How can I incorporate the French love for family and food into my kitchen design?

French kitchens are designed to be large, open communal spaces that center around family meals. Incorporate a big wood slab table with lots of chairs, topped with cheese, bread, and wine. Use natural materials and add fresh flowers, large baskets, and bowls of fresh produce to create a lively and functional space. The kitchen should be used and lived in, not just for show, marrying elegance with functionality.