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Traditional kitchen colours


20 classic, characterful looks |

(Image credit: Nicole Michael Designs / Lauren Pressey)

A traditional kitchen is the heart of the home, a warm, welcoming space that is not only for cooking but also for entertaining, relaxing and even working. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that you get its design just right, both from an aesthetic and layout point of view. 

There is no standard template for a traditional kitchen – however, your personality and unique style are both integral to its design. Be sure, though, that it will feature plenty of natural materials, a social space to gather and accessories to make it feel loved and lived in. These kitchen ideas will help you create a period space of your dreams.

Traditional kitchen ideas

Traditional kitchen ideas incorporate lots of warm, natural materials, such as real wood cabinetry and work surfaces. Cabinetry might well be painted in a soft, muted color, such as cream, taupe or gray – although more contemporary takes are often more brightly colored. Door furniture on cabinetry tends to have a traditional look and might be in hammered metal or tarnished copper. Traditional kitchens often include butler or Belfast sinks, ornate faucets and range ovens.

Your kitchen may complement other traditional decorating ideas in your home, or stand alone as a classic centerpiece to your family life.

1. Focus on the details

(Image credit: Ivy House Design / Kacey Gilpin)

With traditional kitchen ideas, the parts really do make the whole.

'In a traditional kitchen, the most important aspect is the small details, especially when we’re looking at the cabinet fronts and the color scheme,' explains Hanieh Pace, founder Ivy House Interiors . 

'Typically, I like to use light and airy when it comes to traditional kitchens. A lot of my clients love white but with this one we wanted a pop of detail, which was the blue island.' If blue isn't your choice, then there are countless island paint color ideas to bring your space to life.

'The cabinet moldings lean more traditional. It’s not heavy but it’s also not flat. With the hardware, the polished nickel is always a timeless material to use throughout.'

2. Look to the past for inspiration

(Image credit: Nicole Michael Designs / Lauren Pressey)

The beauty of traditional-style kitchens is that they are inspired by the aesthetics of the past but function perfectly for today.

'Historically, the kitchen has always been a room with the sole function of food preparation. For this reason, the classic kitchen was rarely extravagantly decorated, or even finished with beauty in mind. Instead, function lay at the heart of good, plain kitchen design,' explains Rebecca Noakes, Head of Design & Brand Creative, John Lewis of Hungerford .

'This doesn’t mean that your traditional-inspired kitchen needs to abandon aesthetics altogether. Instead, take this tradition and transform it into a beautiful design feature. 

'Practical touches, like open shelving and hanging storage, can add both function and a certain charm to kitchen design. Exposed cookware and culinary equipment, when curated with care, creates a warm and welcoming look and feel.'

This kitchen, created by Pasadena-based Nicole Michael Designs , exemplifies the look.

(Image credit: John Lewis of Hungerford)

Originally used as food preparation spaces for cooks and servants in the kitchens of historic homes, kitchen islands can serve a multitude of functions today, while still evoking traditional charm. 

'Just as they were once the traditional hub for kneading bread, chopping vegetables, or making jam, modern kitchen islands are now a hub for family life,' suggests Rebecca Noakes, Head of Design & Brand Creative at kitchen design company, John Lewis of Hungerford. 

'These are surfaces to gather around, whether that’s for a quick breakfast, a chat and a cup of tea, a homework session, or a glass of wine while dinner’s cooking.'

4. Major on natural materials

(Image credit: John Lewis of Hungerford)

The harmonious combination of expert craftsmanship, functionality and classic design make the traditional style an obvious choice when renovating your kitchen.  

'Traditional kitchens have always been fashionable, and their endless appeal lies in the warmth and character this aesthetic instantly gives to any home,' says Rebecca Noakes from John Lewis of Hungerford. 

'To get that traditional kitchen feel, the use of natural materials is really important – think wooden countertops or beautiful stone flooring. Color-wise, go for warming, natural colour palettes or opt for traditional white kitchen ideas.

Designing a traditional-style kitchen is all about selecting honest, natural materials and pairing them with simple finishes.'

5. Invest in a range cooker

(Image credit: Emily Davis Interiors / Kacey Gilpin )

Range cookers can be considered the jewel of a kitchen because they instantly bring a traditional feel to your space. A range cooker will not only communicate a functional yet straightforward aesthetic, but also serve as a workhorse in your daily cooking adventures.

If energy costs are a concern, take heart in knowing that cast iron ranges don’t need to be on all the time these days; newer models come in various formats that include energy-saving features, such as state of the art induction hobs and fan ovens. There are also lots of sustainable kitchen ideas that will help you to ensure that the kitchen of your dreams doesn't cost the earth.

6. Update the traditional farmhouse look

(Image credit: Studio Surface / Jenni Corti)

While farmhouse kitchen ideas could be considered the most traditional of kitchen design schemes, the look doesn't have to be stuck in the past – as Michelle Salz-Smith of California design firm, Studio Surface .

'In this property, the kitchen became the focal point of the home's great room, which includes a dining space with custom wood shelves floating across the back windows and a living area with a 20-foot-tall, split-face stone fireplace.

'On the back side, a butler’s pantry contains a sink for prep work and provides more countertop work surface as well as more storage space, all of which opens to the outside gardens via a Dutch door. 

'We didn't want the ubiquitous "modern farmhouse" white kitchen, so opted for a complex sage-y taupe on the cabinets that shifts throughout the day.  It couples nicely with the honed Caldia marble, bronze hardware and wood accents.'

As a balance between all-white and a green scheme, why not try both, as in these green and white kitchen ideas.

7. Fit appliances beautifully

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

Built-in and bespoke cabinetry is the best way to incorporate large appliances into a traditional kitchen scheme.

'Bulky good such as refrigerators and freezers can dominate a traditional kitchen if not fully integrated into the overall design plan,' agrees Andrea Childs, Editor of Country Homes & Interiors magazine.

'Consider building out cupboards to surround the appliance, especially if choosing not to hide it behind cabinet doors.

8. Pair colored cabinets with rustic furniture

(Image credit: liam clarke)

Painted kitchen cabinet ideas are a great way of imbuing your traditional kitchen with unique personality. When paired with a rustic oak table and chairs, it also serves to give a contemporary twist to farmhouse kitchen ideas and design.  

If your cabinets are in good condition but you want to give them a new lease of life – or change your color scheme – painting kitchen cabinets is an easy project. 

'With a partner on hand to help and no interruptions, kitchen cabinets can be revamped in a weekend,' suggests designer and chalk-paint expert Annie Sloan .

9. Use contrasting colors to make your island stand out

(Image credit: Colin Poole)

Color blocking is on-trend at the moment and if you use it correctly, it will add a contemporary flair to a traditional design. 

Your island is focal point of a traditional kitchen, so make it stand out. Try painting your kitchen island in a contrasting color to your base cabinets as an easy way to to add interest and depth to your space.

If you're unsure which colors to choose, using the color wheel provides a helpful guide to which shades will work. For a traditional kitchen scheme, choose matt hues in heritage tones such as this berry and mint combination.

10. Put a range cooker in pride of place

(Image credit: everhot)

A range cooker is the essential heart of any traditional kitchen but often carrying a high price tag, this is not an impulse purchase.

When it comes to adding new pieces to your home, Graham Duke of range cooker company Everhot advises homeowners follow the old adage of 'buy once and buy well'. 

11. Consider materials when buying new

(Image credit: Neptune)

When combining traditional and contemporary elements in a kitchen, it’s important to ensure that they harmonize well in order to prevent the space feeling disjointed. To prevent this, be mindful of the materials you choose. 

‘A modern kitchen will feel so much more at home in a traditional house if it's made from proper timber – it will still retain its up-to-date aesthetic but will have a sense of lasting solidity that reflects the building itself,' advises Fred Horlock, head of store design, Neptune .

12. Incorporate marble for a luxe look

(Image credit: Perrin & Rowe)

A pared-back design allows statement materials to shine through. Here, cabinetry painted in a beautiful soft blue offsets the magnificent marble backsplash and countertop. The scheme is perfectly complemented with a traditional butler’s sink, while Perrin & Rowe’s Athenian mixer tap in aged brass with porcelain handles adds a warm accent.

If marble isn't for you, you can still bring a luxe look to your kitchen countertop ideas with stone, granite or composite materials. In fact, the best kitchen countertop materials include all of these.

13. Use wallpaper to layer a traditional kitchen

(Image credit: Woodchip & Magnolia)

While hanging wallpaper in the kitchen was once an unconventional choice, it's become a firm favorite in both contemporary and traditional kitchens as an easy way to update your space. Playful prints will also bring charm to any country wallpaper ideas for kitchens.

Nina Tarnowski founder of wallpaper designer Woodchip & Magnolia , suggests 'transforming an outdated kitchen by introducing an eye-catching patterned wallpaper. Avoid anything too overpowering. A charming print in calming shades such as taupe, off-white or blush will give an instant and affordable refresh to tired walls, while keeping the space light and airy.'

14. Include a traditional butler's sink

(Image credit: Villeroy & Boch)

Kitchen sink ideas can be used to set the tone of a traditional kitchen. The timeless design of a butler's sink makes it a veritable traditional kitchen icon. Originally designed for use by the staff in grand households, they are renowned for their durability, elegant looks and generous size. We love this double-bowl butler sink with patterned exterior from Villeroy & Boch .

While you wouldn't generally use a butler's in a bathroom, a deep porcelain basin is also a key element of traditional bathroom ideas.  

15. Pick a bold color for a contemporary twist

(Image credit: John Lewis of Hungerford)

The simple squared panel style of Shaker cabinetry is one that suits almost any kitchen. Painted in a deep forest green shade and paired with oak worktops and brass accessories, this design by John Lewis of Hungerford creates a warm and cozy heart for a Victorian home.

If you want to explore green kitchen ideas but you are searching for a paler shade, olive, mint, sage and apple may suit you better.

16. Choose a traditional kitchen dresser

(Image credit: Sustainable Kitchens)

The humble dresser started life as a practical kitchen storage solution, but has now become a statement piece for a classic kitchen. Mirroring the elegant style of the room’s cabinetry, this dresser from Sustainable Kitchens features large glazed doors to show off crockery and cookware, transforming storage into décor.

17. Choose a farmhouse table

(Image credit: Sanderson Design Group)

Prioritizing flexibility and practicality, and brimming with warmth and character, the farmhouse look takes inspiration from centuries of kitchen designs. Covering the walls with a heritage print in a warming colour lends a homely feel to the space. 

Ben Pentreath’s recoloration of William Morris’ designs sees the Willow Bough wallpaper given a new life in Tomato and Olive. Its red hue brings out the rich tones of the wooden furniture, while mismatched fabrics, also from the collection, give a laid-back look to upholstered chair seats.

18. Don't overlook lighting

(Image credit: Industville)

When you are redesigning your cookspace, kitchen lighting ideas can often get overlooked. However, effective illumination is critical to both the atmosphere and functionality of a space. 

An industrial metal pendant, such as the Brooklyn flat light in a pewter or copper finish from Industville makes a striking feature over an island or dining table, and adds to the authentic personality of the space . 

19. Create a bright and airy space with patio doors

(Image credit: herringbone kitchen)

Small, dark kitchens are often the curse of traditional homes. However, adding patio doors floods the room with light, while positioning your kitchen island facing towards the back yard provides an ever-changing view while cooking. 

Pick a nature-inspired shade for cabinetry to create harmony between the outside and in. This kitchen is by Herringbone .

20. Create an eat-in kitchen

(Image credit: VSP Interiors)

Traditional kitchens in homes always had the dining table at the center and this is something you can easily recreate to create a homey, inviting feel. This type of kitchen layout idea is particularly useful in smaller rooms, since the kitchen table can double up as prep space, too.

In this kitchen by Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors , which specializes in decorating traditional interiors, the dresser is given priority, too, with practical cookware kept behind closed doors and prettier china and cookware on display behind the doors.

What is traditional kitchen style?

Traditional kitchen ideas are informed by the kitchens and pantries of the past. Think solid wood framed cabinets, stone or wooden countertops and flooring, and details such as coving and molding.

'Solidity and functionality are key, but with a level of design and craftmanship that speaks to the skills of the past,' says Andrea Childs, Editor of Country Homes & Interiors magazine.

How can I make my kitchen look traditional?

Even in a modern house, a kitchen can be given a more traditional look. Painted cupboards, thick wood countertops, brass or ironwork handles and knobs, will all help to create the look.

'How you accessorize is also key,' says Andrea Childs. 'Think about adding a dresser or open shelves and displaying vintage china or copper pans to give a traditional look.'

Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature four years ago, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature. 

20 Timeless and Beautiful Kitchen Colour Schemes — RenoGuide

Marj Licos

Marj Licos

Only a handful of kitchen styles and colour schemes survive the constantly changing trends. Don’t be caught up with the latest and hottest kitchen that will soon fade out and will make your home look dated, or worse, tacky. When planning your home construction or your next kitchen renovation, know as much on kitchen timeless designs and options as you can. Then pick one that will fit your personality and style. Here are some beautiful kitchen colour schemes that stood the test of time.

1.       Classic Blues and Greys

The timeless blue and grey combination has been around for generations. The cool vibe is neutral as it is gorgeous. This is one kitchen colour scheme that’s not going away anytime soon.

2.       Tans and Browns

Warn and striking. The almost metallic tones give a magnificent and elegant touch to your kitchen without being too dramatic.

3.       Sunshiny Yellow

Cheery and light, yellow is perfect for your kitchen. Avoid the over-bright and tacky look by taming the yellow with touches of blue, green, or white.  

4.       Warm Orange on Brown

This one is for the bold and daring! The striking combination of deep brown and warm orange is a bold statement of fierce personality and style.

5.       Cool Grey with White

Clean, mean, and timeless. The basic white and grey palette also offer endless possibilities to highlight colourful additions – a bowl of fruit, a bunch of colourful flowers, greens, or brightly coloured dinnerware.

6.       Signature Red and White

Traditional and edgy. The common colour combination is both a classic and surprisingly refreshing.

7.       Natural Earth Tones

You can never go wrong with the basics, and a classic. This minimalist style speaks volumes in design and practicality. Chic without the fuss.

8.       Clean White

White kitchens have been fashionable for a long time now, and it’s here to stay. Clean, contemporary, and sensible.

9.

       Black and Brass

Dark kitchens radiate sophistication, elegance, and a strong personality. Make your dark kitchen stylish with interesting touches of warm colours and metallic elements.

10.   Whites on Wood

The warm wood balances off the stark white and provides an interesting detail to the otherwise lacklustre room.

11.   Blue, White, and Gold

Cool, chic, and classic.

12.   Modern Rustic

Not one to bother with paint? You can rely on the natural and beautiful wood grains to give your kitchen an amazing style. Balance off the busy patterns with natural stone and steel implements.

13.   Bright Citrus Kitchen

Bright, perky, and zesty! This kitchen style will erase even the darkest moods.

14.

   Classic Black and White

The classic colour combi is ideal for any room in the house. Black and white kitchens are classy, beautiful, and elegant.

15.   Interesting Orange and Navy Blue

Break out of the humdrum and go extra-ordinary with this exciting navy and orange mix.

16.   Stone and Wood Combination

Nothing is more lasting than these stylish gifts of nature.

17.   Blue, White, and Silver

Classic white kitchen with a touch of blue. Add sparkle with silver and tone down the intense white light with baby blue walls.

18.   All Shades of Grey

Steel grey, pewter, dark grey, slate, blue-grey, concrete. All shades of grey make an interesting kitchen colour pallet.

19.

   Green, White, and Gold

Sophisticated, impressive, and luxurious. Beautiful and timeless.

20.   Cool Shades of Blue

Can’t decide on one shade of blue? Get them all! This kitchen is charming with several shades of cool blues.

Do you have any interesting and beautiful kitchen colour schemes that we haven't covered? Why not discuss it on our RenoForum!

Tagged: kitchen colour schemes, Kitchen Trends

Traditional style kitchens in the interior, design and features of the traditional style

Traditional style kitchen combines the features of the classics in a modern interpretation, country, ethnic design trends. The most attractive features of this style are: simplicity, practicality, versatility, restraint, originality, which can be achieved with the help of ethnic elements. If you are looking for your “golden mean”, traditional design is the best solution.

Modern classic features and options

Classical style is associated with luxury, elegance, aristocratism, for its implementation you need to follow a lot of rules. The modern version is freer, lighter, it is more allowed, but harmony, aesthetics, and sophistication are preserved.

Neoclassical style never goes out of style. What color to give preference?

Appropriate finishing is required to make the interior look cohesive:

The traditional classic never gets boring, it allows you to implement a lot of author's ideas in the interior of the kitchen.

Ethnic trends in design

Each country has its own decoration and decoration nuances. If you add ethnic motifs to any interior, you can get an unusual, exclusive space design.

A few characteristic motifs will make the room more interesting. Typical Moroccan elements are: mosaic tiles, colored glass, textured textiles, carved wood furniture, unusual dome-shaped lamps. Ordinary neoclassic will play out if you add a typical Moroccan mosaic apron to finish the work area.

The main design elements are complex, openwork patterns, arabesque prints, rich shades: gold, blue, red, emerald. The furniture is also unusual - polygonal tabletops, tables decorated with glass mosaics. To stylize the kitchen, choose dishes with Arabic prints, vases, painted bowls.

African style is one of the most expensive, because it is not easy to find authentic decorative items, dishes, lamps. Rough wooden furniture, ceramic decor, plants, wicker lamps are supposed.

Figurines depicting gods, chased crockery, carved decor, bright colors, and mosaics make you think of India.

Easiest to implement as minimalism leaves little room for creativity. The main feature is practicality. This style is recommended for small kitchens. To add a piece of Japan, choose light furniture without decor, glass skins, images of sakura, hieroglyphs, roller blinds, stylized lamps and dishes, zoning is done using light mobile partitions.

This is a French version of the country, based on rough furniture, light, pastel colors, simple but elegant textiles. At the heart are blue, white, milky, lavender colors.

Associated with a wooden frame, tower. To style the kitchen, use typical decor and furnishings: nesting dolls, chests, homespun cloth, massive wooden furniture, decorative panels with prints from Slavic fairy tales.

Features of traditional design

How to choose furniture?

To make the set functional and comfortable, the main thing is to choose the right layout:

To choose the right furniture, pay attention to the following points:

Like the classics, the modern version requires a lot of space, but for a small kitchen you can choose a set by ordering furniture with the smallest possible depth. The composition is best performed symmetrical, harmonious, balanced. If there is not enough natural lighting, it is necessary to consider additional - central, auxiliary, spot for work areas. Do not overcrowd the space with patterns, prints - all decor should be combined with each other, creating a holistic image.

A bespoke kitchen is the best solution because it allows you to plan your space in the most efficient way.

Combination of colors in the interior of the kitchen

When planning to renovate the kitchen or about to buy new kitchen furniture, everyone is faced with the problem of decorating the interior of the kitchen and choosing colors for such an important room in our house.

Based on the designers' recommendations, we have compiled the basic rules for combining colors in the interior of the kitchen. When deciding on the choice of color for decorating the interior of the kitchen, two main points should be remembered :

1. All dark colors can hide and reduce space, while light colors expand it. Therefore, for a small kitchen, it is desirable to use pastel colors in combination with bright accents. Too spacious kitchen can be made more comfortable if you combine bright colors and low-key dark color in its interior, and make the kitchen set two-tone.

2. The interior of the kitchen can be made multi-color or one-color. In a multi-color kitchen, one color should be dominant.

Single color (monochrome kitchen)

If you are going to design a kitchen set in a single color, you must not only choose one color for the set itself, but use its shades in interior design.

The basis of a quality kitchen design lies in the maximum harmony of furniture and decor with wall, floor and ceiling finishes. It is very important that the components of the interior fit each other both in terms of stylistic orientation and color scheme.

Every person associates the kitchen in the house with the comfort and warmth of the hearth. This effect can be achieved only if the right combination of colors in the interior of the kitchen.

Designer's advice on choosing a color palette and its intensity:

* The kitchen can be decorated in several colors. However, you should not use more than three shades, as in this case the main idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe design of the room will be lost.

* If the color of the walls and the color of the kitchen set are the same, then the shade of the furniture should be darker, at least one or two positions.

* In most cases, it is not recommended to make the floor and ceiling in the same color and texture. This will lead to an imbalance in the volume of the room.

* The countertop and backsplash (wall panel) should preferably be designed in colors that are opposite to the kitchen set and other furniture. The game of contrasts helps to place the right accents.

* If the furniture in the kitchen is light unsaturated colors, then the walls, curtains, upholstery for chairs or sofas, tablecloths must take the lead in using brighter and more catchy colors. Otherwise, the kitchen will be boring and uninteresting.

* If the walls are painted in bright, eye-catching colors, then the kitchen set should be made in soothing colors that do not attract the eye. And vice versa. The defiant color of the kitchen set does not allow making walls that are active in color.

Color rules:

White - goes with everything, best with blue, red and black

Beige - goes well with blue, brown and white 0003

Gray is a boring color that is nevertheless basic. Pairs well with deep pink, red, purple, hot blue

Pink - goes well with brown, white, olive, grey, turquoise

Red - goes well with yellow, white, green, blue, gray and black

brown - with bright blue, cream, pink, green, beige

orange - with blue, blue, purple, violet

Yellow - with blue, purple, light blue, gray, black

Green - goes with golden brown, yellow, black, light beige

Blue - with red, gray, orange, white, yellow

blue to lilac, green, yellow, orange, red

Black is a versatile elegant color. Looks good with all colors. Best combined with orange, pink, green, white, red and yellow.

At first glance, choosing the perfect color scheme for your kitchen seems like a difficult and impossible task. Indeed, you need to spend a lot of time to achieve the desired result. However, by applying the above rules in practice, you will see that the game was worth the candle.

A popular color option for the kitchen is a combination of the base color and its shades with white.

Basic rules for choosing wall colors for the kitchen
* Large drawings on the walls visually reduce the size of the room.
* A small pattern, on the other hand, makes the room appear larger than it really is.
* Geometric patterns on the walls of the kitchen in the form of intersecting stripes, like the ornament on Scottish kilts, create the illusion of a continuous space.
* Vertical pattern "raises" the ceilings, visually "increasing" the height of the room.
* Horizontal pattern and horizontal stripes on the walls expand the kitchen while reducing its height.
* Diagonal lines on the wallpaper add dynamism to the kitchen, creating the illusion of movement.

Today, designers are actively using an interesting option - the use of silver instead of white. If white is the traditional choice in a monochromatic interior, the use of silver is in line with the latest trends in interior design. Designers love metallic for its neutrality and the ability to combine this color with many others. Gray color is perfect for the kitchen in view of its practicality and non-staining.

So that a plain kitchen does not turn out boring, designers recommend following certain rules:

* choose at least three additional shades in the interior, one of which must be dominant.

* use different shades of the base color to divide the kitchen into functional areas. This technique, among other things, allows you to correct the shortcomings of the layout.

* use different textures of materials - one color looks different on materials of different textures. Contrasting accents. Even one item that contrasts with the main color of the kitchen will make a monochromatic interior more “alive”. For this, the already mentioned black color, and any bright shades, are suitable. The main thing is not to oversaturate the interior of the kitchen with separate bright details.

Another option for using colors is two base colors and complementary shades of transition from one color to another.

Contrasting color combinations in the interior of the kitchen

When using contrasting color combinations in the interior of the kitchen, you must be extremely careful. For in this case, you risk making the kitchen too aggressive or tastelessly decorated.

The combination of opposite colors in the spectrum, where only one of the selected colors is the main one, looks good in the interior.

Contrasting kitchen looks stylish and trendy.

When designing a contrasting interior, furniture should be the starting point.

Furniture should be darker than the walls and lighter than the floor.

The most popular color combinations for a contrasting kitchen interior:
* orange and blue
* orange and black, gray
* yellow and purple
* peach and blue
* white and black
* red and black
* red and gray
* red and gray
white
* beige and dark brown
* green and black
* lilac and warm green
In addition, a combination of any bright color with white or black is considered a contrast.

 
 
 
 



 
 



Conclusion
Whatever design option you choose, whatever combination of colors in the interior of the kitchen you choose, follow the basic rules:
* White or black color can be combined without risk with almost any other color.

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