Moving into the Fall and Winter, it’s time to warm up your kitchen. Here are some easy ways that I just implemented in our mostly white kitchen. There is also a French inspired outfit of the week (that has a back story with an outrageously priced lipstick).
It’s Five Faves time with Cindy and Annie!
Here you can see our white cabinets, black pendant lights with brass accents, copper cookware (that needs cleaning before the holidays), off white granite durable countertops, a stained wood kitchen island with candlesticks and a fruit bowl. Counter stools blend in with the island for a classic look. You can find a purchasing guide to many of these things here.
A Washable Rug
This Ruggable washable rug warms up the kitchen and protects the hardwood floors (which I was starting to worry about from all the foot traffic and spills). I like that it has the denim blue, ethnic look.
You can see the velcro-like no-slip carpet pad and the thinner top (making it easy to wash). You can even change the topper seasonally.
Deluxe Wooden Cutting Board Adds Natural Beauty On The Countertop
While at our cooking school in Burgundy, our chef/teacher was praising wood cutting boards over plastic (which is mostly what we had at home). Wood is gentler on knives. A favorite tip of hers: clean the cutting boards and sink regularly with plain white vinegar.
I ordered for Howard this large one from Quince. The warm tones offset the backsplash tile and white cabinetry.
He said “Mares! This is a beautiful walnut cutting board. Thank you!” We bought mineral oil to keep it conditioned and they say to dry it completely after washing (don’t leave it in water).
This would make a nice wedding present.
Textured Linen Dish Towels
I picked up these heavy washed linen towels with texture at Landline General Store in Paris. The art is attached to the backsplash with velcro strips.
Here are some kitchen towels that you might like:
Vintage Accessories
Definitely add some vintage style to your kitchen. It’s the easiest way to add character. It could be a hand-me-down or a flea market find like this 5 euro pitcher that we picked up in Beaune, France recently.
Scented Candle For A Cozy Feel
I’ve mentioned this Flamingo Estate herby tomato leaf candle before. But any lit unscented or autumn scented candle adds warmth too. I also like Votivo Red Currant Candle on Amazon for the kitchen.
Fall Outfit Of The Week – French Inspired
Quince sunglasses • Sezane Leopard Wool Sweater (I have this in olive and love it) • Chain Necklace • Curved Shoulder bag • Slim Wide-legged cropped jeans (saw a lot of this look in Paris and London) • Adidas Gazelle sneakers (ditto with these…the hot shoe in all colors in France) • Chanel 31 Le Rouge Lipstick*
*It’s shocking that I spent 160 euros on this Chanel lipstick. Insane. But Annie and I were in Paris at Bon Marche and I had been seeing the ads for this lipstick all over Paris. The cute salesgirl tried different shades and I got the sales pitch… “A refillable satin lipstick housed in a faceted square glass case inspired by the mirrors that line the legendary Art Deco staircase in Gabrielle Chanel’s Paris apartment at 31 rue Cambon.”
Many years ago, Howard took our 13-year-old daughter, 8-year-old son AND our Boston terrier, Rocky into the elegant store at 31 rue Cambon, Paris. They bought me a Chanel suit for my birthday. I rationalized that the lipstick was an early birthday present to myself, a nice souvenir of a great trip and a lot cheaper than a Chanel suit 🙂
You may also like Why A Classic White Kitchen Works and Style Your Kitchen Like a Pro! Before and After Makeover.
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PS. On Thursday I’m joining some fashionable women to discuss all things TRAVEL. See you then.
Mary Ann,
So glad that you weathered the Hurricane without major damage.
Not related to today’s post – at some time, you mentioned that you gave your son-in-law a gift card to a food store in LA that you knew he like to shop.
I am in need of a gift for my niece’s friend in LA. And I thought of this.
Would you share the name with me?
Thank you, thank you
Love that back splash! We have the same one in our kitchen too, it looks great with our quartz but I want to change the cabinets. What is the color of your cabinets?
Really nice ideas to warm up the house:-)
BUT that lipstick – seriously – I have to take a closer look!! SO amazing:-)
Perfect timing! I’m leaving for Paris tomorrow and just wondering if Sezane merchandise is the same price there as it is online? I’ve enjoyed reading all of your posts regarding Paris. So excited to be going there for the first time!
Love this post. You are fortunate to have been able to travel to Paris with Annie. I’m interested in your kitchen rug. It looks to be exactly what I want. Yours in vibrant blue, however, and on the site, the rug is a soft navy. Are they the same color, do you know, or is your color no longer available? Thanks so much!
It’s not really vibrant. More like a denim blue. I love it!
Hi Mary Ann,
Love all your posts! What color would say your kitchen cabinets are?
They are similar to BM China White, Jill. Test tho!
Love those shoes but I’m ordering them in red suede!!!! Love your suggestions. I need to try on those jeans at J Crew as my size has changed. Is there a way for you to get credit? On the shoes also.
Wow…sounds so cute in red. I will get credit anytime you order through following one of my links. Don’t worry about it when you need to go into the store…I understand completely. But they can’t trace it back to me. Thanks for asking.
I’ve been having fun trying on the Chanel lipstick shades virtually, as it were! May I ask which shade you chose?
It says 31 Le Rouge on the case. Is that a shade?
There are 12 named shades- 31 is the name of the collection after the street address I’m thinking.
So I took the refillable tube out of the case and it says 15 Rouge Couturiere Matte. Hope that helps.
Thank you for the follow up. It seems there are both satin and matte in the 31 range. I’m going to check them all out.
Hello Mary Ann,
Lovely post thank you! Gorgeous outfit ! Your french pitcher is so beautiful and I loved your Chanel story. It is so important to celebrate moments when you travel. I have a dear friend who is an interior designer and we went to Paris together with our teenage daughters and happily kept her company while she did the Paris flea markets and scooped up “finds.” Total joy!! (Bought a fantastic mirror and a beautiful floral red quilt she kindly shipped back in her container for me). She loves Baccarat and we had a lovely giddy time in the Paris store and bought the same crystal vase as a memory of our trip. Have a lovely week!
What a divine trip, Francesca!! My sister, girlfriend and I had lunch at the Baccarat museum. They served champagne in their colorful flutes.
How marvelous is that !!! Xo
My mom always said the best kept secret for always looking your finest was the perfect shade of lipstick and big sunglasses. 😉
I love the warm elements of the kitchen. I am going to look at some of the ruggables that are all the rage now. I need one in front of my sink as well to protect my floors.
What a wise mom!!
What a beautiful kitchen! And the cutting board from Quince looks perfect. Parisian salesclerks are so smooth and convincing, I’m sure the lipstick will look great. One question, in this perfect kitchen, where’s your toaster?
It’s pretty convenient under the counter in the island.
I’m in the market for countertops – yours are lovely! may I ask what stone they are? Thanks!
They are a natural quartzite. The previous owner put them in and I don’t have the name. Sorry.
Love all of your suggestions and vintage tips for adding warmth to your kitchen.
I too have gotten the sales pitch at Bon Marche and have come home with a sac of things I love but had sticker shock over. Love the red lipstick, enjoy I am sure it looks fabulous on you.
Thanks Elizabeth!! Nice to know I’m not the only one.