Choosing the perfect kitchen style: Country

“Amodern country kitchen successfully marries period detailing with pared-down lines to create the vintage feel that a lot of homeowners are after today,” says architect Alex Stewart who designed this Cape Town kitchen

Get the look

Recycle fittings and fixtures

“If renovating a kitchen in a period property, reuse any original fittings and fixtures, such as cornice mouldings and skirtings, windows and light fittings – these are essential for adding character.” You could also incorporate salvaged architectural finds or new buys that have a suitably vintage feel.

Pay attention to detail

Painted cabinetry and free-standing furnishings are some of the key elements of a country kitchen. “For a modern take on these ideas, we created a semi-fitted look with leg detailing at the base of the meranti cabinets which were given a lacquered finish for easy maintenance.

“Something as simple and small as handles can spoil the look completely. The cup handles in this kitchen (from Dito Handles) give a very traditional feel, but the brushed finish is both modern and practical.”

Choose the right finishes

Wooden flooring will give a softer, more rustic feel than tiles. “We’ve used Corcoleum flooring; it’s made from natural sawdust and wood flours and as it’s laid as a solid surface it gives a seamless, contemporary look.

“Counter surfaces in natural materials are a must. Here we used honed black granite for the worktop and oak for the island.”

Barbara Russell of Barbara Russell Paint Techniques suggests that white, such as Plascon’s Iceberg, Tackroom or Cloud White, is the best colour to paint the cabinetry in this style of kitchen.

“Whites are complemented by shades of charcoal and pale woods like oak with a soft grey wash,” she adds.