Vintage Farmhouse Kitchen Reveal

It’s taken two years but our vintage farmhouse kitchen is finally done! Okay, I’ll probably change something next week but let’s just say it’s done for now. PHEW!

Read on to find out how we created a vintage farmhouse vibe with a slightly modern touch, the finishes I chose and the DIY’s we did to create the look.

Reusing + Restoring + Reclaiming Farmhouse Details

Our farmhouse is over one hundred and twenty years old. To reflect its age and respect the materials used to build the house, we reused the original floorboards to recreate the canopy above the range. The floor in the kitchen was mostly rotten, so we saved what we could and I sanded and sealed them before we installed them. The canopy is deliberately wide to mimic the chimney breast which once stood in this spot. Previous owners had ripped it out, leaving a huge hole in the roof. (Another story) To me, the boards create an informal rustic feel in our kitchen space. The kitchen feels very honest and authentic, though the style of canopy is quite modern.

Neutral Colour Palette in the Farmhouse Kitchen

The key to this vintage scheme working for me is a neutral backdrop. I chose creamy white walls in Dulux Antique White USA and Charcoal trim and cabinetry in Dulux Domino. I mixed this with subway tiles in the same Dulux shade, a solid oak benchtop and lots of white china to add the homey, lived-in feel. A neutral colour palette means I can add colour to my farmhouse kitchen in little pops. I can change things out with the season, so I never get bored by the scheme. My current accent colour is blue as I own a lot of blue and white china. The darker trim gives the farmhouse kitchen a slightly modern, yet still country feel and ties in with the traditional blue china.

Rustic Accents + Functional Vintage Pieces

To give the neutral palette more depth when creating our farmhouse kitchen, I added texture in the form of a jute rug and table runner. I also added timber stools for warmth and basketry under the island. The baskets are functional as is the oak dresser we use to house our everyday china. Display can be pretty and functional. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Romantic Lighting and Window Treatments

To balance the linear surfaces of the canopy and cabinetry, I chose to add bell shaped pendant lights over the sink area. These are deliberately glass, so the view out our window isn’t obscured. I chose oversized timber chandeliers for the island and living area. These add a rustic yet romantic feel.

The sheer informal roman blinds are there to soften the room. The blinds proved to be a controversial choice when I mooted the idea on socials. Many followers thought they would be old fashioned and asked why I hadn’t left the windows bare or put in timber roller blinds. My answer is this. I wanted as much light in the kitchen as possible but I wanted to be able to obscure some of it when cooking. The westerly afternoon light is a killer. I don’t want the room dark, just dimmed a little in summer. We don’t use the blinds all the time, so they’re a win-win to me. (Though I may yet change the fabric colour to blue)

Vintage Farmhouse Kitchen Island

Converting the farmhouse table into a kitchen island was the best decision we made. It gives us extra prep space and has seating for at least six if we want to eat there. The sanded top is the perfect blend of rustic and modern and the simple lines of the legs make it the table feel more modern in our vintage space. You can find out how we made the island here.

Tonnes of Blue and White

I’m lucky enough to have inherited an entire collection of blue and white china that I’ve added to over the years. Having it on display and using it on a daily basis, yes, even the gold-rimmed willow pattern, is something I love to do. I think my grandmother would be happy that her soup tureen is filled with wild watercress and that I use her cup to drink my black coffee every morning. To be able to have pieces like this, even if you buy them, adds a sense of history to our home.

The Quirky + Unexpected

I love to include something people don’t expect to find as decor. In the farmhouse kitchen, it’s our deer head affectionately known as Britney Deers that’s the quirkiest. The key to that enormous head over the stove not dominating the space is the fact she blends with the rangehood canopy. A lot of people don’t notice her at first.

The tin sign from Abbey Road is the piece that stirs most conversation though. For some reason, people don’t expect to see it in a kitchen. They always ask where it came from. Like, duh.

Farmhouse Furniture + Fixtures to Finish it Off

There’s nothing that says farmhouse to me like a white china butler’s sink. Especially when teamed with a brass tap!

What do you think of our farmhouse kitchen??