cottage-style home with a traditional look.”
“I wanted to maintain the integrity of the
Save vs. Splurge
Discover when to save and when to spend in your kitchen remodel.
SAVE. Your backsplash doesn’t have as much wear and tear as the countertops, so you can afford to go with a look-alike material. “We used mini brick marble, but you can use a porcelain mini brick to save,” says Nancy.
SPLURGE. “Don’t, by any means, try to save money with inexpensive countertops,” says Nancy. “They are critical, and you’ll want something to stand up to wear and tear.” Nancy suggests quartz or cracked limestone as beautiful and functional options.
HOMEY AND SPACIOUS
With the cottage’s 17-feet-high ceilings, Nancy’s biggest challenge was keeping the kitchen homey and warm. She worked with the size by adding pieces larger in scale, such as the island, lighting and windows. “The architect designed the windows and arches to give the kitchen a homier feel,” says Nancy. “He tried to give me as much window space as possible.”The windows allow natural light to fill the room and keep everything looking bright and welcoming. The color palette also helps the space look grounded with its white foundation. “I wanted to keep things neutral, because I was dealing with navy blue and gray in the living room, says Nancy.
DESIGNED FOR FAMILY
When designing a kitchen, Nancy always begins with a layout plan. “This layout was tough, because it was so big,” she says. “I wanted it to function well for more than one person, as my grandchildren often help me cook for the holidays. I also wanted a lot of storage.”With her custom-made cabinetry, Nancy had plenty of storage to hide her supplies and display her dinnerware. She used the glass doors to her advantage by displaying her antiques on the shelves. “It took hours to arrange,” she says.
The materials in the kitchen, though clean and simple, are what set her kitchen apart. “The countertops are made of Super White quartz, which is really resilient and doesn’t show anything. It’s hard to find white countertops nowadays.” Everything in the kitchen, from the mini brick marble backsplash to the antique reclaimed chestnut flooring, was carefully chosen to achieve a traditional cottage look.