Home design: A trip to France provides inspiration for a kitchen makeover

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2 Swartz centered the new farmhouse sink on the existing windows, which look to a nature preserve abutting the property. The white oak shelves bring warmth to that corner of the kitchen.

3 The Visual Comfort antique brass pendants connect the kitchen with the antique furnishings in the older, neighboring spaces, while their sleek shape and clear glass keep them feeling modern.

4 The cabinetry, crafted by Wood Decor in Pembroke and painted Farrow & Ball Ash Grey, looks beige, gray, or green depending on the light. “Colors like this kept appearing in the inspiration photos of shuttered cottages and the French landscape,” Swartz says.

5 The crackled appearance of the tiles by Fireclay Tile (Swartz appreciates the brand’s use of recycled materials) is a fresh take on a traditional subway tile. “The gray/green tone mimics the neutral cabinets but the crackle differentiates it,” Swartz says. “You take a second look.”

6 The peninsula is a favorite spot for their visiting grandchildren. The stools’ driftwood finish is an ode to a French rustic aesthetic.

Marni Elyse Katz is a regular contributor to the Globe Magazine. Send comments to magazine@globe.com.