Natural Materials Create Farmhouse-Kitchen Design

The Mumford family lives in a country-style farmhouse that sits in the shadow of a 200-year-old barn. When it came time to design a new kitchen, their goal was to create a timeless space that fit into the surrounding environment.

With the help of kitchen designer Jim Dove they designed a kitchen using a variety of natural materials to create a room that will still look as good a hundred years from now.

The backsplash consists of handmade ceramic tiles. Upon closer look, no two tiles are alike, a characteristic very much like natural stone. The good thing about using tile is it is less apt to stain than a natural material. Look for this as a new trend - people using manmade materials that look like natural materials.

The backsplash continues under the beautiful hearth, which is the focal point of the kitchen. The hood is composed of detailed architectural elements that draw the eye in making it the first thing you see when you come into the kitchen.

The look of the cabinetry is created using a seven-step paint process. Seven layers of paint are used and then sanded to allow some of the underlying colors to come through. This creates the appearance of antique furniture.

This limestone table looks like an elegant piece of furniture, but it's actually the kitchen's main prep area.

The large granite island is used for eating and as a space for homework. On the other side, the island houses two refrigerators, a trash bin, prep sink, warming drawer and a dishwasher.

Another important feature in this house is the abundance of natural light. Three French doors lead to the outside and the homeowner's incredible pool.