English Cottage Kitchen

In the hills of an established neighborhood in Vestavia, Alabama, a charming stone and brick cottage with green shutters was home to a couple nearing retirement. They were eager to update their home and create a sanctuary for family and friends to enjoy and entertain in for years to come.

This renovation project began with the addition of a significant screened-in porch, then proceeded to the bathrooms, and finally, they were set to tackle the kitchen and living areas. By this time, the client had more than just a working relationship and trust for my work. She was willing to let me have complete creative control. The only question she wrestled with was choosing the perfect green for the painted cabinets from the several I had presented to her. I must say, she picked the perfect one!

I presented a plan for an English cottage-style kitchen that perfectly suited her style and her welcoming home.

The design centered around a custom mantel-style hood, which inspired the shelf over the sink area to house her collection of ceramics. The scale of this hood is appropriately proportioned for the range and the ceiling height of her home. Hidden storage on either side ensures essentials, such as spices, are readily available and clutterfree.

Creating this perfect hub of the home involved removing the wall between the den and the dining room. The kitchen also took on the space of an underused closet, giving it the expansiveness it had never had before. Even with this more open plan, an underused formal living room was redesigned to offer an additional entertaining space for this large family.

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One of the only elements to remain from the original kitchen is this lovely window. Now it is framed in a handmade tile that offers texture and quiet elegance to the entire space. On either side, brass sconces with custom-made grasscloth shades illuminate the wall.

An appliance garage, tucked conventinely next the sink houses the coffee maker and blender for smoothies and meal prep.

The new kitchen easily accommodates several cooks at the expansive peninsula, clad in the most beautiful Blanco Superior Polished Quartzite.

Hidden Conveniences

Hidden in this classical English kitchen are all the modern conveniences one would expect in a new kitchen. The dishwasher is perfectly hidden in the peninsula, conveniently located next to the sink.

Next to the dishwasher is a pull-out garbage, making food prep and waste disposal a breeze. At the end of the island, the microwave is tucked out of view from the den and far enough away for multiple family members to work conveniently in the kitchen at the same time.

To the left of the refrigerator is a beverage station housing the cube ice maker, and drawer fridges to hold cold drinks.

The glass cabinets elevate the look of the end of the run of cabinetry and create a nice transition to the dining area.

Behind the Design

A transformation of this magnitude requires a look at the before images. Now it is clear that this kitchen and main living area underwent a complete transformation for this family. Before, it was a challenge to have more than one person in the kitchen.

Now, there is ample counter space for prep, cooking and dishwashing.

Images with the lights on are not commonly shared here, but the glow of this kitchen with the custom lighting plan creates such an inviting space.

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As mentioned, this was only part of a nearly comprehensive scope of work for the entire home. In addition to the bathrooms and consulting on the construction and furnishing of the new large outdoor living porch area, the living room and den were fully refurnished to suit the fresh new look of all the spaces.

Wondering how you can transform your home with full-service design and renovation consulting with the help of Deeply Southern Home? Visit the link in the Services tab and complete the Client Intake Form to schedule your consultation today.