Stripes in the Kitchen

Kitchens tend to be neutral color spaces with wood or neutral colored cabinets, neutral wood or tile floors and neutral stone counter tops. All these neutral colors can be gorgeous in the kitchen since they play off one another in both color and textures. A nice pop of color and pattern can help add a little more pizzazz to the neutral kitchen.

 

Stripes are a fantastic pattern for the kitchen. Stripes are a gender neutral pattern so they won’t make a kitchen, or any room, feel too feminine or masculine. They add great graphic pattern and can also be done in multiple colored stripes for a burst of color in the kitchen. White and a single color stripe creates a crisp, classic look that will work in kitchens from farmhouse to contemporary. Multicolor stripes are more lively but can also work in most kitchen styles.

 

Stripes can be used on curtains, valances, shades and cafe curtains in the kitchen. Striped runners, like the one seen here, make a great rug for in front of the sink or stove, or between the island and wall of cabinets. Striped tea towels and dish cloths continue the possibilities of stripes throughout the kitchen. Of course there are also striped glassware and dishes if you really love stripes.

 

As with any pattern you will want to monitor how many stripes you use in the kitchen. A single striped pattern is great but stripes of different sizes and colors used in a single space can make the room feel very busy.

Home Decor – The Power of Citrus

We all know that citrus is healthy for us. Experts have been touting the power of Vitamin C for years. Beyond being a good source for vitamins, citrus can also be used to freshen up our homes as well as inspire colorful designs.

 

Citrus oils capture the fresh scent of orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit. They can be used to freshen up the air after cooking in the kitchen or combat other household odors.  A few drops of citrus oil can be added to unscented cleaning products, especially homemade cleaning products, to add a clean fresh scent.  

Beyond the scent of citrus, the colors of the fruits can also serve as design inspiration. Bright splashes of yellow, orange and green, combined or on their own, can add a touch of citrus to any room. Patterned fabric with slices of citrus makes a lively table cloth or tea towels in a kitchen. Kitchens are dining rooms are both great places to decorate with food themed décor.  The easiest way to incorporate citrus into these rooms is a big bowl or even cylindrical vase filled with citrus.  Using the actual fruit to decorate a tablescape is an inexpensive way to add color to the table.

 

Citrus is not only good for you, it can be good for your home and your décor too.