Old World Charm: Brilliant Brass, Wrought Iron, and Pretty Details in the Kitchen

Hello, bloggy pals and beyond!  I hope everyone is enjoying the final leg of winter as we get closer to the beauty of Spring!

Recently, I was reading and came across a few design articles which stated mixed metals in kitchens are all the rage for 2025.  I typically don't subscribe to any stringent décor specifics per se, (ie: if you have French décor, you MUST have grain sacks) because it can become a bit cliché; I feel if your space makes you happy, then go for it!  However, mixing metals and other decorative elements is definitely a trend I can get behind!

Some time ago, I shared that we had begun the long, arduous task of remodeling our kitchen (and doing the work ourselves, yikes).  In this post, I shared that over several months, I had amassed numerous pieces of antique hardware for the cabinetry.  We also used a combination of metals such as brass, wrought and/or cast iron, and oil-rubbed bronze when we made over our kitchen, and reading those articles made me realize that I had never shared how we added all of the decorative elements when we did the remodel. In today's post, I hope you will come along as I show you my process.  

When I initially set out to redo the kitchen, I wanted the space to not only be functional (I do love to cook), but to exude comfort with a feeling of classicism I really enjoy.  In my kitchen, I wanted the clean lines of a modern kitchen, but I also wanted the aesthetic of an old-world or European sensibility.  The addition of antique hardware, an ornate backsplash insert, mixed metals, and other decorative features made this transition a seamless one.

One of the first items we settled on was the cabinetry.  The cabinets we chose were from Ikea, and we did so because of the ease of self-installation.  The cabinets literally come formed like boxes that click together with the simplicity of a puzzle!  They are also incredibly cost-efficient! 

Here is a peek at the cabinets we chose (as featured in others' kitchens):

The Ikea Lidingo:

The Ikea Ramsjo:





We decided to use a combination of these two Ikea collections in our remodel.

On our kitchen island, we installed the Ramsjo.  We chose the black-brown, which was a rich espresso color.  I wanted the island to resemble a piece of antique furniture rather than something sleek and contemporary.  The use of vintage brass pulls helped me to achieve that aesthetic.  I decided to add and match the hardware according to the size and/or shape of each drawer.

 



Here is a shot of the front of the cabinets and drawers on the larger side of the island, showcasing 

brass hardware, just to the right of the mini fridge.

Closeup of the detail on the right side of the island.  Most of the antique pulls I have used are Chippendale or very similar replicas...all the pulls shown here resemble the Chippendale Batwing Brass pull.  The top two pulls are Amerock Chippendale pulls.  The lower four are unknown.

Closeup of the drawers and pulls immediately to the left of the mini fridge on the left side of the island.  The top pull is similar to the pierced Queen Anne Chippendale pull, and most similar to these modern pulls on Etsy.  I believe they are made by KBC (Keeler Brass Company).  I absolutely love them.  I also used them in my powder room makeover.  The lower two pulls are also by an unknown maker.

All the way on the left-hand side of the island to the left of the beverage refrigerator, I again used the Chippendale Queen Anne-adjacent KBC pull, and on the bottom, I used antique Amerock England French Lilies pulls with thumb pull.

Here is a shot of the shorter side of the island that faces the cooktop area.  These antique drop bail pulls are 1930s Chippendale also by KBC (Keeler Brass Company) I believe, or a similar replica.

For the rest of the cabinets in the kitchen, we chose Ikea's Lidingo collection.  We opted for the white; I liked this particular white because it wasn't too stark and it had warm undertones, almost like a French crème.  

On these upper cabinets, I used antique Amerock England French Lilies pulls.  This is above the counter-depth refrigerator.  

Closer look of one of the upper cabinets.

Mimicking the choices I used on the lower cabinet doors on the island, for all of the remaining standard-sized lower cabinets, I again used antique Amerock England French Lilies pulls, with thumb pull.

Under the microwave.  I use this large drawer for baking sheets and those of similar ilk.  This drawer pull is French provincial I believe from the Mid Century era.

Photo of the large drawers beneath the cooktop.  This is where my cooking pots are housed.  This elongated drawer called for a much larger pull.

Closeup.  I love, love this ornate detail.  Unknown maker.

This drawer below the double oven is where I keep my aprons.  Here I have repeated the Chippendale-esque batwing pull.

Next to the apron sink.  The small drawers and panel-front dishwasher again feature a pull similar to the 1930s Chippendale KBC model.

 A shot of the corner, where the larger items such as stock pots, large roasting pans, et cetera are housed.

The top pull is an antique brass pull I believe from the 1920s, but I am not sure.

Above the sink, I have again used antique Amerock England French Lilies pulls.

Closer look.

Over the cooktop, we added a hood with ornate detail and corbels.

The cabinets above the cooktop were adorned with these pierced pulls of unknown origin.

The large apron sink was outfitted with an oil rubbed bronze faucet from Pfizer.

Closer look.  I also added complimentary decorative soap and lotion receptacles in oil-rubbed bronze.

On the cabinets below the apron sink, again I have used antique Amerock England French Lilies pulls, with the thumb pull.

The faucet compliments the pot filler we have added over the cooktop in the kitchen.  We also added an ornate backsplash insert.  This beautiful insert was aged by yours truly with paint followed by gel stain and polyurethane for protection.

I used the same tried-and-true method that I used when I aged this plaster insert on my DIY outdoor double-sided Spanish style fireplace (see post in the archives here)

or this method I used when I created bed crowns for over my daughters' beds (see that post in the archives here).

For a fresh spring element, I added a large stone French styled jardinière full of pretty blooms.  It is situated next to a lovely fleur-de-lis cast iron plate holder.




Closer look.  The plate holder came from SteinMart and the jardinière was a brilliant find at Home Goods. It's very heavy stone and one of my most beloved pieces!

Finally, I added a wall-mounted decorative dinner bell I found at a local antique.  I think it added the perfect finishing touch, granting the kitchen a welcoming ambiance.  It is also made of cast iron.  I usually adorn it with a ribbon, coordinating with the season or my seasonal décor.

Are you ready for the springtime?

Until our paths cross again,

--Y

If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,

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Thank you for stopping by! ❤

Going Against the Grain: Part 2: Powder Room Update

Hello, friends in the blogsphere and beyond!!  Thank you for stopping in for a visit!  

Do you like to follow design trends, or are you a person who prefers to march to their own beat and decorate as you please?  I definitely am the latter.  Not to say that I don't like updating my space, or that I don't admire spaces that are modern, but this gal loves things that are storied and more often than not, something that is classic rather than something that is on-trend but also may fade quickly.  I still prefer books over reading from a tablet, or perusing a local antique for a collectible rather than looking at the trendiest catalogue.  

When I decorate my home, I try to keep a balance of combining things with history and modern elements so that my space is classic, but never dated.  

For a about a year and a half or longer, I have noticed a trend toward the mid-century modern.  I truly appreciate its clean lines and modern sensibility, however, it's really not my forte.  My eldest son literally pounced on this trend, as he has been a fan of it as well as the art-deco aesthetic for as long as I can remember...for certain as long as he's been an adult, lol.  Previously, he had had a hard time as a young twenty-something finding pieces he appreciated but within his budget.  Since the style has become popular, the world has opened up for him, items are available everywhere, not just in expensive antique stores, and I can live vicariously through his youthful, enthusiastic eyes.

I, however, stay in my lane, lol.

Not too long ago, I gave my powder room an update.  And though the cabinet color and tile choices may have coincided with what was considered to be on-trend at the time, by combining some classic elements, I believe it will endure a while past those trends.  As a matter of fact, trends for 2025 seem to be leaning toward the classic aesthetic, or at least the inclusion of some elements of classicism.  

If you have been here before, you may remember from the archives of my blog here where I gave the space a quick upgrade by applying fabric to the walls.  Here's a glimpse of the before and after:

It had been a few years since then, so last year during my blog's hiatus, I gave it another update.  Here are the results.

First, I chose paint and cabinet colors that I felt were calming.  I adore, adore blue, so of course I still chose its wonderful palette.

We decided to subway tile half of the wall.  Although the color is different, I still kept a cool blue hue on the walls.  This time, I chose a blue with greener undertones...more of a duck-egg or robin's egg color.

The dove grey drawers came from Ikea.

To add a bit of that classicism I so admire, used antique drawer pulls instead of new.  I think they add a sense of old world charm, and they match those I've placed in other rooms of the house as well, such as here in my kitchen remodel.  They are similar to Chippendale, and definitely elevate the plain Ikea drawers!  

All new tile in the shower, new oil-rubbed bronze showerhead, and new shelf.

The shower seat and floor has been tiled with a coordinating pebble tile.

Updated flooring, from Hobby Lobby of all places!!

A closer look at the tile baseboard, which is also new.

I added a new shelf for toiletries and supplies.

I loved the scroll detail!

The shelf came from Horchow/Neiman Marcus.  You may view it here.  This photo is of the green version, but I ordered the antique brown.

I also changed out the mirror.  

I liked the detail, and the muted pewter color complimented the blue wall and greys in the marble tile.

The mirror came from Lowe's.  You may view it here.

I also added a new medicine cabinet.  I was delighted how this cabinet from Lowe's matched the grey cabinetry from Ikea almost perfectly!

To add a cohesive element, the medicine cabinet was also outfitted with an antique brass pull in lieu of the brushed nickel knob that was included.

Do you follow trend?

Until next time,

--Y

If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 

Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤