Welcome to our newly completed European Farmhouse kitchen! This home completed by Boxwood Avenue Interiors is a transitional style with a bit of European Farmhouse flair. The kitchen design features timeless touches like inset cabinetry, unlacquered brass, and beautiful two-toned paint with contrasting trim!
We just wrapped up the installation a few weeks ago and I’m so excited to share all of the details. The large granite island, aged brass fixtures, and floor-to-ceiling cabinets all work together harmoniously.
This is a spec home that we were honored to design. A spec home means that the home was designed to sell. This is always fun because it allows us to get really creative and try new design techniques!
Read below for the kitchen sources and details to inspire you to incorporate our favorite design elements into your own home.
Be sure to check out my post on How to Choose the Best Interior Paint Colors for Your Home.
Table of contents
European Farmhouse Style Cabinetry (Inset Cabinets)
These gorgeous flush inset shaker-style cabinets are a timeless style. We chose a painted finish in the color Gossamer Veil by Sherwin Williams.
Kitchen Design Tip: If you are designing a new kitchen from scratch, consider having drawers instead of doors on lower cabinets. This saves you from having to open a door to pull out an inner drawer or bending down to grab from a stationary shelf.
Counter resting upper cabinets on each side of the range add valuable storage in a compact kitchen space. This is a great way to tuck away unsightly appliances such as blenders and coffee makers.
Consider adding outlets within counter resting cabinetry for even more function of the space!
In thinking of design, we love that counter resting cabinets give the feeling of built-in furniture to the kitchen. It really elevates the overall design. Adding the thick crown molding at the top completes the effect.
Paint Tip
If implementing contrasting trim, as we did here, make sure the trim matches the color of the cabinetry for a seamless look. We completed this trim color on all baseboards, crown, and interior doors within the home.
Shop The Rocky Terrace Kitchen Collection
Countertop Details
The countertop in this kitchen is Absolute Black Granite in a honed finish.
Instead of adding a tile backsplash we wrapped the black granite up the wall and capped it with a shallow ledge.
The slab is a 2cm, and the shelf is 4″ in depth.
The ledge adds an extra layer to the design by creating a perfect spot to accessorize the kitchen without cluttering the countertops. From a design perspective, it creates an ideal stopping point while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
Some solid black granite options are absolute black or black pearl. Soapstone countertops offer a similar look, but expect more maintenance for that stone.
European Farmhouse Plumbing Sources
Plumbing is certainly a place to splurge when it comes to kitchen design!
This is one area where we recommend that you don’t compromise and select the best quality faucet within your budget. You will use this every single day, and you want it to withstand the daily use and make you smile while washing an endless pile of dishes.
We selected a deck-mounted aged brass bridge faucet for this project. Bridge faucets add endless charm featuring a style that dates back to the turn of the 20th century, a nod to the European Farmhouse style!
Another classic element is the farmhouse apron front sink from Shaws. Apron front sinks are designed to save you from leaning forward and also help prevent cabinet damage. Function and beauty!
Shop The Kitchen Finishes
Timeless Hardware
Hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen. You will set the tone for the overall design with the hardware selection. You can opt to swing more contemporary or go for something more timeless as we did here.
We used classic round ball knobs for the cabinets and added cabinet latches to the lower countertop sitting cabinet doors.
Design Tip: Feel free to mix metals in the kitchen! Notice we have the aged brass hardware next to the stainless steel oven. This is another way you can elevate the kitchen design.
We always mix knobs with pulls to create interest within the kitchen design.
Lighting Sources
These stunning reeded glass pendant lights above the island are a perfect blend of vintage and industrial. A brass pendant light above the kitchen breakfast nook ties the design together.
Design Tip: When designing kitchens, I almost always opt for 2 pendants over an island rather than 3. I love the symmetry of 2 pendants flanking the range!
Timeless Decor
When styling a kitchen, I tend to look for ways I can create functional styling moments. This is accomplished through selecting beautiful accessories, almost always vintage in nature!
Adding some art, gorgeous vintage dishes, texture (like the barstools used), and plants can take an ordinary design to the next level.
To accomplish that European Farmhouse look, select items that have some patina to them such as vintage cutting boards or ceramics.
Adding artwork on the kitchen ledge might be unexpected, but it really gives life to the space.
The stars of the show in this space are the vintage Hungarian wall plates! I love the unique patterns and beautiful color the plates add to the kitchen.
Almost all of the decor pieces are from Boxwood Avenue Mercantile!
Paint Colors & Finishes
Finally, let’s not forget about the paint colors!
The walls and ceiling are in Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. This is the first time I’ve used the color, and I am smitten! This is a wonderful warm white that leans creamy without skewing yellow. Absolutely a new favorite white!
The trim and cabinets are Gossamer Veil by Sherwin Williams. As you may remember, this is the same color as the cabinetry at the shop!
The island came as a standard color, so I am unsure of the exact shade. However, it is very close to Greenblack (or Andiron) by Sherwin Williams.
Finally, the floors are white oak engineered wood. The warm tone creates a welcoming overall feel to the whole space. Learn more about engineered wood.
The Full House Tour
- Modern Rustic Dining Room
- Transitional Living Room
- Vintage Modern Laundry Room
- Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Nook
If you are looking for more kitchen design inspiration we completed this other spec home last year. We also have tips for picking the perfect backsplash, choosing hardware, and lighting too!
We would love to help you with designing your home as well! Did you know we offer virtual design services as well as full-service design? No project is too small or too large!
This kitchen is absolutely beautiful! I love that you share the products and materials used as some designers will not. Thank you and I cannot wait to see the rest of the project!
Thank you! We can’t wait to reveal more rooms soon!
The kitchen is gorgeous! You made it so inviting. I imagine everyone sitting around the large island and chatting while dinner is being made. And those Hungarian plates! The new owner is going to love it!
Thank you so much!
Beautiful! On the IG post I saw a glimpse of the Kitchen table chairs but didn’t see the affiliate link here – can you share those?
Hello! Here is the affiliate link for the kitchen chairs. https://rstyle.me/+DW3eiX9G5DUlo6FBayZTOA Thanks!
The kitchen is beautiful, striking and peaceful! Thank you for sharing such creative work. You say in the article that the island is a standard color. Would you share the source for the island?
Thank you! The cabinets are by Bellmont cabinet company.
Gorgeous design! How tall are your ceilings?
Thank you so much! They are 9′ ceilings
This kitchen is stunning! Curious how far the backslash goes up the wall?
Thank you so much! It’s 18″ high to the top of the shelf.
Could you share about the range hood. Is that plaster or wood? If it is painted, is it the same color as the sw alabaster walls? Beautiful space!
The range hood is plaster. Thanks!
This kitchen is so elegant. I love your work! I saw you gave a link to the kitchen chairs. Would you be willing to share the link to the table as well?
Thank you so much Nicole! The kitchen table is the Cayden Round Dining table by RH. https://rh.com/us/en/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod18890278&layout=horizontal
Hi! i love those counters. Did you see them in person before you ordered online? They seem very AFFORDABLE after getting pricing info from one of their showrooms, but they have no samples. also, how is the maintenance with the honed finish? thank you!!!
Do you still love your malibu counter chairs at your island? They look perfect in your kitchen photos but worry they’re too yellow/Honey from PB’s website. Thoughts?