The Charm and Character of Art in the Kitchen

BySheila

Nothing adds charm and character quite like art in the kitchen! Take a peek at this growing trend and it’s easy to see why it’s becoming more and more popular!

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile now, you know how much I love real art of some kind in a house! In fact, I think it’s so important in interiors that I wrote a blog post earlier this year with five of my top tips on adding art to your home. However, one of the things I most love – an absolute favorite – is art in the kitchen!

When I see real art used in a kitchen, it sets my heart aflutter. The contrast of the cool, crisp white with old paintings in chippy gilded frames is something I immediately gravitate to.

The art creates character in a way that not much else does. And yes, I think it is that contrast that really appeals to me. Adding something antique, especially in a sleek, smooth room like a kitchen,  adds tons of warmth and really ups the charm factor!

 

This year in I removed this little antique oil painting from it’s ugly frame and rested it on the mantel over the range and I love it! It brings the perfect amount of color and vintage charm to the space.

 

 Love this so much! Via Better Homes and Gardens.
 
 
For a few years when white kitchens first became popular, it seemed like they couldn’t be white enough! White counters, walls, cabinets, etc, were all white, as were many of the accessories. And I do love a white kitchen! I mean, I have one. 😉
But even more, I love to add some vintage touches that are rich in character and texture, and help to balance out all that white so it doesn’t end up looking too sterile.
 
 
Two lovely vintages paintings add to some seriously perfect shelf styling! Via Country Living magazine.
 
 
art in the kitchen white bar area farmhouse sink gold framed oil paintings charmingI just adore the gold framed art and the brass hardware contrasting with all the white here. So charming! Via Southern Living.
 

 

art in the kitchen farmhouse white kitchen marble subway tile artwork on stove mantel

I often add this oil with the richer colors for the fall season.

 

If you’re looking to add some art in the kitchen (or bath!), try Ebay or Etsy for inexpensive vintage oil paintings. There is grease, water and food in a kitchen that aren’t good for valuable art, so you don’t want to spend too much.
 
 
art in the kitchen wood cabinets white open shelves artwork white ironstone charming vignetteA definite favorite by Chris Barrett via House Beautiful.

 

 
 
art in the kitchen charming skirted counter artwork texture antiques baskets ironstoneThis kitchen is amazing, and is one of the first ‘non-kitchen’ kitchens I ever saw. The combination of all the textures really makes it special, and the art is part of that. Design by Donna Temple Brown.
 
 
art in the kitchen stove mantel artwork bread boards ironstone pitchers subway tile backsplash

I’m lucky to have the mantel in my kitchen over my range where I love to do my seasonal decorating. But when it’s not decked out for Christmas or Easter, I often feature a painting of some kind leaning there.

Other things that add warmth to a white kitchen and create that French farmhouse are bread boards, baskets, wood floors or beams, copper pots, and stone or brick.

 
If you’re looking to add some art to your kitchen, you can also try yard sales or flea markets, but I’ve had really good luck on both Ebay and Etsy. and I’m sharing a few great pieces that I found below!
 

 

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*please note some affiliate links are included for your convenience*
 
 
Sheila
xo

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25 Comments

  1. Hello, I love your blog and everything you do. My Mum and I were just enamored with your kitchen!! I have small to medium oil paintings and I have always wanted to do just what you were showcasing today! Brava!! Your kitchen bellissimo!! Have a lovely Sunday. Sincerely, Pamela and Anastasia🌷🌷

    Reply

    1. Aww thank you Stacy – you made my day!
      So appreciate the kind words and you taking the time to comment. 🙂

      Sheila

      Reply

  2. These kitchens are gorgeous! I love vintage artwork anywhere in the house. It truly does add charm and character.

    Reply

  4. Am currently in the design process for our kitchen remodel. Can you direct me to a post where you detail your kitchen? Specifically, what vent did you install over your range? I love the concept of an enclosed vent w/ the mantle. My thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Joan and thank you! My mantel over the range was custom designed – I just told the cabinet maker what I was looking for and together we sketched it out. The vent is an inexpensive model that is meant to be enclosed. I would advise looking for photos of what you’re looking for and having someone design it from that!

      Good luck!

      Reply

  5. I was so pleased to see this I have had artwork in my kitchen for many years and love the warm feeling they invoke. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Linda! I’m so glad you agree – it adds so much doesn’t it?! And it sounds like you’ve got a good start!

      Sheila

      Reply

  8. So pretty, all of it! I love art in the kitchen. Right now I have an art piece by my husband sitting atop the spice rack (we have a large spice rack!) and a piece I picked up at Goodwill many years ago standing against the backsplash. I love that the vintage finds are one of a kind. And I love thinking about the people who painted them.

    Reply

  9. Having just finished my kitchen with a boatload of copper, I find it difficult to find a place for vintage paintings. I absolutely love the look. I just moved into a smaller space and am using family photos as decoration wherever I can find space. I go to estate sales and thrift shops and I now know I’ll be on the lookout for some small vintage painting that i can tuck among the copper. Oh, the joy of the hunt!!!

    Reply

  10. Your kitchen is fabulous. I love everything about it. If I owned a kitchen like this one, it would be hard to leave it. Nicely done!

    Reply

    1. Aww that is such a sweet comment – thank you so much! Of course, once you re-do a kitchen there are all these things you realize you did wrong, haha!

      Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!

      Sheila

      Reply

  11. I have stared and drulled over the design by Donna Temple Brown sooo many times! 💕 I love EVERYTHING in it. But those spice shelves send me over the moon. Would die for some of those.

    Reply

  12. I adore art in the kitchen and find so much good stuff at thrift stores. Of course it makes for an eclectic collection, which is currently popular. My lifetime best find is an oil by William Starbucks-Macy from 1885 that may have been exhibited at the Paris salon, but I also love random seascapes and florals.

    Reply

    1. Wow Andrea, that sounds like you made quite the score!

      I also love random seascapes – and landscapes are probably my favorite! I tend to rely on Ebay but maybe I should do thrift stores more!

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Sheila

      Reply