French Country Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Milk Paint

• Traditional paints were made with local materials such as milk and clay with earth pigments for color. Milk paint has made a comeback---it is environmentally safe with no harmful volatile organic compounds, and because it's made from natural pigments such as iron oxide and ochre, the colors are soft and rich. French country cabinets were not glossy, so choose matte or satin-finish paint. Creamy white, butter yellow, soft blue and rich ochre are traditional milk paint colors.

Color Blocking

• French county style is eclectic and relaxed. If you can't decide between two favorite colors, use both. Paint lower cabinets blue or terra-cotta and upper cabinets pale yellow, or paint the cabinet frames a different color from the doors and drawers. Choose complementary colors, or two shades of the same color for a more subtle look. Avoid very bright colors or pure white---these won't give you the soft, antique effect of French country style.

Whitewashing and Liming

• If you prefer to keep the wood grain character of your cabinets, consider a whitewash or limed-oak finish. With modern stains, you can achieve the limed-oak effect on any type of wood. Sand your cabinets until they are dull and smooth, then apply a thin coat of off-white or pale pastel-colored stain (sometimes sold as limed oak stain) with a natural-bristle brush. Finish with two coats of satin varnish. For a more antique and worn effect, apply the stain, then rub it off with a soft rag. This leaves color in corners and in the grain of the wood but allows more of the wood to show through.

Natural Wood

• Shiny factory-finished new cabinets don't match country style, but re-varnishing your cabinets with a satin finish varnish will make them look more authentic. Natural wood is a common element in French country kitchens, and light-colored stains will fit best with other French country decor elements.