Hi cuties! I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of my favorite recent KKH lookbooks, Cotswolds Manor, inspired by the beauty of the English countryside. I’m sharing why we designed this English kitchen the way we did and the kind of home I imagine this kitchen would live inside. Let me take you on a tour…
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Bathed in natural light, the cozy dining area sits adjacent to the island. The kitchen table is the perfect spot for simple weekday breakfasts or a cup of coffee paired with The New York Times crossword on the weekend. We centered this nook with a darling round dining table, set atop a classic pedestal base and finished with a scalloped apron. Six cushioned oak dining chairs feature a gently weathered whitewashed finish that echoes the nostalgic, timeworn look quintessential to the Cotswolds.
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To complete the design of this bespoke English kitchen, patterned drapery in soft shades of blue and cream frames the large picture windows to wonderfully dramatic effect. Adorning the shelves is a curated selection of gorgeous white stoneware that feels intentional and layered, like a collection of heirlooms handed down over time. Framed paintings and faux greenery infuse color and personality into the kitchen to make it even more welcoming.
Pulling Design Inspiration From the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a picturesque region in England famous for its charming villages and rolling countryside, complete with historic stone houses and sprawling English gardens. The area is home to celebrities galore—David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Winslet, and Sienna Miller are just a few of the many who reside in this storybook landscape. For those who frequent the Cotswolds, it acts as a cozy retreat from London; a place rooted in tradition and surrounded by nature—the perfect escape to usher in a slower pace of life.
Shop the Kitchen Design
Most are hundreds of years old and designed with an emphasis on traditional details. They’re meant to capture a timeless, lived-in kind of charm that feels just like home, and this kitchen and dining area design offers all of these traits in spades."Cotswolds houses are grounded in warmth, character, and rustic elegance."
A Timeless, Cozy English Kitchen with Room to Gather
With multiple seating areas, this is a kitchen designed for entertaining. At the heart of the kitchen, a gorgeous acacia wood island offers the perfect prep space with open shelves underneath to store dishes and serveware. We added three of our Christine counter stools on one side of the island—perfect for after-school homework sessions or casual family banter while dinner is whipped up. Finished with beautiful hand-carved wood details and easy-to-clean linen-blend performance upholstery, these counter stools are a total no-brainer.[gallery columns="2" size="large" link="none" ids="33387,33389"]
Shop the Kitchen Design
Bathed in natural light, the cozy dining area sits adjacent to the island. The kitchen table is the perfect spot for simple weekday breakfasts or a cup of coffee paired with The New York Times crossword on the weekend. We centered this nook with a darling round dining table, set atop a classic pedestal base and finished with a scalloped apron. Six cushioned oak dining chairs feature a gently weathered whitewashed finish that echoes the nostalgic, timeworn look quintessential to the Cotswolds.
Shop the Kitchen Design
Kitchen Décor That Adds Warmth and Character
To light this space, we added a pair of Visual Comfort Brantley lanterns over the island. With a green verdigris finish on the metal, these fixtures have a lovely vintage look. Over the dining table, a white pleated pendant light with an antique gold leaf finish casts a warm glow. Handwoven rugs ground the space with texture and pattern. With its warm neutral palette and fringe detailing, our Francesca runner is easy to love. Under the dining table, we added a lush round rug that echoes the table’s circular shape."Beyond the core furnishings, it’s the finishing touches that truly elevate a kitchen and make it feel personal—think lighting, textiles, and décor."
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Shop the Kitchen Design
To complete the design of this bespoke English kitchen, patterned drapery in soft shades of blue and cream frames the large picture windows to wonderfully dramatic effect. Adorning the shelves is a curated selection of gorgeous white stoneware that feels intentional and layered, like a collection of heirlooms handed down over time. Framed paintings and faux greenery infuse color and personality into the kitchen to make it even more welcoming.
Shop the Cotswolds Manor Lookbook
Loving this cozy and timeless Cotswolds-inspired kitchen? Shop the entire Cotswolds Manor lookbook for a handpicked assortment of furniture, lighting, décor, and oh so much more that brings the beauty of the English countryside to your home.
Kathy Kuo Studio
Need design help? Kathy Kuo Studio is a full-service design firm working with clients in the United States and abroad. From warm, timeless interiors to serene outdoor retreats, our talented team of accredited designers creates spaces that feel like home, designed around how you live and what you love.
Schedule a free consultation, call (888) 908-3486, or email studio@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
