Vintage Kitchen Style: A Tale of Two Kitchens

Experience all the charms of a vintage kitchen: a country-style kitchen by the coast and a white open farmhouse kitchen in the mountains. Which would you choose?

Vintage Kitchen Design Blog Hop

When Pasha of Pasha is Home reached out to me asking if I’d be interested in sharing our kitchens in today’s “Kitchen Inspiration Blog Hop” along with 8 other very talented home decor bloggers, I was thrilled. You are going to find so much kitchen inspiration in this group today.

If you are joining me from Libbie over at A Life Unfolding, welcome! Libbie and I have participated in so many of these fun blog hops together, and I’m such an admirer of hers. You won’t want to miss Libbie’s ideas for designing a tiny cottage kitchen.

My Two Vintage Kitchen Layouts

Having two homes, one in Vermont and the other in Coastal Maine, we naturally have two kitchens. And both kitchens are completely different!

Open White Farmhouse Kitchen

What is an open farmhouse kitchen?

An open white farmhouse kitchen is a delightful and inviting space that exudes a sense of warmth and simplicity. This style of kitchen design embraces the charm of a rural farmhouse while incorporating modern elements. The use of white as the dominant color creates an airy and spacious atmosphere, making the kitchen feel bright and fresh. The open layout allows for easy movement and encourages a seamless flow between the kitchen and adjacent living areas. Natural materials, such as wood and marble, add a touch of rustic appeal, while vintage-inspired accents and decor complete the farmhouse aesthetic. Overall, an open white farmhouse kitchen provides a welcoming and comfortable space where family and friends can gather, cook, and create lasting memories.

Let’s start with our farmhouse vintage kitchen, which is at the heart of our home in the Vermont mountains. The previous owners designed this kitchen with so many fun details.

Open Plan Farmhouse Kitchen

For example, this kitchen is wide open in the middle of an open floor plan.

This vintage kitchen-style area is where everyone is invited to gather in conversation, cook, eat, work, and even watch TV.

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Shaker-Style Vintage Kitchen Stools

Shaker-style kitchen stools are a timeless and classic addition to any kitchen. Inspired by the minimalist and functional design principles of the Shaker movement, these stools feature clean lines, simple shapes, and an emphasis on craftsmanship. Typically made from high-quality wood, Shaker-style kitchen stools are known for their durability and longevity. They often feature a straight backrest and a comfortable, contoured seat, providing both support and comfort. The design of Shaker-style stools focuses on practicality and versatility, making them suitable for a range of kitchen styles, from traditional to contemporary. Whether used as extra seating around a vintage kitchen island or as standalone seating at a counter, Shaker-style kitchen stools add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any culinary space.

Thrifted Shaker-style stools add a natural and warming feel to this all-white farmhouse vintage kitchen.

You may learn more about Shaker-style chairs in the post, 4 Things You Need to Know About This Old Chair.

Shop Shaker-Style Vintage Kitchen Stools

Kitchen Marble Accents

The large kitchen islands have white faux marble countertops, resembling the marble found in Vermont quarries native to this area. Today, one of the most popular quarries, The Dorset Quarry, is just a few miles away and serves as a favorite swimming hole.

You may learn more about our thoughts on adding marble home accents in the Vintage Turkish Rugs: Elevate Your Living Room Design post.

Why faux marble countertops and not the real thing? Well, authentic marble stains very easily and is not an ideal surface for an active countertop area such as this.

Vintage Kitchen Cabinets

Do you notice that there are no high-wall cabinets?

Just open shelving?

All the storage cabinets are down below and attached to the kitchen island.

The second kitchen island is up against the wall, looking out over the mountain views. At just 5’1″ tall, this is my favorite feature of this open farmhouse kitchen.

See this kitchen today repainted and restyled in the Sherwin Williams Stardew: A Home Interior Makeover post.

Vintage Kitchen Accessories

A small vacant space in the kitchen is home to this vintage cabinet that I found on Facebook Marketplace.

And on top of the cabinet rests a vintage kitchen dish rack that holds our everyday blue and white thrifted dishware.

You may enjoy the post Vintage Market Days Vermont Fall Haul, where I found all these dishes.

You may also enjoy the How to Use Rolling Pins as Bakers Pantry Door Handles post.

Shop Vintage Kitchen Racks and Blue and White Dishes

You may enjoy seeing more of this kitchen in the post, Winter White Farmhouse Kitchen.

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Country Style Kitchen

A country-style kitchen is a warm and inviting space that evokes a sense of rustic charm and simplicity. Inspired by the cozy vintage kitchens found in rural homes, this style embraces natural materials, earthy colors, and a relaxed atmosphere. Country-style kitchens often feature wooden cabinetry with a distressed or weathered finish, giving them a vintage and lived-in look. Open shelves are common, showcasing a collection of charming dishware and kitchen accessories. The use of natural elements such as stone or brick for the backsplash and countertops adds to the rustic feel. Country-style kitchens also often incorporate farmhouse sinks, vintage-inspired fixtures, and cozy seating areas like a breakfast nook or farmhouse table. With its warm and welcoming ambiance, a country-style kitchen creates a space where family and friends can gather, cook, and enjoy delicious meals together.

Here is a look into our country-style kitchen from our home in Coastal Maine. Completely different from the open white farmhouse vintage kitchen, this kitchen has three walls and a half wall that looks out into the dining room.

My parents designed this vintage kitchen when they built this Raeside-Dame home, a replica of an old home, over 30 years ago. We recently renovated the interior of the home and replaced all the kitchen appliances.

You may see more of the before and after renovations in the post, Old Family Home Restoration.

This country-style kitchen has wooden countertops, Nantucket Gray painted cupboards, and family-inherited vintage kitchen accessories.

Vintage Kitchen Rug

This beautiful vintage rug from Revival centers this kitchen beautifully. I looked high and low for a rug that would fit this kitchen, and it was not until I shopped at Revival that I found this one-of-a-kind antique rug that would fit the odd dimensions of this room.

You may see more in the post, Vintage Rug Runner – One of a Kind Rugs.

Shop my Revival storefront today and save 15% Off!

Vintage Kitchen Countertop Ideas

A little thrifted table is placed in the center of this country kitchen and adds all the old-world charm with its bouquets of flowers, candles, baked goods, utensils, etc. It is such a fun piece to decorate with.

I’ve recently started leaving stacked vintage dishes here, too, which I love.

Join me in my mother’s country-style kitchen, where I chat about countertop ideas and bake a Nordic Shortbread in the post, 6 Best Country Kitchen Counter Decor Ideas.

Shop Country Kitchen Countertop Ideas

White Farmhouse Kitchen vs. Country Style Kitchen?

So what do you think? Which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below.

As for me? I adore them both but for very different reasons.

• The Country-Style Kitchen at our home in Maine is so special. It was my mother’s kitchen, and it is filled with all her kitchenware, cookbooks, recipes, and collected antiques. The character and nostalgia of it all are simply priceless.

• The Open White Farmhouse Kitchen at our home in Vermont is just so much more fun to cook and gather in. Its floor plan is more practical and convenient, so the person or person cooking is never alienated in the kitchen alone while others gather in another room. Has this ever happened to you in your vintage kitchen?

Next up on today’s Kitchen Inspiration Tour are my friends Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms. They are discussing how to update a kitchen with cherry cabinets. Hint: they look amazing!

And don’t forget to check out the others joining me on today’s “Kitchen Inspiration Tour” here:

Inspiration for Kitchen Updates

How to Update a Kitchen with Cherry Cabinets // Simply 2 Moms

7 Custom Kitchen Island Ideas to Consider // Robyn’s French Nest

Updated Coffee Bar For Cozy Mornings in the Kitchen // White Arrows Home

Kitchen Updates that Make a Huge Difference // Pasha is Home

Small Kitchen Updates to our New Construction Home // Truemans Treasures

A Beautiful Cottage Style Kitchen Makeover // Peacock Ridge Farm

How To Wallpaper A Backsplash // White Lilac Farmhouse

Designing a Tiny Cottage Kitchen // A Life Unfolding

A Tale of Two Kitchens // Dabbling and Decorating