The country kitchen - the heart of the lodge lifestyle

Where happy times and memories are made. We've got lots of country kitchen ideas for you!

Whether it's large or small, elaborate or basic, the country kitchen is the place where the family congregates to prepare and serve an array of meals to nourish not only the body but the soul as well!

Rustic kitchens focus on natural elements - wood, stone, cast iron, and pottery.

You may choose a theme for your kitchen. Rooster kitchen decor is popular! Or you may just need the right rustic kitchen accessories.

Whether your cabinets are manufactured or lovingly hand crafted, one place to accentuate the lodge look and truly personalize your home is your hardware. Check out more about rustic cabinet hardware.

Just because you choose rustic doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort or convenience. For example, when we did the kitchen in our "fixer-upper" cabin, there were certain givens I was not prepared to do without beyond the basic stove and fridge - try a microwave and a dishwasher for starters!

It may also mean having a cappuccino machine, a high end coffee grinder, or a pasta maker. A good old fashioned waffle iron has been essential for Sunday mornings at our place.

If possible, plan enough counter space for several cooks to work together. Our lodge kitchen is small but we still manage to fit many cooks - young and old!

Collectibles add character

• Vintage or antique utensils can be hung from a rack or mounted on the wall.
• Baskets can be displayed on shelves, walls, or on top of kitchen cabinets. Baskets can also be used for storage.
• Old china or pottery can be both a decoration and have a practical use.
• Signs - authentic old signs or replicas - provide personality, and perhaps humor, to your kitchen walls.
• Cast iron trivets or grates can be displayed in interesting groupings on the wall.

  

• Use open shelving in the rustic country kitchen to display plates, dishes and dinnerware collections.

Whatever you collect, you can probably use it to create a unique and appealing display! Hanging pot racks are an ideal way to store not only your cast iron cookware, but to show off some of your other unique pieces as well!

When you are out in the country you may experience some unwelcome guests (pests such as mice or raccoons). You need to keep a clean kitchen and keep foods in glass or tin containers. You can make this part of your decor.