An English Cottage Kitchen for Angie and John
Home is where the heart is, and the heart of any home is undoubtedly the kitchen. It's the space where laughter echoes, memories are made, and culinary masterpieces come to life. However, a kitchen that feels outdated and lackluster can dampen the joy of daily life. That’s where we come in!
Angie and John have lived in their home for 18 years. In fact, we custom designed and built their home back when Mega Remodel was Mega Homes. After a series of discussions to gain insight into their family’s lifestyle and preference, they settled on an English cottage style home. We designed the exterior with unique stone, an enclosed front porch with arches, and warm wood doors to embrace this European style. They love their home and have so many fond memories having raised two kids in it, and now they wanted to undergo some kitchen and dining room updates to elevate their home.
Exterior of client’s English cottage style home built in 2005
Before: The Dining Room
Every great transformation begins with a vision, and for us it is essential to understand the homeowners' desires and needs. We began the process by doing a walkthrough with Angie and John, listening to what worked, what didn’t work, and any design ideas they had.
In the dining room, they thoroughly enjoy having a formal table for entertaining so they didn’t want to change the function of this room. They also still love the use of the pass-through hutch dividing the kitchen and dining area to keep the areas separate yet connected.
Before: Dining room
Before: Dining room pass-through hutch
Before: The Kitchen
In the kitchen, Angie and John expressed that they still prefer the look of their maple cabinetry over painted cabinetry. We suggested pulling in a few darker wood elements to accent the golden maple and break it up. They also wanted to update their backsplash and modify the kitchen island to create a more functional flow and better prep space.
Before: Kitchen
Before: Kitchen and nook area
In this kitchen area is also a built-in nook that is original to the house. When we built their home back in 2005 they had two young kids then, and this nook served as the perfect area to gather for meals or school work. They definitely wanted to keep this nook area, however it needed to be updated and brightened up.
We developed a working plan which included keeping the original floor plan but adding high-quality design selections that will make this home feel even more charming. Take a look at the results!
After
In the end, the transformation of this English cottage home was more than just a remodel; it was a rebirth. In key areas, the heritage of the old dining room and kitchen were preserved and embraced, while modern upgrades breathed new life into the space. To infuse personality and warmth in the dining room, we brought in a new blue-gray paint color that works in harmony with the natural wood finishes. A new light fixture acts as the focal piece of this space and gives it that wow-factor it needed.
Before
After
We got rid of the popcorn ceilings and added all new crown molding for a more finished look. The addition of crown molding adds height to the ceiling and is an attractive detail that brings attention to the beautiful archways.
We wanted to create a kitchen that embraced the past, celebrated the present, and welcomed the future—a space that would be cherished for generations to come. It was so important to Angie and John that we keep the natural look of their kitchen, which they still love. In the redesign of the island, they were passionate about modifying the original posts and incorporating them with the new island.
The homeowners made a conscious effort to infuse the space with high-quality and unique materials. This includes the Carrara marble countertop, a custom tile backsplash, an induction cooktop, glass light fixtures, and new stainless steel appliances.
The elegant backsplash with artisanal tiles became the focal point, tying the design together and reflecting the family's vibrant spirit. This blends harmoniously with the marble countertops and a classic subway tile backsplash.
Although we didn’t change the detail of the cabinets, we were able to modify a few drawer and cabinet fronts that had any sign of wear and tear. To create a more striking contrast against the custom backsplash, we darkened the hood using a deep brown stain.
Before
After
We suggested lowering the island and getting rid of the two-level countertop that Angie and John originally had. This gives them more space for food preparation, cooking with ease, and as they host guests can have a more smooth and enjoyable place to gather and socialize.
And we didn’t forget the built-in nook area! We updated this space with an alluring new light fixture with black accents to tie in with the hardware.
We also resourced a local business who is a past client of ours, for the custom upholstery. They were able to bring new life to this nook by choosing fabrics with texture and similar colors as the dining room. The result is a perfect blend of new and old.
What made this transformation truly special were the personal touches and sentimental accents scattered throughout. We are so thankful to have Angie and John as long-standing clients and we wish them many enchanting memories within the walls of their English cottage home.
Thank You Partners
We want to take a moment to thank our trade partners for making this remodel possible.
Tile: Tile X Design and Mark Lacey
Countertops: Granite-Tops (Cold Spring)
Cabinets: Scandia Custom Cabinets
Drywall/Paint/Stain: Brush Masters
Millwork (Trim/doors/windows): ABC Millwork & Cabinetry
Flooring: Duane’s Hardwood Flooring
Electric: Jeske Electric
Plumbing: MCB Plumbing
HVAC: 4 Front Energy
Lighting & plumbing fixtures : Ferguson
Project mgmt & demo: TA Brunn Construction
Are you ready to remodel?
For information and a consultation, contact Meg Jaeger, owner and chief creative of Mega Remodel, to see how we can make a plan for your next home remodeling project.