The Cottage Journal Cottage Kitchens 2013

The popularity of open floor plans has spiked, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the heart of the home—the kitchen. Many kitchens we find for the The Cottage Journal are clearly built to accommodate the fullness of our everyday lives—rushed breakfasts, homework, long family dinners, bills, important discussions, gatherings with friends, and of course, cooking. It seems that most homeowners prefer this versatile gathering space to a formal dining room. Perhaps it is because the feeling of “home” always makes its way to our kitchens. In this special issue, you will be inspired with a visit inside a Belgian-style kitchen in “Understated Elegance” on page 23. An old-world kitchen in the story “Bespoke Beauty” on page 33 features interesting accessories and antiques. And experience traditional charm in the…

Creamware was perfected in the mid-1700s as Europe’s economical counterpart to popular but expensive Chinese porcelain. This refined earthenware pottery naturally aquired its name from the creamy color of its appearance. Although many experimenters and developers had a hand in creamware’s birth, Josiah Wedgwood is best remembered for his refinement to and successful marketing of the product. He became known as the “Potter to Her Majesty” after furnishing Queen Charlotte with his creamware line, of which he then proudly (and cleverly) dubbed Queen’s Ware. The majority of creamware is plain, but this versatile pottery was also decorated with transfer print designs, as well as monochrome and polychrome enamel colors. Many pieces were reticulated or pierced, which gives the edges a lacy appearance. Creamware can be found today in fine antiques…

The rolling pin is one of the oldest kitchen tools around. Historians say it is depicted in drawings by the Etruscans—that’s long before it was mass-produced in the early 19th century. Today collections of pins are popular wall art for kitchens. In the photo above, rolling pins are attached to bead board and framed to hang. The oldest rolling pins, in the collection displayed at right, are hand-carved from one piece of wood. All the handles vary in shape depending on the designer and the use of the rolling pin. This collector and her husband enjoy finding pins while traveling. Once home, the rolling pins are displayed in the kitchen but are still accessible and “ready to roll.” Style Idea Hand-forged hooks created by a blacksmith provide an easy and…

Mourning the end of a trip is symptomatic of a fantastic vacation, but how about making that favorite place the muse for reinventing one’s own home? It was the comfort a family found in Belgian homes that inspired the combination of sleek efficiency, timeless charm, and traditional practicality in their new kitchen design. Enthusiasm for Belgian design is spiking, as many designers are attracted to its understated yet functional elegance. fireside dining The kitchen redesign raises the fireplace to eye level. Diners seated at the table can enjoy the dancing of flames, and there is a convenient and tidy storage area for logs and kindling beneath. In keeping with Belgian tradition, this kitchen combines rustic wood and brick elements juxtaposed with smooth stone surfaces and sleek steel appliances in a…

When a young couple with children bought this home, it was for the location and views, not for the dated kitchen. The homeowners renovated to achieve the look and function they wanted—a blend of classical details and simple design with plenty of workspace and convenient storage that helps keep it tidy. Considering the kitchen from the bottom up, the durable stained and reclaimed hickorypecan plank flooring extends throughout the open floor plan and into the lower level with area rugs to punctuate the spaces. The crown moldings and classically footed columns of the bright white cabinets together with the white Carrara marble countertops and its refined cove edge introduce a traditional quality. The decorative columns flanking both the Wolf range and the farmhouse sink also store spices and small items.…

Style Idea Try unexpected colors in your kitchen. This rich turquoise blue ties all of the kitchen´s warm, earthy tones together. When artist Susan Ferguson stepped into a circa-1926 Scottish cottage located in a venerable neighborhood, she was surprised— and immediately smitten—with its myriad charms. She was especially captivated with the home’s enchanting kitchen, filled with old-world charisma and a lovely view of the wooded backyard. Throughout the sun-washed interiors, Susan mixes sentimental pieces with more contemporary furnishings for a unique style that mirrors her artful personality. But it’s in the kitchen that her eclectic tastes and love of nature truly shines. Avoiding common paint preferences for the walls, she opted for a vibrant shade of blue that proved to be a serendipitous choice. “I wanted a robin’s-egg-blue kitchen,” Susan…