Fauxwood blinds help retain old-world charm in a modern kitchen

When she enlarged the kitchen at her South Carolina home, interior designer Kimberly Williams included plenty of old-world charm in the design - pine flooring, French doors, a cozy seating area and a nearby storage pantry.


According to Country Home magazine, Williams' kitchen design yielded a number of decorating tips that she could pass on to other homeowners.


If the immediate outdoor area has a beautiful view, include large windows and glass doors to enjoy the vista. For artificial lighting, use chandeliers and sconces to give the room character.
 

Instead of building an island to match the cabinetry, Williams told the magazine she chose an antique worktable. She also suggests including freestanding furniture, such as the pine armoire where she stores her linens and cookbooks.


For an eye-catching window treatment, fauxwood blinds give the rich look of wood, but are easy to clean and come in a wide range of finishes and wood tones.


In a kitchen that has room for a small seating area, Williams suggests adding an upholstered chair and side table. For decoration, artwork can be hung on a wall overlooking this reading spot.