Ina Garten’s Old-World Kitchen Decor Redefines Wall Art – It’s the Most Intimate Design Trend for 2027
In Barefoot Contessa's Hampton's kitchen, she uses a tight gallery wall of vintage-inspired oil paintings – for a classic Parisian bistro look
A kitchen wall might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of hanging oil paintings in gilded frames – especially when it is a chef’s kitchen, as in Ina Garten’s case. Yet in her East Hampton home, a small grid of fruit still lifes hangs behind the island, bringing a traditional note to the otherwise practical space.
Set against neutral walls and stainless steel, the antiqued-gold frames give the kitchen a sense of history without competing with its more utilitarian details. It's an old-school way of decorating – one that elevates how we see kitchen artwork as we look into the year ahead.
Decorating with art is often overlooked in cooking spaces, where cabinet colors, backsplash tiles, and open shelving tend to take priority. However, as Ina reminds us, a kitchen is still part of the home, and its walls deserve the same attention as those in a living room or bedroom.
Shop the Kitchen Art Edit
I've been coveting this piece of art for over a month, and I've finally caved. The Bowl of Lemons is just the food-inspired touch my kitchen wall has been missing. Mounted on canvas and finished with a hand-applied crackle finish, it has plenty of vintage charm.
A charming piece of still-life-inspired art, this strawberry print brings a playful touch to any kitchen. wall The framed design would look particularly lovely hung above a breakfast nook, or alongside other food-inspired artwork.
A little unexpected, this French toast artwork would make a playful addition to a kitchen gallery wall. Its painterly finish and simple subject give it the feel of a collected vintage find.
Reminiscent of antique paintings, this abstract landscape will add much-needed charm and character to any empty kitchen wall. Group it with other frames for an Ina-inspired arrangement that feels so timeless.
Featuring museum-grade acrylic and a white cotton conservation mat, this black frame may be simple, but it's a classic. Fill it with restaurant memories from your phone for a gallery wall that's truly unique to you.
Like its black-hued counterpart, this white frame is part of the brand's premium line, elevating your memories to new levels. Whether in the kitchen or further afield, it's a modern home must-have.
If you want to take a more personal approach, Ben, founder of framing studio Frameology, suggests starting with something you already have.
‘When it comes to displaying artwork in your kitchen, one fun suggestion is to frame photos of your favorite dishes from any of your travels, or beautiful restaurant interiors you have snapped photos of,’ he says. ‘Culinary arts and interior design are an art after all.’
It is a particularly beautiful way to make use of the photographs that tend to sit untouched on your phone. ‘I love this idea because I know how many people take pictures of their food or restaurant decor, but the photos do not go anywhere beyond their camera roll,’ Ben says. ‘This is a great way to make the most of those photos and bring the joy of memorable meals into your kitchen.’
You do not need an empty wall to make the idea work. In Ina’s kitchen, marble shelves provide another place to introduce artwork, alongside stacks of dishware and cookbooks.
‘No gallery wall space? No problem,’ Ben says. ‘You can do the same on a kitchen shelf with just a couple of frames. Pick out some of your favorite cookbooks to stack beside the frames, which will also help you determine what color frames you need so they are cohesive with the books.’
A couple of framed photographs or paintings can sit alongside cookbooks and ceramics, giving an open shelf a more collected appearance without making it difficult to use.
Ina’s fruit still lifes also show that kitchen art doesn't have to be literal. Food photography, landscapes, sketches, and traditional paintings can all work, as long as they connect to your taste or the room itself. Choose pieces you would be happy to live with elsewhere in your home, then consider how their frames relate to the finishes already in the kitchen.
Ultimately, the aim is to give your kitchen the same personal touches you would add elsewhere in the house. And of course, Ina has already provided us with the perfect blueprint.
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