your current bistro-style table with a rustic wood one and furnish distinctive pieces including hutch storage solutions, wall-mounted spice racks, or bench seats suitable for cozy eating areas.
Add Pediments To Select Cabinets
Pediments are decorative elements commonly seen atop doorframes and even in cabinetry designs; these structures typically have a triangular shape. These additions bring an enhanced touch to the aesthetics, giving spaces a personalized and crafted look. Additionally, they serve to enhance the overall appearance of the area.
achieve the appearance of increased ceiling heights
Since they draw the gaze upwards, these elements make the area seem more spacious. In traditional English kitchens, pediments were frequently positioned atop free-standing hutches or cabinets. If this style appeals to you, you could create one yourself to infuse an antique touch into your kitchen. However, this approach works solely for cabinets that do not extend all the way to the ceiling. They generally appear most attractive when centrally located within a series of cabinets or situated over a distinctive element — like a unit featuring open shelving or glass-fronted doors.
This guide works exceptionally well for painted cabinets because matching colors is simpler compared to finding a similar type of wood and staining it to blend with your current finishes. For replicating this look, simply construct a triangular shape using wood and adorn it with your preferred trim pieces to enhance its appearance. Should you possess crown molding atop your cabinets, it’s advisable to replicate that specific trim style so everything appears harmonious together.
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