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Before & After: Cottage Kitchen Goes from College to Classic

Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara is Apartment Therapy's News & Culture Director. When not scrolling through Instagram double-tapping pet pics and astrology memes, you'll find her thrift shopping around Boston, kayaking on the Charles, and trying not to buy more plants.
updated May 4, 2019
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(Image credit: Sarah Farrell)

This cottage kitchen had a lot to overcome: a less-than-functional layout, old cabinets, dated floors, and popcorn ceilings. Sarah from The Estate of Things gave it a whole new look (and usefulness, too):

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell)

From Sarah:

This North Carolina cottage kitchen needed a lot of help! Popcorn ceilings, wooden cabinets from the 50s and a refrigerator hanging out all by itself on the middle of a long wall were just the start of the problems. The remodel sought to eliminate a “college dude” look, trading up beer signs and parquet flooring for a more sophisticated aesthetic that features classic architectural choices, timeless tile and countertop finishes and layers of modern on-trend accessories.


As is customary for this historic renovation and interior design blog, readers of The Estate of Things joined along in the design process throughout. The designer gathered input on a banquette build, readers weighed in on lighting choices, paint colors and appliances.

For more photos and details, check out The Estate of Things.

Thank you Sarah!