The Provencal kitchen – marks of time, simplicity and romance
The origin of Provencal kitchens is, of course, Provence in the south of France, in the area bordering the sea and known as the “Garden of France.” This area is blessed with fertile soil and a warm, caressing sun. Lavender fields give it an aroma, and sunflowers and olive trees give it a special and unforgettable character. This area is synonymous with a strong culinary tradition, casserole cuisine, good wine, and markets with abundant fresh local produce.
Inside a typical house or a country restaurant by the side of the road, one will find a warm family milieu and an old-timey romantic ambiance. At the heart of the house is a spacious, rustic kitchen with a strong presence where the family gathers for a relaxing meal at the end of the day. Printed curtains may complement the warm atmosphere, baskets of fresh vegetables, and climbing vines that peek in through the shutters as the sun sets.
The Provencal kitchen is a functional kitchen designed to serve the residents of the house and its guests comfortably.
In the old stone houses characteristic of Provence, one may find exposed stone walls, rough-worked ceiling beams of local oak, tiles, a plethora of cabinets, solid wood work surfaces, terra cotta or rustic oak floors, and curtains and cupboards in pastel colors: olive, lavender, rosemary, ocher, beige – colors that reflect the sea and the landscape of the region.
We use milk paints – natural water-based paint in lively colors and varied hardware, which we import from abroad.
Unlike the modern kitchens we know, this kitchen style does not attempt to conceal kitchen utensils, raw ingredients, or cookbooks. It is deliberately designed to make all these accessible to the cook and the family, visitors, and guests.
The material most associated with the Provencal kitchen is, of course, wood. Other materials are stainless steel, wrought iron, and other metals in various colors and textures. These are integrated into traditional Provencal elements such as decorative hardware, external hinges and matching handles, etchings, assorted trims in windows and doors, and more.
The Provencal country kitchen has an old-world look on which passing time has left its mark. Nonetheless, this kitchen retains its youthful charm and vitality. It lives, breathes, and thrives in the south of France and all over the world, as well as in Israel.
Touchwood Provencal Kitchen Design
Touchwood preserves the character of the Provencal country kitchen and matches it to the people who will use it, the materials they choose, and the local style of hospitality. We design and build kitchens in this style that are faithful to the original Provence traditions.
