Kitchen Inspiration: Exploring Fabric in a Functional Space

Kitchen Inspiration: Exploring Fabric in a Functional Space

Most of us are guilty of investing a lot of time, attention, and money into our kitchens upfront, then letting them take something of a ‘creative backseat’. The macro changes – cupboards and fittings, appliances, flooring, and overhead lighting – tend to satiate our desire to put that fresh stamp on a new kitchen and, after that, the everyday practicalities take over.

But there is so much more to do with a kitchen, and it’s always worth taking a step back from the practicalities that bring you into it each day just to enjoy the simple pleasure of being there in the first place – and, of course, to spot ways of making it all the more inviting.

Fabric is one of those elements that tends to be used relatively sparingly in the kitchen, but this room offers a great way to showcase some beautiful prints, colours, and textures and, as a result, get you out of that practical rut.

Replace the Centre Panels Out of Your Cupboards for Those ‘Country Cottage Kitchen’ Vibes

If your kitchen errs on the side of rustic and traditional (or you want it to) then this is an excellent alternative to feeling like you have to replace your kitchen unit completely. Plus, if you’re a dab hand with the jigsaw cutter, then you can easily do this yourself.

Some people prefer to stretch their chosen fabric over a thin board of MDF or chipboard, so that it’s more like a canvas than a curtain. This board can then be attached to the cupboard door from the inside, and the fabric framed by the remaining cupboard. You might even ad an overlay of rattan.

Others prefer to make ‘curtains’ with their fabric and attach those curtains to an upper and lower rod or curtain wire (again, attached to the inside of the cupboard), so that the fabric has a nice, natural looking pleat to it.

Either way, you’ll want a strong fabric. A durable, natural linen or cotton weave will be able to withstand the motion of the kitchen and prove relatively easy to keep clean.

For Open Kitchen Diners, Create Some Division with a Curtain

In older cottages, those beautiful, exposed beams can often represent the perfect ‘point of division’ between one half of the room and the other, and a curtain draping down from that old wood can be incredibly effective. But you don’t need an architectural excuse to add a curtain – even in newer homes, the right fabric will really help to create that sense of division.

And, while it may feel like ‘closing off’ a significant portion of a bigger room, adding a curtain between the kitchen and dining area can actually help both spaces to feel bigger in their own right. It makes more of a space – or, more specifically, two spaces.

You might want to roll with the seasons on this one – and, as you know, we’re definitely fans of the seasonal curtain. Consider a heavier, thicker weave for the autumn and winter months like our Chennai Weave – shown here in Wine – and a brighter, lighter weight linen for the warmer months. A floral linen lawn like our medieval-inspired Begum fabric would be the perfect way to bring spring and summer into your kitchen.

Display your linens on a dresser or open-faced cupboard

One of the things we love most about a collection of table linens is the fact that they represent the collection of a lifetime. Most of us have a heap of tablecloths, napkins and place settings – some bought for everyday use, some bought for a very particular and special occasion, some gifted and some acquired during our travels – tucked away in a draw or cupboard somewhere.

These linens are a lot more than the sum of their parts. We choose them for their beauty but, often, they don’t get to see the light of day more than once in a while.

Putting them on display is incredibly easy – and, for the most part, the less ‘staged’ it looks, the better. Simply folding and stacking your linens on a shelf on the dresser can be enough, and you get to enjoy all those contrasting colours and patterns together – the perfect look for a charmingly rustic kitchen.

Don’t overthink folding your napkins, either. Rolling them up and tying with a bit of ribbon or twine feels more natural than an elaborate origami fold, and it means you can stack them as high as the shelf itself.