By Susan Serra

Susan Serra is a Decorati Contributing Guest Blogger and author of The Kitchen Designer blog.

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Bonjour mes amis! I’m thinking of all things French-inspired this month, first and foremost, French kitchens. It’s an annual ritual for me…total immersion in the 3-week long incredible Tour de France now just finished! An annual ritual of focusing equally on the architecture and landscape via the fantastic TV coverage, as well as the daily race toward Paris. All that, and annual ritual of following the cities, towns, and tiny villages “le Tour” passes through while dreaming of authentic French kitchens. This month, I’m all Francophile, all the time.

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My annual French immersion has my attention directed to, perhaps, the next frontier of French “country” kitchens…but these are not the French country kitchens you see stateside. Far from it. What I’m observing is an altogether new, fresh, and strong statement in French kitchen design, blending old and very new…and it’s very chic.

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Here are the elements of the new French Country Kitchen that I see happening in France:

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Wide open shelving
Concrete anywhere and everywhere
Mix of ancient textured walls with modern cabinet design
Neutrals – lots of gray, some black elements, white, warm tones
Accessories as always – antique pots, baskets, added textures
Still fresh today…le batterie de cuisine is often displayed
Wood species meant to be appreciated in a natural finish in ceilings and/or cabinetry

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Here are features to note in these gorgeous French kitchens.

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Below: A very smart design in terms of color and tones. It could not be more simple – the use of “dark” gray concrete countertops and cabinetry (note it’s the same gray tone) and “light” walls and flooring. Simple, elegant. The beams take us to a very warm place inside our souls, and accessories follow the theme with warmth and texture. The headline is that this is a simple two-toned kitchen, made wonderful by the use of texture.

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Below: A celebration of le batterie de cuisine, doesn’t this look like a cook’s kitchen? To my eye, “form follows function” seems to have been the mantra here. Easy access is the point. The neutral, soft, tones clearly play a backdrop to the cook’s tools and appliances. Note the black accents and door trim.

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Below: A common architectural style, the French farmhouse with multiple arched ceilings, the feeling is highly textural and incredibly cozy. Earth tones dominate. Contemporary (yet earthy) cabinetry is juxtaposed with traditional elements such as the architecture, lighting and furnishings beyond. Note the integral sink in the corian countertop. Splashes of color in this nearly monochromatic space attract attention.

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Below: As only the French might do, here we have natural woods everywhere and what else…black! As in fashion, the French style can be strong, bold, cutting edge. The mix here of uber-rustic blended with very clean lines clearly has one perfectly polished toenail in the past and the rest in the future. Again, simple, clean, elegant (always), warm. The use of neutrals claims a cohesive feeling. Did you see the traditional hand towel in the image? Perfection, and a nod of respect to the traditional French country kitchens.

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I’ve enjoyed sharing my French finds with you, and I hope it’s opened up a new window to French kitchen style. Images from Art & Decoration and Cote Maison. For even more French inspiration, don’t miss the blog Cote de Texas. Till next time, au revois!